<html><head><style type="text/css"></style></head><body><div style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Has anyone successfully hired a technician(s) to handle the tuning and light repairs so you can move into more shop work? I'm looking into doing something like this, and in brainstorming, see that there are advantages and disadvantages. I think the multiple-technician business is seen more in the east coast. I only know of one somewhat successful business like this in the Pacific Northwest.</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Dave Davis, RPT<BR></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">----- Original Message ----<BR>From: David Love <davidlovepianos@comcast.net><BR>To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org><BR>Sent: Monday, April 14, 2008 7:24:07 AM<BR>Subject: RE: shop work<BR><BR>I have a similar problem (if you can call it a problem) and have to make a<BR>point of blocking out shop time otherwise projects simply don't get done or<BR>I end up working 7 days a week (bad for the golf game).  Over time it's<BR>allowed me to reduce my geographical area somewhat and give up those pianos<BR>I don┤ enjoy working on, not to mention those awful Steinway uprights.  It<BR>also makes it more comfortable to raise rates and shift to full service<BR>appointments.  I'm scheduling appointments out 4-6 weeks typically and<BR>encourage customers to book three months in advance, especially for anything<BR>important.  Right now I'm about half shop, half out in the field which I<BR>like.  The truth is you make more when you're not driving around but the<BR>field contacts bring more shop work and help expand your client base with<BR>more quality instruments.  As in all things, you have to find a balance.    <BR><BR>David Love<BR><A href="mailto:davidlovepianos@comcast.net" ymailto="mailto:davidlovepianos@comcast.net">davidlovepianos@comcast.net</A><BR><A href="http://www.davidlovepianos.com/" target=_blank>www.davidlovepianos.com</A> <BR><BR><BR>----- Original Message ----- <BR>From: <A href="mailto:richard.ucci@att.net" ymailto="mailto:richard.ucci@att.net">richard.ucci@att.net</A> <BR>To: pianotech <BR>Sent: Monday, April 14, 2008 8:51 AM<BR>Subject: shop work<BR><BR>Folks,<BR> <BR>I currently service about 20+ residential and institutional accounts per<BR>week, all year long.<BR>First appointment @ 10am ,last @ 4 roughly. (9+ hours a day, with travel)<BR> <BR>How do you all factor shop work into your scheduales? Right now ,I work in<BR>some time on Sun> (my day off !)<BR>Thanks,<BR>Rick Ucci/ Ucci Piano<BR><BR><BR></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><BR></DIV></div></body></html>