wanted: repairman in S.B. Calif area

[george]

There is a major shortage of washer/dryer repairmen in the Santa Barbara, Ca area.
There are only 2 that I know of. One has a very bad reputation & the other only wants to work with motels/hotels.

Does anybody here by chance know anyone they can recomend in this area?

I know there are many L-owners in the area that are looking for one.
I heard of one laundrymat that shut down because they didn't have anyone to help repair them. & Last I heard he actually reopened with only 3 washers working!

Gb

[MSKLAUNDRY.]

Maybe, I need to move out to CA, LOL

[pete f]

there is a similar thread floating around here somewhere. The response to it, from a regular poster in the know, and on the sales/service end was quite enlighting. The OPL ( hotels, nurse homes, etc ) are SOL when the washer/dryer breaks and will pay any price to get it going. Us cheapo mat owners try to fix everything ourselves or want cheap labor becuase we make money on washers working, while the OPL crowd depends on the washers for services they NEED and repairs are a small amount of the overall operating budget.. I am sure there are many techs that can fix your machines, but I assume many do not fit into your budget. As we tell new onwner all the time, you must learn to fix the machines to be in this business, at least some easy basic stuff. This is why most mats are owned by men. Most woman are not handy with a wrench. Repairs and cleaning, the 2 biggest elements of owning a mat.

[Walter]

George,

Following up on Pete's suggestion - four ideas:

1. If you have to, bite the bullet and call an equipment distributor (even out of L.A. if you have to). Almost all of them have repair departments. Yes, you'll get killed initially on the portal charges to your location -but watch and learn how the repairs are done. You'll gradually become more independent.

2. Possibly, you and some other local owners can share knowledge and maybe even get a break on the portal charges if you cluster your repairs on the same visit to SB.

3. Start checking with laundromats in nearby towns - Carpenteria, even Oxnard. You'll eventually come up with somebody fairly local.

4. Post on Craigslist - you might find an OPL guy who'll moonlight repairs for you...

Hope this helps.

Walter

[george]

money so far hasen't even been talked about with a tech. I would love to go over that fact if I can get some repairs done (need more then just the basic repairs).
I called a major dist (PWS) in L.A. & they called back a week later & told me they do not have anyone who can work on my Maytag (ADC) dryers so they won't send anyone.
Thanks for the suggestion b out Craigs list. I'll give it a try.

[Boxer]

(need more then just the basic repairs).


What does that mean exactly? Are they shot?
If you have a mat you have to be able to fix most things yourself. Other wise get out of the business. I not trying to be mean but you got to make things work.

I guess you know this. What seems to be wrong besides they don't work???

Do they fired up? Do they rotate? What's up what's the model #? Huh?

[elf1564]

As Pete pointed out I've given some of the issues on the service end that you may not have been aware of. Let me offer you or others in your situation some ideas in trying to attract some folks who may be able to help you.

Of course, it best to call your local dist. to see if anyone is available. In almost all cases there is someone on staff that will be able to service your equipment if it is the brand they sale but you may have to wait a few days. Even if it's not the brand they sale, it may be worth a call to see. Although we like to stick to one brand (the ones we sale ;)) sometimes there are some service techs on staff who have experience with other brands and may be able to attend to your needs. Many of us honestly try not to turn business away but sometimes it is what it is.

Barring any help from your dist. I would suggest picking up the local yellow pages and also any local for sale pages or newspapers. Look for local home appliance repair guys or companies. It has been my experience over the years that you will find that 90% of them will not be interested in working on the equipment. But you only need one and I know without a doubt there are some home appliance repair folks who would love the chance but figure you as the owner either fix it yourself or already have someone to do it so they don't bother asking.

Don't bother with the national home appliance companies, they are geared for the home market. Look for the small appliance repair companies that offer service and repair on many different brands. These are you best chance to find someone perhaps interested or even experience with your equipment. Many of the home appliance techs already have a background with washers and dryers and are going to be your best bet. It is how I got involved with the commercial laundry end of the business many years ago.

Personally I think the sort of folks you are looking for are normally 1 or 2 man home appliance repair companies. These sort of folks strike on on their own and they are willing in some cases to try something, anything that will bring income in. You need to assure anyone interested that you will provide manuals, tech support numbers for the equipment and any keys for service panels and even help if need be. If you are at all able feel free to offer to train them a bit if needed. Many times their interest wanes simply because they think there is no one to turn to guide them through a problem and quite honestly no one wants to look as though they are incompetent of repairing somthing.

Check with and leave a note if possible on the business card board with all the home appliance parts houses in the area. Many independent service techs go to the parts houses on a weekly or daily basis. You may get lucky and someone in the business see the note or chat with the parts guy on the counter and will think of a repair guy that will be interested and offer names. A lot of the independents may even know one or another through if for no other reason than they bump into one another at the parts houses.

You would also do well to check with the local used appliance dealers, many times they have someone working on the appliances that may be also interested in learning some new things. Since their goal tends to be focused on home appliance sales and repair the business owners don't really see working on laundromat equipment on the side by their repair guy as a taking or stealing their business.

Put a ad in the job section of the local paper looking for part time evening or weekend work for appliance repair techs or factory maintenance folks looking for some extra income. Finally, check with some of the trade schools even some high school districts that still offer some trade classes in the area. Sometimes you may get a fellow or gal taking classes in some of the trades that never considered working on laundry equipment.

I hope this helps out some folks, remember the fish are there but you have to know the best spot to drop your line!