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Re: Concern grows over our missing penguin?
Yes, but he is conspicuous by his absence. Normally he comes on after the pub has finished a lock-in.
This is really out of character, even if reticent; he still appears from time to time.
Perhaps he is shagged out after a long squawk? Doing bird? On a flight of fancy (if only) Maybe has contracted bird flu?
Seriously though, does anyone know where he really is, and is he o.k?
Alex
Re: Repaircare…
I won’t deal with Mark.
I’ve told DP & Steph that he is a waste of space. My truck is with DP as it was he who set me up.
I have been told by both that there is little point in complaining as it is a done deal. I’ve told them both we are throwing bits at machines to reduce return visits.
Alex
Re: Repaircare…
As Ade will see, I’ve re-opened the debate on the Repaircare forum regards the Repaircare chargeable work. Not that I’m one to stir things up of course.
Two Agendas. 1 to see if it has improved. 2 To gee up Ade to remind everyone that there is an outstanding issue regards “penalties”. That one worked, well done Ade.
According to Stephanie Wheelbarrow, that was a Richard Lawson thing, and there are some in management that are trying to stop it. I mentioned it to D Parker tonight, he was unaware this was even happening. Maybe worth a phone call Ade.
Perhaps things are really stirring in the background? Not too sure though.
Alex
Re: Paypal.
Had the same e-mail. It does say however that if you are happy to accept the “new” T&C’s then there is no need to take action. So that was easy sorted in my case.
I only keep enough in there to pay for the odd item.
Alex
ASAP wrote:So, is contract work the lifeblood of servicing or the nemesis?
What do you think Alex?I guess I should know you? Just looked at your web-site and seen an address from a long time ago.
Contract work. Not the lifeblood. May be part of the sellotape that makes us stick at it though. It is all a precentage game.
If you employ a number of engineers, then you need the contract work to keep the wheels turning. Just one or two of you, and perhaps an asnwering machine, or phones diverted to mobile, then unless you are ambitious and can see your way into the market, not for you.
I would have thought this could have been more at home unter the Connect/DSG affair, as that is where the rationale is being called into question.
This being related to JTM, and me never done calls for them, I don’t really belong in here. Unless you happen to know JTM agent for our area, as I have no idea how they manage in our parts.
Alex
Re: Yellow Pages 2011
iadom wrote:
edthespiv wrote:
But all that aside it is financal suicide not use the yellow pages group. .
Personally I have to say that I totally disagree with that statement. 😉
Ditto.
I Would have to get a lot of charegable profit under my belt to justify the cost. Before the days of Google, yes you had to be in Yellow Pages to keep up with the competition. Y.P. Is history.
Alex
Re: Fixed price repairs at Comet
squadman wrote:
The Heater relays on these boards should be rated at a higher current handling and is a design issue in my mind, you can purchase a real world 10 amp relay for a couple of pounds which will not fail if soldered correctly and the PCB design in many modern domestic appliances is dated and of low end technology compared with modern PCB design.As long as the relay is replaced, then of course we are looking at component replacement. Not ideal but a lot better than just a spot of solder. If this topic regards boards is to be persued, may I suggest in a new thread, or re-invoke the old one (If can be found).
Don’t let this detract from the subject however. I guess Comet are jumping onto a bandwagon. They have seen others going all out to move their business this way, so I suppose them doing the same is inevitable.
If they start to get the bad press that some of the others seem to have courted, they may drop it rather than lose their reputation in a retailers market place. These others who happen not to have retail outlets therefore do not have the retailer affiliation/reputation to uphold, so there is probably little knock-on effect that could follow.
Alex
Re: How does this system work?
Martin. How did you find who this really is? I tried and went round in circles.
Alex
Re: Fixed price repairs at Comet
squadman wrote:For instance had an AEG dishwasher a couple of weeks back which was built-in with No Heat, An Engineer from a large company was booked to look at it whereupon he said that it would be close on £ 200 to repair it with a new PCB. Five minutes with the soldering iron the machine was back working much to the customers obvious delight, she thought that the company concerned was more interested in selling her a new machine and by her own words ! she will not ever be calling the likes of them again !
The relay usually overheats, and as a result of the local heat the solder on the tag melts. We strongly advocate a new board is fitted as the soldered joint inadvertently acted as a fuse, and the fault will self isolate the component. If there is a blob of solder, the relay will continue to overheat even further, and eventually the board catches fire. This is a known phenomenon.
There is a thread somewhere on soldering D/W boards, wasn’t able to locate it.
