$4/gallon? I'm going to drive over there to fill up! We're at $5.15 in Oregon. I've raised my mileage rate. I don't charge for a 10-mile radius, but I'm thinking of changing that too. I used to have a zone rate-this much for this city, etc. but distances within cities can vary widely.
Perception of fees is an interesting topic not only because it varies so much but because most of the time we probably never really know what people are thinking. They're generally too polite to say one way or another.
I had a guy come to fix my rattling screen door-he charged $115 just to show up. Plus more to "fix it," which he didn't really do. I just smiled and forked it over, but made a mental note not to call him again. I suspect most people are like that.
I'll bet many pianos get trapped in a continuous pitch raise/poor regulation condition: the owner gets it tuned infrequently, each time getting a price shock as fees rise. Then another decade goes by. Repeat.
if someone were to complain about a basic tuning fee (they haven't), that actually makes my life easier because I won't chase them down next year. Reminder card and postage stamp saved.
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Scott Cole, RPT
rvpianotuner.com
Talent, OR
(541-601-9033
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-25-2022 00:53
From: James Kelly
Subject: You know you're not charging enough when...
Is any one charging a fuel fee to help with the increase on full costs ? Our gas prices in SC are all above $4 a gallon and in the Boston area, CT and NJ where I was recently is was closer to $5 a gallon. I have a 19 gallon tank so its $76 to fill @ $4 a gallon and $ 95 @ $5 a gallon
Someone recently said my fees where high to which I replied a plumber or electrician charges even more
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James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357
Original Message:
Sent: 05-24-2022 20:34
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: You know you're not charging enough when...
For me, it usually seems to be right when I bid between $700-$1000 for a job and the client gives me 'the face,' then says, "Oh really? We were expecting $2-$3k to get it fixed."
Facepalm. I am getting better at bidding, but it still hurts whenever I get this comment. Should've bid higher!
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Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
Piano Technician / Artisan
(256) 947-9999
www.professional-piano-services.com
Original Message:
Sent: 05-24-2022 19:44
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: You know you're not charging enough when...
...you hand the customer your invoice and they say: "Oh, that's all? The last tuner charged twice as much, and didn't do nearly as good a job as you."
...and then does not give you a tip.
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Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
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