how do you guys make money?

[brothermal]

I am still new to appliance repair. The calls have been few and far between however I got a call today on a gas stove (Whirlpool SF3000ww1)
I found the gas safety valve to be defective. The supply house found one  in another state which means adding S&H. I  qoute them retail 91.00 plus my time and S&H WHich comes to about $175.00. Then I was told that they could buy a used one cheaper.

This is the third time this has happened to me what am I diong wrong? how do guys make money?

[twayneb]

bro not that it would mean you would be making money, but you are collecting service call ? even if they opt not to repair. just want to make sure i understand your post.

[brothermal]

I did collect a servie call but still that just coners your gas

[tgoods]

Charge a higher service call rate, you should make at least a little profit if they decide not to repair.  Sell harder, $175 is not a bad price.  You're not just selling the repair, you're also selling convenience.  If they buy the used stove, they'll have to either haul it themselves or pay someone to do it.  Can they hook up the gas and not have it leak? And then, they will have to figure out what to do with their old stove.

[theoldstoveguy]

How many of you do a flat rate instead of service call and labor? Appliance Blue book stuff is looking better every day.

[brothermal]

Where can I find this Blue Book? how can I determine the price of a service call?

[AJ]

http://www.appliancebluebook.com/preprinted-blue-book.html

[Earl Dryer]

Making a living in appliance repair is getting more difficult everyday. There was a news story on msnbc yesterday about 5 thriving and 5 dying industries. Guess which industry was at the top of the list for not thriving. I can certainly understand why, it is almost cheaper to buy a new piece of junk, than is to have the better old one repaired. Look at the age of most of the techs on this board, most of us are in our 50's & 60's and if the young guys can't start out at $60-$70k they ain't workin. . Don't know about the rest of you guys but, I'm tired. I don't really want to go to anymore schools to start all over again with the new concepts. Parts & shipping are out of sight, can't afford to order just one part at a time, shipping is sometimes more than the cost of the part. Maybe it's time to retire, again!

[john63]

<<<http://www.ibisworld.com/industry/default.aspx?indid=1710>>>

************************************************************

Been there/survived that before---remember the late 70s?

Double digit interest rates---on mortgages

Double digit unemployment

Double digit "Misery Index" (why isn't this used today?)

The IBIS report *does* make a prediction that once the economy begins to improve (and it will eventually)---there will be an uptick in new appliance purchases---and a decline in service.
Three to five years after this---a surge in repairs will be seen---to repair these "new" appliances.
The trending towards more up-scale and digital-technology is forecast to remain unchanged.
(Younger consumers do not want el-cheapo appliances).

[john63]

<<<Don't know about the rest of you guys but, I'm tired. I don't really want to go to anymore schools to start all over again with the new concepts.>>>

**********

So which is more funny?...

Young guys that want the best salary possible.

Or the old guys that don't want to learn new technology and cannot understand why their business is suffering.

If techs (in any age bracket) do not adapt to the new technology---they will disappear while those that apply themselves will prosper. It's that simple.

This very *forum* on the internet is an example of adapting to new technology is it not?

[john63]

<<<how do guys make money?>>>

****************

I agree with other members---the "Blue Book" is the way to go. Force yourself to *adopt* it and *use* it.

Keep expanding your knowledge--- unrelentingly.

Don't fret over a few customers that express "shock"at repair estimates.
Most customers will gladly pay a premium for services performed fast and consistently.
Your personal conduct/behavior/professionalism must be at it's very best as well---don't dress/talk/act like a "JoeSixPack"/8th grade drop-out (even if you are those things).

Learn from the REAL pros (I did).
There are 2 distinct groups of techs on most appliance repair forums---and they're best described like this...

Example One:
This tech gets in his/her 2002 Acura TSX and turns on the IPod 5th generation wireless sterio---and drives to the grocery store on a Saturday morning.
Returns home and pours a glass of V8 Splash Tropical drink.
Checks the computer & cellphone for email and text messages.
After that---sits down on the couch and turns on the TV to play Halo 3 for a few hours.

Example Two:
This tech gets in his/her 1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and slips in an 8 Track Cassette for tunes while driving to the grocery store on a Saturday afternoon.
Returns home and pours a glass of Perrier Sparkling Mineral Water.
Checks the mailbox for USPS mail and uses post-its on the refrigerator door to leave messages.
After that---sits down on the couch and turns on the TV to play PacMan for a few hours.

[Earl Dryer]

Good comments, John.  Like I said, I don't WANT to do the school stuff anymore, so if I get left behind, it is because it was my choice and that leaves more for the rest of you.
P.S. When I get back from the store, in my '84 Olds, I kick back with that 30 pack I just got and watch football (in B&W)

[john63]

<<<Good comments, John.>>>

******************

Thank you

******************

<<<Like I said, I don't WANT to do the school stuff anymore, so if I get left behind, it is because it was my choice and that leaves more for the rest of you.
P.S. When I get back from the store, in my '84 Olds, I kick back with that 30 pack I just got and watch football (in B&W)>>> 

******************

That reminds me of Charlie Sheen for some reason

[haroldsappliance]

I am still new to appliance repair. The calls have been few and far between however I got a call today on a gas stove (Whirlpool SF3000ww1)
I found the gas safety valve to be defective. The supply house found one  in another state which means adding S&H. I  qoute them retail 91.00 plus my time and S&H WHich comes to about $175.00. Then I was told that they could buy a used one cheaper.

This is the third time this has happened to me what am I diong wrong? how do guys make money?

That's when I say good, you owe me $69.00, and I'm haulin ass to my next jobs. It all comes to lining up the calls. You sound confident so I think you'll do good with the right advertising. Good luck.

[haroldsappliance]

Making a living in appliance repair is getting more difficult everyday. There was a news story on msnbc yesterday about 5 thriving and 5 dying industries. Guess which industry was at the top of the list for not thriving. I can certainly understand why, it is almost cheaper to buy a new piece of junk, than is to have the better old one repaired. Look at the age of most of the techs on this board, most of us are in our 50's & 60's and if the young guys can't start out at $60-$70k they ain't workin. . Don't know about the rest of you guys but, I'm tired. I don't really want to go to anymore schools to start all over again with the new concepts. Parts & shipping are out of sight, can't afford to order just one part at a time, shipping is sometimes more than the cost of the part. Maybe it's time to retire, again!

Ain't that the truth bro!