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Joined: May 2013
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OP
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Why is it my customers ask me the same damn question...They ask me how my business has been affected by the economy.(as if I must be struggling to find enough tuning customers to keep food on the table. I tell them "The economy is Great"! Then I toss it back at them and say, "Do you think people would have been stupid enough to vote Obama back in office if the economy weren't doing so well!?"
Making the world a better sounding place, one piano at a time...
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Joined: Jun 2001
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I get asked that as well. I just say "I'm lucky...the phone still rings" and leave it at that. I would not talk politics with clients. That's asking for trouble.
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Joined: May 2013
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OP
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Bob, exactly!. My own economy is doing fine depsite WHOEVER is in office.
Making the world a better sounding place, one piano at a time...
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Joined: May 2013
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OP
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Joined: May 2013
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The economy is super duper
Making the world a better sounding place, one piano at a time...
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 376
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OP
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Economy is wonderful!. It's spectacular! Couldn't be better
Making the world a better sounding place, one piano at a time...
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Joined: Apr 2007
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Americans are often amazingly spoiled and entitled.  I lived in Mexico for 6 months and that gave me a whole new appreciation for how wealthy and privileged we are here in America. My brother spent time in India and Haiti after college and after seeing real poverty he was forever changed. In general I perceive a general lack of professionalism in the piano technician industry. Lack of education, lack of business skills, lack of proper training, lack of investment in continuing education and quality tools,lack of tone regulating skills, lack of humility, and occasionally lack of proper hygiene and manners.  There is this idea that a piano tech is some sort of "free spirit" who can get away with dressing and acting however they wish because it demonstrates their individuality and artistic flair towards life. If it works, then great! But if you are not as busy or charging as much as you would like, its time to take a good hard look in the mirror. My (completely unqualified, pseudo-psychology) theory is that complaints about the economy are often rooted to feelings of alienation and depression. The media magnifies it by focusing on so much negative news day in and day out. The best way to fix the economy: eat better, exercise, get involved with your community, turn off the TV, take a walk, you can fill in the rest.
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Joined: Jun 2010
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Americans are often amazingly spoiled and entitled. I lived in Mexico for 6 months and that gave me a whole new appreciation for how wealthy and privileged we are here in America. My brother spent time in India and Haiti after college and after seeing real poverty he was forever changed. In general I perceive a general lack of professionalism in the piano technician industry. Lack of education, lack of business skills, lack of proper training, lack of investment in continuing education and quality tools,lack of tone regulating skills, lack of humility, and occasionally lack of proper hygiene and manners. There is this idea that a piano tech is some sort of "free spirit" who can get away with dressing and acting however they wish because it demonstrates their individuality and artistic flair towards life. If it works, then great! But if you are not as busy or charging as much as you would like, its time to take a good hard look in the mirror. My (completely unqualified, pseudo-psychology) theory is that complaints about the economy are often rooted to feelings of alienation and depression. The media magnifies it by focusing on so much negative news day in and day out. The best way to fix the economy: eat better, exercise, get involved with your community, turn off the TV, take a walk, you can fill in the rest. Sounds pretty awful from your view point.
Tuner-Technician
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Joined: Jun 2010
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Bob, exactly!. My own economy is doing fine depsite WHOEVER is in office. Wait until you see your health insurance premium come January. I already heard from my carrier, and it's not pretty. I purposely kept a high deductible plan and forego some coverages (dental, eye, etc) to keep premiums down since I pay 100% of them. To me, that's what insurance should be; covering the big stuff. I can handle the cost of doctor visits, prescriptions, having a tooth filled, etc. Anyway, the new law requires minimum coverages to be "eligible." Prepare for sticker shock and then we'll see how small individual self-employed people fare!
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Joined: Jun 2001
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It will be interesting in January, Loren as everything sorts out. There is no way we will end up paying less money. That almost never happens, in my experience. I am happy there is insurance for pre-existing conditions...but so far, that seems to be the only positive change......but.......I suppose time will tell.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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Do you think people would have been stupid enough to vote Obama back in office if the economy weren't doing so well!?"
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Look out for big bro Gary, this an audit waiting to happen.
x-rpt
retired ptg member
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Do you think people would have been stupid enough to vote Obama back in office if the economy weren't doing so well!?"
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Look out for big bro Gary, this an audit waiting to happen. Don't be silly. No one is paying attention to people's internet postings.
