<HTML style="FONT-SIZE: x-small; FONT-FAMILY: MS Sans Serif"><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=windows-1251"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.5730.11" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY> <P> <DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>John asked: "I have to replace three wound bichords in a clients piano. I have ordered </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>them and they arrived today. I'm just wondering what the usual markup for </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>individual strings might be if any. While I'm on the subject, I have always </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>felt uneasy about markup on parts never quite knowing how much is the norm. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>By the time it gets to me with shipping and various taxes, the parts seem </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>rather expensive and I feel guilty about marking it up further. I would </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>apreciate any thoughts on this matter.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>John,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>Please consider the time you spent making sure the measurements of the strings was/is correct. Also, the time it took you to order the strings. Also, the cost of your checking/credit card account. Not to mention, you are the "expert" with the expertise of knowing what is needed<BR>My usual "markup", for any parts is: Wholesale cost of parts X 2 + cost of shipping. When you consider the value of the piano you are working on, (big ticket item in any household, IMO), parts are relatively cheap! Consider the cost of parts for your car! Yikes! One relay on my German Roller Skate is over $500.00US! Can the car function without it? Yup! Do I really NEED it? Nope. Hence I haven't replaced the darn thing, ....yet! In the case of a piano, the same questions can be asked. Also, do we question the cost of parts for our cars? Sometimes, but not often.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>In short, your knowledge and skill is what your client is paying for. The parts are really incidental, IMO.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>Regards,</FONT></DIV></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Joe Garrett, R.P.T.</DIV> <DIV>Captain of the Tool Police</DIV> <DIV>Squares R I</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <P></P></BODY></HTML>