<HTML><HEAD></HEAD> <BODY> <FONT= size=2>I like the idea and have some PTG postcards= but I have yet to  give it a try...what do you do with those= that don't reply?  David I.   <FONT= size=2>  -----= Original message= ----------------------------------------> From: <<A= href="mailto:Wimblees@AOL.COM">Wimblees@AOL.COM</A>> To:= <<A= href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A>> Rec= eived: Sat, 7 Sep 2002 15:17:37 EDT Subject: Re: New Question= re: Potential Customers In a= message dated 9/7/02 6:14:43 PM !!!First Boot!!!,= mathstar@salemnet.com writes: <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px;= BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"= TYPE="CITE">I've noticed several references to sending out= reminder cards, etc. I have been calling people when= it's time (or when I think it's time) to tune. Sometimes I= get put off indefinitely or vaguely--they think the piano= sounds fine or don't want to spend the $, I suppose.= This feels like I used to when I sold insurance and= called to set appointments ... I don't like the feeling BUT= I just think there would be more procrastination and= forgotten schedules if I leave it to the customer to= call--also more pitch adjustments to deal with, etc.= Your thoughts? </BLOCKQUOTE> We've talked= about this a couple of times in the past. But it never hurts to= talk about it, especially since we have a lot more newbies on= the list. The need for piano tuning is like the need to= get your teeth cleaned. 6 moths or a year goes by in a hurry.= And just like your teeth, it is difficult to realize something= has gone awry, since it happens so gradually. That is why a= gentle reminder is n But, as Alan said, customers don't= always respond to a cold call. Most of the time customers hang= up without really listening to who you are, or what your are= trying to "sell" them, because to them, you're just another= phone solicitor. That is why I send out reminder post= cards. There are some available from the home office, or you can= make your own. The reminder card is a non invasive way to let= your customers know that it has been 6 months, or a year, since= you were there, and tha It is also a time saver for you.= I used to call my customers. I even sent them a post card= telling them I was going to call them. Then one year, over a six= month period of time, one month I sent out a post card telling= the customer I would call them, That was about 20 years= ago, and I have never called a customer to ask them to get the= piano tuned. They always call me, and I'm saving about 3 - 4= hours a week to do other things. The other advantage to the post= card is that it will get put on the re For the little= amount of money the post card cost, they are a great way to= build up your clientele. Wim= </BODY></HTML>