[TechAssist] Re: Mode switch for these combos fix and partnumber and cross
- From: Joe Batchelor <jbc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: techassist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2002 23:28:46 -0600
A few good customers are better than many deadbeats.
Free estimates will get more customers, but not necessarily
more money. We charge $47.50 in advance for a diagnostic fee
and there is an additional charge for parts, tax, and labor.
Most people with a $39 VCR will not leave it, and we both
are happy. Many old VCR's are well worth repair. TV repair does
produce more money.
We have very little resistance to the advance charge and it makes
the final balance lower. I am sure many customers go to the competitor,
but I seem to be always overworked.
Joe Batchelor CET TX-80
12/11/02 2:27:03 AM, Kevin <kevinstv@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>I guess the thinking is, 'The estimate is free, if you get the item
>repaired. If the estimate is refused, then there is an estimate fee.'
>
>This makes no sense to me and can only lead to arguing with customers.
>Shops that do charge an upfront estimate fee usually put the estimate
>fee towards the repair costs anyhow. Sounds like false advertising that
>can only lead to angry customers.
>
>I do offer free estimates as it does get me business that I would have
>missed if I charged a fee. About once a year it bites me in the butt
>when I repair a TV, as you have to sometimes to make sure it can be
>fixed, and then the customer refuses the estimate. I try to educate the
>customer before hand as to what the repair might cost. Just my 2 cents
>(3.2 cents USD).
>
>Kevin Wilks
>Kevin's TV & Video Repair
>Penticton BC Canada
>kevinstv@xxxxxxx
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: techassist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>[mailto:techassist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Joe Batchelor
>Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 7:13 PM
>To: techassist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: [TechAssist] Re: Mode switch for these combos fix and
>partnumber and cross
>
>
>You charge $20 for a free estimate?
>I do not fault you because I do not give a free estimate either,
>but I do not tell anyone that it is free.
>
>Your $40 hour goes into replacing shop supplies, schematics and
>new equipment purchases, but what about rent, lights, water, gas,
>insurance,
>phone, taxes, accounting, advertising, warranty work, vacation pay?
>
>Many years ago I worked with an old man that said that he might starve
>to death,
>but he was not going to do it working his butt off.
>
>I understand the problem of low priced VCR's, but that does not change
>the
>cost of doing business. If it costs $100 an hour to keep the doors
>open, then
>collecting $40 is just putting off the final result.
>
>Joe Batchelor CET TX-80
>
>
>12/10/02 10:31:53 AM, "David Lessard" <mrfixit@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>We truly live in a throw away world. You can buy one of those crappy
>stereo
>>VCR's today for about $90 CDN. If it lasted 3 - 5 years would you
>honestly
>>spend $60 - $80 to repair it, probably not, and that is a problem for
>repair
>>shops today trying to make money. I provide free estimates for all my
>>customers, I also explain that if for whatever reason the repair is not
>>practical, i.e. too much money, the refused estimate is only $20.
>Needless
>>to say I try to repair everything I can, within reason of course. This
>>usually means flat rating jobs because sometimes those nasty
>intermittents
>>hold up the diagnosis and/or repair, other times there are no resources
>>(working blind - no schematic). I ask my customers how much do they
>want to
>>spend upfront, and if the repair cost exceeds that amount I call them
>with
>>the estimate. In this way I can repair things while open rather then
>>tracking the customer down for repair approval, it works for me. My
>rate is
>>$40 hour and most of that goes into replacing shop supplies, schematics
>and
>>new equipment purchases. In the end I work for about $10 - $15 hour,
>almost
>>not worth it, but it's in my blood :-)
>>
>>David Lessard
>>Alexandria Electronics
>>mrfixit@xxxxxxxxxxx
>>(613)525-4502
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: techassist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>[mailto:techassist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Leonard G.
>>Caillouet
>>Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 11:03 AM
>>To: techassist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>Subject: [TechAssist] Re: Mode switch for these combos fix and
>>partnumber and cross
>>
>>
>>
>>We are fortunate not to have to depend on VCRs and combos for a
>significant
>>part of our business. We charge a $30 fee up front for estimates,
>which
>>applies to the repair cost if the estimate is accepted. We charge a
>minimum
>>of $40 labor for cleaning and very minor repairs. For a mode switch
>>cleaning or replacement we charge $60 or $80 depending on the amount of
>>disassemble required. This makes a lot of repairs not economical and
>we
>>explain this to the customer up front. I can't justify charging less
>when
>>we could be doing TVs and RPTV and making money. I figure a minimum of
>$60
>>an hour to keep the doors open.
