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For QuickBooks users only

  • 1.  For QuickBooks users only

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-05-2023 07:31
    Do you utilize QuickBooks in your piano business? I am still using a 2015 version, but QB is only offering yearly subscriptions now. Eventually I will have to switch to this version since it will no longer support the latest versions of Windows or IOS. I do not use QB for payroll (my accountant takes care of it) or any online help, just day to day accounting such as accounts recievables and payables. This yearly subscription is the same price that I paid for the 2015 software, so paying every year will be much more expensive.
    Question: Do any of you currently use the yearly subscription service and are you happy with it. I am not interested in any other accounting software since QB has so many advantages (especially tax season), fitting my accounting needs, as well as my accountant. Thanks in advance.

    ------------------------------
    Greg Junker RPT
    Greg Junker's Piano Shoppe, LLC
    Belleville IL
    (618) 971-9595
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: For QuickBooks users only

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-05-2023 09:17
    Hi Greg:
    I've been using QB for a long time, beginning with the desktop version.  I didn't have it set up correctly, and after some years, I had to contact someone to straighten it out.  Alas, it was so bad I had to start over.  I found a bookkeeper that uses QB, and changed to the online version.  He has access to my bank account (limited access) also.  He also does my taxes.  I'm not sure what if any features are missing from the online version, but it works ok for me.  For security purposes, I have to log into the program, and have a pass code sent to my cell phone.  Not a big deal, but annoying.  I send invoices, receive payments, sales receipts, etc., and the bookkeeper inputs all of the expenses from the bank statement.  He set up my books properly, so it's easy for him to take the information and make my tax return.
    Overall, it works well, but of course I don't like the monthly fee, which goes up every year.  I wouldn't mind if there was something else out there to take the place of it, but then I'd have to find another bookkeeper, or do it myself.  If you're going to stick with QB, I guess there's no other way than using using the Online version.

    ------------------------------
    Paul McCloud, RPT
    Accutone Piano Service
    www.AccutonePianoService.com
    pavadasa@gmail.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: For QuickBooks users only

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-05-2023 10:48
    Greg,

    I've been using QB since 2003. I've only had two versions, 2003 and then 2014. I'm still using 2014 but recently went through a "testy" issue with QB where they tried to pressure me into "upgrading" to the online version which I am NOT interested in.  My accountant tells me that for my purposes there is no need to change anything so I'm not going to. 

    From what I gather from online discussions they have STRONG desire to move you to online only. Therefore they contrive numerous arguments so as to scare you into changing and their sales force is trained to not help you unless you "upgrade" but they will not admit this publicly for obvious reasons (money). 

    If current QB does all the things you need I see no reason to change, and I highly doubt that any future OS issues or anything else will render the software useless (despite what they may claim...it's all scare tactic nonsense). 

    That's just my opinion and I'm living by it. 

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor

    ------------------------------
    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: For QuickBooks users only

    Posted 01-05-2023 13:24
    Good luck Peter.  Use 2014 as long as you can, but when your computer finally dies, you will be painted into a corner at great and ongoing expense.  I am going to suggest to you and anyone else using Quickbooks to begin exploring non-subscription options, for which there are precious few.  

    I have used QB since about 1995 and have had a number of versions.  I had 2007 until 2016 when i went to a Windows 10 computer and the earlier version could not be transferred over.  That was a real pain.  I used that computer until 2020 when it had memory issues and I replaced it.  Even though the new computer was Win 10, the 2016 version would not transfer, even with my wonderful computer geek who has saved my bacon many times, it would not work.  My 3 years had just expired, so I was forced to buy the 2020 desktop version of QB.  That worked ok for about 2 years, and then the program choked to death eating its own entrails after doing a Windows update.  Even though QB could have provided me with a fresh copy of the 2020 version and I believe that they were under obligation to do so, as I was still within my 3 years of support.  That would never do for them, so I was forced to buy a one year subscription to QB Desktop Pro Plus 2022 for $250.  That will expire in June of 2023.  

