[amayausers.com] Re: timing problems, i think. please help

From: theboards@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: amayausers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 03:50:34 UT
This message was posted by The Embroidery Authority on AmayaUsers.com. PLEASE 
DO NOT REPLY VIA EMAIL. Instead, respond to the thread on the WEBSITE by 
clicking here: 
http://www.amayausers.com/boards/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?/topic/1/953.html#000006

Rachel,
Melco doesn't have any technicians available for hire that are actual employees 
of the company itself.  What Melco, like almost all other embroidery companies, 
chooses to do is offer technical machine training (for a fee) to those of us 
who choose to start our own repair/training business and then Melco contracts 
warranty covered repairs and new customer training out to us after we've been 
Melco tested, approved and agree to sign an annual contract.

We are known as 3rd party technicians/trainers.
Some are just technicians, some are only trainers.  Some of us (like myself) 
are techs, trainers, embroidery business owners, digitizers and consultants all 
rolled into one. 

If this is your first time in need of a tech, know that most embroiderers 
choose to go with the tech that lives closest to them to keep the travel 
expenses down.  Other embroiderers who have had an opportunity to work with 
more than one tech might choose a tech they feel more comfortable with or who 
might know the machines better, enabling them to troubleshoot the machine 
faster keeping the repair costs down.  Not to mention carrying a wide variety 
of parts in stock so the customer doesn't have to pay overnight shipping and 
pay for an overnight's expense for the tech.

As technicians become better at their trade, they will most probably raise 
their labor rate to still be able to earn a living.  Consider a new technician 
might take three hours to troubleshoot a problem whereas a seasoned tech might 
already know what your problem is before even stepping foot in your shop.  I've 
seen technicians around the country charge anywhere from $60 to $125 per hour.  
And some technicians will even charge a minimum of one or two hours per job to 
ensure they earn a minimum salary per day.  If you're out of warranty, and you 
call Melco for service, they will find a 3rd party tech for you and charge you 
a minimum of 3 hours at $115 per hour.  If you live farther than 100 miles from 
the tech, the bill will be higher.

Because we are all independent business owners, we may have different ways of 
charging our customers.  Therefore it's up to you to keep abreast of your 
technician's rates and policies.  If you're lucky enough to have a choice 
between two or more techs, get to know them all.

As for your specific situation, depending on where you live, if Ted Barnhouse 
is going to be near your part of the state, give him a call.  He's been in the 
industry many years and when it comes to this line of work, only the strong 
will survive.  What I mean by this is I've seen several technicians come and go 
over the years for various reasons and those of us who have managed to stay 
afloat, even during this recession, will be a good choice.  Also, if Melco 
chooses not to use a tech for warranty work, maybe you should think twice as 
well.  So watch out for handy men who claim to be able to fix your machine.  
They might mean well, but may also cause more damage or throw off calibrations 
on your machine.
Oh,... I could tell you some stories of the "husband repairs" I have followed 
behind.

Do your homework (you've done well finding this group) and feel free to call me 
at any hour of any day if I can help.  ...and don't let the picture of the 
educated monkey fool you.  That's an inside joke between myself and a few other 
educated monkeys here on the Amaya User's Group.


Ed Orantes
Melco Tech & Trainer
504-258-6260

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[amayausers.com] Re: timing problems, i think. please help

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