It's actually probably about 1 out of 3 are PTG members. That would follow the "Rule of Three" that Tim Barnes and the Gazelle team teach. If that's the case, then that means the PTG is dominating the upper third of the market for piano technician training.
Realistically, no one can ever net the entire market. If Apex wants to go for those who don't want our third, then great. They can (and should) shoot for their own third of the market. If they manage to get it, then kudos to them! They will at least be providing some training to those who would otherwise not get any.
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Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
Piano Technician / Artisan
(805) 315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 10-21-2019 15:25
From: Willem Blees
Subject: APEX Piano Technicians Network
It's interesting what you say, Ben, that Apex is there for the 3 out of 4 piano technician who don't want to be in PTG for personal or political reasons. Not to long ago I asked on GPI why some people don't belong to PTG. A whole bunch of non members expressed that it was basically for the same reason. They don't think they need the PTG or don't like the politics.
What's so ironic about this is that these people will join a very small organization with very limited resources, in the case of Apex, and/or join an online chat group, like GPI, because they want and/or need more information about piano tuning, but won't join what I consider the worlds foremost organization that does just that. And does it better than anyone else.
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Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
Original Message:
Sent: 10-21-2019 11:21
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: APEX Piano Technicians Network
I agree with Kevin regarding not passing judgment too quickly. I've spoken with Eric Roberts over the phone about this. His vision is quite impressive, though it is no where near completed at this stage.
Is it an alternative to PTG? Maybe. I prefer to think of it as a supplement. APEX's target audience is not the 1 in 4 technicians who are members of PTG. It is the 3 out of 4 piano technicians who are not part of PTG for personal or political reasons. Eric envisions giving them a place where they can train and become better, and in a way, his mission is the same as ours.
Will their methods be the same as ours? I don't think so. Does that mean we should be disdainful of them? I don't think so either. I prefer to keep an open mind and see what comes to be. If anything, I think it would be great for us as an organization to come alongside and offer to help where we can.
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Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
Piano Technician / Artisan
(805) 315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
Original Message:
Sent: 10-21-2019 08:57
From: Kevin Magill
Subject: APEX Piano Technicians Network
I became acquainted with APEX after puchasing and taking the training on one of the tools they sell at another website. As a field tech I found the tool useful in voicing hammers down in a non-traditional way in less than 30 minutes. Since adding this service, most of my customers in the homes and churches were struck by how nice their pianos sounded afterward, not unlike the pianos they hear on the radio. So when APEX approached me with a lifetime membership to their organization, I chose to give a little of my earnings from their tool back to them and joined. Even though I have yet to see this organization come together, I am patient so as not to prematurely pass judgement. I applied for the certification test and although I have not heard back on this I recognize that PTG wasn't up and running in a short time either in our formativ years. A week ago I taught a class at my local PTG chapter meeting entitled "Thirty More Minutes You Can Bank" demonstrating this tools proper use and how it has since boosted my take home receipts 30 percent on every house call I make and easily converting my custolmers from a basic service call to future full service. The President of the Chapter who also purchased this tool a while back but laid it aside thanked me afterward for bringing attention back to it. I will be ready when APEX has completed their certification process as I will be ready to resume my RPT tests when all the revamp is finished and reay for the 21st Century Piano Technician. I embrace both my peers, most of those reading this with your vast knowledge and expertise as well as those young innovators with new ideas that are proving to help me grow and ultimately produce enhanced customer satisfaction.
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Kevin Magill
Williamsburg VA
757-220-2420
Original Message:
Sent: 10-20-2019 14:23
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: APEX Piano Technicians Network
I was recently trading emails with another piano tech and he mentioned APEX Piano Technicians Network (APTN). I was just curious what that might be so I looked it up on the internet and found their webpage. I've read through much of it, but still don't understand what the organization is. On one hand, it sounds sort of like a PTG-like organization. But viewed in another way, it sounds like two piano techs - one in Dayton, Ohio and the other in Nashville, Tennessee - who are in same way the leaders of some sort of "APEX team". What is that? Can anyone better characterize this "organization" for me?
Quoting from their website: "In May 2019, Todd and Eric launched the APTN to serve piano technicians worldwide. They offer a new type of modern trade organization with the local field tech in mind. They welcome technicians of all skill level and operate the only online mentorship for piano technicians with the option to become a Certified Piano Technician."
So these two guys are claiming to run some sort of "trade organization", offer some sort of certification and operate an online mentorship. So are they trying to run some sort of school?
I'm having trouble getting my mind around this one.
Thanks.
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Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
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