<HTML><BODY>
<div>I don't charge mileage if I can book several appointments in an area on the same day. I try to keep my rates high enough so that I'm compensated for my drive time without having to justify extra costs to my customers. When I start to whine about gas prices, I raise my rates.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Pianos are indeed a luxury item. People often don't see their maintenance as a necessity. We sure do! Without pianos, we might have to work in cubicles. Maybe we <STRONG>should</STRONG> charge more than electricians or plumbers....on the other hand, without the basics like power, water, and plumbing, would owning a piano be even a remote possibility for anyone?</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Probable priority list for the average homeowner:</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Food</div>
<div>Rent/mortgage</div>
<div>Water/Power</div>
<div>car</div>
<div>medical/dental</div>
<div>education</div>
<div>communication/media</div>
<div>entertainment</div>
<div>veterinarian</div>
<div>luxury items(like piano maintenance which should actually be up there in the education slot, IMHO)</div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Dave Stahl, RPT (I'll raise my rates a tad for uprgrading, too....:-)<br>
<br>
Dave Stahl Piano Service<br>
650-224-3560<br>
dstahlpiano@sbcglobal.net<br>
http://dstahlpiano.net/<br>
</div>
<br>
-----Original Message-----<br>
From: pianotuna@accesscomm.ca<br>
To: pianotech@ptg.org<br>
Sent: Mon, 7 May 2007 4:59 PM<br>
Subject: Re: charge for time?<br>
<br>
<STYLE>
.AOLPlainTextBody {
margin: 0px;
font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Sans-Serif;
font-size: 12px;
color: #000;
background-color: #fff;
}
.AOLPlainTextBody pre {
font-size: 9pt;
}
.AOLInlineAttachment {
margin: 10px;
}
.AOLAttachmentHeader {
font: 11px arial;
border: 1px solid #7DA8D4;
background: #F9F9F9;
}
.AOLAttachmentHeader .Title {
font: 11px arial;
background: #B5DDFA;
padding: 3px 3px 3px 3px;
}
.AOLAttachmentHeader .FieldLabel {
font: 11px arial;
color: #000000;
padding: 1px 10px 1px 9px;
background: #F9F9F9;
}
.AOLAttachmentHeader .FieldValue {
font: 11px arial;
color: #000000;
background: #F9F9F9;
}
.AOLAttachmentHeader a, .AOLImage a {
color: #2864B4;
text-decoration: none;
}
.AOLAttachmentHeader a:hover, .AOLImage a:hover {
color: #2864B4;
text-decoration: underline;
}
.AOLWebSuiteCompose .AOLPicturesFullSizeLink,
.AOLWebSuite .AOLPicturesFullSizeLink {
height: 1px;
width: 1px;
overflow: hidden;
}
body {
background-color: white;
font-family: "Verdana";
font-size: 10pt;
border: 0px;
}
.AOLWebSuiteCompose p {
margin: 0px;
padding: 0px;
}
img.managedImg {
width: 0px;
height: 0px;
}
img.placeholder {
width: 275px;
height: 206px;
background: #F4F4F4 center center no-repeat;
border: 1px solid #DADAD6 !important;
}
</STYLE>
<div class=AOLPlainTextBody id=AOLMsgPart_0_f4a75de4-537e-4102-ab09-35d29c9b03bb><PRE><TT>Hi John,
Piano work comes under luxury items. Therefore we really ought to charge
more than your Electrician.
At 04:26 PM 5/7/2007 -0500, you wrote:
>This is what I do, too.
>
>I was working at a house where an electrician was also working. Asked
>him about his rates, and his company charges $57/hr from the time they
>leave the shop until they return. This was a couple years ago, so it'
>s probably higher now. Maybe that will give a little perspective for
>us, although I tend to think most people don't consider the need for
>electrical the same way as the need for piano work.
>
>JF
>
>On 5/7/07, Joey Recker <<A href='javascript:parent.ComposeTo("joey%40onkeypiano.com", "");'>joey@onkeypiano.com</A>> wrote:
>> I only charge for my time "on the job". I charge a mileage fee for any
trip
>> over 30 miles. If I have three customers in the area I waive that fee (I
>> figure it's worth the trip, and it encourages far-out folks to find me new
>> customers or schedule when I'm in the area). Works well for me. I work in
>> a mostly rural area.
>>
>> Joey
>
>
>--
>No virus found in this incoming message.
>Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.6.5/792 - Release Date: 5/6/2007
9:01 PM
>
>
Regards,
Don Rose, B.Mus., A.M.U.S., A.MUS., R.P.T.
Non calor sed umor est qui nobis incommodat
<A href='javascript:parent.ComposeTo("pianotuna%40yahoo.com", "");'>mailto:pianotuna@yahoo.com</A> <A href="http://us.geocities.com/drpt1948/" target=_blank>http://us.geocities.com/drpt1948/</A>
3004 Grant Rd. REGINA, SK, S4S 5G7
306-539-0716 or 1-888-29t-uner
</TT></PRE></div>
<!-- end of AOLMsgPart_0_f4a75de4-537e-4102-ab09-35d29c9b03bb -->
<div class="AOLPromoFooter">
<hr style="margin-top:10px;" />
AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at <a href="http://www.aol.com?ncid=AOLAOF00020000000437" target="_blank"><b>AOL.com</b></a>.<br />
</div>
</BODY></HTML>