    Drum Roll now folks....  My new one year subscription will cost $550 for using the same software which will be very much the same.  Since we have entered the Twilight Zone of runaway greed, no telling what it will cost the year following.  Oh, technical support consists of someone in the Philippines reading from a script on a really bad line at low volume and an accent so thick that you cannot understand them anyway.  That's if you can get someone to answer the phone.  Don't expect anyone to call you back, ever.  

    Subscriptions  are of no meaningful value for us simple folks.  It's just a way for the company to hoover money out us until we die, and offer almost nothing in return.  Make no mistake, this company is rife with sociopathy.  

    I am not paranoid, they are out to get me, and also the rest of the 80 million plus users of QB.  So this is what monopolism is like.  

    It is a step backwards to less capable software, but I have purchased Quicken Home & Business 2023 on sale for $79.  That is a one year subscription, but there is good news that comes along for the ride.  And that is the software will remain in all ways functional after the subscription expires.  The only things that will change will be that you will not be able to download bank statements and transactions.  You will have to do that separately and input your adjustments into Quicken.   The support will expire. It is purely a desktop version, with no cloud presence.  You can also load it onto a second computer at no charge.  I am going to do that on a notebook so that I can hand it to my accountant and her bookkeeper as needed. 

    I have said it is less capable, but I have done enough exploring to know that it will do everything I need it to do.  I am changing things over from QB to Quicken now at the start of the Calendar year.  My accountant is very QB savvy and oriented, but this will not present any problems for them.  (I have had that conversation).  

    Greg Junker, I used to use QB Payroll for one person (me).  I paid myself biweekly.  My bookkeeper would come to do my quarterlies and tell me it couldn't add properly.  I don't know what version of QB you are using, but all versions have dramatic price increases this year. 

    Accountants are forced to buy a copy of any version or year of QB, all of them.  They are getting slammed with these huge price increases too. 

    All this used to work for the client, the accountant, and Quickbooks.  The only party that wins is Intuit. 






    ------------------------------
    Will Truitt
    Bristol NH
    1-603-934-4882
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: For QuickBooks users only

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-06-2023 14:07
    You went:
    Use 2014 as long as you can, but when your computer finally dies, you will be painted into a corner at great and ongoing expense. I am going to suggest to you and anyone else using Quickbooks to begin exploring non-subscription options, for which there are precious few.

    Actually, I was going to suggest this to you, keeping an older computer around just to run your long-in-the-tooth-but-already-paid-for-and-trusty Quickbooks. Sure, that computer will die someday (as will your newest one), but for the time being,
    1.) as long as it sits in one place (never being moved),
    2.) as long as disc read/writes are minimal-to-near-neglible compared to your main machine (because its only being used for one thing),
    3.) you have a printer which remains compatible with it (in terms of cable connection and OS), and
    4.) it can still participate in your wifi,
    …you'll have sidestepped Intuit's move.

    I'm running on Quicken 16 on a 2020 Macbook Air with not a hitch (on and OS with serious other bugs). I don't manage a stock portfolio with it, nor monitor descending loan balances, nor report on assets usable for credit collateral. It does what I need: balances my checkbooks and gives me an annual report by categories, come tax time.

    Yep, Quicken is also on subscription (as is the database for my business activity - client records and AR). But when v16 bites the dust because this machine gets replaced by something which WON'T run it, I'll find a simple checkbook balancer which will. My needs are that simple.

    BTW, Will, I bought Quicken 98 at some point 20 years ago, after your glowing description of Quickbooks. But the subscription model is like the old dope peddler's: the first one (the version you buy) is free, and sooner or later you're hooked. Kind of like the ads for cellphones I saw recently: FREE PHONE! (after you finish the installment payments).


    ------------------------------
    William Ballard RPT
    WBPS
    Saxtons River VT
    802-869-9107

    "Our lives contain a thousand springs
    and dies if one be gone
    Strange that a harp of a thousand strings
    should keep in tune so long."
    ...........Dr. Watts, "The Continental Harmony,1774
    +++++++++++++++++++++
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: For QuickBooks users only

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-07-2023 07:08
    Bill,

    Keeping old computers around for this very purpose seems to be a thing I do well. It is in fact my preferred form of backup. In fact I still have a 20 year old Dell desktop running XP (not on line) that works perfectly fine (just in case). I back up to three different drives and try to keep nearly current copies on all the puters (especially considering the fiasco I had a couple months ago with intuit [but with persistence and persuasion they acquiesced]).

