Appliance-Repair Wizard looking to make a change?

[iceman]

Ok this is random, but the guy that fixes our appliances was just here fixing our washing machine and he is retiring after 42 years in business and he hasn't been able to find anybody to take over his business. He has a sterling reputation, a roster of 20,000 past clients and a full slate of work every day.

Sure there's downsides (DC Metro is the main one, but it's a good part of that area, Montgomery and Frederick counties, MD), but if you were the kind of guy that can do this work and wanted to walk into a situation where the phone is guaranteed to ring and you have a full day of work day one, you could have this for a song. At this point he's just gonna walk away from it in June when his wife retires and move to the retirement home he's built down South. Totally random like I said but but hey.

[skiballs]

Go for it man, you can do it.

[iceman]

Fuck no I can't but I do need somebody I can call to fix this shit.

On a side note, you would be amazed how many coins it takes before it clogs the water pump on a whirlpool front-loading washer. I think I can get lunch out of the deal.

[skiballs]

Just buy a new one. This is America son.

[Timberridge]

Is this him?

[Vt-Freeheel]

Sole proprietor or "herding retarded cats" with crew(s)?

[iceman]

Looks a tiny bit like him but ol' Chuck ain't sitting on his ass reading magazines, he's out there fixing shit.

[iceman]

Sole proprietor or "herding retarded cats" with crew(s)?

Sole proprietor. It's just Chuck and his truck.

Hell I bet he'd give you a good deal on the truck and his tools too.

[MMP]

the margins are so slim on the sale of appliances that the sellers never deal with service. If the thing breaks the day you take it home, they have you call an authorized dealer for the brand.

We just bought all new Jenn-Air appliances when we did the house over, and they are complete pieces of shit that look awesome.

For which brands is this guy an authorized service tech?

[iceman]

I know he does all the domestic brands including Viking, Thermador and I think Sub-Zero but I'm not positive beyond that. Doesn't do Asko or Miele, I know that.

[MMP]

it makes sense that the Iceman would have a Sub-Zero

[iceman]

I should have a GE? pfft.

[Viva]

I should have a GE? pfft.

Maybe if you were named "transistorman" or something analogous.

[fatnslow]

Just cleaned out $9.75 in coins from my front loader. sounded like it was going to fly or give every house wife in Portland the big O if you sat on it. In this type of business you are better off letting the old lady dispatch/schedule and you do all the work VS. having 4 techs/trucks. You are guaranteed the best tech will leave in 2 years with half your book and the fourth guy is a revolving door of droolers.

[that dude who did that thing]

and the fourth guy is a revolving door of droolers.

I think you meant "snowboarders."

iceman, it's a shame that more people don't seem to think of gigs like that as careers any more. I feel your pain, my HVAC/plumbing guy moved away, and he seems to have been the last guy in Idaho who could actually fix anything rather than replacing it.

[toast2266]

Guy needs to put a price on that business. If it's being given away / handed off, people assume it's worth nothing and won't be interested.

[userA]

mtn. g looking for upward mobility.
b

[rideit]

How much technical training/certifications do you think someone would need to walk into that?

[Parvo]

I could prolly do it... my old man's got this ultimate set of tools.

[grrrr]

Does it include toaster ovens? pHunk might be interested.

[RShea]

Are you the type that can be organized and do the billings, parts inventory and paperwork too, or do you just want to drive around and do the repairs? Discuss with him the payment terms he has- payment due at the end of the job on the spot or billings and having to collect?

If you have the aptitude for the work, the tools and vehicle would be the entry (again discuss with him what he would expect and if you could ride around with him for some training). Also sources for the service manuals or technical info like circuit diagrams and schematics would be required (not sure if there appliance businesses do online training/testing - I know a few TV companies do for their warranty work).

Does he do warranty work (many of those jobs tend to be flat rate no matter how long it takes you to complete and you bill the company that handles the payment or work with a 3rd party company for the jobs that may have a contract with manufacturer).

[mud]

[shirk]

What is the ratio of wives serviced vs appliances fixed?

[Timberridge]

What is the ratio of wives serviced vs appliances fixed?

It's not a mountain town, if that helps.

mtn. g looking for upward mobility.
b

If there are lots of shrinks in the Metro DC area willing to trade therapy sessions for appliance repairs I could see that working.

[Crampedon]

I could prolly do it... my old man's got this ultimate set of tools.

Ok Spicoli, get started on my fridge, the defrost timer is not working and I get a pool of water near the freezer once a day…




Appliance repair is not easy, not hard. Can you use a multimeter?

Iceman, Get him to give you the whole enchilada for a song, hire a really sharp guy, to fix shit, keep the cash flowing, take a pile of cash out of the operation and then list it for sale, showing a glowing years worth of financials… then go to Mike Wiegles with me, hookers and blow all around….