Posted by caryn keller on 1/22/07 12:43pm
Msg #172042

printer repair man-learn from my mistake.

My printer recently quit working. So I decided to look into having it repaired. I called the mobile repair man that I found in the yellow pages. He says for $89.00 "I will come out, repair the printer, clean the printer and supply all parts". I thought this sounded good so I had him come out. He pulls out a flash light, fiddles around with his fingers and tells me there is nothing he can do, the motor is fried! So I paid him $89.00 and he left. Learn from my mistake! Ask them what the charge is if the printer cannot be fixed? And what is the probability the printer will not be able to be repaired? When he asked for full pay and I questioned him, he said that was the fee for the service call! P.S. the guy operates out of Benicia, California.

Reply by BrendaTx on 1/22/07 12:55pm
Msg #172044

Caryn, I understand your frustration, however I think the obvious lesson is that *we* should learn from the mobile repair man. He came to your house prepared to get the job done. The printer couldn't be repaired. Not his fault.

We go to the bwrs house and they decide they don't want to sign. Not our fault, but we went there to get the job done.

*****But!*****

On the other hand...what a racket Mr. Fix It has if he promises to supply all parts, labor, etc for $89 and he *never* thinks they can be fixed. Man...any of us could be Mr. Fix It. Go in, take a look, shake your head, collect $89 and leave.

I think it is foolish to promise all that for $89.

Reply by Ndwa on 1/22/07 1:16pm
Msg #172050

New drum and/or a fuser unit for $89 was steal deal is what I'm thinking, not.

Reply by PL on 1/22/07 1:08pm
Msg #172048

Most electronics are disposable

and are not financially feasible to repair. There are exceptions like those high priced tv's and audio components, but printers are use them and we they go meet their maker, you replace not repair. I have bought very good printers for less then what you paid Mr. fixit and if I were you I'd let his business card go into the trash. As for your underlying issue of him getting paid for doing nothing, you contracted with him and knew upfront what the costs were. The folks we go see for the most part do not contract with us, therefore; their financial responsibilty is not to us, but to their lender/title company.

Reply by caryn keller on 1/22/07 1:22pm
Msg #172051

Re: Most electronics are disposable

You are absolutely right. I do not know much about electronics ( I am learning) I wish he would have mentioned the possibilty that maybe he could not fix it when he came out. I would have re-thought the decision to have him come out. He made it sound like a slam dunk.

Reply by bhatla1971 on 1/22/07 2:00pm
Msg #172054

Well - it is cheaper to buy new printers than to get it repaired. I bought 3 new printers during Thanksgiving sales - so that I do not have to call a repair man anytime.
You can also get good deals on www.deals2buy.com.
This siite is updated daily and gives one of the best prices

Reply by Margaret_FL on 1/22/07 5:05pm
Msg #172080

I have a mobile office with laser all-in-one in the front seat of my car. I was cleaning my car out this Sunday and accidently pushed the printer out the front seat and it fell into the street. The fall broke the scanner glass. It still prints but will not copy or scan. I was so upset but I have 5 printers and can do two signings and replace it in a day.

Reply by ZeeCA on 1/22/07 7:29pm
Msg #172095

Re: I learned the hard way to belt it in and to

use bungee if nec also

annoying when we do something like that eh?

Reply by David Kral on 1/22/07 7:58pm
Msg #172101

Brother 2070N

You can often pick one up for less than $89.00 after rebate when they are on sale at least once a quarter at the major office supply chains. Since they rotate the sale it is more than once a quarter. A better investment than the repair since you have a certain outcome it works at no additional expense an is warrantied for one year. Often free shipping since it is over $50.00.

Reply by ZeeCA on 1/22/07 8:19pm
Msg #172106

also cheaper as you can donate old printer to the groups tha

t want them for parts and get a tax deduction also!

Reply by John_NorCal on 1/22/07 8:31pm
Msg #172112

Re: also cheaper as you can donate old printer to the groups tha

***t want them for parts and get a tax deduction also!***

Be careful of your charitable deductions. IRS is looking at these type of deductions, they want to know how you come with any value that you place on the item donated.