[TechAssist] Re: Estimate charges - was 19" portables
- From: Kenneth M Smith <gulftech@xxxxxxxx>
- To: techassist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 2 May 2004 09:50:21 -0500
Dave,
This is so true. I charge a $20 evaluation fee on everything except
PTV's, where I charge $50. My wife begged me for several years to do
that. Have to admit, best thing I ever did. For example, if the rf
connector is pulled out of a 19" TV, and the charge would be, say $60
total, they may not fix it. However, if they already have $20 in it, $40
seems so much more reasonable.
Cuts down on the junk, and increases approved "estimates."
I also charge an additional $25 for any set I feel would be likely to be
abandoned, like an old console. That fee IS refunded if the repair is
not done and they pick up the set.
Ken Smith
Gulf Technical Services
3034 Gulf Breeze Parkway
Gulf Breeze, FL 32563
850-934-8324 (voice) 850-932-0819 (fax)
On Mon, 19 Apr 2004 16:50:19 -0400 "Dave Huston"
<HustonTV@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:
> I started collecting estimate fees up front about 3 yrs ago. Fees
> vary from
> a low of $15 for a VCR to a high of $40 for a Projo. It's probably
> the
> smartest thing I've done in some time. It put a stop to people
> disposing of
> their junk at my expense. I remember days spent doing practically
> nothing
> but making out free estimates and tearing down sets for disposal. I
> explain
> the fee when the customer calls prior to bringing their unit in.
> Also they
> are given a receipt for the fee explaining it will be applied toward
> the
> final bill if approved.
> I have found customers to be more likely to approve a repair if they
> have
> something invested already. After talking to another local shop
> owner, he
> has started the same practice with much success.
>
> Dave Huston
> Huston TV & Electronics
> 2846 Marion-Cardington Rd.E.
> Marion,Oh 43302-8919
> Phone/Fax: 740-389-5726
> email: HustonTV@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "walter wood" <wwood_38478@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: <techassist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, April 19, 2004 4:24 PM
> Subject: [TechAssist] Re: Estimate charges - was 19" portables
>
>
> We have two different invoices.
> One is an "Evaluation Receipt".
> It has the usual places for customer info and
> product info.
> It has lines for "Bench/Check Out Fee",
> And "Pickup and Delivery Fee".
> We collect that up front too.
> There is a paragraph on the bottom stating that the
> fee is applied to the final bill but that it is NOT
> refundable.
> Three copies.
> One to the office with the money/check/credit card.
> Customer gets receipt, and the third copy stays
> with the set.
> We DO charge tax.
> The fee(not including tax) is deducted from the
> PRE-tax total to determine the correct tax to put
> on the repair invoice.
> If we didn't have to charge tax on labor, I'd try
> to deduct the advance from the parts, but here
> everything is taxed the same.
> HTH
> Walter
>
> --- Joel Jacobs <jj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > Ok, you guys that charge for estimates - how do
> > you handle the logistics?
> > Do you give them an invoice? Do they pay sales
> > tax on it? I've been trying
> > to figure out a good way to charge for an
> > estimate. Maybe give them a
> > 'coupon' worth $25 off the repair of that
> > specific item when you take their
> > money so you only give them one invoice when they
> > pick it up..
> > Joel Jacobs
> > Ohio Consumer Electronics
> > Pickerington, Ohio
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Phil Bader" <tjanphyl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > To: <techassist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Sent: Monday, April 19, 2004 2:14 PM
> > Subject: [TechAssist] Re: 19 inch portables
> >
> >
> > > I still get 13" TVCRs, 13 and 19-20 " TVs. I
> > manage to get 60-100.00
> > range.
> > > if you guys stuck to your guns and collected a
> > diagnisis fee up front,
> > > you would nail most all those repairs with few
> > turn downs.
> > > A 13-20" TV in the door: $25.00 up front
> > diagnostic fee (applied to
> > > their OKd repair).
> > > A 25-32" set: $39.00 fee up front.
> > > A 13-27" TVCR combi: $39.00 fee.
> > > VCR $25.00 fee.
> > > Typical VCR repair: (maintanence,timing,etc)
> > $49.00 - 25.00 dep. Bal
> > > due: 24.00. That customer will go 24.00 tp not
> > lose the VCR and 25.00.
> > > They "see" the bal due, folks. Not deceptive,
> > just covering our expenses.
> > > A 27" TV typical bill: 79.00 labor+ 49.00
> > parts= 128.00 +(6.5% tax)
> > > 8.32= $136.32 total. Less 39.00 deposit:
> > 97.32 due.
> > > The customer cannot buy a NICE DEPENDABLE WELL
> > BUILT 27" TV for less
> > > than a hundred bucks.
> > > I've added up all my month's small 25.00 fees
> > on the "turn downs" and
> > > they easily paid ,say, my phone bill, or
> > electric,etc in a month.
> > > I hear a lot of sad stories out there about
> > cheapo sets driving down the
> > > business. Be an honest salesman! Explain
> > truthfully what you know as
> > > gospel: Theat customers older set that had a
> > good picture before it went
> > > down, and only one failure in the ten years is
> > worth TRYING to save, if
> > > possible. The result is a sturdy piece of
> > equipement that will survive
> > > until he decides to get an HDTV AFTER the
> > prices drop to more reasonable
> > > amount.
> > > Just EXPLAIN for five minutes and they usually
> > will see the lifgt.
> > > There's always the guy who thinks c**p is just
> > as good as quality
> > > items,just less money, no matter what, but
> > that's not a general view. I
> > > say, "there's a 5.00 plastic Walmart hand bag,
> > and there's a leather
> > > 75.00 hand bag. Both bags that hold the same
> > stuff, but that's where the
> > > similarity ends... Paint a word picture!
> > > Oh, God, there I go again. Sorry, guys.
> > > My 2 cents...
> > > BTW I seem to stay swamped with 10-15 yr old
> > sets, many are 20-25". AND
> > > FEW RETURNS!. (I'm thorough in shop)
> > > Not rich by any means... But busy, and have a
> > few $$$.
> > > Phil Bader
> > >
> > > becyn wrote:
> > >
> > > >yep, thats about it. At least you can save the
> > money that you might spend
> > on
> > > >a gym. ;-)
> > > >
> > > >Jim McVey
> > > >McVey Alltronix
> > > >327 Broadway
> > > >Newburgh Ny 12550
> > > >ph: 845 561 8383
> > > >fx: 845 561 9017
> > > >Consumer electronics &
> > > >computer service.
> > > >Factory authorized for
> > > >over twenty brands.
> > > >----- Original Message -----
> > > >From: "Jay" <techassist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > >To: <techassist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > >Sent: Monday, April 19, 2004 12:46 PM
> > > >Subject: [TechAssist] 19 inch portables
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >>Hello,
> > > >> Just wondering if this applies to most. I
> > used to get a lot of 19 inch
> > > >>televisions in for repair monthly. Now I
> > rarely get one a month. Still
> > > >>get 25 inch and up but anything smaller seems
> > to be a thing of the past
> > > >>in this area. I guess I will have to lift
> > weights and get in shape for
> > > >>the bigger units and stay where the money is
> > for now.
> > > >>Jay-Jay's TV
> > > >>Clarksburg, WV
> > > >>
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
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> =====
> Walter Wood
> Future Tech Home Center
> 2786 Hwy. 43 N.
> Lawrenceburg Tn. 38464
> 931-829-3337
> Fax 931-829-4044
> mailto:wwood_38478@xxxxxxxxx
>
>
>
>
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