Re: Repair business potential?


wizzzer@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Questions on whether fixing-for-pay is a good idea.

I fix stuff on a regular basis, for which I _never_charge a cent, even
for parts... tubes being the only exception. This because:

a) Even those who are friends that I do repairs for have no clue as to
what it takes to diagnose, cure, test and then double-check the
entirety on even a simple repair. Anyone can replace a fuse, few take
the time to determine *exactly* why the fuse blew in the first place
and fewer take the time to be sure that the immediate problem was not
masking something yet deeper.
b) Those who are not friends get a pleasant surprise. However, I take
my sweet time about it.
c) It is a hobby. Done on my own time and at my own pace. It stops
being a hobby when there are financial and time pressures.
d) The moment there are time and cost considerations, there is the
temptation to cut corners. Fix the obvious problems, dig no deeper, go
no further. Have no fun.

There is a living at it. It will grow over time. If you are good at it,
have the hide of a rhinocerous and the patience of any given three
Jobs, you will do fine at it. But it is customer service to a
particularly peculiar segment of the population... just read some of
the posts here.

Peter Wieck
Wyncote, PA

.

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