[pianotech] price-negotiating customers

[Dean May]

If I know a phone customer is price shopping I always let them know I'm
probably the highest in our area. I then tell them if price is really an
issue for them here are some of the other tuners in the area. And I give
them 2 or 3 names along with descriptions of who they are, (ie, he's a
really great guy and does a lot of university work, he's a super guy also
and is a retired university prof, etc.). I usually end up scheduling most of
them.Dean

Dean W May                (812) 235-5272

PianoRebuilders.com    (888) DEAN-MAY

Terre Haute IN 47802



-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of David Nereson
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2011 12:35 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [pianotech] price-negotiating customers

    What words, phrases, does one use to counter prospective customers who
try to talk you down in price?  I had a lady who asked how much I charge to
tune, then asked if I couldn't do it for $xx less, since that's what her
last tuner charged.  Like a fool, and not to get a reputation as a "gouger,"
I agreed.  Now, of course, when I get there, it'll need a pitch raise, lost
motion regulating, a string replaced, vacuuming, etc.
    David Nereson, RPT