    I ran all this past my accountant and she still says stick with what I've got, so that's what I'm going to do. Have had no problems with Win 10 (so far). Still using Quattro Pro from 1993 (first windows version...great software!) Which is how I print my 3x5 file cards exporting data from qb. Yep!

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor

    ------------------------------
    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: For QuickBooks users only

    Posted 01-06-2023 22:32
    I was once a QB user, initially I had a desktop version which worked great until the fateful day of the Windows 10 update. Suddenly it no longer worked, apparently there were a LOT OF US! Within 12 hours there was a work around (temporary) while we decided what to do. Buy a new desktop version or go with the online version. My thinking was invest $250 in another desktop version until Windows 10 updates again and makes it obsolete OR go with I kine and let Intuit play "whack a mole" with Windows 10 uodates. I went Online the first year when it came time to file sales tax, I had always done it myself with desktop. It didn't give me the numbers up front I had to kind of work them out but the weird part was when it suggested DISCOUNTING to the Wisconsin State Sales Tax Department! In other words not paying the full amount owed! I called support and got an "adviser" from another state, unfamiliar with Wisconsin tax law. I figured this was a fluke UNTIL IT WAS TIME FOR QUARTERLY SALES TAX! Again QB is suggesting with hard numbers this time to discount to the tax department. I left Quick Books Quickly! I found Wave, a free app that was good for invoicing and keeping track of taxes but not much else. I then moved to Zipbooks which wasn't bad, I was just getting the hang of it when I got a deal on Thryv.
    Thryv is PRICEY. it is an all in one crm, invoicing, keeps you on the right search engines, basically Gazelle on steroids! When I first heard about it I called to find out about it, $375 set up fee, $350 monthly. I started in business to make money, for me and mine, not for a group of people I didn't know! However I discovered a couple of years ago that I wasn't ranking on the 1st page of Google in a 4 technician market! So I signed up with another company for $200.00 monthly to get me on the 1st page. At the end of the 1st year Thryv bought them and offered their customers a deal. No setup fee and $99.00 monthly! Well twist my arm! I get crm, invoicing, a request for a review from each customer invoiced and I am kept top of the list on 65+ search engines. Beats the hell out of the damage QB tried to do to me. Plus I ACTUALLY GET SUPPORT via text, phone even screen share!

    ------------------------------
    Michael Magness
    West Salem WI
    (608) 786-4404
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: For QuickBooks users only

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-06-2023 08:42
    Hi, Paul.

    How do you keep track of pianos with QB online?
    I have been going around in circles, even spending hours on the phone/remoting with an agent.
    The online version apparently has no way of tracking multiple pianos under one client, which is what the majority of my clientele is now, unless you subscribe to the premium at over $1K per year on a monthly payment which is the only way it's offered, even then it doesn't look like it will do what the desktop version does. Once the desktop version is gone, I don't know what I will be able to do. None of the other products seem to be able to do clients with multiple "jobs". 

    It is important to me to be able to go back and look at the service history of a given piano to know what has been done and needs to be, and keep track of the respective financial data all in one place. Surely, QB can't be the only affordable product out there that can do this. 

    At my University job, I keep track of all work done on every one of 125 pianos with a File Maker database. The only economic data is Job and Replacement cost. It doesn't do invoicing or track accounts receivables/payables. 

    If someone uses another product that is economical and can do inventory, please share. 

    Thanks!

    Dave





    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: For QuickBooks users only

    Posted 01-06-2023 10:09
    Go on eBay and look for earlier non-subscription versions of Filemaker Pro that are compatible with the OS of your computer.  Looks like some can be had for not-crazy money and are legally ownable versions.  

    There may be some pre-built databases available on them.  How well that would suit your needs is to be seen.  But there are inventory and database templates that may be enough for your needs, or can be further adapted.  

