just starting out

[brothermal]

Guys , if today you were just starting out in the appliance repair business, what machines would you first learn? How would you go about it? and what part of the business would you focus on?

[JWWebster]

My main love in life is washers and dryers but I can do refrigeration and ac also. I hate dishwashers and avoid them whenever possible.

Here is a link to apartment maint manuals provided by AJ that I posted on my repair blog:

http://sites.google.com/site/sublimeappliancerepair/apartment-maintenence-notes

Here is topsloshers shortcuts:

http://sites.google.com/site/sublimeappliancerepair/topslosher-s-shortcuts

Foggys blog:

http://foggyfacts.blogspot.com/

AJ's most excellent blog:

http://appliancejunk.com/blog/

I have more links as well. Let me know if I can help. JDizzle

[brothermal]

Thanks so much! this will be a great help

[brothermal]

Is there a formula that you use to determine what you charge for your service?

[JWWebster]

You should call some trustworthy repair services in your area and ask them what they charge and then stay within that range. If you undercut their price to get business it may bite you in the butt, if you overcharge, you might not be called again.

[ApplianceGuru]

The "Original Blue Book Major Appliance Job Rate Guide" is the industry standard for pricing.  I have now worked for a couple companies that use this book.  Last I checked, the tech edition of this book is $180 plus shipping.  (IMHO it is severely overpriced!)

The first few pages tell you how to derive the prices.  The book also says you can adjust up or down a little, depending on where you are doing business.  (+-20%)

[wildimaginations]

Why buy the book?  Use this formula and you should be pretty close.  It has worked for me for the past 7 years.

Retail price of the part x 2 = Customer's price of the part.  Minimum charge $40.00.

Labor = based on $80 per hour or something thereof.  So if you can do the job in half an hour or less, your charge is $40.00.  45 minutes, $60.00, etc.

I always charge $80 service call charge per job and add it to the labor and parts.

If the customer asks for a discount, tell them that you'll give it on the next repair job.  Not on this visit.

[brothermal]

what type of truck stock do you carry for washers ans dryers?"

[JWWebster]

Old blog:
EVERYDAY SPECIALS
285753 coupling $10___80040 dogs $4___
341241 Belt $10___
3392519 fuse $10___279769 limit wp $23___
95405 belt wp $10___
3364290 knob wp $12___4318047 valve single $30___
4318046 valve double $40___
HS 410 start kit $20___HS 650 start kit $20___
312959 belt $10
53-0106 $18___304970 Igniter $20___
LA-1053 $20___211124-25k $20___
21001733 $30___5303937139 $24___
5300622032 $18.50___
5303281154 $12___5303281153 rear bearing $24___
IGN5 $48 _RGB2 $55.50___
WE12X82 belt__$10___WE12X49__$10___
WE3X75 bearing $5___
WE3X87 glide___$7___WH1x1944$7.50___
CC808_$25___
Heat-cool tstat_$22___univim98_$100.00___
IM6$100.00___
5500-200$30___5500-202$30___
RR110-$6.60___EM999_$20___
5109 $23___
dryer vent pipe$1.50 per foot, alum

http://applianceparts.blogspot.com/2006_01_01_archive.html

[AJ]

Also see...


Common Repair Parts for the Whirlpool Top Load Direct Drive Washer


Common Repair Parts for Whirlpool Electric and Gas Dryers

[ApplianceGuru]

Don't forget the average 4% inflation every year.

At an average inflation of 4% per year, prices will double every 15 to 20 years.  All the other product prices are going up, so make sure yours go up too, or else you take a pay cut every year.

Those "oldbog" prices are from 2006.  That was 5 - 6 years ago.

[JWWebster]

Funny thing is I once used to sell them for that but now I am lucky if I can buy them for that price. LOL