Interview With A TV Repairer- Modeling Success!

The fastest way to learn anything, use the experiences of others-taking the good and making it your own while leaving their mistakes behind. The following TV repairer very graciously gave us his time and input to help guide you down the path to success in TV repairing.

Learn from him!

Study what he did!

Avoid the mistakes he made!

Take his success tips and secrets to heart because he already passed where you stand right now.

ElectronicRepairGuide (ERG) - How long have you been in the TV repair business?

Eric- About 7 to 8 years.

ERG- What is your education background?

Eric- I had completed a TV repair course and only done half way in Diploma in Electrical & Electronic Engineering before coming out to search for a job.

ERG- Does the courses help you in TV repair?

Eric- Yes, definetely- It helps me to understand about basic electronic components and how to troubleshoot and repair TV fast.

ERG- Why do you choose TV repair compares to others field?

Eric- I love electronics since my childhood days-it is the passion that made me to select this field.

ERG- How much experienced you had before starting your own TV repair shop?

Eric- I had worked in a TV repair shop for almost 2 years before I decided to set up my own shop.

ERG- How many staff currently working for you?

Eric- Only two and plan to hire more staff soon.

ERG- Which testing equipment you liked most in TV repair?

Eric- Dick Smith Flyback Tester.

ERG- How many sets of TV you received daily for repair? Do you repair other types of electronic equipment besides TV?

Eric- Average about 5-7 sets daily mixed of TV, Audio equipment, computer CPU, power supply,  Monitor, VCD and DVD.

ERG- What type of TV size you received the most for repair?

Eric- Mostly 29” TV, 21” getting lesser and 14” almost none!

ERG- What about 34” TV?

Eric- Not many and if have, I would not want to carry the TV to my second floor office-it’s big and very heavy. I would usually remove the circuit board from my customer’s place for repair.

ERG- Have any Plasma and LCD TV came across your repair bench yet?

Eric- Both Plasma and LCD TV send for repair is very rare most probably the sets are still new, expensive and have extended warranty.

ERG- Do you meet regularly with other TV repairers to discuss about TV problems and solutions?

Eric- Those days yes but lately I’ve been very busy and only talk through the phone. Normally I would ask for solution for a particular brand which my TV repair friends are familiar with. Sometimes customers want the set back fast and the fastest solution is to call up my repair friends. With this way, I saved lots of time. My TV repair friends also do call me for answers if they face problems in TV repair.

ERG- What are the biggest problems you are facing in the TV repair business?

Eric- Too many new TV model approaching the market, expensive TV spares parts, SMD designed in many parts of the TV circuit which is very tough to repair, difficult to find or hire a good and  dedicated staff.

ERG- Have you come across any TV that you can’t repair? And how do you solve it?

Eric- Yes, of course and if I can’t repair the TV after spending some time on it, I would send to my repair friends who is specialize and working for  a particular manufacturer. Let’s take this as scenario, assuming if I could not repair a Panasonic brand of TV, I would send it to my friends who are working in Panasonic. They worked at night after their working hours and you would be surprised that they can solve the problems in the shortest time. This is the advantage of making friends with other TV repairers.

ERG- How do you promote your TV repair business?

Eric- Through leaflet and TV dealers

ERG- And what is your most successful mean of marketing?

Eric- Nicely designed leaflet with membership card. Those who have the card can enjoy first time free service.

ERG- Do you have any tips for anyone who wants or plan to set up their own TV repair shop?

Eric- Must work at least 2 to 3 years to gain experience from a TV repair company first. These days TV is more complicated to repair thus you must have ready skills before setting up your own business. You also should have a senior technician or engineer to support you just in case you face some problems in TV repair. Lastly, set up your business in small scale first-for example at home, if the business is growing and beyond what you can cope with then only you look for a shop and hire technicians.

ERG-What advice would you give to a new TV repair technicians to improve their repair skills?

Eric- Surf the internet for electronic repair information, learn how to read schematics diagram, must do their own research and development (try new methods to solve electronic circuit faults), share repair ideas with other fellow technicians (colleagues).

ERG- What advice would you give to an experienced or professional TV repairers?

Eric- Continue to learn new troubleshooting methods, find contacts with other TV repairers (who knows one day you would need their help) and diversify your business. Don’t rely only on TV repair; be preparing to look for other opportunities. I had diversified into PLC board repair, internet registration, selling and repair computers (CPU) and electronic related accessories. One also must get their staff (if you have) to write reports. You could learn from the reports such as problems and solutions and order in advance the spare parts that are frequently in used.

ERG- Did you make mistakes that others could learn from?

Eric- One must be capable to manage their accounts (no proper accounting management can get you into troubles), keep some important spare parts (don’t waste unnecessary precious time going to your electronic parts distributor few times a day) and invest on new tools or equipment. With new testing equipment it will surely speed up your repair work!

ERG- What is your future plan for your TV repair business?

Eric- Put more afford on marketing side to get more business, increase man power, diversify into more areas and spend more time to learn about management.

ERG- Thank Eric!

Eric- It has been my pleasure!

Mr Eric can be contacted at eson(at)time.net.my

Eson Electronic & Computer Services

2-2, 2nd Floor, Jalan Cempaka SD 12/2,

Bandar Sri Damansara, 52200,

Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia.

TEL:03-62802196

PS. If you are a electronic repairer (business owner or working for someone) would like me to interview you, just drop me an email and i'll arrange it from there. Thanks.