<html><body> <DIV> <DIV>When I went to piano tech school in 1981 the economy wasn't so great.  I thought, well, when I get out it can't be any worse.  I was wrong.  Getting started can be a job enough, but even in tough times as a beginner, I still got calls.  Try thinking of positive measures you can take to get business like Dave has listed.  Of course, markets differ and you do what you have to do.  I still think the best way (for me, at least) is to find and keep the people who really want to take care of their pianos by booking ahead with them (like the dentist).  These folks are the core of my business.  Because they know my work and trust me, they refer me to other people, their churches and they provide me with the bigger shop jobs.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Barbara Richmond, RPT</DIV> <DIV>near Peoria, IL</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid">-------------- Original message -------------- <BR>From: "Dave Davis" <dave@davispiano.com> <BR><BR>> I raised my fees 15%, minimized discounts, updated my web site, and increased <BR>> advertising with local groups. This has resulted in more new calls in addition <BR>> to my regular customers. <BR>> <BR>> Dave Davis, RPT <BR>> <BR>> ------Original Message------ <BR>> From: richard.ucci@att.net <BR>> Sender: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org <BR>> To: pianotech <BR>> ReplyTo: Pianotech List <BR>> Subject: the economy <BR>> Sent: Oct 8, 2008 6:01 AM <BR>> <BR>> List, <BR>> Our services are postponable, and are more of a luxury than a necessity to most <BR>> people, Fill the tank with gas, or tune the piano? <BR>> <BR>> What if anything are any of you considering to maintain business in the comming <BR>> months with the economy looking so b leak? <BR>> <BR>> Cutting fees? <BR>> Other discounts? <BR>> Other services? <BR>> <BR>> Thanks , <BR>> Rick Ucci/Ucci Piano <BR>> <BR>> Best regards, <BR>> Dave Davis <BR>> Davis Piano Service <BR>> 425-226-0102 <BR>> </BLOCKQUOTE></DIV></body></html>