<WBR>Bruce<br> <br> The problem is that the other tuners on this island have not kept up with the cost of living. (and neither have some other businesses). When I got here, I found out that most of the tuners charge less than $100 for a tuning, some even as low as $65. The only guy who charges more is the symphony tuner, and he gets only $135. When I asked the other tuners, (all PTG members) why they don't charge more, their answer basically is that they will loose their customers. . This is a small island, and if they charge more, they will not only loose that customer, but all their relatives and friends, And that can add up to a large number. Even though they are all at least a month or more behind, they still insist that they can't charge more<br> <br> I charge $115, (just went up from $110), When I am asked what my fee is, about 1 out of 5 will say, "I'll think about it", or something to that effect. My wife keeps telling me to lower my fee, but I think I will get just as many "thinkers", if I say I charge $95, or even $99. I just ran an ad on a local jazz station, offering 20% discount, and didn't get ONE call. <br> <br> So it isn't my fee. It's being new to the island. Even though I have only been here for 14 months, I think I'm doing pretty good, especially considering the current state of our economy. <br> <br> So, Bruce, my business plan is fine. Don't forget, I did do some research on this, (see my signature line).<br> <div style="CLEAR: both"><br> Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT<br> Piano Tuner/Technician<br> Mililani, Oahu, HI<br> 808-349-2943<br> Author of: <br> The Business of Piano Tuning<br> available from Potter Press<br> www.pianotuning.com</div> <br> <br> -----Original Message-----<br> From: Bruce Browning - The Piano Tuner <justpianos@our.net.au><br> To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org><br> Sent: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 3:42 pm<br> Subject: Re: the economy<br> <br> <div id=AOLMsgPart_0_a43b1acd-cd97-4a86-90d0-7653d6c5738a style="FONT-SIZE: 12px; MARGIN: 0px; COLOR: #000; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Sans-Serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fff"><PRE style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt"><TT>wim > HAVE to tune 15 - 20 piano a week, in order to make a > living. The bad news is,?I am only tuning 10 - 15 piano a week.> With respect,what do you charge, and what are your high expenses that you can't get by on 15 tunings a week? I would be looking again at my business plan. Bruce Browning The Piano Tuner. </TT></PRE></div> <div id='MAILCIAMB038-92b748f034922a6' class='aol_ad_footer'><FONT style="color: black; font: normal 10pt ARIAL, SAN-SERIF;"><HR style="MARGIN-TOP: 10px">McCain or Obama? Stay updated on coverage of the Presidential race while you browse - <a href="http://toolbar.aol.com/elections/download.html?ncid=emlweusdown00000002">Download Now!</a> </div>