Hey Wim  You're doing fine for a "howlie" (or however they spell it)....  There is a great wealth of business when you "get-in" with the homies.  I was once enguaged to marry a woman from just outside town there and the "clique" of who gets in and out of favor with the locals is absolutely amazing!! She (my once  fiance) was in the traditional dance group with the "auntie" who ruled like a queen as to who to trust, etc.... They all listen to the Auntie!!!  They're VERY tight (never try to  tell them what to think....get the hint???)..... It's a tough nut to crack, but once IN the "family" you're in for life..  Find out who the Aunties are and totally give them the moon.  The tunings will follow...  Hope this helps! Best, Paul   <table width=100%> <tr valign=top> <td width=40%>wimblees@aol.com Sent by: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org 10/11/2008 12:14 AM <table border> <tr valign=top> <td bgcolor=white> <div align=center>Please respond to Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org></div></table> <td width=59%> <table width=100%> <tr valign=top> <td> <div align=right>To</div> <td>pianotech@ptg.org <tr valign=top> <td> <div align=right>cc</div> <td> <tr valign=top> <td> <div align=right>Subject</div> <td>Re: the economy</table> <table> <tr valign=top> <td> <td></table> </table> Terry I tune between 10 and 15, Most weeks not even that. At $115 per tuning, and even with some repairs, PR's, and other stuff, I am averaging about $6000 per month in income. My rent is $2100, and with the other bills, including taxes, electricity, car, cable, phone, etc, it all comes to about $6000 per month.  Just an average of 3 tunings per week will make life easy. Now, if I can just figure out a way to do that, without it costing a lot in advertising, I'll be happy. I am confident, however, that I will get the business. It just takes time. Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT Piano Tuner/Technician Mililani, Oahu, HI 808-349-2943 Author of: The Business of Piano Tuning available from Potter Press www.pianotuning.com -----Original Message----- From: pianolover 88 <pianolover88@hotmail.com> To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 3:52 pm Subject: RE: the economy 20 pianos-tuning only, not including PR, regulation, repair, accessories, at an average of $100 minimum per piano, would yield $2,000, or $8,000 per month. You must have MASSIVE expenses and/or debt if you can't get by on that. If you add all the other extras above, you could easily ad d another $2,000-$5000 per month. Terry Peterson > Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2008 09:42:59 +0800 > Subject: Re: the economy > From: <a href=mailto:justpianos@our.net.au>justpianos@our.net.au</a> > To: <a href=mailto:pianotech@ptg.org>pianotech@ptg.org</a> > > 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. > > <hr>See how Windows Mobile brings your life together—at home, work, or on the go. <a href=http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/msnnkwxp1020093182mrt/direct/01/ target=_blank>See Now</a> =