<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PostalCode"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PersonName"/>  <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=Section1> Not to rip your head off, Matthew, but you might consider this: You need to make X amount of dollars. Your total fuel charge eats into that amount. Those who wish to use your services at a distance add a proportionally greater amount to that fuel bill. If you don’t charge them for it, then your local customers bear the burden. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I have lots of customers in a 50 mile radius. There are local part time tuners out there they could use. They want me. They must pay for the extra fuel and time it takes for me to get there. Either that or I have to bill it to my local customers so I can get the X amount of dollars I need for my budget. I don’t think my local customers should have to pay for me to service 50 miles away. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I have two rates, one in county rate and an out of county rate that is $6 higher. The out of county people know they are paying more. Nobody has ever voiced the first complaint. They expect it. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I like Phil’s system. I think I’ll consider it. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <div> Dean<o:p></o:p> <u1:PERSONNAME u2:st="on">Dean May</u1:PERSONNAME>             cell 812.239.3359 <o:p></o:p> PianoRebuilders.com   812.235.5272 <o:p></o:p> <u1:PLACE u2:st="on"><u1:CITY u2:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><u3:place u4:st="on"><u3:City u4:st="on">Terre Haute</st1:City></u3:place></u1:CITY></u3:City> <u1:STATE u2:st="on"><st1:State u5:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">IN</st1:State></u1:STATE></st1:State>  <u1:POSTALCODE u2:st="on"><st1:PostalCode u6:st="on"><st1:PostalCode w:st="on">47802</st1:PostalCode></u1:POSTALCODE></st1:PostalCode></st1:place></u1:PLACE><o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> <div> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1> </div> From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of Matthew Todd Sent: Saturday, June 07, 2008 8:43 AM To: <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Pianotech List</st1:PersonName> Subject: Re: Fuel surcharge?<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> <div> I recently purchased $2,000 of furniture from a store, and they charged me a $50 fuel surcharge for delivery.  They obviously wanted that extra buck from my pocket.  Everytime I see companies do a fuel surcharge it irritates me, so why would I want to turn around and do the same thing to my customers?  A local bottled water carrier charges an $11 surcharge.  Now get this....they may have 20 customers within a 10 block radius, and they'll charge each one the 11 bucks!!  It is just a way for companies to make us pay for what is ultimately their responsibility!<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> When a client calls inquiring about our tuning rate how many of us would actually say, "Yes Mrs. Jones my standard tuning rate is $xxx, plus tax, plus fuel, which is $xx", and in the back of your mind you're thinking, "lol, what a sucker!"<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> I personally will charge a little more for clients in different zip codes.  But personally, if I decide to service a particular area, I need to bite the bullet and not be so picky.  Heck, if that's the case, the customer should charge us for the air we breathe in their home, and for using their piano bench!<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> If I ever find myself going to a fuel surcharge, maybe I need to reevaluate how I am living and see if there are any frivolities or luxuries I can do without.  But that is just me, and before any of you start ripping my head off....it is just MY OPINION!  There, I said it, and I feel better already.<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Have a beautiful day!<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Matthew Phil Bondi <phil@philbondi.com> wrote:<o:p></o:p> </div> <blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid #1010FF 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt; margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'> Mike, since May 1, I've added a 'trip charge' to my bill. I've had a few questions, and no one has complained. My charge is based on zip code..how far a particular client's zip code is from mine(one way), and I figured .xx X those miles(based on google maps) to reach my figures. If I'm servicing more than 1 client in that zip code on that day, both get charged the same amount. Someone in the same zip code as me still gets charged a minimal amount. If I turn the key of my truck to get to you, you're being charged. Mike, I feel like I've been a 'good guy' long enough..I did alot of research and some soul-searching to come to this conclusion: -When I last raised my rates(May '04), I was by far the 2nd most expensive tech in my area. -When I raised my rates, the price of a gallon of regular was 1.759. -I can't continue to hemorrhage cash into the truck..someone's gotta pay. So far this works for me. -Phil Bondi(Fl)<o:p></o:p> </blockquote> <o:p> </o:p> </div> </body> </html>