Estimate Charge!!

D

David Saulque

Senior Moderator
My brothers and I are settling the house estate issues of my parents. One of the hurdles is an old upright Mason Piano. Well the plan was to find out a range of worth and exchange it for some minor work at the house. Among other things I was given the task. First I did a search and came up with a company in NY City-would not give me an idea-call a certified Piano Tech. Then I called a local tech and he would not give anything on the phone. His cast an appraisal would be $150 and he is less than 2 miles away. It seems that everyone I Called was several other techs and it would seem they were on the same page.

Does this seem to hit a note-excuse the pun. Why can’t we charge for estimate, It takes time-plus it will reduce the shopping for a low bid. I am ready to make the change to a cost estimate program.
 
I wish, but to be honest the market the way it is I don't see any mom and pop operations or corprate for that matter saying "OK charge us to see how much money we can spend" I am with you in that I wish we could recoup our costs in bidding but I don't see them writing a check for an estimate.
 
I know what you are saying-how does the piano people do it-They clean - turn and do what ever. The base price is $150-then comes the other stuff. In my phone book there is 15 piano biz. people. I just do't know how they do it.
 
I see that market as real small and upscale. The people who run in that circle probably have no problem with that fee since they are talking Stienways that are worth thousands anyway and I would imagine that alot of their customers are brokers and auction houses that are going to pass it on the end customer anyway.
 
Good Point
 
David...most people/places will charge an estimate fee, unless you have them do the work or they will just deduct that cost from the final cost. Wait, I confused myself a little there....For instance, say you were having a new a/c system put in your house. They say ok, our service call rate is $xx.oo, you tell the tech ok..go ahead and put in the new system. OK..that will be $xxxx.00 - $xx.00 = $xxx.00...man, I'm horrible with illustrations tonight :(

If you get the business no charge for quote...if you don't...then pay up sucka :D I've been crawling around on your roof getting greasey...
 
David,

To me, there is an ever so slight difference is offering an "estimate for a service" and a "diagnosis/analysis of a situation". It seems you were wanting an "analysis" of the piano. And then above all that, it just seems some businesses have different rules. Hvac--you charge for a visit, no matter what. Pwash--free estimates are expected. Maybe you can get on the PWNA BOD and lobby to change that:)
 
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