[pianotech] pros and cons of discounts

[Dean May]

I began this year offering a $4 discount for multiple pianos. If there is
more than one piano at a location being tuned, or they schedule together
with another friend or friends, $4 off for each piano. It is working well
and I'm very happy with it.

 

 

 

Dean

Dean W May                (812) 235-5272

PianoRebuilders.com    (888) DEAN-MAY

Terre Haute IN 47802

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From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of tnrwim at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 10:05 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [pianotech] pros and cons of discounts

 

Several of us on this list have pined our opinions on discounting our
services. There are some who flat out refuse to offer any kind of discount,
no matter what, while there are others who regularly offer a discount, to
both individuals and non-profits, like churches. What we need to take into
consideration when we offer a discount is how it effects our business. If
you have all the business you can handle, and are regularly booked several
weeks in advance, then you are in a position to stick to your regular
service fee and work on only those pianos you deem worthy of your talent.  I
envy all of you who can do that, because there used to be time when I was in
that position. But, unfortunately, such is not longer the case. 

 

With the current economic condition in our country the way it is, one we
have not encountered in over 70 years, "tough times call for tough
measures". It used to be that servicing 20 or more customers in a week was
the norm. But often times I end the week with no more than 12 - 15
appointments. And those were hard to come by, in that I did have to offer a
discount. The discount was offered, or promoted, not so much to get my
customers to use me instead of a competitor, but just to get the customer to
have her piano tuned. There are many people who are now making tough
decisions on how to spend their money. They don't have the discretionary
income to spend going out to dinner or buying a new flat screen TV. So when
they call to get their piano tuned, and the fee is more than they think it
should be, they will opt to delay getting that done. They will, instead, use
that money to take a trip, or fix the house. 

 

Discounts are becoming a way of life in our country. Everything is "on
sale", and that includes getting pianos tuned. There is nothing wrong with
offering the discount. It might be the only way to stay in business. And
this includes offering discounts to teachers who promise to recommend you to
their students, and working on rat infested spinets in a stinky house. There
is nothing wrong with doing what needs to be done to make a buck, while
maintaining your self respect and dignity. 

 

Wim

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