Beginner Seeking The Advice of the Pros

[Fixitvince]

Greetings.  Hope everyone is doing well during this difficult time.  I plan on starting an appliance repair business in the near future, but working on a limited budget.  Currently building an $200 inventory and looking for suggests the most common parts I should start with.  Appreciate any advice on this matter.

[16345Ed]

12 hours ago, Fixitvince said:

Greetings.  Hope everyone is doing well during this difficult time.  I plan on starting an appliance repair business in the near future, but working on a limited budget.  Currently building an $200 inventory and looking for suggests the most common parts I should start with.  Appreciate any advice on this matter.

$200 ain’t going to get you much. 
 

Maybe you should diagnose first day. Order part(s) and return later to install. Until you build enough capital and knowledge of your areas most commonly used parts. 

[Fixitvince]

Thank you for responding  and the advice Ed. 

[WOOKIE]

Definitely, It is hand to mouth (so to speak) when first starting so, stocking the truck is a low priority.   Getting to know your area is very important along with what most of the equipment you are servicing.  You might find some brands or type's of appliances you refuse to work on.  After a time  when I started to get more job's I would buy two of the common less expensive items whenever I did a repair.  I can't stand not having a low cost common item on the truck.   Time is money and, running to the parts house is lost income. But Like I said you, have to learn the layout of the area first because , there is only so much room in the truck.  After a couple of years I had a rolling warehouse.

Talk to the counter people at the supply house they can give you heads up on what part's they sell the most.  Go in with an open mind and be prepared to B.S. with the old guys because, they are a wealth of knowledge.  There is one guy at the supply houses  I call Mr. wizard. You hold up a part and he know exactly what it is and where it is in the warehouse . Also, he can give tip's on possible issues you might run across replacing the part (usually an easier way).

[Terry Carmen]

On 4/21/2020 at 5:38 PM, Fixitvince said:

Currently building an $200 inventory and looking for suggests the most common parts I should start with. 

Nobody can tell you what to stock because it's extremely regional. In fact, it can come down to what is in particular neighborhoods or apartment buildings.

You might find an apartment complex or building where they have 500 of the same refrigerator and they're all the same age and they all need an evaporator fan motor over the course of a couple of years. Or if you don't have a building full of that model, you might not sell a single one of that part number.

I'd suggest stocking no parts initially. When you need a part, make sure you keep track of the part number. If you sell more than a couple a month, you can consider whether you want to buy an extra next time for stock. 

The only exceptions I can think of are: If you do gas ranges or ovens, I would suggest stocking the round igniter and the rectangular igniter.  Also, while not exactly a "part" you should also have an assortment of crimp-on connectors and a few different sizes of wire, both thermoplastic (AWM) and high temperature (TGGT or similar). Other than that, see what you're using, and if you sell a lot of something, get an extra for stock.

Edited April 23, 2020 by Terry Carmen

[Terry Carmen]

1 hour ago, WOOKIE said:

Talk to the counter people at the supply house they can give you heads up on what part's they sell the most.

I'd be careful with that. Just because they sell something doesn't mean you'll sell it.

Also they'll sometimes push things they want to get rid of because they got stuck with a bunch of it. That's how I ended up with a whole shelf full of 6" electric range burners and a "free" picnic cooler.

Edited April 23, 2020 by Terry Carmen

[J5*]

4 hours ago, Terry Carmen said:

Also, while not exactly a "part" you should also have an assortment of crimp-on connectors and a few different sizes of wire, both thermoplastic (AWM) and high temperature (TGGT or similar). Other than that, see what you're using, and if you sell a lot of something, get an extra for stock.

When I used to see old ovens and cooktops at the store for disposal I would strip them out of all the wiring , has come in very handy over the years being able to swap a piece out with the spade terminals already attached , job  done and paid 

4 hours ago, Terry Carmen said:

be careful with that. Just because they sell something doesn't mean you'll sell it.

That can be true 

I went though the parts supply place and got a load of stuff ,but I had an idea of what not to get 

oven elements , water hoses , drain hoses , extension hoses , light bulbs 

 

Common stuff that you will use , even if it’s something small and only a buck or 2 it can be very handy to have 

[J5*]

21 hours ago, 16345Ed said:

$200 ain’t going to get you much. 
 

Maybe you should diagnose first day. Order part(s) and return later to install. Until you build enough capital and knowledge of your areas most commonly used parts. 

This is very true

i would be concentrating on getting the parts supply right ,getting parts quickly and be able to get back and the job complete as fast as possible 

and build inventory as you see fit 

[WOOKIE]

Took me a couple of years to get to this but be patient Grasshopper. And 

[J5*]

8 minutes ago, WOOKIE said:

Took me a couple of years to get to this but be patient Grasshopper. And 

And you too can have a van like this  

 

[WOOKIE]

LOL, Been there done that.I can tell by the end of the day you are tired and want to get home to beer thirty or Bourbon !!!

[Terry Carmen]

It's funny how that van pic only happens when it's not your $10,000+ worth of parts and tools in the van. 8-)

[Fixitvince]

Thanks guys.  I appreciated all your advice and gives me a good starting point.  At the moment working from the truck of my car with the aim on having a stocked van.