36 replies to this topic

[jagrider91]

6 working for the man 6 months on my own and loving it to death appliance repair will neve die but those a-hole customers will charge um they got it 75 to walk in and no complaints yet

[RxEnergy]

'bout 6 years ago when .com boom slowly turned into a hiss I was faced with a harsh fact, that all the jobs on the market in my field require an actual degree of some sort for some reason a self-tought network engineer is not worthy even to consider. After 9 month of searching for a job, getting EDD checks and doing some side jobs it became clear: I need to start looking into different trades. And it just so happened, that my ex-wife was working as a dispatcher in an appliance repair company for quiet some time. I sat down with an owner and after a short conversation at age 25 I became an apprentice. My total training lasted for a little over 2 months, money situation was an issue and after a 10 minute verbal test by a friend of mine who had 10 yrs experience under his belt (at the time) I was told, and I quote: Well, as you probably know yourself, you're not completely ready to be a tech, but you should be able to make enough $$ to make a living. And so it began.
What worked for my advantage, was the fact, that I was assigned the most distant area that company covered, give or take 70-80 miles each way. Working that far away I had nobody to ask to come down to a job with me and show me how certain things should be done. After few months of getting home at ~9-11pm I was capable to complete 8-10 jobs a day and make it home by 7pm and by years end my cell phone was on half the company's techs speed dial.
After 3 years of subcontracting with different companies, me and the owners of one of those companies  started a business in Los Angeles (that where I actually lived most of my life). It did good for about 6 months, then went belly up. Another 9 months of subcontracting and I decided to move away and start a new company on my own.  Within 18 months I've been in Houston, I started a company which deals with home and extended warranty companies only, finalized my divorse, trained 3 techs (who are now working with me as contractors), and managed to make my company a preffered service provider with 2 of the largest home warranty companies in the country.
That's about all.

PS Who knew that a guy who, even today, is unable to built anything, not even a simple bird house would actually develop an interest and become somewhat a professional in a trade which is at least 40% manual and very precise labor.

PPS Sorry for such a long read

[BrntToast]

took electronics and computers all through junior and senior high skool, signed up for computers programing at college, it asked second choice so i picked appliance repair

they called and said app repair next term, puters in 3 years, decided i didnt wanna wash cars for 3 more years so learned my trade and now i'm 17 years into it started GE/whirlpool/sears warranty in a small town then came back to the big city and did the friggy warranty for many years

i'm now working for a new company(dealers found me here) and GEE.. they got the boss a friggy warranty contract   not that i mind

i like the frigidaire line

new boss is good, new service vechile(station wagon) suxors ass!  gotta work on that

but... good boss or not, i gotta stop making other ppl money and start thinking about making the money for myself and open my own buisness

for the record, i have friends that waited for that computer course, one pumps gas and the other does phone tech support for the cable company

i'll take my driving around drinking coffe and meeting new ppl every day over the desk job anyday

 

[The Wizard Of Odds!]

I worked at Sears as a parts installer trainee( this means I got to install the parts the technicians ordered that they knew they did not have on the truck.

For the sole purpose of actually getting home to the family at a reasonable hour.

For Sears gave us too much work to do and not enough timeto do it in.
so guys would order parts just to get out of the house and down the road.

MUCH FUN for me to try and figure out when I was sent out to install these parts.

Then I became an appliance technician and left sears after 8 years?
1985 to 1992

bought a business in 1994 fixing large front loading commercial laundry machines

the thrill is gone I hardly fix them anymore took a part time job in a wharehouse

yet tonight I fixed a whirlpool electric dryer.  Will It Ever End!?!?!?!?!?!?

[WayneSB]

I'm 25, and have been in the appliance business for three years. Unfortunately, I have not been in the repair sector, but rather, sales. I needed a job a few years back, and I saw an add for appliance sales. I thought "How hard can it be to sell washers?" Famous last words. If only I knew what I was getting into.

If I was going to stay in the industry, I would honestly prefer doing repairs. When I was a teenager, I used to repair computers in my spare time. The troubleshooting skills I learned there have helped me frequently in diagnosing problems over the phone to ensure that our store's tech is fully prepared when he gets to somebody's home. If you can't fix most of the machines on the first trip, you can't make money.

I actually wouldn't mind starting up in an entry level tech position if I was to stay in the industry. If that wasn't going to happen, then I think I'd rather get out of the industry entirely. I've always been employed in retail. It's one of those things where you start out in it, and nobody wants to hire you for anything else. Even so, never have I met more demanding customers than in this business.

That, and I'm sick of trying to tell people not to buy Viking because it's crap. They ask my honest opinion, and I give it. Then they buy it, and they whine because it breaks. They need to realize that Viking is doing them no favors, and the fact of the matter is, the margin is too small to work with when someone who pays $5,000 expects perfection.

