There's no simple answer. I wouldn't not raise your rates because we're in a recession but neither would I arbitrarily raise rates because it's been two years. You have to decide based on your analysis of the current market, prospects for the future and your satisfaction with your current rate. My own approach over time has been to simplify things. Create a basic rate that covers tuning plus other minor repairs including pitch corrections. Only if the piano has problems that extend beyond my basic service call time allotment (1 hour 15 minutes) do I charge extra. In that time I perform whatever tasks I can depending on the condition of the piano. In that amount of time I can do a pitch correction plus tuning, or a non pitch corrected tuning plus a few minor things. If the piano needs more work I'll extend the appointment to 1.5 hours and charge a bit extra based on my normally hourly but clear it with the customer first. If it needs more than that I schedule another appointment (which also keeps me on schedule for the next appointment). I find that customers appreciate knowing what they will pay up front rather than being hit with an additional this for pitch correction, another few bucks to vacuum out the piano, another couple dollars to wipe off the keys or lube the pedals. However YMMV. David Love www.davidlovepianos.com -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Wally Scherer Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2010 6:18 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: [pianotech] Raising rates in recession I usually raise my rates a bit every two years to keep up with the cost of living. But since we are in a recession, is this wise to do now? Wally Scherer A FINE TUNE - Piano Tuning & Repairs Wallace T. Scherer, piano technician, music educator 5020 Canal Drive, Lake Worth, Florida, 33463-8014 Telephone: 561-432-4121 Web page: http://aftune.angelfire.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-FINE-TUNE-PIANO-TUNING-REPAIRS/1298450103661 85 ------------------------------------------------ FREE TICKETS: http://aftune.angelfire.com/freetics.html
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC