Pianotech

hello all,
i plan to retire and move in 9 to 11 years from now and i think to start looking for someone to train and later introduce to my customers some 5 years from now. I do know how to tune a piano by ear but i use my SAT for tunings (although i judge with my ears what i hear and correct as i feel necessary). However, i do not feel comfortable enough about my aural tuning skills to teach someone else. It is my opinion that it is imperative someone needs to understand aural tuning and be able to check and/or question an etd's tuning and make corrections based on aural skills in order to tune a piano.
I feel i am quite knowledgable enough to teach someone the technical aspects of piano technology.
So, how could i go about having someone taking up aural tuning skills?  Are there schools where you can only learn tuning by ear, or see if colleagues would be willing to tutor someone in the art of aural tuning?

My other question is regarding how to go about selling a business?  How would i determine the value of my business and how would i even try to sell my business?  I have Wim Blees' book about business but i can't find much info regarding selling a business or determining its value.

Thank you,
Peter
Janssen Piano Services
678-416--8055

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055
------------------------------

Petrus:  There are several in the Atlanta area that would be glad talk with you that are closer to Peachtree City than I am.  I am in Northeast Georgia, about 125 miles from you.  I have taken several students on over the years and they have been successfuly.

Clarence Zeches

------------------------------
Clarence Zeches
Piano Service Enterprise School of Technology
Toccoa GA
706-886-4035
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-30-2018 14:58
From: Petrus Janssen
Subject: how to prepare for retirement

hello all,
i plan to retire and move in 9 to 11 years from now and i think to start looking for someone to train and later introduce to my customers some 5 years from now. I do know how to tune a piano by ear but i use my SAT for tunings (although i judge with my ears what i hear and correct as i feel necessary). However, i do not feel comfortable enough about my aural tuning skills to teach someone else. It is my opinion that it is imperative someone needs to understand aural tuning and be able to check and/or question an etd's tuning and make corrections based on aural skills in order to tune a piano.
I feel i am quite knowledgable enough to teach someone the technical aspects of piano technology.
So, how could i go about having someone taking up aural tuning skills?  Are there schools where you can only learn tuning by ear, or see if colleagues would be willing to tutor someone in the art of aural tuning?

My other question is regarding how to go about selling a business?  How would i determine the value of my business and how would i even try to sell my business?  I have Wim Blees' book about business but i can't find much info regarding selling a business or determining its value.

Thank you,
Peter
Janssen Piano Services
678-416--8055

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055
------------------------------

Original Message------

hello all,
i plan to retire and move in 9 to 11 years from now and i think to start looking for someone to train and later introduce to my customers some 5 years from now. I do know how to tune a piano by ear but i use my SAT for tunings (although i judge with my ears what i hear and correct as i feel necessary). However, i do not feel comfortable enough about my aural tuning skills to teach someone else. It is my opinion that it is imperative someone needs to understand aural tuning and be able to check and/or question an etd's tuning and make corrections based on aural skills in order to tune a piano.
I feel i am quite knowledgable enough to teach someone the technical aspects of piano technology.
So, how could i go about having someone taking up aural tuning skills?  Are there schools where you can only learn tuning by ear, or see if colleagues would be willing to tutor someone in the art of aural tuning?

My other question is regarding how to go about selling a business?  How would i determine the value of my business and how would i even try to sell my business?  I have Wim Blees' book about business but i can't find much info regarding selling a business or determining its value.

Thank you,
Peter
Janssen Piano Services
678-416--8055

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055
------------------------------

hi Claude,
i read the book when it just came out and i had just started my business, so i must have overlooked it, so thank you for pointing it out.  Just found it and read the chapter.
But yes, i would find it interesting to hear if fellow technicians have bought or sold a piano tuning business and what their experiences have been.
thank you,
Peter

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-30-2018 17:09
From: Claude Harding
Subject: how to prepare for retirement

Hi, Peter,

  Wim's book has an entire chapter on buying or selling a piano service business.  Are you wanting other opinions or needing more information?

Original Message------

hello all,
i plan to retire and move in 9 to 11 years from now and i think to start looking for someone to train and later introduce to my customers some 5 years from now. I do know how to tune a piano by ear but i use my SAT for tunings (although i judge with my ears what i hear and correct as i feel necessary). However, i do not feel comfortable enough about my aural tuning skills to teach someone else. It is my opinion that it is imperative someone needs to understand aural tuning and be able to check and/or question an etd's tuning and make corrections based on aural skills in order to tune a piano.
I feel i am quite knowledgable enough to teach someone the technical aspects of piano technology.
So, how could i go about having someone taking up aural tuning skills?  Are there schools where you can only learn tuning by ear, or see if colleagues would be willing to tutor someone in the art of aural tuning?