    Since you already have familiarity with Filemaker, that may be a good match for you.  I doubt that there is any direct integration with QB.

    ------------------------------
    Will Truitt
    Bristol NH
    1-603-934-4882
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: For QuickBooks users only

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-06-2023 11:03
    As far as Filemaker on Ebay, though there are offerings of past and new versions, I'm pretty sure most of them are hacked or pirated.  If you don't mind using pirated software, then go for it.  New version from Filemaker (Claris) is $540.  It is true that the Filemaker platform works the same at the core, and older versions will work just fine (be sure to use at least FM 12.  FM19 is the latest), but new features that are added require the latest versions.  You can also build an app to use it on your phone or online, which requires Filemaker server or Filemaker Cloud.

    ------------------------------
    Paul McCloud, RPT
    Accutone Piano Service
    www.AccutonePianoService.com
    pavadasa@gmail.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: For QuickBooks users only

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-06-2023 11:18
    Thanks Will. 

    I was looking for a product that could do both inventory/service history and bookkeeping of invoices, accounts payable and receivable and generate reports from the data for tax purposes and for planning and projections. 



    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: For QuickBooks users only

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-06-2023 10:50
    Hi Dave:
    I don't use QB for that purpose.  I have Gazelle, which has that capability.  Since I'm only doing private clients, for the most part, I only have a few with multiple pianos.  Since Gazelle has announced a huge price increase in the next few months, I'm looking for a new system.  I used to have Filemaker, and am considering going back to it.  I don't expect Filemaker to be able to do all the things Gazelle does, but then I don't use all the features.
    Gazelle does not do the financial end of things, but I think it does interface with QB as an add-on.  It will send invoices and track payments, but that's all.
     I use client's emails to send invoices in QB, and the few that don't use or respond to emails, I"ll print an invoice with their address.
    If there is something out there, I'd like to hear about it.  As far as Filemaker, if someone has an existing template, and care to share it, that would be nice too.

    ------------------------------
    Paul McCloud, RPT
    Accutone Piano Service
    www.AccutonePianoService.com
    pavadasa@gmail.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: For QuickBooks users only

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-06-2023 14:25
    While we're all waiting for non-subscription alternatives, here's an example. For decades, the king-of-the-land for professional graphics designers has been Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, and Designer). 8 years ago, a British company introduced their versions (including all the bells and whistles) of each of these: https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/. When I bought into them, they were $49/ea. (including Affinity Photo from the Mac app store)

    Where there's a need (and a market) for non-subscription apps, someone will fill it.

    ------------------------------
    William Ballard RPT
    WBPS
    Saxtons River VT
    802-869-9107

    "Our lives contain a thousand springs
    and dies if one be gone
    Strange that a harp of a thousand strings
    should keep in tune so long."
    ...........Dr. Watts, "The Continental Harmony,1774
    +++++++++++++++++++++
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 14.  RE: For QuickBooks users only

    Posted 01-06-2023 15:00
    I glanced at Gazelle, what it offers, and its pricing.  I thought the new QB versions were were wildly overpriced, but Gazelle makes them look like a bunch of pikers.  I think he would monetize a sneeze if he could.  He must think us piano techs are rich.  Delusional?

    Except for the early days of Symantec Q & A back in the 80"s, I have never used integrated software solutions.  I started using Lotus Approach database in the early 90"s and built my own database modules.  I am still using a 2008 version of it on Windows 10, held together by bandaids, bubblegum, and a lot of prayer.  I am planning on dying before it does.

    ------------------------------
    Will Truitt
    Bristol NH
    1-603-934-4882
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 15.  RE: For QuickBooks users only

    Posted 01-08-2023 12:25
    Dave, I've been using (Mac only) software called OmniOutliner since 2005, which allows one to create their own lists of things, to put it crudely.  I use it to keep track of all my clients and service notes, as well as income, and dozens of other things.  It can be tweaked to categorize or display your data however makes sense to you, and has some pretty good spreadsheet-type functions, but not if you don't want them.  It also can cloud-share documents between desktop and iOS, if you want to update on the go.
    Perhaps this is something that could work for your inventory needs?  There are "perpetual" one-time purchases available for both the desktop and iOS versions, and they offer discounts on later versions when Apple causes the old ones to break.
    Original Message


