Responding to inquiries about price
Found in: Fees Rates & Cost
Stephen R., California
I would like a good response to “How much do you charge for piano lessons?”‘ From my experience, people that lead with price are not really serious about lessons. They are discount shopping and don’t know anything about Simply Music. They probably don’t know exactly what they are looking for regarding lessons either.
Christine R., Kansas
You can’t make that assumption, as some people truly don’t know how much lessons cost, and/or they have to budget and need to know if it works for them to even pursue further. I don’t hesitate at all with giving them my rates.
Sandy B., California
If I try to say I’d like to meet them and discuss SM with them before discussing price they tend to say “I don’t want to waste your time if I can’t afford it”.
Anna J., Canada
If folks lead off with the price question I respond openly and state my prices. If that’s their primary concern, I’d rather just get it out there and if they’re still interested in talking, great, and if not, I won’t miss them. At this point I’m not interested in bending over backwards if they don’t really know what they want. But I’m also very fortunate that most folks contact me having read some of my website, or they know my current students, etc.
Stephen R., California
If inquirers lead with price, I would prefer not to answer that right away. I want to give people more information first. Simply Music is what really sets us apart. I’ve thought about this, because it just happened to me yesterday. I’ve thought of replying with this question: “Can you tell me what you are looking for in piano lessons?” Answering a question with a question. I do want to give people my price (which is a flat tuition every month) but also much more information and at the same time get more information out of the person calling.
Heidi M., Canada
I don’t think of it as either/or. If people ask me what I charge, I answer them and then tell them the benefits of Simply Music and how much more easily and quickly students learn to play a variety of songs right away. I will almost immediately emphasize this is not at all traditional lessons. Usually they will ask questions. If not, then I am happy to let them go.
Gabrielle K., Iowa
I’ve learned very quickly that window shoppers will window shop at class as well and I don’t want anything to do with that! I always give prices as well. Filters out the uncommitted.
Felicity E., Australia
I personally dislike people who dodge around the question of price, so I also get it out of the way if that’s what they need to know, and then continue with the other things.
Heidi M., Canada
I can’t really blame people for asking about price. The fact is that people have budgets, at least where I live (lots of retired folks and students and unemployed people). I frankly shop around when I am looking for other services (house renovations etc) too. But I am sure to tell people not only the price but all the amazing benefits of SM and then invite them to a FIS. I find that not everyone who asks immediately about my price is “not serious”; it’s just a starting point of the conversation for some folks, and some of them do end up coming to a FIS and signing up.