My other question is regarding how to go about selling a business?  How would i determine the value of my business and how would i even try to sell my business?  I have Wim Blees' book about business but i can't find much info regarding selling a business or determining its value.

Thank you,
Peter
Janssen Piano Services
678-416--8055

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055
------------------------------

Peter

First of all, thanks for mentioning my book.  The information about selling your business is a guideline on how to value your business. There are several ways to do that.  The most common is to have a buyer pay you over time, based on the income they make from you clients.  The other way is to come up with a figure based on the income you've made over the previous 3 or 4 years, plus the "Blue Sky Value", which is basically how successful you've been, and how well you're business is organized. 

Based on what others have sold their business for, most are way under valued. I've seen businesses sell for less than $5000, where they should be selling their full time business for no less than $25,000, it more, depending on the area of the country they live in.  

I hope this helps.  But then, you've got 10 years to think about it.  I'm gettng ready to retire in 2 or 3 years.  

Good luck.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-30-2018 14:58
From: Petrus Janssen
Subject: how to prepare for retirement

hello all,
i plan to retire and move in 9 to 11 years from now and i think to start looking for someone to train and later introduce to my customers some 5 years from now. I do know how to tune a piano by ear but i use my SAT for tunings (although i judge with my ears what i hear and correct as i feel necessary). However, i do not feel comfortable enough about my aural tuning skills to teach someone else. It is my opinion that it is imperative someone needs to understand aural tuning and be able to check and/or question an etd's tuning and make corrections based on aural skills in order to tune a piano.
I feel i am quite knowledgable enough to teach someone the technical aspects of piano technology.
So, how could i go about having someone taking up aural tuning skills?  Are there schools where you can only learn tuning by ear, or see if colleagues would be willing to tutor someone in the art of aural tuning?

My other question is regarding how to go about selling a business?  How would i determine the value of my business and how would i even try to sell my business?  I have Wim Blees' book about business but i can't find much info regarding selling a business or determining its value.

Thank you,
Peter
Janssen Piano Services
678-416--8055

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055
------------------------------

Original Message------

hello all,
i plan to retire and move in 9 to 11 years from now and i think to start looking for someone to train and later introduce to my customers some 5 years from now. I do know how to tune a piano by ear but i use my SAT for tunings (although i judge with my ears what i hear and correct as i feel necessary). However, i do not feel comfortable enough about my aural tuning skills to teach someone else. It is my opinion that it is imperative someone needs to understand aural tuning and be able to check and/or question an etd's tuning and make corrections based on aural skills in order to tune a piano.
I feel i am quite knowledgable enough to teach someone the technical aspects of piano technology.
So, how could i go about having someone taking up aural tuning skills?  Are there schools where you can only learn tuning by ear, or see if colleagues would be willing to tutor someone in the art of aural tuning?

My other question is regarding how to go about selling a business?  How would i determine the value of my business and how would i even try to sell my business?  I have Wim Blees' book about business but i can't find much info regarding selling a business or determining its value.

Thank you,
Peter
Janssen Piano Services
678-416--8055

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055
------------------------------

I'm not worried about selling a clientele list as much as recommending a reliable replacement. For me, it would be a hand-off to the next generation. I'm more concerned about taking care of the clients than lining my pockets, that should have been done in retirement planning. I wouldn't want to place a financial burden on the next guy, it's tough enough. Besides, they'll have some big shoes to fill :-)

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-31-2018 11:11
From: Chris Solliday
Subject: how to prepare for retirement

Peter,

As one who just went through what you are planning I highly recommend Rick Baldassin's book and DVDs. If you go through the material it will put you out in front of your student and they are valuable texts for solid incremental progress. They include back and forth Accu-Tuner and aural information.

Chris Solliday

Original Message------

hello all,
i plan to retire and move in 9 to 11 years from now and i think to start looking for someone to train and later introduce to my customers some 5 years from now. I do know how to tune a piano by ear but i use my SAT for tunings (although i judge with my ears what i hear and correct as i feel necessary). However, i do not feel comfortable enough about my aural tuning skills to teach someone else. It is my opinion that it is imperative someone needs to understand aural tuning and be able to check and/or question an etd's tuning and make corrections based on aural skills in order to tune a piano.
I feel i am quite knowledgable enough to teach someone the technical aspects of piano technology.
So, how could i go about having someone taking up aural tuning skills?  Are there schools where you can only learn tuning by ear, or see if colleagues would be willing to tutor someone in the art of aural tuning?

