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Re: Trade Is Dying (Again)
There’s a future for sure, well at least that is so as long as there is a continual demand. Sadly at this present moment in time the demand has wained badly as a direct result of the overall economic and financial downturn throughout the country. In some areas that is a good thing as more people would rather the cheaper option of repair than replace. However that is often offset even more so these days by more and more appliances being simply BER for many and varied reasons.
It is also blindingly apparent that the WEEE Directive has had little or no effect on the industry. If anything it has had the opposite effect to the business overall. Similarly, organised deputations by trade associations to the government departments over manufacturers unfair trading practices has hit the proverbial brick wall. Spares wholesalers continue to rip off account holders and flog spares cheaper to punters on the Internet. And let us not overlook the massive increase in fuel costs, employees pension, sickness and holiday benefits. Add to that a final mix of more stringent Health ‘n Safety rules.
Once you work you way around that lot there IS a future. As Ken says, clothes and dishes need to be washed, those that can cook will need a cooker and the milk and beer needs to be kept cool. ‘Twas ever thus and always will be…..
Re: Trade Is Dying (Again)
DrDill wrote: i think the day will come when you dont need a washing machine any more as some one in a van will collect it at night and return it in the morning all washed and ironed.
They do that for hotels and restaurants so why don’t launderettes offer such a service to the public? Would avoid them having the parking problem and lugging black bags around.
DrDill wrote: Food could in the future be stored dry and you just add water! Cant see this happening in my lifetime
Great idea! I can see my next business venture now. I think I’ll call it, “Cup-a-soup”. No, how about “Pot Noodle”?
Mike.Re: Trade Is Dying (Again)
great new business idea mike , but your way behind ive already invented pot noddle – guess what im eating it just now , ive just spilled all down my t-shirt .. as i type this …dohhhhhh
.. think i will need to use the washing machine ..
lol ally
Re: Trade Is Dying (Again)
If people are talking themselves into out of work by saying we are in a dying trade. Chimney sweep were once a dying trade and now it is back!
I do believe that we can fight back, I am only in the trade for occupation rather than making quick bucks. Occupation is to keep me out of the house and keeping me sane as apposed to be on the dole watching Jeremy Kyle. Of course I have to cover my costs, etc but there is a delicate balance in making money. Customers still want us to reassure them, to counsel them, to rescue them, be a knight in a shining armour.
I agree that some the repairs are going out of fashion, since I have started this trade, I have only done 3 or 4 bearings changes, 3 tub changes. Now most of the repairs are equally divided into oven element changes, carbon brushes, drain pumps, belt changes, door seal replacements. It kind of got easier, cost of parts are deciding factor for clients, parts costs have gone up and at the same time new machines prices have come down a little.
Most of my clients are reluctant to go out to buy new machines, so there’s a gap to fill in, offer to repair otherwise if BER then offer to buy new machine of their choice. Most of the clients would thank you for it. Also there are cash to be made from disposing old appliances if you live near scrap yards. Not exactly “green” but what can you do? The cost of reconditioning appliance is high especially with legal requirement to obtain licence for such work. Most of the appliances falls into BER due to board failures, sealed heater element as found in Bosch dishwashers, drum failures due to sealed tub – the cost of repairing it in order to resell is not worth the cost.
I feel that this trade is going rather strong and there are still strong demand. I do still get people phoning me for parts for them to fit rather than me doing it, no skin off my nose as money is money. More than often they will phone you again asking you to fit it as they can’t put the door seal on! Ignorance is bliss!
Re: Trade Is Dying (Again)
3 or 4 bearing changes in over 2 years????
I am still doing on average 2 or 3 a week. Also do at least 2 WMA drum rear halves and supports each month. I have an ISE bearing change and a Hotpoint WM bearing change in tomorrow already. 🙂
Its no wonder my wrist aches. 🙁
Re: Trade Is Dying (Again)
Most of my clients have Bosch, Zanussi and very few Hotpoint. The ones who have Hotpoint are the ones that have families with small children or owned by elderly couple.
“I have an ISE bearing change”
Don’t these comes with ten years guarantee? I would be concerned if this Volvo truck bearings failed…Re: Trade Is Dying (Again)
There are four earlier mid range and entry level ISE models from Beko, Vestel and Amica.
Done two ISE/Vestel bearing changes last week and have an ISE/Beko one to do this afternoon.
Good, meaty jobs that you can get your teeth into. 8)
Re: Trade Is Dying (Again)
but i think the day will come when you dont need a washing machine any more as some one in a van:
No Matter if the above scenario arrives the clothing will still need to be washed and there will be a machine involved which will breakdown, at that point we would need to change our modus operandi to suit, or at least those in the business at that point would/
Re: Trade Is Dying (Again)
Good, meaty jobs that you can get your teeth into.
Very true but for £50, I’d rather not. 🙂
Re: Trade Is Dying (Again)
Don’t worry, there’s loads of entrants from foreign pastures about that will do it for £50.
That seems to be what’s been happening in London and some other areas.
Before you know it, you have no business. They’ve got it all, including the nice easy jobs.
K.
Re: Trade Is Dying (Again)
£60 for an ISE out of warranty bearing change, average time around 90 minutes. Average time to change brushes, interlock etc 10 minutes for same money, swings and roundabouts comes to mind. 😉
I love a good thwack with my lump hammer. To see the machine in bits all over the kitchen floor and to put it all back together running nice and quietly is very satisfying. 8)
I enjoy a good fettle. 😀
Jim.
Re: Trade Is Dying (Again)
Don’t worry, there’s loads of entrants from foreign pastures about that will do it for £50.
As in ISE drum jobs or do you mean drum bearing jobs in general.
Thank goodness for seal tubs then, thats all I can say.
Re: Re: Trade Is Dying (Again)
kwatt wrote:That seems to be what’s been happening in London and some other areas.
Before you know it, you have no business. They’ve got it all, including the nice easy jobs.
Oh no no no! Surely that cannot be true? The trade could not possibly sink so low as to do bearing changes for £50 or £60? That being the case then the “nice easy jobs” are sorted for less than a tenner are they?
Then the rest of the afternoon spent flogging a few copies of ‘The Big Issue’ I shouldn’t wonder. :rolls:
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