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From what vibe I get reading about it all I think it may be a bit of a moot point as so many people are just ignoring the advice being given, I think in the next few days we’ll all be on a full lockdown like Italy, France, Spain, Australia….
K.
Obviously this is fluid and I along with the WTA guys (probably more on here) are watching this stuff like hawks.
But, this may help some: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses
I suspect there will be more for self-employed people early this week. We hope.
In other news…
https://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/appliance-industry-news/4412-delivery-difficulties
Warnings over deliveries of new product and spares being “challenging” are being mooted by a number of sources. Getting replacement product will be an issue as a few people have told me that as production slows replacements will become a problem, even in warranty.
Key Worker Stuff
Unclear.
It would appear that this is being left deliberately vague, personally I suspect for a reason or several.
My take on what I’m reading and hearing is that, so long as the proper precautions are taken (sanitary/distancing etc) then any in-home repair can take place although I would presume that a cooker hood or dishwasher (for example) would not be considered “essential”. Basically apply some common sense.
But I would say to all, it’d be a bit rough to deny people a fridge or cooker when they’re trapped in their own homes. So please think about coupling common sense and decency with some compassion and I know, it’s crap but, it is what it is.
Please also keep in mind for many of you, your clients are in the sh1t just as much as we all are and, I include myself in that.
Thankfully most suppliers have been very understanding (thus far) of what the score is. I thank them all for that and I have, to those I’ve spoken to, made clear that many of you will struggle in the coming weeks. Some probably very badly. Personally, I can’t make that any better I’m afraid.
Keep in mind, your suppliers and client base is likely to be struggling just as much. Again, compassion and common sense without confrontation as that gets nobody anywhere.
I can’t sugar coat it, its gonna be a rough time for all.
I can tell you, for WTA members, there are discussions on ways to help members as much as possible. The peeps there are not just sitting about ignoring this at all but, there’s only so much can be done and they’re figuring it out as much as anyone is.
Many of us here have survived mountains of crap over the years, I just hope that all come through this as unscathed as possible.
Oh and if anyone’s got any bog roll…
K.
Possibly. There is nothing in any cooker that could cause that unless it’s gas and not burning correctly, producing carbon monoxide but if it is, get a Gas Safe repairer to look at it.
That’s is residues from cooking though so should only need cleaning.
K.
I wouldn’t jump straight to the worst possible outcome.
Finding out what is the problem will involve diagnosing it and start with the mains filter, on off switch if there is one then the door microswitch. All of which can cut the power. Power at the board though would seem to suggest it may be that if the power switch is on there.
K.
On the VAT/PAYE thing, what we’ve managed to fathom thus far and, it may well be wrong as info is hard to come by but from all we can see…
If you can’t pay on time you will have to call HMRC and you will be grilled.
If they think you’re good for it the payment will be demanded immediately.
If they think you’re not good for it, payment will be demanded immediately and if you can’t pay the bailiffs are on the way.
Or you can have a payment plan.
Guessing here, if you can’t meet that obligation, the bailiffs are on the way.
Or of course, you can take advantage of the billions in loans that may well be available with “very attractive terms” and pay that back, if you can. If you can’t, the bailiffs are on the way.
There may be grants available to some but, as yet, little clarity on this. But won’t be much good if it’s not timely for many I expect.
Bottom line, the way I see it is, you’re pretty much on your own despite the political rhetoric that makes for good soundbites.
K.
The problem here is the speed things are changing coupled with the complete uncertainty around the.. well, everything.
There are no straight answers I’m afraid. Reading tons of stuff, listening to people that should know, watching the news and so on I’m no clearer on where all this will land than when I started.
Which kinda gives a problem when people ask what they should or shouldn’t be doing. As I did mention to the WTA peeps when it came up.
I am fairly convinced that by week’s end schools will be closed.
Either with that or not long after it more Draconian measures will be put into force, travel bans and so on that, we’ve seen elsewhere. They may wait till the new COVID Bill is passed, may try to enact most or all of it before that gets ascension but given the givens and looking at what’s going on I don’t see it going any other way now.
This s**t is being staged. I suspect with good reason and a good degree of logical, rational and scientific insight backing what’s being done and when. You may agree or not, it may be right or not but, it is what it is, we just all need to deal with it. Time and hindsight will sort out the rights and wrongs of policy.
If non-essential travel is banned it then comes down to whether or not appliance services are seen as being essential or not or if it qualifies in the “impossible to work from home” bracket. If it doesn’t fall into either camp then all repairers have a very large and very immediate problem. To them.
In the grand scheme, it’s little more than a blip. If it even registers as a blip given the scale of things.
I know, again, not exactly positive and I truly am sorry for no upside here. But, those that know me will also know well enough that if you want smoke blown into an orifice to make you feel better, I ain’t the guy to ask for that. If you want cold hard facts and truth, I’m your man.
K.
Well, the scuttlebutt is that HMRC will not be chasing VAT payments, PAYE etc. Still needs paying but will not be as “harsh” as they usually are.
I guess it’ll help a number of people at least in the short term but I suspect it may be a band-aid on a bullet wound.
The big problem I see is not knowing what will happen when this will calm down and what the hell will happen over the next few weeks or months as it seems to alter by the day if not the hour.
Put it this way, I honestly do not see any good news in this for most any industry.
Restaurants/food, holiday companies, airlines, any kinda travel really, car industry, tech industries, entertainment and much more… they’re all affected and all suffering. And all will be looking for exactly what we’d all be looking for, a bit of support somehow. How much can be given when so many need is up in the air as is, how quickly it can happen if it will even happen.
The only people doing well (so far) are the supermarkets as people empty the shelves in blind panic.
I know that’s all hardly comforting but I’d hope at least of some use.
K.
So far, minimal impact in spares supplies but with Italy on lockdown and many, many parts flowing through there I expect it to become an issue in time.
It was mentioned three weeks or so ago here: https://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/appliance-industry-news/4410-coronavirus-to-cause-issues
Banning house visits etc for services or deliveries is a very real and potential problem for all.
Financial aid, don’t hold your breath as everyone and their dog will be after that as all actually get to grips with what this actually means for them. Then, it’s a lot of mouths to feed.
Apparently HMRC has been told to lay off small/medium business as a way of support but, it’s HMRC so…
And, that won’t really help sole traders in the short term that aren’t VAT registered I don’t suppose.
Quite honestly, I’d do nothing major till this sorts itself out and there’s some clarity on what the blazes is going on.
K.
Tough one to arrive at a definitive answer on.
On the one hand you’re right, there’s risk involved.
On the other hand, say it’s a cooker or a fridge, can the person live without it and if those go, it means going out or relying on deliveries of food.
Not easy.
K.
Given I’m now old enough to be “at risk” I’m not as nonchalant as I may have been in the past.
But in the end we all croak, it’s just a matter of when and why really.
Sanitisers are no use against this so far as I know so, a total waste of time and effort. Much like hoarding loo roll et all.
People are crazy. They do crazy s**t. Maybe that’s why they need so much bog roll or maybe it’s some sort of comforter. who knows.
K.
All the info for the valve is:
1.5 Water Inlet Valve
Voltage Frequency Total Power Flowrate Resistance
: 220/240 Volt : 50-60 Hz
: 6 W
: 2,5 lt/dk: 3750 ±٪10 Ω ( 20 Co )
Single inlet and single outlet standard single coil solenoid valve. It is assembled to the basement and connect to the airbreak by hose..
So, it needs mains power to operate.
That serial number doesn’t look quite right but it should be this board set used in it:
https://shop.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/dish…rol-module-set
K.
