At the last convention I took an oath to raise my fees. I have stuck to my promise, continued to tithe, and my income and client list is increasing. BD,RPT -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Gerald Groot Sent: Friday, January 15, 2010 10:17 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] age-old question of what to charge for almost nothing Oh come on David. I thought we were done with this? You do not appear to be getting it. Of course I explained that to them. I omitted that from this conversation for the sake of keeping the email shorter as it was already too long. To them, it didn't matter and here's why. I had done a repair on a good customer's piano that I had been servicing for many years. This person was a music teacher who gave me a lot of referrals so I did the work as sort of thank you for about half the price of what I charged the new client. The new client's repair was very similar to the music teachers repair. The music teacher had told them in advance what I had charged her. Even though I had already told the teacher that I was doing it for about half, the new client expected the same price but did not receive it. Regardless of any explanations I gave to the new client, she didn't think it was fair. That's where I'm coming from on the freebee issue. Giving away free services to one client and not to another is walking on pretty iffy territory in my opinion. What you are doing is no different from what I did with my client. Now, take note that this took place well over 30 some years ago and is why I no longer do it. Since then everyone receives the same hourly rate and the same service call charge. David, what I see happening continually in this business and sometimes in this forum bothers me and is wrong. 1. Some technicians like yourself continue defending yourself to the point of picking my email apart with little to no regard for my points made that this is a business and should be run as such. Shall I return the favor to you? 2. I see and hear many technicians constantly complaining that they can't make a living. Why not!? If you're new that's different. If you live in an area where there are not a lot pianos that's your choice. But, if they are well established like I am and still complaining which many of them are, then they need to be taking a very serious look at what it is they are either doing right or doing wrong. There is no excuse for us not to be able to make a very decent living in this business if we are fair, honest and ethical. Making a trip out to someone's home to retrieve a pencil for less or for nothing for the sake of possibly getting a new client? No thanks. If I am going to get the client I will get them from having a good reputation. Jer -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of David Love Sent: Friday, January 15, 2010 9:18 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] age-old question of what to charge for almost nothing Yes I know. I edited the entire post for the sake of brevity. If someone calls you on what appears to be different billing practices, you need to work more on your ability to rationalize the differences which clearly the customers are not seeing. There's always a reasonable explanation. David Love www.davidlovepianos.com -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Gerald Groot Sent: Friday, January 15, 2010 6:06 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] age-old question of what to charge for almost nothing You mean you're not a mind reader? I admit that I type very quickly not always checking correct spelling as I should or, checking and missing it and sometimes I do not articulate properly. I get so many emails from customers and other places that sometimes I just fire the ones off in here to be done with it. :) I was referring to the paragraph above in my other email where I talked about getting caught charging a good client one price and a new client another price. That's what I mean saying "Not true as per above." Along with, not charging, equals lost income. Dat's alllllll. Over n out. Jer -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of David Love Sent: Friday, January 15, 2010 8:07 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] age-old question of what to charge for almost nothing You just need to work more on your explanations. David Love www.davidlovepianos.com If one says as you did, "It's not hurting my ability to make a living and I've never had anyone that I've ended up charging say "but, you didn't charge so and so". Not true as per above. Every time we do something for nothing, we've lost revenue. Jer _____ avast! Antivirus <http://www.avast.com> : Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 100115-1, 01/15/2010 Tested on: 1/15/2010 9:06:15 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2010 ALWIL Software. _____ avast! Antivirus <http://www.avast.com> : Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 100115-2, 01/15/2010 Tested on: 1/15/2010 10:16:41 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2010 ALWIL Software.
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