  • 16.  RE: For QuickBooks users only

    Posted 01-08-2023 13:34

    if your computer is not too old, then a hedge against obsolescence may be spending a couple of hundred dollars to buy a Solid State Drive, which are slowly replacing the old hard drives.  When your computer dies, it is almost always the hard drive, which has spinning platters and other moving parts.  The SSD's have no moving parts, will last much longer, and give you a performance boost because they are 2 to 3 faster than the best hard drives. You can either replace the hard drive or use it as a real time back up (set up properly)

    Speaking of backups I tripped over this company when I decided to replace Acronis True Image, which does a million things, but is a real non-intuitive pain to use, and left me high and dry.  That is EaseUS To Do Home 2022.  A perpetual license, inexpensive ($40), easy to set up and use, and very capable.  Presently I have it backing up 2 4TB external hard drives once a day, so that if one drive fails, I am good. 

    I bought a new desktop computer about 6 months ago (16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD Drive, AMD Ryzen 7 CPU  - that's me bragging).  I had Tyler, my friendly reliable computer geek set me up with transferring my OS, files, and everything.  He made a mirror of my notebook, and everything was on the new computer in 20 minutes. and identical in every way.  All of my programs are there without me having to buy new versions.  I don't think you can do this if you are going to a new OS (say Windows 10 to 11).  Tyler loves EaseUS, and is recommending it to a lot of his clients.  



    ------------------------------
    Will Truitt
    Bristol NH
    1-603-934-4882
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 17.  RE: For QuickBooks users only

    Posted 01-06-2023 18:12
    If you want to continue to use your old version of QB, download a copy of "VMware Player".  You can install an old version of Windows within it and run it in a window on top of Windows 10.  I currently run a copy of Windows XP on my windows 10 machine so I can continue to use some old software that I like.  VMware used to be somewhat cantankerous to install and get running properly but the current versions are quite easy.  Using a browser from within an old version of Windows on VMware could present some risks, but it's easy enough to transfer files from within VMware to my windows 10 OS if I need to email something. 

    VMware can be run on Linux machines, or on Windows.  Software installs within my XP window just like it did on my old XP machine.  The VMware installation recognizes the DVD drive, printer and thumb drives with no trouble.  You can also setup a folder within the windows 10 OS for transferring files between the two OS's if you like, but that can be a little more involved. 

    My wife still uses a home version of QB on her windows 10 machine with no issues.  I had to kind of "trick" it into installing, but once installed it runs fine.   (If I could only remember how I did that!).

    Good luck!

    --- Tim

    ------------------------------
    Timothy Edwards
    Beckley WV
    (740) 517-7636
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 18.  RE: For QuickBooks users only

    Member
    Posted 01-08-2023 16:27

    I am using QuickBooks 2018 stand-alone version for Windows for primitive accounting only (enough to do my business taxes). Last year they stopped supporting the payroll module for the stand-alone version and pressured me to switch to the new on-line subscription model. Instead I abandoned the payroll module and did my own calculations of withholdings, etc. Since there is just one employee, it was not too hard. It did complicate filling out the IRS 941 forms, but I'm going to stick with this old version as long as possible.



    ------------------------------
    Robert Scott
    Real-Time Specialties (TuneLab)
    fixthatpiano@yahoo.com
    Hopkins MN
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 19.  RE: For QuickBooks users only

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-09-2023 10:10

    Hi Greg.
    I have been using QB online for several years, and am generally happy with it. It makes my life easier. I pay a monthly subscription fee. I like the ability to send invoices, and have customers pay online. It syncs and reconciles accounts. In Ohio I have to charge a different sales tax in every county, and it keeps track of all that. I have to file sales tax monthly. Then there is sending 1099's to people use as subcontracted labor. I can also accept credit cards on my phone. The downside of course is the monthly fee. Intuit has figured out how to extract every penny they can from us. Which I don't like, but haven't found a better alternative.

