<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" = http-equiv=Content-Type> <META content="MSHTML 5.00.2314.1000" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT size=2>At the risk of someone yelling fire in our = theater, I'd like to ask for some input.</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>I know that it can be construed as price fixing if = we all get together and agree as to a particular price we should all charge for a particular product or service.  That ain't where I'm coming from.</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>I need some perspective of what other people are = charging for rebuilding work.  A large piano store in my area has made mention = of much rebuilding work that they could 'send my way', only they have requested = a 'price list' of sorts.  I've got some ideas for much of it, but having = been an employee for so long, and not having access to the 'bottom lines', I'm a = little in the dark as to what others might be charging.</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>On the one hand, I don't want to be too cheap.  = If a complete bellying for a 6' grand might be considered reasonable at = $4,500, I don't want to be busting my hump trying to do these jobs for $2,500, = just so I'll be the cheapest guy in town.  On the other hand, I haven't yet = established a reputation that would allow me to charge $6,500 for the = same job and expect to get it because I can demonstrate that I'm worth = it.</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>I've had many discussions with this particular = dealer, and although we're on a friendly basis, I can be sure he won't be the first = to start throwing out numbers. (Isn't there an old saying about the first = guy that throws out a number loses?) I have indicated on a number of things that = I most likely won't be the cheapest guy around, but rather he'll have a product = that'll be of very high quality, the kind worthy of a premium price.  Now, = how do I determine just what that price is... that's the six million dollar question...</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Of my local guild chapter, there's only two other = people who are doing serious rebuilding work, neither of which particularly wish to = talk about prices.</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>So basically, I'm left with a situation where I'd = like to find some input, but don't particularly know where or how.</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Any figures, thoughts, ideas, or other remarks you'd = like to send my way?  I'd be open to any and all of them.  If you = think it's too hot a topic for the list, feel free to e-mail me privately.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Not wanting to stir up trouble.  Just looking = for input.</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>I hope you'll all have a nice weekend.</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Thanks,</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Brian Trout</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Quarryville, PA</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2><A href="mailto:btrout@desupernet.net">btrout@desupernet.net</A></FONT></D= IV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV></BODY></HTML>