>>
>>Leonard G. Caillouet
>>Service Manager
>>Electronics World
>>Gainesville, FL
>>352-332-5608
>>352-332-5668 (fax)
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: "Electric Medic" <info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>To: <techassist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 2:22 AM
>>Subject: [TechAssist] Re: Mode switch for these combos fix and
>partnumber
>>and cross
>>
>>
>>>
>>> We always get at least $49 on vcr repairs. The customer has to leave
>$35
>>> when they drop it off. If they do not want to put that in it, then we
>do
>>not
>>> even have to look at it. Once we get the $35, we always almost charge
>more
>>> for the final repair, usually $20 or $30 more, plus parts. It must
>not
>>seem
>>> as hard if they break it down in two payments. VCR's are at least 30%
>of
>>our
>>> business. For everyone that knows about or wants to buy a new cheap
>one,
>>> there is one that wants to have their original fixed. And I am
>thankful
>>for
>>> that. We also have to fix many under warranty, some Manufacturers pay
>us
>>$85
>>> labor to fix a VCR. I will let our customers know what the
>manufacturers
>>pay
>>> to have one fixed, then it doesn't seem to bad for the customer to
>pay it.
>>>
>>> Perry Bower
>>> Electric Medic
>>> "It's Cheaper to Keep Her"
>>> http://www.electricmedic.com
>>> Check out the Electronic Repair Screensaver We created. More Images
>to
>>come!
>>> To download these Collections you must first install the Eyetide
>Viewer:
>>>
>>http://www.eyetide.com/download/?s=O3OfmSLHXygGHCv1W6Gz3Bgjtq3DNNMNdcKs
>YSVGC
>>> "We're Number One Where it Really Counts, With our Customers"
>>> 3850 Washington Road Suite 5b
>>> Martinez, Georgia 30907
>>> Phone: 706-8MEDIC4 (863-3424)
>>> Phone: 706-863-3474
>>> Fax: 706-863-2316
>>> mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> "WE REPAIR WITH CARE"
>>>
>>> SERVICE CENTERS PLEASE READ!!
>>> 1. Are you currently backed up or over-loaded?
>>> 2. Are you short a tech or have one on vacation?
>>> 3. Do you need help with a very difficult repair?
>>> 4. Would you like to make money jobbing the work out?
>>> 5. Would you like to ship out less profitable products so you can
>repair
>>> others?
>>> If you answered Yes to any of the above questions, Checkout these
>>websites:
>>> http://www.electricmedic.com/salesa.htm
>>> or
>>> http://www.electricmedic.com/shipping.htm
>>>
>>> Factory Trained Authorized Service Center For: APEX, Fisher, GE,
>KEC/KTV,
>>> Konka, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Philips Magnavox, Pioneer, ProSCAN,
>RCA,
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>>>
>>> Provide Extended care for: AON, Circuit City, GE Contracts, Glass
>Agency,
>>> Philips Contracts, NEW, Rex
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: techassist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> [mailto:techassist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Gary McCartney
>>> Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 1:36 AM
>>> To: techassist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> Subject: [TechAssist] Re: Mode switch for these combos fix and
>>> partnumber and cross
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Jeff, thats great if you can get that much, but how do you manage to
>get
>>> it? Do you still offer the long warranties that you once did? What do
>>> you do if a unit requires major parts such as heads? Do you eat the
>cost
>>> of the part, or do you offer to do the job for a higher amount?
>Around
>>> here I can barely get $49.00 CDN for a VCR repair, unless it is a
>higher
>>> end unit and the customer remembers paying $600.00 for it when it was
>>> new, plus they also have to understand that the new ones are junk. I
>>> remind people of the junk factor all the time but they still would
>>> rather buy the Walleymart one year wonder. (wonder if it will work
>for a
>>> year, that is, hehehe)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Gary McCartney
>>>
>>> McCartney Electronics
>>> 7134 Fife Rd, RR 7
>>> Guelph Ontario Canada N1H 6J4
>>> Fax: (519)821-1530
>>> email: gary (at) number63.ca
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Jeff Dougherty wrote:
>>> >
>>> > I've started charging a flat $49.00 fee on VCR repairs. I can do
>most
>>> repairs in
>>> > one hour or less.
>>> > Jeff@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> > FAX 717-564-4952
>>> > Jeff Dougherty
>>> > Intrepid Video & Electronics Be careful of your thoughts.
>>> > 501 Luther Rd They may become your words
>>> > Harrisburg, PA 17111 any moment.
>>> > 717-909-8844
>>> > VCR tips, electronics info & general interest.
>>> > www.intrepid-video.com www.tech-repair.net
>>> > www.thetoolcaddy.com www.9-11-2001tragedy.com
>>> >
>***********************************************************************
>>> >
>>> > ----- Original Message -----
>>> > From: "Leonard G. Caillouet" <lcaillo@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>> > To: <techassist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>> > Sent: Monday, December 09, 2002 11:13 AM
>>> > Subject: [TechAssist] Re: Mode switch for these combos fix and
>>partnumber
>>> and
>>> > cross
>>> >
>>> > How much labor do you all charge for these repairs?
