Be Careful! Don't just advertise $40 for a tuning!!!!! That's what got
me into trouble once 20 years ago when I was new!. All you get are people
who haven't had their pianos tuned since the 70's or worse, and they're
almost always grandma's ancient old uprights that haven't worked with
broken parts, strings, etc for years and are looking for a cheap "fix".
Don't do it!. They really don't understand that the fixes will be $x,000
bucks and many many tunings, or rebuilding or replacement (usually the
case).
The price you advertise is what they expect to pay, period. Oh what a
mess I got myself into when I started out!!!! On afterthinking this while
licking my wounds, was to advertise a "coupon" for $40 off piano tuning
services. No details, no fuss no muss! State your expected tuning fees
and hourly rate up front and don't cheat yourself! We're all suffering
from this and we should be paid much higher than a plumber or electrician!
Who can do what we do??.... Far less than 1% of the people out there, so
go for it!
I have often challenged a plumber or electrician or carpenter who wants to
charge $85/hour: Lets trade places; after 6 months of training, and see
who can do a better job!! Nobody's taken me up on that! I could do any of
their jobs with a month of training if I chose to do so. I love what I
do, so that's what I do. I have no desire to clean out somebody's plugged
up toilet.
We are very unique! Take it into your soul and sell what you're really
worth!
Paul
From:
Ryan Sowers <tunerryan at gmail.com>
To:
pianotech at ptg.org
Date:
10/11/2010 01:02 PM
Subject:
Re: [pianotech] rates for new techician
It sounds like you are off to a good start Zoe!
I remember the first ad I ran in the classified ads for a $50 tuning
special! I think others were charging around $70 or so. That was 1994 and
at 26 years of age I was starting a business in a smallish state town with
about 5 other established tuners in the city. It was impossible to make
enough money with private clients at that point so I did what you are
doing - work for someone else in the meantime.
Another way to stay busy is to always have a project piano that you are
fixing up to sell. Getting through my first few piano taught me a lot
about regulating. It's a perfect way to practice voicing too without the
stress of meeting someone else's expectations. Keep track of how much time
you spend on the piano so you can figure out how much money you actually
make. At first it may be only minimum wage! But you will feel more
confident with each one, and you will make more money accordingly.
Maybe instead of setting your rates lower, have an introductory "special".
That is better psychologically. Then when you start getting busier, you
can get rid of the special, and you automatically get a raise! I recommend
throwing in extras, especially CLEANING. Take the action out on the porch
and blow it out,(make sure the client sees the dust cloud that comes out
of the action!) take out the keys and clean the key bed (make sure the
client sees the 'before and after'!) vacuum out the bottom board area,
give the keys a good cleaning, and wipe the case down with a little
polish. There are many clients who will appreciate THAT more than the
tuning!
One advantage of starting out low, is that you give yourself room for
regular pay raises. It was satisfying to start out as the cheapest tuner
in town and end up 16 years later being the most expensive! ("be expensive
and worth it, said my mentors.) Those regular raises kept my motivation
up, and kept me striving to do my best work.
Make a commitment to continuing education, find good mentors and USE THEM,
collaborate with colleagues, dress like a professional, and promote full
service piano care.
Best of luck to you! Hope to see you at Westpac or Kansas City in 2011!
--
Ryan Sowers, RPT
Puget Sound Chapter
Olympia, WA
www.pianova.net
On Sun, Oct 10, 2010 at 7:48 PM, Zoe Sandell <yiddishtangofever at shaw.ca>
wrote:
Thanks everyone,
I am looking to take my PTG exams soonish- (still working on perfecting
the
temperament!) I am working/apprenticing 4 days week as an assistant
technician at the local Conservatory of music. It is an incredible
experience- with tons of pianos to tune and work on
I agree with the quality- I wouldn't sell a tuning job if I am not
confident
about it- so why would I charge a lot less...
It is very interesting to me that there is pretty much a consensus that
clients wanting cheap prices- are not loyal, nor interested in quality
work-
great advice- thanks again
Zoe
-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On
Behalf
Of David Stocker
Sent: October 10, 2010 2:01 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] rates for new techician
Zoe,
I think it is common practice for new techs to charge less, but not smart
practice. You might even get a tuning or two more in the first year if you
do. You will not get enough extra customers to make up for charging less.
I think you want to feel confident you can accomplish a solid tuning
before
you sell one. In the most basic sense, that is what you are selling. If it
takes you longer, so be it. Sell quality, charge what you have to charge
in
order to deliver it.
David Stocker, RPT
Tumwater, WA
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Zoe Sandell" <yiddishtangofever at shaw.ca>
Sent: Sunday, October 10, 2010 12:16
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Subject: [pianotech] rates for new techician
> Hello
>
> I am wondering if it is general practice for a technician starting out
> (like
> myself) to charge slightly less because I do not have the same years of
> experience.
>
> Ideas?
>
> Thanks
> Zoe
>
>
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