We had one where the customer was about to involve trading standards as he “fixed” it himself after we had called and inspected/diagnosed. He felt we had ripped him off with a quote for a board. He dropped the case as we had endorsed the paperwork that it was recommended not to use the machine, and we had left the D/W isolated. A few months later his kitchen was fire damaged, and we were called in to investigate.
Back to the subject.
No matter what we think or try these companies offering a full fix at a set fee will always happen. It is down to the punter, and if they feel they will benefit, then so be it.
Alex
Re: D&G using 0800repair.com
I can confirm about Lyndsey. Mary Seymour has taken her place.
The 12 month thing has been going for years, we just make sure we don’t fit the same part in 12 months. 😉
Fixed price has been bubbling for some time now. I’m not sure of figures as not been mentioned, but I suspect they are rationalising the repairers so they can roll it out easier.
They did try to introduce a “Whole Appliance Guarantee” for 30 days after last repair, to us S/F agents. We manged to get it chucked out.
In common with others, they are trying to move goals posts as well.
I’ve won some award and off to Basingstoke in October to get a presentation. Might learn more at the time.
Alex
Re: For the Analytical
I do. I have spread sheets everywhere.
I have the engineers on a bonus system where via spread sheets I have the daily results, and as these are inputted a group calculation is created automatically which is used for the criteria against how I measure the reward.
In conjunction, I have the major accounts all tabulated where I can see on a monthly basis where the company stands regards percentage. I can tell what part of the income the main accounts match up to, and see at a glance the standing of this. Whenever I get a visit from any service manager, I can demonstrate what portion of my business they are, and their importance.
How is it done? Excel spread sheets. Nobody taught me, I sat at a lap-top on the decking in the back garden one Sunday morning and simply played with an excel file. I had torn a ligament of my shoulder, and was off both Golf & mowing the lawn (conveniently)
I started with a simple grid filled with numbers, worked out how to apply formulae, figured out how to merge & colour cells, and progressed from there. By the time it had got dark that night, the information was showing results.
I know I have been of no help, but the best way to get your head around it is just do it.
Alex
Re: A certain poster!
Now he is polluting the Ben Nevis honesty thread.
If he turns up at Coventry, can someone demonstrate that a baseball bat across the side of the head offends, before they hit him with it.
What a tosser!
Re: Trade Honesty
I have to say in common with Martin, I was a tad intrigued Ben; where you have been for the last 6 plus years?
I think your input could have been beneficial in the past. Clearly you are not lacking in the grammar stakes, and can put your point across very clearly, and in a pertinent manner. Your reticence to date however is bleeding obvious. I see there are others who have kept their heads down for 5 or more years who have suddenly come out the woodwork. It seems this subject has brought out the best in people.
That said, don’t go away as you have made a point, and I think very clearly. You have picked up and highlighted some asides and comments hidden in postings; but not necessarily some misdemeanours.
I happen to be a repair agent for the Connect account, and in common with the other posters who have lots to say, am losing money on the DSGi side of the account.
Therefore I am mitigating these losses, but not in the way you may be thinking. In the past we had the philosophy that we would only repair the described fault, and would encourage the consumer that if there was another problem to call Coverplan in a couple of month’s time.
Now we have turned it on its head. As we lose money on every one of these calls, we endeavour to remove the risk of another visit. Meaning, if there is something in the pump, we replace the pump, at the same time check the brushes door seal etc and if on the van we replace those as well. Likewise on a P.C.B. controlled fridge/freezer. Change both the board & sensors, fix in one hit. Therefore saving I hope a return call.
Now you can see where this is going I’m sure.
The spares spend on my account will no doubt increase, as we will fall into the trap of artificially raising the liability to the underwriter of the insurance. Give it time, will go full circle and the cost will escalate and once again the bean counters will be looking to screw the cost down yet further.
I say, give us the due reward to actually fix the fault, not throw parts at it in order to keep costs down.
Lee 8. What are you on? You have polluted one thread where you were clearly out of your depth, and now you keep popping up in this one. I’m not one to keep having a go at someone, and have tried to avoid becoming personal, but you’re getting tiresome, and clearly this subject is out of your domain.
Alex
Re: Repaircare…
Interesting little post in the General Trade forum.
Ben Nevis Whoever he may be.
Quite well constructed, looks to me that he is a bit of a bean counter, and I wonder if he happens to be sat in an office and is in a position to see any parts increase on any particular contracts.
Just an idle thought
Alex
