I just had an idea regarding Groupon offers. Rather than offer a half-price (or whatever) tuning and getting 90% in serious dire need of pitch raise and other work, offer a higher-priced "Full Service" option, and maybe only 35-40% off. Full service can be pitch raise plus tuning plus some regulation touch up, or vacuuming under keys, or replacing some shattered elbows... whatever you can do in 2-1/2 or 3 hours (for example.) That way you don't have to upsell nearly so much. People are still getting a bargain, but they also don't go into it thinking they get a like-brand-new piano for $50 (or whatever.) <div> <br></div><div>Paul Bruesch</div><div>Stillwater, MN</div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Dec 19, 2012 at 12:34 PM, <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:tnrwim@aol.com" target="_blank">tnrwim@aol.com</a>></span> wrote:<br> <blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><font color="black" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> <div>Marshall</div> <div> </div> <div><font size="3">you said, "I don't think groupon would allow me to charge full rate if they purchased it and they wanted it done right away. then I might get acused of bait and switch." </font></div> <div><font size="3"></font> </div> <div><font size="3">I don't think that would be a bait and switch. Bait and switch is when you schedule the tuning, but when you get there you tell the customer that the regular tuning she bought isn't available, but "such a deal I have for you". Explain up front that you can honor the Groupon, but that she has wait until March for an appointment. Then say that if she wants it done sooner, you can schedule her in the next week or so if she wants to pay full fare, (or even offer her a little discount). It will be the customer's call what she want to do. </font></div> <div><font size="3"></font> </div> <div><font size="3">I bought a horse back ride with Groupon, and was told it was only offered on certain days. Our son was here on vacation, and he had to leave before we could do the ride. So the lady at the stable offered us a discount from the regular fee, but which was more than the Groupon deal. We got our ride, and the stable got the business. I didn't feel like that was bait and switch because it was my decision to pay extra for the horse back ride. </font></div> <div><font size="3"></font> </div> <div><font size="3">As far as calling customers to schedule an appointment, do you send a reminder card first, to give them a heads up that it's time to get the piano tuned? If you call them out of the blue, they will probably say something like, "I have to check with the teacher, or my husband, or my child, or the dog" (lol). But if you send them a post card to remind them that you are going to call, the customer can check with whomever is playing the piano to see if it's needed. When I was calling customers, it increased my appointments significantly. BTW, don't be disappointed that customers won't schedule an appointment in 6 months. For most people that's too soon after they got the piano tuned. You will get more business after waiting a year. So if you've been calling them after 6 months, be sure to call them again a year after the first appointment. <div><font size="3"></font> </div> <div><font size="3">Have you tried pre-scheduling appointments? I don't call customers anymore, I now have enough pre-scheduled appointments to keep me very busy. I wrote an article about that in the April '12 Journal, I will also be teaching it at the Convention in Chicago.</font></div> </font></div> <div><font size="3">You asked about using someone to drive you. Call Shawn Brock, <a href="tel:%28702-271-6330" value="+17022716330" target="_blank">(702-271-6330</a>) for advice on this. He is chairman of the Visually Impaired Concerns Committee. One suggestion is to go to a senior citizen center and put an ad on the bulletin board asking if anyone wants a job doing that.</font></div> <div> </div> <div><font size="3">Good Luck</font></div><span class="HOEnZb"><font color="#888888"> <div><font size="3"></font> </div> <div><font size="3">Wim</font></div></font></span><div><div class="h5"> <div></div> <div style="clear:both"> <div> </div> </div> <div></div> <div></div> <div style="font-size:10pt;font-family:arial,helvetica">-----Original Message-----<br> From: Marshall Gisondi <<a href="mailto:pianotune05@hotmail.com" target="_blank">pianotune05@hotmail.com</a>><br> To: pianotech <<a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org" target="_blank">pianotech@ptg.org</a>><br> Sent: Wed, Dec 19, 2012 6:01 am<br> Subject: [pianotech] groupon<br> <br> <div> <div dir="ltr"> <font size="3" face="Arial">HI William & Jer,</font><br> <font size="3" face="Arial">I am scheduling some of my regulars, but I'm having trouble getting them all called. So I think that's a good option, to schedule a groupon or two and then a regular if I can. I have also moved people closer too if a customer flakes. I'll call and say , "Do you want me to come out today or tomorrow instad of Thursday etc. I don't t hink groupon would allow me to charge full rate if they purchase dit and they wanted it done right away. then I might aget acused of bait and switch. </font><br> <font size="3" face="Arial"></font> <br> <font size="3" face="Arial">Jer, I think the massage therapy guy and I are different in that I have more control over the customer. When I complete a tuning, I still have their contact info and can call them to schedule. Doe your friend keep a log of customers. Also I make sure I do professional work and it's shows in the comments I received thus far. Well have a good one</font><br> <font size="3" face="Arial">Marshall</font><br> <font size="3" face="Arial"><a href="tel:215-510-9400" value="+12155109400" target="_blank">215-510-9400</a></font><br> <font size="3" face="Arial"><a href="http://www.phillytuner.com" target="_blank">http://www.phillytuner.com</a> </font><br> </div> </div> </div> </div></div></font></blockquote></div><br></div>