    It would be nice to have some integrated app that keeps track of pianos, does scheduling etc. Any scheduling system I have used in recent years, I have to go back through my appointments to look to see what I have invoiced. I was using Outlook, then Google Calendar, and now Square Appointments. Every now and then I have had a customer call and ask to be billed because I missed one. It would be nice to have a program where you convert appointments to invoices. I use to be able to do that with PTBiz, but abandoned that program long ago. The PTBiz experience left me leery of using a program created by an individual. It didn't get updated after a while.



    ------------------------------
    Roy Peters
    Cincinnati OH
    (513) 515-0973
    RPTRPTRPT
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 20.  RE: For QuickBooks users only

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-09-2023 11:30
    For the features, you can't beat Gazelle.  It will do all of what you have asked for, and I believe it has a way to connect to QB..  But, the cost is way too high, IMO.  What I see in many computer programs is that they need to keep their programmers busy, and they have to pay them.  So, every once in a while, you get a new version, upgrade, added features, new UI and look, etc.  Which drives up the cost to the end user having to upgrade in spite of the fact that it works fine now.  So, many apps have gone to a subscription format.  When I first started with QB, I could purchase it for around $200.  But then, to use all the features, you had to buy it all over again after about 3 years.  I knew when they came out with the online version that eventually the computer version would go away.  So, here we are.  The Gazelle program is light-years ahead of any program like PTBiz, but it seems to be going the way of all these other companies where they get you hooked and then jack the price.  Business as usual I suppose.  I've been extremely happy with Gazelle, and if you can afford it, there's nothing better.  But I'm not able to justify the cost any more.  I use it to remind my clients to book a new appointment.  Pretty much that's it.  I use AppointmentQuest to book appointments online.  People love it, and tell me so.  It is my database, and includes all the contact information and appointment data.  It doesn't track pianos or do invoicing, or anything else, so I have to keep using QB.  If you have a school or other client with multiple pianos, then you need another database to keep track of the pianos.  How about 3X5 cards?  Just kidding, but it does work.

    ------------------------------
    Paul McCloud, RPT
    Accutone Piano Service
    www.AccutonePianoService.com
    pavadasa@gmail.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 21.  RE: For QuickBooks users only

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-09-2023 12:17
    I don't think Gazelle is too high. I don't pay for it, my clients do.

    ------------------------------
    Larry Messerly, RPT
    Bringing Harmony to Homes
    www.lacrossepianotuning.com
    ljmesserly@gmail.com
    928-899-7292
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 22.  RE: For QuickBooks users only

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-09-2023 15:57

    Larry hits on a good point. Profit is made in two ways: lower expenses and / or raise income. While it's a good thing to try to cut expenses where possible, you can only lower your costs of doing business (overhead) so much. The cost of any software or subscription needs to be worked into your price. Otherwise you're running a hobby that will eventually leave you broke and bitter at the thing you once loved. 

    Every year the cost of living goes up, and people expect to pay more for products and services. They may complain when you raise rates, but if you compete on anything other than price alone (good service, smiling faces, being on time, the quality of your work, etc.) you'll be alright. 



    ------------------------------
    Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
    Piano Technician / Artisan
    (256) 947-9999
    www.professional-piano-services.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 23.  RE: For QuickBooks users only

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-09-2023 16:47
    Gentleman

    I hate to be reminded of this but change is inevitable. In fact, we would not be needed with out it. What! no extreme temperatures and humidity? How dare they!!! It is a case of what we fear or dislike the most is most often a good thing for us in the long run.

    As a preface, I use Gazelle and find it quite useful. Just because I am not a big fan of the modern proprietary software model, what is more important, the time wasted fussing over outdated business software/hardware or the depositing of checks, running credit cards or PayPal. I just chalk, oops sorry dry erase, it up as the costs of doing business today. Who knows this new generation of tuner/technicians may develop a subscription model for piano service. Who knows some may have already started.

    ….. let’s see
    Gold Level = the cost of three tunings / 12 months
    Silver Level = the cost of two tunings ….
    Student Level. Etc.

    Of course some type of coupon to encourage expanded coverage.

    What else hummmm?




    Sent from my iPhone


    Original Message