Friday, November 28, 2008
Should you fix it yourself?
We have no problem with those folks who want to fix their own television or appliance. Frankly, there's nothing we could do about it if we did, but we really admire your interest and your independence. We're the exact same sort of person.
We will occasionally even have a customer call us for a service call, get our diagnosis, then tell us no thanks. They will then find and order the parts themselves, and install the parts.
Hey, if this works out, more power to you, I say. You've got that pioneer, do it yourself spirit that makes America great.
However, be sure to consider the following:
If you do the repair yourself, you are the only person you can turn to for warranties on your own repair. Think about that for a minute.
If Service Care diagnoses the problems in your unit, and we order the parts and put them in, and it turns out we were wrong and it needs different parts... what happens? We take the parts we put in, find out what parts WERE needed, and fix the problem. It's that simple. All the responsibility is on us, not you. If the parts cannot be returned, we eat the costs, because we were wrong and that's the right thing to do.
Another scenario: If Service Care is putting an electronic control board in your unit, and we short it out during installation and have to replace it, who pays for the damaged part? That's right, WE do. All the responsibility is on Service Care. Frankly, that's part of what you're paying for when you have service. You're also getting Alabama's best warranty on services performed.
However, when you do the repair yourself, it's all on you, even if we did the diagnosis. That's right, if we tell you it needs a water pump or AV board, and you put it in yourself and it does not fix it, then your only warranty is with you. Why? Because we did not install those parts. We cannot warranty someone else's repair.
Most people understand that already, but some people believe that if we diagnose the repair, and the customer does the repair themselves, that we warranty the success of the customer's repair. Unfortunately, we cannot warranty any repairs but our own.
Honestly, I know that it's tempting to think you can avoid paying labor for a repair that you imagine is quite simple, but if you're going to do the repair, be prepared to accept the following:
It's also quite possible that we'll post some DIY stuff here on the blog, especially for simple problems that are easily corrected by the consumer.
We will occasionally even have a customer call us for a service call, get our diagnosis, then tell us no thanks. They will then find and order the parts themselves, and install the parts.
Hey, if this works out, more power to you, I say. You've got that pioneer, do it yourself spirit that makes America great.
However, be sure to consider the following:
If you do the repair yourself, you are the only person you can turn to for warranties on your own repair. Think about that for a minute.
If Service Care diagnoses the problems in your unit, and we order the parts and put them in, and it turns out we were wrong and it needs different parts... what happens? We take the parts we put in, find out what parts WERE needed, and fix the problem. It's that simple. All the responsibility is on us, not you. If the parts cannot be returned, we eat the costs, because we were wrong and that's the right thing to do.
Another scenario: If Service Care is putting an electronic control board in your unit, and we short it out during installation and have to replace it, who pays for the damaged part? That's right, WE do. All the responsibility is on Service Care. Frankly, that's part of what you're paying for when you have service. You're also getting Alabama's best warranty on services performed.
However, when you do the repair yourself, it's all on you, even if we did the diagnosis. That's right, if we tell you it needs a water pump or AV board, and you put it in yourself and it does not fix it, then your only warranty is with you. Why? Because we did not install those parts. We cannot warranty someone else's repair.
Most people understand that already, but some people believe that if we diagnose the repair, and the customer does the repair themselves, that we warranty the success of the customer's repair. Unfortunately, we cannot warranty any repairs but our own.
Honestly, I know that it's tempting to think you can avoid paying labor for a repair that you imagine is quite simple, but if you're going to do the repair, be prepared to accept the following:
- If you short out or damage a part during installation, it cannot be returned for credit. Parts companies are diligent (we should know) about refusing parts returns if there is any evidence that they've been used, installed, or damaged. Seriously, they look for little scratches on tabs and such.
- If you order the wrong part, it might not be returnable. We have some leeway with parts distributors on returning incorrect parts because we're a large account. You may be able to return them, but you'll face shipping costs and restocking fees that we might not otherwise be saddled with.
- If you successfully repair the unit, congratulations. But the only warranty you have on that repair is your own. If it fails next week because the part you replaced is being zapped by another part somewhere else, you'll have to repair it again at your expense.
It's also quite possible that we'll post some DIY stuff here on the blog, especially for simple problems that are easily corrected by the consumer.
Labels: Alabama, appliances, diy, parts, repairs, televisions, warranty
Friday, November 21, 2008
Kitchenaid Professional Mixer Accessories and Parts
Recently had a customer ask if we carried a mixing attachment for the Kitchenaid Pro Mixer. Unfortunately, we do not (nor do we do service on them). We referred them to the Williams Sonoma store in the Summit shopping center (211 Summit Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35243, 205-970-4101).
Honestly, I don't know if Williams Sonoma carries these replacement parts, as the website did not list any, so I did a little research for you Kitchen Mixer folks and found this page on Kitchenaid's website:
Kitchenaid Fine Stand Mixer Accessories
They've really got a lot of accessories for these mixers:
I found several for pasta (mmmm, ravioli), an ice cream maker, shredder, slicer, food grinder, etc. They've got dough hooks, beaters and mixer whips.
Of course, you can always try Williams Sonoma locally, and tell them Service Care sent you.
Service Care does repair Kitchenaid household major appliances like refrigerators, washers, dryers, etc.
Honestly, I don't know if Williams Sonoma carries these replacement parts, as the website did not list any, so I did a little research for you Kitchen Mixer folks and found this page on Kitchenaid's website:
Kitchenaid Fine Stand Mixer Accessories
They've really got a lot of accessories for these mixers:
I found several for pasta (mmmm, ravioli), an ice cream maker, shredder, slicer, food grinder, etc. They've got dough hooks, beaters and mixer whips.
Of course, you can always try Williams Sonoma locally, and tell them Service Care sent you.
Service Care does repair Kitchenaid household major appliances like refrigerators, washers, dryers, etc.
Labels: appliances, dryers, Kitchenaid, mixers, parts, refrigerators, washers
