<HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=windows-1252"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2963" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY style="BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: none" bgColor=#ffffff>I think another approach is simply time based.   Figure out you average tuning time.   I figure 1 hour for a good average tuning.  If the tech wants each tuning to be concert quality, then add time to your tuning base...if I'm tuning a Whitney spinet my fee is for that hour...I do the best I can and I move on...I'm in the process of trying to get that work done by my apprentice/employee (fantasy idea...) I don't actually have an apprentice but I'm working towards it...<BR><BR>David Ilvedson, RPT<BR>Pacifica, CA 94044<BR><BR><BR> <DIV style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 3px solid; PADDING-TOP: 5px"> <HR> Original message<BR>From: pianolady50@peoplepc.com<BR>To: "Pianotech List" <PIANOTECH@PTG.ORG><BR>Received: 9/19/2006 10:33:37 AM<BR>Subject: Re: pricing<BR><BR> <DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hi Richard,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Yes, a thought.  What happens to your new referral customer.  A friend who loves your work has told him you charge $XX.  Then you tell him sorry, for his piano, for whatever reason, it will be $XXXXX.  Doesn't have good flavor to me!  Why not just average out the price.  Consider some "easy money" and others "hard work for the money".  Also, consider referring new calls w/spinets or whatever to a new tech in your area.  They would welcome "any" business.  When I first started and then later when I moved to a different area, I made it well known to the other techs that I would gladly take any job that they didn't want.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Debbie</FONT></DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV>I'm thinking about pricing tunings based not only by pitch adjustment,but also by piano type and age.</DIV> <DIV>Spinets and pianos older than 20yrs, highest fee, nicer pianos less etc.</DIV> <DIV>With more pianos and limited time, I would rather tune pianos that I could get better results with and less headaches.</DIV> <DIV>Any thoughts?</DIV> <DIV>RU/UP</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV></BODY></HTML>