Bread and butter. Gotta sell the bread and butter.

So yeah... I'd rather do repairs. I can do most basic repairs on my own, and even when the repair itself is something I don't know how to do, I can typically diagnose the problem just from a basic understanding of how the machines work combined with the troubleshooting skills I learned when I was younger.

Anyone in Maine looking for a rookie appliance tech to shape and mold into a Master Appliantologist?

[atcherservice]

I have been in the HVAC biz off and on for about 7yrs. I bought a HVAC/Appliance company with hopes of merging it with another local HVAC co. It turns out that the biz was about 95% appliance and 5% HVAC, so the merger did not go through. With the advice of a friend I started my own appliance repair company. Got the manufactures, and home warranty  contracts and went to work. I hired some techs that said they knew what they were doing, after a few years of getting the bad techs I started to train myself. After a few years, few techs and few trucks, with pride I can say I now own one the the more successful Appliance repair companies in Las Vegas. I have to admit that some of that success is due in part to my association with Mr. Appliance. I really learned the ins and outs of the business and now opening my second location in West Phoenix. With a background in HVAC, I really find the Appliance repair industry under serviced and in need of good service-rs and companies. I am proud of being the Maytag man, as well as all of you should. We are in a business few have the courage to enter, and even fewer find success in. Thank you all for your support and help.

 

Ken Jagmin

Mr. Appliance of Las Vegas/West Phoenix

[grey shrek]

Took a commercial refrigeration course in 1967 in Saskatoon , Sask. Before I was done , I knew I did not want the big stuff. Started with sears in Regina and lasted 6 years. Went into the trucking busines for 18 years. The old back gave out , so back to school and took appliance repair (it had changed in 18 yrs.) Sent out 45+ resumes and got 3 replies. Now I was scared!!!!!! Took one of the offers in Kelona B.C. , then another offer in Castlegar B.C..This comp. went bell-up , so off to work in Penticton./ Never work for two brothers that do not comunicate too well.  Then off to Lethbridge Alta. for a small comp. , which lasted almost a year. Then to sears in Leth. until I retired in 2007. Moved to Vancouver Island to retire away from snow , but found out I did not have enough money so am now doing appliance repair for a small comp. here in Duncan B.C. Get to pick my hours and days to work so not too bad. Never been a contractor before so a new learning curve...   thanks to ALL the people here on this site ...... LOTS of GOOD info and fellowship   greyshrek:D

[FREONBOB]

1970-1977 worked with my dad , learned the hard way by DOING  .when i got my drivers licence in 77 i was out on my own  . never looked back . its what i do. "I FIX THINGS" i dont know anything else  .i guess i am in it for life its good i work when i want ,go hunting when i want or sleep in when i want . the only problem is THAT DAMM PHONE  .  take a shower-the phone rings . sit down to dinner -the phone rings  .. nice quiet day , i think ill clean out the truck , everthing out on the ground - the phone rings and its someone with a washer flooding there kitchen ........ its like they know -----somehow

[K-man]

I began by helping my dad ,about 16 yr old 1966....my family owned appliance and electronics store sold westinghouse appl. and Zenith tv.. the first washer i rember helping my dad with was our slant front westinghouse(any one seen one of those).  my first washer was a front load Whouse, the one with the egg pulley and three belts on it i kept it going for 18 yrs. i have been employed as appliance tech 16 yearsnow. I actually did lawnmowers from the back of a vann with a lift for 12 yrs, would switch over to appliances in the winter but have been full time appliances 4 yrs.I'll pass on my dad favorite phrase, "if it aint worth doin rite it aint worth doin at all" not many have that philosiphy anymore...

[TOPPS Appliance Service]

Out of high school I worked with a small appliance repair shop.

I had ideas that he wanted nothing to do with...So headed to trade school (2) years hvac & (2) years building maintenance.

Ran my course with that and became an excellent service tech.

Worked for a local company for several years until greed came in to play (believe it or not I'm one of the honest ones. We're few and far, but we're out here). Found another little greedy devil to work for. Realized that there is still money to be made by being honest and headed out on my own.

Played with several ideas one of which I started a furniture moving and appliance repair biz with a buddy. (Wow did appliances come a long way since high school). But I loved the challenge, and being the risk taker I am, decided to go full force on my own.

Opened "TOPPS Appliance", and started putting the idea's [the ones my high school mentor so hated] to play. I utilized all my skills under a one roof system.

Building Maintenance
  &
Major Appliances


Funded from hard work and many, many sacrifices. I started off with an old 88 dodge [Dukey brown as my wife called her, of course she was my brown betty] worked my way up to a rust-bucket chevy g30. And am now a proud owner of a 98 chevy express [all sticker-ed up like].

