I think times are changing and the business is changing and there will
continue to be a shakeout in the service industry that affects the small,
one man shops mostly. It is tougher to make a profit but as more shops
leave the market, those who are shifting with the times and recognizing
where the profits are will continue to be overwhelmed with work. The big
problem for most shops that I talk to who remain is finding good techs who
can solve problems and are able to keep up with the technology. A lot of
"old school" techs who lament the "good old days" are not effective and very
few people are being trained into the field.

I have all the work that I can handle and am having to train a young tech
with basic electronics education how to understand all the current
technology and how to make good judgements about how to proceed (or not)
with repairs. The art of deciding where to put your time is as important as
technical ability these days.

I spend at least an hour of my day doing research and not "on the bench".
Being skilled in finding the right info is another important factor to stay
in business today. The field of TV service is so varied and the sources of
information so varied that one has to be able to negotiate the internet and
various software systems as well as a schematic.

The business requires adaptation and constant changes of pace and priority.
The fit will survive and thrive. The ones who bitch and moan about the way
it used to be will be history. It is a business and the gravy is hard to
find, for sure. But you can make a living at it if you are good. I have no
doubt that I could go to any decent sized market and have a job right away
because I know how to repair profitably. But then, so could a good
blacksmith who understood the market, I suppose.

Leonard Caillouet

"Jim" wrote in message
...
As we all know consumer technology is in a state of flux.

What will it take to continue to earn a living in the consumer
electronic service world?

Can independent service companies stay current with the technology?
Since most manufacturers are treating their equipment as trade
secrets, not supplying support to independents and barely supporting
their warranty service companies. How can this industry survive?

Samsung is offering $125 labor for in home service on plasmas. NEC,
InFocus and others refuse to supply literature or parts to anyone
other than an very small list of selected servicers. The argument is
that they are protecting their customers from shoddy service. The
implication is we are all to stupid or under-trained to understand or
service their equipment. Isn't this restraint of trade?

As long as the equipment can be serviced to the component level I
contend that it is unreasonable and criminal for the manufacturers to
insist on thousands of dollars for replacement boards.

Manufacturers are DUMPING highly complex equipment on the American
market at or below cost. Are the manufacturers attempting to train the
population to expect unreasonably cheap products? To what end?

When there are no longer qualified servicers will the prices climb
back to reasonable levels?

The manufacturers have attempted to control the consumer service
industry since the beginning. At first they catered to us. Bought us
lunch and introduced us to the latest technologies. They treated us as
an integral part of their support chain. Now they treat us as a thing
to be shunned. We are a impediment to their sales.

What do you think?