![[Linked Image]](https://forum.pianoworld.com//gallery/42/full/15854.png) "Don't let the devil fool you - Here comes a dove; Nothing cures like time and love." -- Laura Nyro
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Joined: Jan 2006
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"Do you think people would have been stupid enough to vote Obama back in office if the economy weren't doing so well!?" Not only would they......they did just that. In normal times, your argument would hold validity, but we no longer live in "normal" times. The American electorate, as a whole, are the least informed, least caring and unengaged in history. Ask the average person who Kim Kardashian or some other "reality slut" is and they can tell you the name of their newborn kid, but ask them about the four people who died in Benghazi, or about using the IRS to target your political foes, and they will look at you like you have two heads. It's great that you are reaping the fruits of your labor......enjoy it while you can my friend
Piano Technician/Tuner
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 219
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In general I perceive a general lack of professionalism in the piano technician industry. Lack of education, lack of business skills, lack of proper training, lack of investment in continuing education and quality tools,lack of tone regulating skills, lack of humility, and occasionally lack of proper hygiene and manners. There is this idea that a piano tech is some sort of "free spirit" who can get away with dressing and acting however they wish because it demonstrates their individuality and artistic flair towards life. If it works, then great! But if you are not as busy or charging as much as you would like, its time to take a good hard look in the mirror. I completely agree. Anyone's reputation (in any service industry) will precede them by word of mouth coverage and will stick like a label after the persons name is mentioned. Whatever the economic situation is piano owners will be needing our services and the one that has shine and polish gets the first call. Manners and personal appearance make solid first impressions and care with your craft for the client, instead of trying to wiggle out of a repair or technical issue, will make your reputation shine and boost your business every time. I charge more than most tech's here but I spend more time technically and not bother the client with how things will cost more. Making repair recommendations on my receipt keeps my relationship with the client and proper repairs (done with care) down the road will build into a working relationship. Keep longer appointment times and your rewards will increase exponentially. Don't get me started.
David Chadwick RPT
Newark, Ohio
1931 Mason Hamlin AA
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 78
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In general I perceive a general lack of professionalism in the piano technician industry. Lack of education, lack of business skills, lack of proper training, lack of investment in continuing education and quality tools,lack of tone regulating skills, lack of humility, and occasionally lack of proper hygiene and manners. There is this idea that a piano tech is some sort of "free spirit" who can get away with dressing and acting however they wish because it demonstrates their individuality and artistic flair towards life. If it works, then great! But if you are not as busy or charging as much as you would like, its time to take a good hard look in the mirror. I agree. I get a lot of phone calls because of other techs' attitudes and appearances. Its bad enough sometimes I feel like I should be thanking them for all the referrals! If you aren't getting return business, check your attitude/appearance. How people perceive us is 90% of the business. When people ask me about the economy, I tell them that the cuts in education have forced parents to bring music education back into the home. Parents love that it makes them seem like great parents, older folks like the chance to reminisce, and the college-aged like the chance to vent about whichever political party they don't like.
Piano Technician, 3 years experience
And why yes, I know I'm a girl!
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 526
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Posts: 526 |
I agree with the OP, the economy is great! I get a kick out of the technicians who act like they know what all the other technicians in the country are doing, charging, acting like. Making statements that seem to indicate that since they charge more than everyone else they must be perceived as better too (how do you know what they're charging?), or I wear a tie so my customers like me better. Ties are last-century for the most part. Having a clean professional image is important but so many other factors also play in.
Tuner-Technician
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 543
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A couple of things to think about.... Pianos go out out of tune and need repairs whether the economy is good or bad. Job security for us I guess. :-) Also, I would think that people with pianos are probably more likely to have a little more disposable income.
I started my business back in 2007 at the height of the "economic collapse." I have been CRAZY busy every since. If the economy was/is as bad as the media lets on, I don't know what I will do when it finally gets strong again. I can barely keep up now.
When my mentor started training me, I told him that I didn't want to take or hurt any of his business. His exact words were, "Ryan, there are enough neglected pianos here in the area to keep four tuners busy full time." I remember thinking at the time, yeah right. He wasn't kidding!!
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Joined: Jun 2010
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Ties are last-century for the most part. Couldn't disagree more. Professionalism never goes out of style.
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Joined: Sep 2012
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Ties are last-century for the most part. Couldn't disagree more. Professionalism never goes out of style. I guess it depends where you are. Around here (southwest Ohio), a tuner wearing a tie would get some funny looks.
AndyJ
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Joined: Jun 2013
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Ties are last-century for the most part. Couldn't disagree more. Professionalism never goes out of style. I guess it depends where you are. Around here (southwest Ohio), a tuner wearing a tie would get some funny looks. Being a girl, I don't have to worry about to tie or not to tie. But dressing professionally definitely pays off here in Indiana. I go for "business casual." There's no way I'm crawling under a piano in a skirt!
Piano Technician, 3 years experience
And why yes, I know I'm a girl!
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Joined: Jun 2010
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Being a girl, I don't have to worry about to tie or not to tie. But dressing professionally definitely pays off here in Indiana. I go for "business casual." There's no way I'm crawling under a piano in a skirt!
lol good call, Sam! 
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