Where would you look for equipment repairs?

[bjabass]

I was laid off of my job after 37 years recently. (It is a niche in the world that is disappearing, I was thinking of making a career of it.....)
I am an electronics tech, so I put an add on Craigslist for instrument and amplifier repair and have had a few jobs, all of which I have successfully repaired and gotten paid for. (I was nervous about it since I really have been doing computer applications stuff at my job for the last couple of decades. I guess it comes back to you). I would love to make this a big enough deal to replace my employment but I have no idea how to market it. I also don't know at what point I should get a business license and make it a legit business.

If you guys needed repairs, where would you look for a tech to do them? Any ideas how to promote this business?

[Lowactnsatsfctn]

I'd try to get in good with a local store as their repair guy. Less customers to deal with and if they can mark it up and profit, They will push the service.

A Business card on the menu at a Bar wouldn't hurt either. Think about the places that working musicians and hobbyist with money would be.

[Kmonk]

If any of my gear needed repairs I would look for authorized service centers on manufacturer websites. I do not trust anyone in any of my local stores to change strings, let alone make repairs.

[Phalex]

There's a place here that supplies back line for big shows as well as running PA for them. They also fix amps and mixers. My old sound guy was a rocket scientist (he really was an aerospace engineer) and he moonlighted there fixing bigass mixers.

I know a guy that seems to make pretty good living reconing speakers in his pole barn.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Sorry to hear You got laid off, but unfortunately such is life nowadays.

Originally Posted by bjabass

I also don't know at what point I should get a business license and make it a legit business.

The laws and legislation varies from place to place, but over here, immediately.

I'd imagine You won't be able to get an insurance otherwise, and repairing potentially lethal devices without an insurance is, well, not very wise if You ask me.

Originally Posted by bjabass

If you guys needed repairs, where would you look for a tech to do them? Any ideas how to promote this business?

I perform my own, but if I had to outsource, I'd go by the word of mouth.
Even if I'd find an advertisment anywhere for such service, I'd ignore it completely if I couldn't verify the quality of the work.

Because...

Originally Posted by Kmonk

If any of my gear needed repairs I would look for authorized service centers on manufacturer websites. I do not trust anyone in any of my local stores to change strings, let alone make repairs.

^This is excactly how I feel about it.

Small scale techs are a dead breed, been that way from the late 80's over here, and since the usual progression was for the apprentice to take over when the "master" retired, such a chain got broken way back then.

Building up the reputation takes years at best, decades at worst, and since the bad drum carries a lot farther than a good one, a few simple personal chemistry glitches between the tech and a reputable musician or shop can ruin the reputation forever.
Often without any real reason no less.

Not to mention that for the majority of the equipment needing the repairs, schematics are impossible to find.

And not to mention that a mere 2 hour shop fee may well exceed the resale value of the said piece of equipment.

I wish You the best of luck though.

Regards
Sam

[Bert Slide]

I have an old guy who's semi-retired and works out of his house who works on my old Ampegs and other various electronics. He was a repair guy for local music shops for several decades as well as radio/tv repair, computers, etc. Really interesting cat, like the Doc from Back to the Future. Going in his house is like an episode of hoarders, electronic gadgets and gizmos everywhere. His rates are very reasonable and he knows old amps inside and out because he was working on them when they were new. He's also a super nice guy. I'll take him over the "authorized service center" anytime.

[Bert Slide]

To answer the OP's question on promotion and I think it's a very viable idea for a home business depending of course on size of your market and what other businesses in the area are already in the game. Sure most electronics nowadays are disposable and not worth repairing but there are plenty of us who like old amps and stereo equipment and other throwbacks to the days of yore. Many small music stores farm out the repair work so try and hook up with them. Word of mouth is the best publicity and once you have a few local musicians bringing you their gear they will refer others to you if they like your work. CL, FB, musician's sites, etc. are useful tools if used right for the small businessman. I say go for it after you do the market research if you think there is enough potential in your community.

[mjac28]

I found most of my techs on CL it seems to be the go to place nowadays.