<HTML>In a message dated 11/17/01 12:48:43 PM !!!First Boot!!!, mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">I don't mean to open a can of dead worms, but could you expound a little on your system of calling people for tunings. This sounds like such an intrusion to me - that is why I don't do it. But if folks actually tell you they like it, well, I guess they must like it! And it sure seems to work for you! Could you give an example script of what you would say to Mrs. Typicalpianoclient at the first (or whenever) appointment? Then what do you say when you call. Maybe I'm overly concerned about intruding on their lives. I HATE telemarketers. And I know you are not in that role at all, because they have requested the call. But somehow I still kinda feel that way. Please tell me what conversations you go through to set this up. Thanks big time. </BLOCKQUOTE> Terry If Clyde's method of calling people will work for you, then by all means, go ahead. But I have some thoughts on the matter. First of all, with today's marketing on the telephone, people are much more aware of any kind of sales pitches on the telephone. Most do not like to be called in the evening, no matter what they are being offered or asked. As an example, several years ago, in an attempt to drum up more business, I asked my wife to call customers who hadn't had their piano tuned in 5 or more years. Although most were polite, some didn't even want to hear her "spiel."  Since it wasn't someone they knew, as soon as she introduced herself as being with a "company," the automatic answer was "we don't want any," or "I'm not interested." The second reason for not calling is the time it takes. I used to call my customers. But then Julie Berry gave a class on how to get repeat business by sending out post cards,  and waiting for the customers to call. So I did an experiment. Over a 6 month period I sent out post cards, one moth saying I would call to schedule an appointment, and the next month asking them to call me, and so forth. At the end of the six months, I could not see any appreciable difference in my tuning income. That told me that those people who want their piano tuned will call you, or will say yes when you cal them, and those that do not want their piano tuned will not call you, or will say no when you call them. So why spend 3 or 4 hours a week on the phone, when you're income will not be any more, or less? Wim </HTML>