My other question is regarding how to go about selling a business?  How would i determine the value of my business and how would i even try to sell my business?  I have Wim Blees' book about business but i can't find much info regarding selling a business or determining its value.

Thank you,
Peter
Janssen Piano Services
678-416--8055

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055
------------------------------

John

I appreciate your sentiments, but from the other side of that coin, it might be better if you sold the business. The person buying your business will have a vested interest to make sure he does a good job. No matter how well you choose the person to take over your business, if they got it for nothing, they won't have anything to loose should they decide to change careers or move. 

No, the value of your business in not enough to retire on. As you said, advanced financial planning is a must. But getting something for all your hard work is rewarding in it's own right. 

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-31-2018 18:59
From: Jon Page
Subject: how to prepare for retirement

I'm not worried about selling a clientele list as much as recommending a reliable replacement. For me, it would be a hand-off to the next generation. I'm more concerned about taking care of the clients than lining my pockets, that should have been done in retirement planning. I wouldn't want to place a financial burden on the next guy, it's tough enough. Besides, they'll have some big shoes to fill :-)

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page

Original Message:
Sent: 07-31-2018 11:11
From: Chris Solliday
Subject: how to prepare for retirement

Peter,

As one who just went through what you are planning I highly recommend Rick Baldassin's book and DVDs. If you go through the material it will put you out in front of your student and they are valuable texts for solid incremental progress. They include back and forth Accu-Tuner and aural information.

Chris Solliday

Original Message------

hello all,
i plan to retire and move in 9 to 11 years from now and i think to start looking for someone to train and later introduce to my customers some 5 years from now. I do know how to tune a piano by ear but i use my SAT for tunings (although i judge with my ears what i hear and correct as i feel necessary). However, i do not feel comfortable enough about my aural tuning skills to teach someone else. It is my opinion that it is imperative someone needs to understand aural tuning and be able to check and/or question an etd's tuning and make corrections based on aural skills in order to tune a piano.
I feel i am quite knowledgable enough to teach someone the technical aspects of piano technology.
So, how could i go about having someone taking up aural tuning skills?  Are there schools where you can only learn tuning by ear, or see if colleagues would be willing to tutor someone in the art of aural tuning?

My other question is regarding how to go about selling a business?  How would i determine the value of my business and how would i even try to sell my business?  I have Wim Blees' book about business but i can't find much info regarding selling a business or determining its value.

Thank you,
Peter
Janssen Piano Services
678-416--8055

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055
------------------------------

When I left Stockton, CA to move to Oregon, a younger tuner worked with me to make an agreement to take over my business. After figuring out that he would be good enough for my clientele, or at least their best bet, we made an informal contract. I typed out my customer list, from my 3x5 cards, put it into a loose leaf binder, and color coded some of the entries. One color for those I felt he should contact, another color for schools and institutions, and a color for music teachers.

Then we each wrote an introduction letter about him. I printed up quite a few of mine and gave them to him. Postage and the number of letters he sent was up to him. Our agreement said that if he got a tuning from my list, he would pay me a modest fee. If they had him tune a second time, there was a smaller fee, and after that they were his. If someone was on my list but he'd already tuned for them, they were his customers. At first he sent me what he owed me once a month, then later on as the number tapered off, once every three months. The agreement was in force for four years. Along with a check he would give me the customer names of those who had hired him, so I got to see how he was doing. And of course I was there to consult if he had any questions about them.

The way it was set up, he didn't need to come up with a lump sum payment, and we didn't need to guess how much benefit he would get from my customer list, since he would pay me only for the new work he received. I got the biggest payments in the first few months here, when I needed the money the most. It worked out well for both of us, I think. If I'd tried to get a lump sum payment, he probably wouldn't have been able to raise it. I did need someone to send people to, after 12 years there. There was someone working not too far from Stockton whom they definitely needed to avoid, and this was a good way to protect them, without having to say bad things about the guy.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-31-2018 18:59
From: Jon Page
Subject: how to prepare for retirement

I'm not worried about selling a clientele list as much as recommending a reliable replacement. For me, it would be a hand-off to the next generation. I'm more concerned about taking care of the clients than lining my pockets, that should have been done in retirement planning. I wouldn't want to place a financial burden on the next guy, it's tough enough. Besides, they'll have some big shoes to fill :-)

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page

Original Message:
Sent: 07-31-2018 11:11
From: Chris Solliday
Subject: how to prepare for retirement

Peter,

As one who just went through what you are planning I highly recommend Rick Baldassin's book and DVDs. If you go through the material it will put you out in front of your student and they are valuable texts for solid incremental progress. They include back and forth Accu-Tuner and aural information.

