<br> <br> <br> -----Original Message-----<br> From: William R. Monroe <pianotech@a440piano.net><br> To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org><br> Sent: Thu, 6 Dec 2007 1:54 pm<br> Subject: Re: Scheduling question<br> <br> <div id=AOLMsgPart_2_ea52d359-4e5d-4bd5-8e08-578af46e9360> <STYLE></STYLE> <div><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>Due respect, Michelle,</FONT></div> <div><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </div> <div><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>However, it is that type of thinking that encourages working for less than you are worth.  I don't think anyone is encouraging gouging; it's simply a matter of recognizing your worth, your value, as determined by what the market will bear - and not confusing business with philanthropy.  If you're worth $150/hr, so be it.  If you're worth $45/hr, so be it.  It is a shame when you are worth $150 and are working for $45.  It can be awfully tempting to provide service for less than it's value, feeling like you're a swell individual for doing so.  By and large, however, the clients to whom you give discounts are the first ones to leave you for another (if and when they show up, in your case).</FONT></div> <div><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </div> <div><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>Do good work, charge what you are worth.</FONT></div> <div><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </div> <div><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>William R. Monroe</FONT></div> <div><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </div> <div><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>And, yes, I have (and still do on occasion) dust a SB or ease a bushing without charge.  It's a hard habit to break.<br> </FONT></div> <div><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT><br> <br> William<br> <br> There is a big diffrence between $45 and $150. I agree with Michelle. Charge what you feel comfortable charging, while making a comfortable living. <br> <br> Each person should judge for themselves what the custmers are comfortable paying. In a sparsely populated outlying county, word gets around very fast. Although Michele might be the best tuner around, the piano is not a necessity of life. If the people think they are being taken advantage of, they will stop having their pianos serviced, and she'll be out of job. <br> <br> Wim <br> <br> <br>  </div> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <div class=Section1> <div class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I feel like I need to add my two cents because I am one of only two tuners in my county.  Most tuners from the closest city either won’t drive here or charge a ridiculous amount for mileage.  </SPAN></FONT></div> <div class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </SPAN></FONT></div> <div class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I’ve been able to charge pretty much whatever I want because people out here are desperate for a tuner.  However, the majority of our population is not wealthy and there is a line between a fair price for a service and gouging your customer because you can.  I try to charge enough that I can make a living, attract only serious customers, and provide more “bang for the customer’s buck”.</SPAN></FONT></div> <div class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </SPAN></FONT></div> <div class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Michelle Smith</SPAN></FONT></div> <div class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Bastrop</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, Texas</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></FONT></div> </div> </BLOCKQUOTE></div> <div class="AOLPromoFooter"> <hr style="margin-top:10px;" /> More new features than ever. Check out the new <a href="http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/mailtour/aol/en-us/text.htm?ncid=aolcmp00050000000003" target="_blank">AOL Mail</a>!<br/> </div>