All the while my family suffered!!! Is it worth it, was it worth it [according to my wife "we'll see"] He11 yes it was/is!!

I believe my honesty with my customers will pull me through, and hope to be the strong man standing after these hard times we're seeing [economy wise].

 

 

So.....I hope you all accept me here. I know I'm not the 100% dedicated appliance guy, but I love this trade! And still learning as I go, but as my grandfather use to say "The day you stop learning you're dead".

So I hope to be able to share some of my knowledge on this site, but will probably be soaking up more than actually producing!

 

Thank you

 

 

[Robin the Hood]

Got into the business in May of 2005 with Maytag, hung on by my fingernails when Whirlpool bought 'em up.

I work the "Customer Service" end of the equation, with a specialty in Product Information/Warranty & "Consumer Escalations".

In other words, I get to handle the REALLY ANGRY people. 

You'd be amazed how many folks go out and buy an appliance but never bother to research their warranty beforehand.

Or how many folks call well after the unit is out of warranty to complain about a problem that has "been going on ever since I bought it".

"Well, Sir, I can only ask...if this has been going on since November of 2003, is there a reason you didn't call us while the unit was covered?"

Or how many people will call, explain and/or admit to something they did to their appliance is REALLY stupid, but still expect the manufacturer to pay for their mistakes.

So, I generally spend my time having to tell folks "As much as I would LOVE to replace your ceran top range, we would never have suggested you leave your clean laundry on top of the unit. We're sorry that you accidentally turned it on and caught your new terrycloth towels on fire, but that simply is NOT a warranty issue".

I LOVE MY JOB!!  :goofball:

[Scottthewolf]

Robin the Hood, I wish I could have your direct phone number, it really bothers me when I have the date code of a Whirlpool or Maytag product and I see in the customers Use and Care guide that the product has a limited parts only warranty so I refer them to A&E Factory Service only to have the calltaker tell the consumer they need their proof of purchase.

 

I may have talked to you in the past when I worked for Maytag Factory Service, I know I got some lemmon appliances exchanged for some of my customers in the past, so I may have talked to you at some point in time.

 

[Robin the Hood]

Yeah...I know what you mean!!

I'm constantly coaching my reps on how to read serial tags..we even have a specific tool for that.

Part of the reason they are telling this to the consumer is that we see an awful lot of older product being sold out there as "new", consumer states "just bought it", but the serial tag number puts it OOW.

Also, things such as cosmetic warranty or missing parts fall under a "courtesy" 30 day warranty, as not listed in the book. Unfortunately, we have to verify consumer did not buy an "as is" or floor model in order to honor this particular warranty.

You'd be amazed at how often I have a consumer call in who purchased a "scratch-n-dent" product, stating "My dealer told me that all I had to do was call, and that you'd send me out a free replacement door for my refrigerator."

We also get cases of installation error that aren't covered, consumer SWEARS it was installed by "professionals"...go out, installer didn't remove the knock-out plug when installing Dishwasher, water not turned back on after washer hoses connected, dryer venting looks like a drunken aluminum snake, etc.

I once had a case of a consumer who had a brand new washer & dryer delivered to his home & installed.  His niece called Customer Service when the unit was about 6 months old demanding that the unit be replaced.

Her Uncle had been listening to a "scrape-scrape-scrape" noise coming from the dryer since its install. He asked her to take a look at it for him to see if she could figure out where the noise was coming from.

Turns out that the right rear corner of the machine was smashed beyond repair and rubbing up against the drum. The unit had been dropped off of the back of the delivery truck.

The delivery agent had had absolutely no qualms AT ALL about having the consumer "sign off" on these at delivery...the customer had been blind from birth.

[SELFINC]

1979 Montgomery Ward asked me if I had a drivers license, Handed me keys to a Dodge service van and a stack of work orders.:shock: Doing the same to this day, but now own my own business. 

[bcippola]

Been at it 3 years.Still learning .Boy am I still learning. Graduated college in mid 90's and worked  for some Wall Street firm in trading/money mgmt until 9/11 hit and lots of brokers went under. Trading for myself in the morning since then. Worked in real estate and traded until 3 years ago when a friend got in this business and asked me to check it out in Atlanta. So here I am. I like the cash and fixing things but also the freedom to wake up in the morning and trade the markets a lil and go out and make some more cash in the afternoon. My buddy is a good guy but we both could of used some more training. Thank god for this site.I am still learning every day and in this economy we should all be grateful we can work with our hands because the carnage on main street jobs is coming.

As always thanks for all the help.

BC

[Guy001]

Our business started in 1959 by my father in law and his son.. I started in 1972 as a junk cannick and still r 1;) Man that's a lot of service call!!!!!

guy