I should add that I don't tend to raise rates annually, rather, I raise every other year at this point, but then the increase is more than it would be had I done it every year.<div><br></div><div>William R. Monroe</div>
<div><br></div><div> <br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Thu, Sep 1, 2011 at 10:36 AM, William Monroe <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:bill@a440piano.net">bill@a440piano.net</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex;">
Hi Matthew,<div><br></div><div>As a poignant example, a new service moved into our town about three years ago. They started out at about the same rates as our highest priced techs (myself included). After a year and a half, they raised their rates for a tuning 20%!!! Yes, 20%. I was rather surprised. And, they are busy. I've not caught up to that mark yet, but I'm working on it. Fear of losing clients is powerful and difficult to overcome - at least for me. But the more I raise my rates, and the more my clients don't so much as blink, the more I become a believer. And while it's true that I have had a (very) few complain, they were complaining from the start, but they still pay it.</div>
<div><br></div><div>FWIW,</div><div>William R. Monroe</div><div><div></div><div class="h5"><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Thu, Sep 1, 2011 at 9:56 AM, Matthew Todd <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:toddpianoworks@att.net" target="_blank">toddpianoworks@att.net</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div><div style="color:#000;background-color:#fff;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10pt"><span>
<div><span>That is also true, Ed. However, the problem arises when you raise your rates on a yearly basis, while others around you don't heed this advise. And what if you were already one of the most priciest tuners in your area to begin with? Sure, you will have your client base of loyal customers. On the other hand, I am not saying that in 20 years, I will still be charging what I do now. There are enough of that already going around here.<var></var><br>
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