Chris Solliday

Original Message------

hello all,
i plan to retire and move in 9 to 11 years from now and i think to start looking for someone to train and later introduce to my customers some 5 years from now. I do know how to tune a piano by ear but i use my SAT for tunings (although i judge with my ears what i hear and correct as i feel necessary). However, i do not feel comfortable enough about my aural tuning skills to teach someone else. It is my opinion that it is imperative someone needs to understand aural tuning and be able to check and/or question an etd's tuning and make corrections based on aural skills in order to tune a piano.
I feel i am quite knowledgable enough to teach someone the technical aspects of piano technology.
So, how could i go about having someone taking up aural tuning skills?  Are there schools where you can only learn tuning by ear, or see if colleagues would be willing to tutor someone in the art of aural tuning?

My other question is regarding how to go about selling a business?  How would i determine the value of my business and how would i even try to sell my business?  I have Wim Blees' book about business but i can't find much info regarding selling a business or determining its value.

Thank you,
Peter
Janssen Piano Services
678-416--8055

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055
------------------------------

What Susan did is basically how I sold my business in St. Louis when I moved to Alabama. Every week he paid me 30% of all income derived from my customers the first year, 25% the second year and 20% the third year. 

As I said, he paid me all income derived from my customers. The reason I put it that way is because there were many customers I recommended work to be done, but they hadn't gotten around to, but then decided to have the work done by the man who took over my business. I felt I was entitled to some of that income. 

There was also a minimum he paid me every week, in addition to the income he received. That was the "Blue Sky" value of my business. Blue Sky is the combination of the computer system he took over, and the "good will" of my business. In other words, my reputation. He kept my phone number for 3 years because many customers knew of me, and respected my reputation. 

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-31-2018 22:54
From: Susan Kline
Subject: how to prepare for retirement

When I left Stockton, CA to move to Oregon, a younger tuner worked with me to make an agreement to take over my business. After figuring out that he would be good enough for my clientele, or at least their best bet, we made an informal contract. I typed out my customer list, from my 3x5 cards, put it into a loose leaf binder, and color coded some of the entries. One color for those I felt he should contact, another color for schools and institutions, and a color for music teachers.

Then we each wrote an introduction letter about him. I printed up quite a few of mine and gave them to him. Postage and the number of letters he sent was up to him. Our agreement said that if he got a tuning from my list, he would pay me a modest fee. If they had him tune a second time, there was a smaller fee, and after that they were his. If someone was on my list but he'd already tuned for them, they were his customers. At first he sent me what he owed me once a month, then later on as the number tapered off, once every three months. The agreement was in force for four years. Along with a check he would give me the customer names of those who had hired him, so I got to see how he was doing. And of course I was there to consult if he had any questions about them.

The way it was set up, he didn't need to come up with a lump sum payment, and we didn't need to guess how much benefit he would get from my customer list, since he would pay me only for the new work he received. I got the biggest payments in the first few months here, when I needed the money the most. It worked out well for both of us, I think. If I'd tried to get a lump sum payment, he probably wouldn't have been able to raise it. I did need someone to send people to, after 12 years there. There was someone working not too far from Stockton whom they definitely needed to avoid, and this was a good way to protect them, without having to say bad things about the guy.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon

Original Message:
Sent: 07-31-2018 18:59
From: Jon Page
Subject: how to prepare for retirement

I'm not worried about selling a clientele list as much as recommending a reliable replacement. For me, it would be a hand-off to the next generation. I'm more concerned about taking care of the clients than lining my pockets, that should have been done in retirement planning. I wouldn't want to place a financial burden on the next guy, it's tough enough. Besides, they'll have some big shoes to fill :-)

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page

Original Message:
Sent: 07-31-2018 11:11
From: Chris Solliday
Subject: how to prepare for retirement

Peter,

As one who just went through what you are planning I highly recommend Rick Baldassin's book and DVDs. If you go through the material it will put you out in front of your student and they are valuable texts for solid incremental progress. They include back and forth Accu-Tuner and aural information.

Chris Solliday

Original Message------

hello all,
i plan to retire and move in 9 to 11 years from now and i think to start looking for someone to train and later introduce to my customers some 5 years from now. I do know how to tune a piano by ear but i use my SAT for tunings (although i judge with my ears what i hear and correct as i feel necessary). However, i do not feel comfortable enough about my aural tuning skills to teach someone else. It is my opinion that it is imperative someone needs to understand aural tuning and be able to check and/or question an etd's tuning and make corrections based on aural skills in order to tune a piano.
I feel i am quite knowledgable enough to teach someone the technical aspects of piano technology.
So, how could i go about having someone taking up aural tuning skills?  Are there schools where you can only learn tuning by ear, or see if colleagues would be willing to tutor someone in the art of aural tuning?

