Pianotech

  • 1.  Subscription-Based Business Model

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-26-2022 09:05

    Has anyone tried to offer a subscription based business model for piano care, as opposed to the usual business model of only getting paid when the client calls you? A local doctor in this area started doing this instead of the usual doctor office business model. It seems to be working out for him. 

    Thinking it through, there could be some major benefits to offering a monthly subscription. With that said, I can see that there might be some issues with trying something like this for piano service. I'm wanting to hear from someone with experience trying a subscription based business model. Please feel free to PM me with you'd rather talk offline. 

    Thanks!



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    Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
    Piano Technician / Artisan
    (256) 947-9999
    www.professional-piano-services.com
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  • 2.  RE: Subscription-Based Business Model

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-26-2022 09:39
    Benjamin, 

    I have heard of this business model in the medical field as a means to keep costs down, but especially to promote good health and healthy habits, particularly for the uninsured. I can see how it would work when it's up to the patient to visit the clinic. I can see how it could get dicey if it was up to the doctor to visit the patient.  Therefore, I would be open to ideas (as you are suggesting) as to how this could work. 

    On a slightly different "note", have recently been thinking about the PWYC/PWYW (Pay What You Can/Pay What You Want) business model as well. Any thoughts on this are welcome as well.

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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  • 3.  RE: Subscription-Based Business Model

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-26-2022 10:13

    Ben,
    Is it the same as a concierge service? It's crossed my mind as well, but I see two possible outcomes:
    1. The customer nags the technician constantly, calling them over for every little thing in an attempt to get their money's worth.
    2. The customer under-utilizes the technician and cancels the following year (or month).

    The question is how to get just the right amount of utilization to make it worth it for both.


    The other question is scheduling: if your schedule is full weeks or months out, what do you tell a subscription customer who wants a tuning tomorrow? They'll probably feel they now own you.



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    Scott Cole, RPT
    rvpianotuner.com
    Talent, OR
    (541-601-9033
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  • 4.  RE: Subscription-Based Business Model

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-26-2022 10:31

    Peter,

    I've never considered the pay what you can / want model. That's an interesting concept that I'd also be interested in hearing about from someone who's tried it. 

    Haha, maybe we should rename this thread "alternate business models."

    Scott, 

    Those are two of my concerns as well. At least in my mind, one would have to get the piano into a decent condition before offering the subscription service. And there would definitely have to be limits on what's included and what's not (sticking keys yes, new hammers no, etc.). 

    As far as scheduling, that's a good point. Maybe keep one day a week open for subscription clients?

    Maybe one of the business guys has heard of this and can provide more details?



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    Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
    Piano Technician / Artisan
    (256) 947-9999
    www.professional-piano-services.com
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  • 5.  RE: Subscription-Based Business Model

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-26-2022 10:47
    Ben,
    Yes, you can leave one day open. I've started leaving one day a week open for various reasons: my wife is returning to the office and the dog needs someone around. I need time for Journal editing. And, it's good to have a "makeup" day to schedule if I get sick or have to cancel tunings.

    But…this comes with a penalty because it eliminates 20% of my weekly income unless I cram more tunings into the other days. It's ok for me, but it may turn out to be wasted time for some if they can't schedule for that day.
    And, remember that many customers on subscription might not be available on YOUR designated day, especially as the world returns to the office.

    This just seems like a can of worms.

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    Scott Cole, RPT
    rvpianotuner.com
    Talent, OR
    (541-601-9033
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  • 6.  RE: Subscription-Based Business Model

    Posted 04-26-2022 15:28
    Actually I think it could work fairly well.

    It would have to be specific number of tunings, cleanings, regulations, etc.  Anything beyond basic stuff would be at an extra charge.

    Just take what you believe a well cared for piano requires in a year and build a package around it.   When with the customer just say "BTW I do offer a piano service package you may be interested in".

    The advantage to the technician is the automatic repeat business.  The advantage to the customer is they no longer need to think about servicing and probably a discount rate.

    I would suggest an annual fee that they pay when they start the service plan.  Try it with your most regular customers and then work at making everyone more regular.  Start with ending every tuning by scheduling the next tuning.

    David Armbrust 
    Sarasota Florida



    Sent from my iPhone 13 Pro Max





  • 7.  RE: Subscription-Based Business Model

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-26-2022 15:58
    David

    The main problem with your idea is the definitions of the repairs and regulations you are offering as part of the service package. Yes, you can cater it to each piano, but no matter what you put down, and how detailed the package is, there will always be a disagreement between you and the customer as to what it all means. The end result is that either the customer will be unhappy if you decide to charge for a service that you think is not included in the package, or you will be unhappy that you wind up doing work for free you think you should be paid for. 

    Wim





  • 8.  RE: Subscription-Based Business Model

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-26-2022 10:43
    Ben

    I had thought of this a long time ago.  I understand how this might work since we have contract services with other repair services. But the main difference is, when dealing with a company, there will always be someone who the company can send out to perform the service. (Unless the whole company goes out of business).

    But as a self-employed tuner, working by yourself, what happens when you get sick, or injured, or die?  Who is going to take your place? There is also the issue of job satisfaction. If a customer is not happy with the work performed by a service technician employed by a company, the company can send out someone else. But if a customer is not happy with your work, and they have a contract to have repair services performed, they might demand a refund, or have you pay for someone else to do the work. 

    The bottom line is, I would not recommend you pursue that option. Leave the service contracts to the big guys. 

    The same goes for prescheduling appointment. It's one thing to schedule an appointment a year from now, but to have a customer pre-pay for the appointment is another. What happens if you, or the customer, is not available? You don't want to get into a position of having to give a refund to customers. 

    Wim





  • 9.  RE: Subscription-Based Business Model

    Posted 04-26-2022 11:06
    I agree with Wim. One of the main things would be a potential refund. I see potential problems, even for clients that I tune regularly for. I think our line of business works best with a "pay as you go" business model. But hey, if you want to try it, let us know how it works out. Maybe it depends on the type of customers you have and the area you live in.

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    "That Tuning Guy"
    Scott Kerns
    Lincoln, Nebraska
    www.thattuningguy.com
    PianoMeter, TuneLab, OnlyPure, PianoScope & PiaTune user
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  • 10.  RE: Subscription-Based Business Model

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-27-2022 00:26
    No. I'm more interested in full service appointments these days meaning more comprehensive ie no tuning only appointments. Gravitating to 4 hour minimums.

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    David Love RPT
    www.davidlovepianos.com
    davidlovepianos@comcast.net
    415 407 8320
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