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Re: Is it just me or is anyone else quiet?
I’m a sole trade as well and although it’s pretty busy the quality of work is quite poor, finding it hard to make a decent living out of it.
Re: Is it just me or is anyone else quiet?
Repair costs are uneconomical based on the plethora of cheap machines so easily purchased on line from the likes of AO?
Re: Is it just me or is anyone else quiet?
Yep, That’s concluded my thoughts. The price of poor quality cheap appliances has certainly ruined the trade. As as above, the quality of work is really poor too. This week I have managed to scrape a minimal living together to cover the bills but it’s been very difficult and I have had to cover some mileage to achieve it. Not really sold any appliances although quoted for many. I dread to think how the independent retailers are feeling with the likes of AO etc. Something needs to give soon. I’m currently trying to become a television sound recordist but that’s a very difficult industry to get into, even for voluntary unpaid work to gain experience 🙁
Re: Is it just me or is anyone else quiet?
Been thinking of trying to find something else myself but after all these years self employed I think I’m unemployable
Re: Is it just me or is anyone else quiet?
whiskeyjack6058 wrote:I’m a sole trader, my reputation round here is good after 24 years experience in the industry, but not had much work since Easter period and to be honest a couple of weeks running up to that was quiet too. Business seems to be coming through in dribs and drabs but it’s been dire for too long to the point where im thinking about doing something else for a living as this trade isn’t providing one. Anybody else feeling the pinch? And if so, what do you think the reasons behind it are?
Not much has changed in the four years since you last posted the exact same question, and you will see that this very question was posed over 9 years ago and at regular intervals ever since. Look at all the linked threads below. 😉
Most of the people who posted in those threads are still battling along but for how much longer?
Re: Is it just me or is anyone else quiet?
I think I’d end up with a p45 after only a couple hours 🙂
Re: Is it just me or is anyone else quiet?
I think there are two main factors:
(1) Retailers like Currys, AO and John Lewis have been engaged in heavy promotions and a price war with some machines probably being offered at below cost price. People whose machines break down are as a result less likely to explore repair as an option, particularly if their machine is getting old.
(2) National providers like D&G, Repaircare, British Gas and the manufacturer’s networks have been promoting themselves heavily on Google, enabling them to take a higher proportion of the repair market, and some cases no doubt farming the work out to independent repairers at derisory rates. Yes, their up-front charges are high, but their fixed cost and insured offerings attractive to some customers.
Re: Is it just me or is anyone else quiet?
Got say it, I don’t know why people go for these d and g , British gas etc etc deals. The ones I see are usually d and g they have usually paid £135 upfront I walk in fit a part if it is needed (average price overall of parts is about £6 If I remember correctly) half hour later walk out and I have a “that it?!” “We Thought it was going to be x,y and z but at least it is guaranteed!” Or “it’s only cost us £12 a month” What they don’t realise is chances are they could probably have two repairs and the work still guaranteed for the same money! Plus the direct debit they just set up is on auto renewal so in a years time it will renew and if they don’t cancel it they will be paying for that repair for years!!! Which many do because they forget.
The thing is there is obviously work out there because the big boys are getting a big old slice of the pie! And people are having it done otherwise these big companies would fold in minutes.
So the question is how do you get your slice of the pie? More than why is the work is drying up?, it is only drying up because they have changed their game plan so you must change yours now to combat it! I don’t have the answers, it is your business and your local area you know it better then anyone inc these big outfits. You know what your customers want or perhaps expand a bit put more or new advertising methods in place or specialise in something a bit different, I really don’t have the answers. But there is work there just got to find a way of getting your hands on it!
But as kens signature says it’s not the biggest,strongest or smartest that survive it’s those who adapt to change the quickest that survive! Or something along them lines but it’s sentiment is very true.Phil
Re: Is it just me or is anyone else quiet?
I have thought for some time this trade is dying a slow death, it is going the same way as the brown goods trade. Who would have thought back in the 70s and 80s that no TV repair shops would exist in the future. They were on every high street back then and profitable.
Technology advances in this trade has done away with many repairs and the cheap appliances make a repair something a lot of people no longer consider. I no longer repair anything other than refrigeration and I won’t be doing that much longer. For me it is time to move on thankfully I have other skills that I can use to earn a living.Re: Is it just me or is anyone else quiet?
Same old same old, people talking about stuff they know nothing about or experience of. I am an independent retailer and I have no trouble at all competing with the internet, my sales are consistently rising and so is my profit margin. You have to adapt and offer what others don’t. Moaning about it is futile.
There is a lot of repair companies out there that also make a decent return as well.Re: Is it just me or is anyone else quiet?
DrDill wrote:Same old same old, people talking about stuff they know nothing about or experience of. I am an independent retailer and I have no trouble at all competing with the internet, my sales are consistently rising and so is my profit margin. You have to adapt and offer what others don’t. Moaning about it is futile.
There is a lot of repair companies out there that also make a decent return as well.Well I’m glad it is working for you. I’ve been in the trade nearly 30 years and spent 17 years as a sole trader, I only did repairs I never had a shop can’t say I ever wanted to go down that route and I have no regrets about no having one. I strongly believe how well you do depends on the area you cover, You can only adapt so far, you can’t make the customers have repairs and as a sole trader there is only so far you can travel to a call to remain profitable.
I worked in a well off rural area, the people in this area are replacing appliances these days and not repairing them.
If a was a retailer I may find like you things are OK, but I’m not. I personally feel like I’m flogging a dead horse around here so it will be time to hang up my tool box very soon certainly before next year.Re: Is it just me or is anyone else quiet?
Spot on gazman I’m exactly the same, I was never interested in trying to build up a business where I’d have to employ people, so long as I make enough to pay the bills then happy. Some may say that lacks ambition but for me there are more important things in life than profit margins. If I have to change what I do to make a living then so be it
Re: Is it just me or is anyone else quiet?
Really? you work for yourself, so nothing is more important than profit margin, its profit margin that is your wages that pays your bills, daftest thing I have ever heard.
Not interested in building up your business? wow!
I don’t think you need to be a genius to work out why you are strugglingRe: Is it just me or is anyone else quiet?
DrDill wrote:I don’t think you need to be a genius to work out why you are struggling
Now come on Doc, play fair. You must realise that, whilst we share the same trade, our position in it has many variables. No one business is alike and,speaking up for the sole trader especially, our choices are limited. So stop the preaching, look after your own church and congregation because you, unlike the sole trader, have so so much more to lose if trade takes a dive. Think on my friend!
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