My other question is regarding how to go about selling a business?  How would i determine the value of my business and how would i even try to sell my business?  I have Wim Blees' book about business but i can't find much info regarding selling a business or determining its value.

Thank you,
Peter
Janssen Piano Services
678-416--8055

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055
------------------------------

this will be helpfull info when the time comes. Thank you so much for your input!
Peter

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-01-2018 00:49
From: Willem Blees
Subject: how to prepare for retirement

What Susan did is basically how I sold my business in St. Louis when I moved to Alabama. Every week he paid me 30% of all income derived from my customers the first year, 25% the second year and 20% the third year.

As I said, he paid me all income derived from my customers. The reason I put it that way is because there were many customers I recommended work to be done, but they hadn't gotten around to, but then decided to have the work done by the man who took over my business. I felt I was entitled to some of that income.

There was also a minimum he paid me every week, in addition to the income he received. That was the "Blue Sky" value of my business. Blue Sky is the combination of the computer system he took over, and the "good will" of my business. In other words, my reputation. He kept my phone number for 3 years because many customers knew of me, and respected my reputation. 

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 07-31-2018 22:54
From: Susan Kline
Subject: how to prepare for retirement

When I left Stockton, CA to move to Oregon, a younger tuner worked with me to make an agreement to take over my business. After figuring out that he would be good enough for my clientele, or at least their best bet, we made an informal contract. I typed out my customer list, from my 3x5 cards, put it into a loose leaf binder, and color coded some of the entries. One color for those I felt he should contact, another color for schools and institutions, and a color for music teachers.

Then we each wrote an introduction letter about him. I printed up quite a few of mine and gave them to him. Postage and the number of letters he sent was up to him. Our agreement said that if he got a tuning from my list, he would pay me a modest fee. If they had him tune a second time, there was a smaller fee, and after that they were his. If someone was on my list but he'd already tuned for them, they were his customers. At first he sent me what he owed me once a month, then later on as the number tapered off, once every three months. The agreement was in force for four years. Along with a check he would give me the customer names of those who had hired him, so I got to see how he was doing. And of course I was there to consult if he had any questions about them.

The way it was set up, he didn't need to come up with a lump sum payment, and we didn't need to guess how much benefit he would get from my customer list, since he would pay me only for the new work he received. I got the biggest payments in the first few months here, when I needed the money the most. It worked out well for both of us, I think. If I'd tried to get a lump sum payment, he probably wouldn't have been able to raise it. I did need someone to send people to, after 12 years there. There was someone working not too far from Stockton whom they definitely needed to avoid, and this was a good way to protect them, without having to say bad things about the guy.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon

Original Message:
Sent: 07-31-2018 18:59
From: Jon Page
Subject: how to prepare for retirement

I'm not worried about selling a clientele list as much as recommending a reliable replacement. For me, it would be a hand-off to the next generation. I'm more concerned about taking care of the clients than lining my pockets, that should have been done in retirement planning. I wouldn't want to place a financial burden on the next guy, it's tough enough. Besides, they'll have some big shoes to fill :-)

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page

Original Message:
Sent: 07-31-2018 11:11
From: Chris Solliday
Subject: how to prepare for retirement

Peter,

As one who just went through what you are planning I highly recommend Rick Baldassin's book and DVDs. If you go through the material it will put you out in front of your student and they are valuable texts for solid incremental progress. They include back and forth Accu-Tuner and aural information.

Chris Solliday

Original Message------

hello all,
i plan to retire and move in 9 to 11 years from now and i think to start looking for someone to train and later introduce to my customers some 5 years from now. I do know how to tune a piano by ear but i use my SAT for tunings (although i judge with my ears what i hear and correct as i feel necessary). However, i do not feel comfortable enough about my aural tuning skills to teach someone else. It is my opinion that it is imperative someone needs to understand aural tuning and be able to check and/or question an etd's tuning and make corrections based on aural skills in order to tune a piano.
I feel i am quite knowledgable enough to teach someone the technical aspects of piano technology.
So, how could i go about having someone taking up aural tuning skills?  Are there schools where you can only learn tuning by ear, or see if colleagues would be willing to tutor someone in the art of aural tuning?

My other question is regarding how to go about selling a business?  How would i determine the value of my business and how would i even try to sell my business?  I have Wim Blees' book about business but i can't find much info regarding selling a business or determining its value.

Thank you,
Peter
Janssen Piano Services
678-416--8055

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055
------------------------------