>>> >
>>> > Leonard G. Caillouet
>>> > Service Manager
>>> > Electronics World
>>> > Gainesville, FL
>>> > 352-332-5608
>>> > 352-332-5668 (fax)
>>> >
>>> > ----- Original Message -----
>>> > From: "Jeff Dougherty" <support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>> > To: <techassist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>> > Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2002 8:59 PM
>>> > Subject: [TechAssist] Re: Mode switch for these combos fix and
>>partnumber
>>> > and cross
>>> >
>>> > >
>>> > > Jose,
>>> > > The part number is in the thread.
>>> > > > >> > >All 3 needed the same rotary switch. Part number
>>483527617343
>>> > >
>>> > > Jeff@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> > > FAX 717-564-4952
>>> > > Jeff Dougherty
>>> > > Intrepid Video & Electronics Be careful of your thoughts.
>>> > > 501 Luther Rd They may become your words
>>> > > Harrisburg, PA 17111 any moment.
>>> > > 717-909-8844
>>> > > VCR tips, electronics info & general interest.
>>> > > www.intrepid-video.com www.tech-repair.net
>>> > > www.thetoolcaddy.com www.9-11-2001tragedy.com
>>> > >
>>***********************************************************************
>>> > >
>>> > > ----- Original Message -----
>>> > > From: "JOSE R. PANIAGUA" <breadywater@xxxxxxx>
>>> > > To: "techassist" <techassist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>> > > Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2002 11:24 PM
>>> > > Subject: [TechAssist] Re: Mode switch for these combos fix and
>>> partnumber
>>> > and
>>> > > cross
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > > hello: J Siverman
>>> > > Can you please be so kind and at least give us the part # ,so if
>>someone
>>> > want to
>>> > > order he can do it with it.
>>> > > Thank you.
>>> > > Jose R. Paniagua.
>>> > > Breadywater@xxxxxxx
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > > ----- Original Message -----
>>> > > From: J Silverman
>>> > > Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2002 1:20 PM
>>> > > To: techassist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> > > Subject: [TechAssist] Re: Mode switch for these combos fix and
>>> partnumber
>>> > and
>>> > > cross
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > > Over here, the newer Funai mode switches cost about $1.50. We
>usually
>>> buy
>>> > at
>>> > > least 20 of a kind at a time directly from Funai Parts. At
>current
>>shop
>>> > > rates, $1.50 is equivalent to about 75 seconds of time, so it
>costs
>>more
>>> > to
>>> > > repair than replace. However, a lot of them can be taken apart
>without
>>> > > desoldering which saves about 30 seconds. Still cheaper to
>replace and
>>> far
>>> > > less chance of having to do it all over again free. Also the
>newest
>>> switch
>>> > > is so small and flimsy, if you even touch the fingers they just
>roll
>>> over
>>> > > and die.
>>> > > I do save lots of the old switches for the day when they may
>become
>>NLA.
>>> > > Jerry Silverman
>>> > > Greentron Inc
>>> > > From: "Vilhelm Boor" <villyboor@xxxxxxxxx>
>>> > > > I think you will find that it is a problem with the
>>surface
>>> of
>>> > > the plastic, We have a series here where over the years I have
>gone
>>from
>>> > > advocating not to clean to cleaning them. This is my reason for
>using
>>> the
>>> > > finest grade of steel wool to resurface metal and plastic. Then a
>good
>>> > wash
>>> > > in hot water and detergent to get impurities from all surfaces.
>Now
>>wash
>>> > > again with contact cleaner and lightly coat with a silicone
>lubricant.
>>> > > Retention the fingers and its as good as new
>>> > > > >
>>> > > > >yes--replace the mode switch. I have repaired a lot of mode
>>switches
>>> > > over
>>> > > > >the years, and the only ones I have had too replace in the
>past
>>were
>>> in
>>> > > > >really bad shape. These can look perfect, and fail. I don't
>know
>>> > > > >why------yet
>>> > > > >Jeff Farnsworth
>>> > > , Lyles Tv wrote:
>>> > > > >> > >I have 3 combos in here right now. With the help of
>people
>>> here,
>>> > I
>>> > > > >found
>>> > > > >> > that rebuilding/cleaning the mode switches like I have
>been
>>doing
>>> > for
>>> > > > >> > years----don't work on these. I have trying to create a
>little
>>> > > database
>>> > > > >of
>>> > > > >> > combo cross references as no one has been able to supply
>me
>>with
>>> > one.
>>> > > > >The
>>> > > > >> > three units I have here are
>>> > > > >> > >Sylvania SSC092
>>> > > > >> > >Phillips CCB092
>>> > > > >> > >Symphonic WF-13C1
>>> > > > >> > >All 3 needed the same rotary switch. Part number
>>483527617343
>>> > > > >> > >Don't bother trying ness right now. I just ordered their
>last
>>2
>>> > in
>>> > > > >stock,
>>> > > > >> > just 2 minutes ago
>>> > > > >> > >I do have some more in my cross, but it is not in a
>>presentable
>>> > > format
>>> > > > >> > yet. When I can donate something usable, i will up load
>it.
>>> > > > >> > > Btw, the generally common symptom with these were
>"stuck
>>tape"
>>> > > > >> > >
>>> > > > >>
>>> > >
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