[pianotech] groupon

[paul bruesch]

I just had an idea regarding Groupon offers. Rather than offer a half-price
(or whatever) tuning and getting 90% in serious dire need of pitch raise
and other work, offer a higher-priced "Full Service" option, and maybe only
35-40% off. Full service can be pitch raise plus tuning plus some
regulation touch up, or vacuuming under keys, or replacing some shattered
elbows... whatever you can do in 2-1/2 or 3 hours (for example.) That way
you don't have to upsell nearly so much. People are still getting a
bargain, but they also don't go into it thinking they get a like-brand-new
piano for $50 (or whatever.)

Paul Bruesch
Stillwater, MN


On Wed, Dec 19, 2012 at 12:34 PM, <tnrwim at aol.com> wrote:

> Marshall
>
> you said, "I don't think groupon would allow me to charge full rate if
> they purchased it and they wanted it done right away. then I might get
> acused of bait and switch."
>
> I don't think that would be a bait and switch. Bait and switch is when you
> schedule the tuning, but when you get there you tell the customer that the
> regular tuning she bought isn't available, but "such a deal I have for
> you". Explain up front that you can honor the Groupon, but that she has
> wait until March for an appointment. Then say that if she wants it done
> sooner, you can schedule her in the next week or so if she wants to pay
> full fare, (or even offer her a little discount). It will be the customer's
> call what she want to do.
>
> I bought a horse back ride with Groupon, and was told it was only offered
> on certain days. Our son was here on vacation, and he had to leave before
> we could do the ride. So the lady at the stable offered us a discount
> from the regular fee, but which was more than the Groupon deal.  We got our
> ride, and the stable got the business. I didn't feel like that was bait and
> switch because it was my decision to pay extra for the horse back ride.
>
> As far as calling customers to schedule an appointment, do you send a
> reminder card first, to give them a heads up that it's time to get the
> piano tuned?  If you call them out of the blue, they will probably say
> something like, "I have to check with the teacher, or my husband, or my
> child, or the dog" (lol). But if you send them a post card to remind them
> that you are going to call, the customer can check with whomever is playing
> the piano to see if it's needed. When I was calling customers, it increased
> my appointments significantly. BTW, don't be disappointed that customers
> won't schedule an appointment in 6 months. For most people that's too soon
> after they got the piano tuned. You will get more business after waiting a
> year. So if you've been calling them after 6 months, be sure to call them
> again a year after the first appointment.
>
> Have you tried pre-scheduling appointments?  I don't call customers
> anymore, I now have enough pre-scheduled appointments to keep me very
> busy. I wrote an article about that in the April '12 Journal, I will also
> be teaching it at the Convention in Chicago.
> You asked about using someone to drive you. Call Shawn Brock,
> (702-271-6330) for advice on this. He is chairman of the Visually
> Impaired Concerns Committee.  One suggestion is to go to a senior citizen
> center and put an ad on the bulletin board asking if anyone wants a job
> doing that.
>
> Good Luck
>
> Wim
>
>   -----Original Message-----
> From: Marshall Gisondi <pianotune05 at hotmail.com>
> To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Sent: Wed, Dec 19, 2012 6:01 am
> Subject: [pianotech] groupon
>
>  HI William & Jer,
> I am scheduling some of my regulars, but I'm having trouble getting them
> all called.  So I think that's a good option, to schedule a groupon or two
> and then a regular if I can. I have also moved people closer too if a
> customer flakes. I'll call and say , "Do you want me to come out today or
> tomorrow instad of Thursday etc. I don't t hink groupon would allow me to
> charge full rate if they purchase dit and they wanted it done right away.
> then I might aget acused of bait and switch.
>
> Jer, I think the massage therapy guy and I are different in that I have
> more control over the customer.  When I complete a tuning, I still have
> their contact info and can call them to schedule. Doe your friend keep a
> log of customers.  Also I make sure I do professional work and it's shows
> in the comments I received thus far.  Well have a good one
> Marshall
> 215-510-9400
> http://www.phillytuner.com
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20121219/596aceeb/attachment.htm>