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Hi guys,
I have seen this business from both sides with regards to the way spares operations work, as an ex-Comet spares buyer and as an independent repairer. Some of you may recall a post from January when we discussed pricing structures (“What Would You Recommend” – Public General Enquiries – Jan 30th). I pointed out that we simply doubled the price of all parts to supply to OUR OWN service network, and they doubled the price to supply and fit for service calls.Bear in mind that while we were servicing our “Own Brand” product from people like Balay, Domar, Vestfrost, Ocean, Tecnogas etc; we were not manufacturers, so our spares had already been sold once! And they were still bloody cheap.
If we are all honest about it, if an Askoll type pump costs a manufacturer more than £1 ex works I would be amazed – a major manufacturer (or manufacturing group) has purchasing power far beyond even the likes of the major independent spares specialists, yet the wholesalers can still normally stuff the manufacturers “trade prices” on common service parts.
Personally, I’m not bothered if my part comes in a nice white box with a sticker or a plain brown box – I AM concerned with quality (anyone remember the awful GRE pattern AEG pump? Cr@p! – however our Welsh friends supply the identical manufacturers pump for a fraction of Distri’s price). My pricing policy is based on value for money, plus my labour charge.
Very often, this can be the difference between a machine surviving (and me getting paid) and it going to the tip for a trivial fault. Surely if there is going to be a cheap product, it MUST be matched by correspondingly cheap spares. This must ask questions of Brians colleagues with their digiboard pricing policy – up to £130 to my knowledge – for machines which retail for £180-£250. Just who is trying to fool who? I have friends involved in electronics manufacture who have had a look at some of these boards and, apart from rubbishing the circuit protection (or complete absence of it), reckon they could be produced for £12-£15 a unit at low volume production.
I think the summation of all this is to ask for a bit of honesty. If Brians company are going to buy something for £1, I don’t mind paying £2 or even £3 for it, and charging my customer £5 (well, we’ve all got overheads) and putting my labour on top.
I find it especially difficult with certain parts charging my customers in the full knowledge that I got overcharged(26{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} discount), my wholesaler got overcharged (38{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} discount) and now I have to look them in the eye and give them a bill.
Which begs one further question – Why are we getting discount against retail, when retail no longer exists and we have suggested selling prices?
Brian, I think you’re a brave and honest man to start this discussion in here and I hope you will understand my reasons for a few frank opinions. I think you need to get to the bottom of some of your company’s purchase costs and see what your own margins are and then you may understand some of our concerns. Also, consider that a Company call-out charge is now £65 (K- confirm?). I would challenge the notion that any single appliance component costs (to the company) that much for any appliance!
Best regards,
Penguin45.Re: Blomberg washing machine
You could always try Comet Accessories on 0870 6052020, but brace yourself for the price. I had to get one a few years ago for a customer and it was over £50!
Regards,
Chris Chantrell.Sandring Ltd, 224 Burley Road, Leeds LS4 2EU.
Tel 0113 2744488, http://www.sandring.co.uk.Just bought some for the new van, very reasonable. Don’t know if it’s anywhere near your patch though.
Regards,
Chris the Penguin.You can check in “Directories” on the left, or put your post code up here and someone will pick up on it.
Good luck,
Penguin45.Sounds like a partial blockage of some description. Does the machine drain off without the clothes in?
There may be a filter under the front kick cover, failing that it’s tip over and hoses off time.
PULL THE PLUG FIRST!
Good luck,
Penguin45.Know exactly what you mean….
I think the worst I ever went to was in my long time ago Creda days; went to awful house in Chapeltown, walk down the hall with shoes going Slap Stick Rip, thinking “Oh God…….” Anyway, 3 month old 17 series machine covered in grease sat next to cooker – dead. Dragged it out, took the lid off – rat across the mains terminal block – also dead. I said “Get rid of the rat and I’ll get it working”. I did, and made it very clear that I wouldn’t return to the address on the paperwork (It was still an option in the pre-Hotpoint days).
The disturbing thing was that the lady of the house never turned a hair!
Awful, awful, awful.
Regards,
Chris the Penguin.Sorry, sorry, thought it was a short form of “Phillet of fish”……
Anyway, Phil is very welcome to UKW!
Regards,
Chris the Penguin.I am the engineer – and there are occasions when you have to be brutal. Fortunately we are generally too busy and can afford to boot out the occasional customer.
Chris the Penguin.
We use “NFS” – No Further Service – on our records. And yes, customers do get upset about it!
Regards,
Chris the Penguin.Up here it’s called “Wiping your feet on the way out”.
Did the last call this evening by the market car park, came out of the flats to find a drunk relieving himself on the side of my (new) van. Absolutely disgusting and not a copper in sight, despite the police station being 50 yards away.
So a bit late back tonight through having to wash the van.
Keep smiling,
Chris the Penguin.How about using the standard vent hose into a condensor pot and just emptying it occasionally? Much simpler!
Regards,
Penguin45.chriss,
Press and hold the start buuton in, for up to 10 seconds. This should clear any existing programme and allow you to reprogramme the machine, then see what happens!Penguin45.
