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Author Topic: Hello  (Read 6289 times)

Offline ryevac

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Hello
« on: May 20, 2017, 11:52:57 am »
Hi to all.

Like to say hello, currently planning my entry alone into the vac repair field.

Current role is service engineer for electrical goods retailer (est over 50 years). I started as electronics tech in 85 and have worked for the biggest names since then.
Am radio ham too (1990) but no longer on air.
I repair anything (or try to) that has a cable attached to it. Primarily i am TV engineer, covering panasonic down to the supermarket brands - then into sat dish / aerial installs, fault finding in the field.

Industry has changed drastically, now doing white goods installation to 70% inc integrated - Tv has dried up, but in the shops workshop vac service / repair has been consistent for the last 6 years.


For the last 7 months i have researched the area i am in - lets just say (north yorkshire) but where exactly, i dont want to reveal YET.
When i take the leap (hopefully soon) i will probably still have to cover other skills / service's i have under my belt till the vac side supports me fully - i intend to be field based initially, 4 or 5 sources of advertising available - inc word of mouth which has stood me well in the past for my private work.
As stated earlier in my waffle i am field based but have a workshop at home for the more dirtier, intense repairs. I dont intend to stock every part possible - just skeleton parts based on my previous repair experience.

Faceache page is dont but not public yet.
www domain is done but currently creating website.

Problem i have is parts suppliers, and i noticed some parts vary on price noticably which i observed my time researching this is swallowed up.
Would welcome comments on suppliers, advertising tips, service / repair prices ?  and anything else appropriate to my entry which you may think may be another hurdle...
Best regards
Trev
The only way to fail is not to try.

Offline Madrat

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Re: Hello
« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2017, 12:04:59 pm »
Welcome  :tiphat:

Offline ryevac

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Re: Hello
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2017, 12:18:14 pm »
Thanks Madrat.

Also to add a couple of points to my introduction, another couple of questions...

More directed to repairers in business.
Who has public liability insurance ? and who carries out isolation tests? cant do a full pat test as most vacs aren't earthed - or best to do visual inspection and attach the blue tick label...
The only way to fail is not to try.

Offline Elgin

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Re: Hello
« Reply #3 on: May 20, 2017, 02:31:58 pm »
Thanks Madrat.

Also to add a couple of points to my introduction, another couple of questions...

More directed to repairers in business.
Who has public liability insurance ? and who carries out isolation tests? cant do a full pat test as most vacs aren't earthed - or best to do visual inspection and attach the blue tick label...
Im not sure of many people who do electrical tests - I think most people (such as myself) examine it all to make sure its ok - make sure no wires are damaged and no bare wire or terminals - switch operating ok - motor not overly sparking stuff like that

BTW - Hello and Welcome

Offline ryevac

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Re: Hello
« Reply #4 on: May 20, 2017, 07:21:02 pm »
Best to keep it simple in that case.
Will stick to visual inspection and label it.

cheers
The only way to fail is not to try.

Offline mrdyson

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Re: Hello
« Reply #5 on: May 21, 2017, 11:43:20 am »
Welcome to the forum ryevac.  :tiphat:

We PAT test every machine that goes out. A class 2 electronics PAT test consists of a visual inspection and an insulation resistance test (many people forget the latter and stick a sticker on anyway). Coupled with Public Liability insurance this should keep you and your customers safe (I wouldn't recommend trading without these). Contact a local insurance broker for your PLI, you shouldn't be paying much more than £100 per annum.

There are lots of wholesale parts suppliers around. Many of them have minimum price / purchase quantities and you generally don't get a great deal until you buy in real bulk. If you're not keeping parts in stock and ordering in small quantities I would recommend purchasing from eBay / online / MVacs etc.

In terms of your price for service and repair work, I would contact existing local companies to get an idea of your local markets price.

Good luck with your new venture.  :thumbsup:

Offline ryevac

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Re: Hello
« Reply #6 on: May 21, 2017, 12:22:30 pm »
Hi Mr D

Thanks for reply.
No problem there with my seaward to carry that out.

Aye, dont want to be stocking parts to a mad level, usual consumables and service kits.

The more research i do the more it seems that dyson will be the majority of work.
Will look into the PLI soon.
If minimal difference on parts suppliers prices then i would rather stick to one supplier if possible, still looking into that.

I understand repair / service prices vary, seen that in the tv repair side, so time to dig deeper into the vac side around here.
The only way to fail is not to try.

Offline Dys0ns4ndm0r3

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Re: Hello
« Reply #7 on: May 21, 2017, 01:12:52 pm »
Welcome

Offline exvacman

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Re: Hello
« Reply #8 on: May 22, 2017, 06:11:05 pm »
Hi Trev

Good luck with your venture, I came out of the business 11years ago.

Just a quickie on PAT testing it was a legal requirement for any domestic appliance service engineer in business, when I was operating, to PAT test any appliance they'd serviced and I would think the law still applies now.

The up side was that some companies, particularly cleaning contractors, used to bring the vacs in just for PAT testing once a year, as that was a legal requirement for them. One particular contractor brought 30 at a time. I used to charge £3 a vac back then, so a nice little earner, being I could do about 20 an hour. Plus any damaged mains leads would have to be replaced before passing, so £££'s to be made.

Offline ryevac

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Re: Hello
« Reply #9 on: May 22, 2017, 07:57:35 pm »
nice...
The only way to fail is not to try.

Offline RustySkull

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Re: Hello
« Reply #10 on: May 22, 2017, 08:41:52 pm »
Have a good time, dude.
If You Like Machines, Radios and Cars As Well As Vacuum Cleaners Then Check Out The Official RustySkull Productions YouTube!
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Offline MVacs

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Re: Hello
« Reply #11 on: May 23, 2017, 06:19:45 pm »
Welcome to the site, Ryevac.  :tiphat:

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