United Servicers Association
e-Servicer Newsletter

Greetings!

Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you've always wanted to do but couldn't find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you don't think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more. You'll look ten years younger. Don't be afraid to say, 'I love you'. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world. By Ann Landers.

Sincerely yours,
The USA Team

Service Desk Purchases
LogiSERV

Rossware Computing, a leading provider of software in the appliance service industry, has agreed in principle to purchase Creative Logics Corporation, its next nearest competitor.

Formerly fierce rivals, the two companies have long made software systems based in Windows, and designed to manage the gamut of service operations, ranging from call-taking and call-management to scheduling, dispatch, job management, inventory control, claims submission, point of sale operations and handling of accounts receivable.

Jack Williams, CPA and management consultant working in Chicago, founded Creative Logics Corporation in 1993. His eventual business co-owner, Mike Staats (ASN's own "Captain Toolhead"), entered the picture soon after as an early purchaser of LogiSERV, the company's software. Mike helped pioneer some of the system's early developments via use in his own service business, based in Central Illinois. In 2001 Mike bought into the company, and helped spearhead stepped-up marketing, via which the company achieved a base of nearly 500 users.
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Dale Irvin's New Year's Funnies

The new year dawns with increased Dale2 airport security, guns in NBA locker rooms, terrible mid-season TV, and if that isn't bad enough, it is pretty cold around here. Much of the country is undergoing frigid weather and in Chicago it is currently 9 degrees Fahrenheit...which is even colder in Celsius. So I would like to invite Al Gore to come and visit me and tell me how warm our globe is getting. I would also like to invite President Obama to visit Illinois - his other "home state" - in the winter instead of going to his new "home state", Hawaii. Hawaii may be warm, but we have 21 electoral votes, if you get my drift. And speaking of drifting, as the snow drifts across my driveway, allow me to drift into this week's top stories.

Read Dale's weekly funnies www.daleirvin.com

"Appliance Service Training Institute"

Wondering how to make this year better than last?

Attend the ASTI and learn how to improve your service business. The ASTI Agenda includes

Breakfasts, lunches, reception, awards banquet & hospitality

25 Business management classes

47 OEM technical training sessions

Free Certification classes and testing on-site during the ASTI A $139.00 savings

There is still time to register and attend

To register for the ASTI click here

Parts Service Now FREE

MyPartsHelp.com is now being offered FREE to the industry! There will be no charge for the product, so you can continue to have the benefits of parts availability on hard to find or NLA parts and it will be FREE. They're also going to be adding The Original Bluebook Job Rate Pricing to MyPartsHelp. Having this type of Job Rate Pricing (available for a fee) at your fingertips will be a great resource for you and your company.

New Blue Book

Service Company Solutions, LLC has recently taken over publishing the Appliance Blue Book and today we are pleased to announce the new printed version is ready for purchase. This new version is 300 pages, combines all standard and premium headings in one book and is still in its convenient pocket size. This book is powered by MyPartsHelp to keep the pricing up to date. Log in to your account today at www.mypartshelp.com and select the Products tab to order your books (prices are listed including discounts for multiple book purchases).

Marcone Parts Acquires
AP Wagner Parts

Marcone

Marcone is known as the #1 product support company in the country with world class service provided through locations nationwide.

Marcone was established in St. Louis, Missouri in 1932 during the Great Depression. The company founder, Harry Markow (1890-1975), began the business as a door-to-door salesman for rebuilt vacuum cleaners.

He proudly named his company Marcone Sweeper Company, and set up shop at 711 N. 6th Street. As time went on, the company began to sell rebuilt vacuum cleaners to other merchants, and then, during World War II, sold repair parts for washing machines. In 1946, Harry's son, Norman (Bud) Markow joined the firm. Together Harry and Bud expanded the business to sell more and more washer and dryer parts. By 1960 the company was in full expansion, selling name brand appliance parts for all major appliances. In order to correctly identify the nature of the business, the company name changed to Marcone Appliance Parts Center.

AP WAg

AP Wagner is North America's largest multi-national distributor of Appliance Parts and Accessories.
With locations in both the US and Canada, AP Wagner has over 200,000 square feet of combined warehousing space.

AP Wagner was formed in 1995 through the merger of two regional appliance parts distributors; Pennsylvania based Wagner Appliance Parts and New York's Appliance Parts Distributors. Each company had its own individual strengths, but both felt a merger would allow both companies to achieve their mutual goal of providing unparalleled customer service in the appliance industry. AP Wagner entered the Canadian market in February 1996 with the purchase of Crawford Appliance Parts, located in Mississauga and Brampton, Ontario. AP Wagner continues to grow in the US and Canada. Today, AP Wagner is a dedicated leader in appliance parts/industrial supply distribution and services a growing network of customers throughout the nation. The vast history of the company provides a great deal of insight into the forces behind the success of AP Wagner.

USA Membership Renewal Drive

To renew your USA membership just follow this link to the USA web site or click here to go directly to our secure on-line renewal site and login with your personal username and password.

If you need assistance or wish to speak to someone in person about your membership renewal please call us at 1-800-683-2558.

Why should you renew? As a member you and your business benefit from business management and technical training programs, government lobbying, building stronger relationships with manufacturers and networking, which all contribute to a better bottom-line for your business.

Renew now and take a moment to learn more about the 2010 Appliance Service Training Institute (ASTI) which will be held jointly with USA and PSA at Walt Disney World in Buena Vista, Florida from February 17-20. This information is available at: www.asti.us.

Season's Greetings,

Dean Landers

President

United Servicers Association

Do I really need a technician?

By Wesley Mac Donald
Customer Service Rep of Factory Appliance Wes

It's easy to take household appliances for granted. They make life simpler by cooking and preserving food, cleaning laundry and dishes, and handling otherwise time consuming tasks

But when an appliance fails, the effects are stressful. Food spoils or can't be prepared and laundry piles up. It can be hard to find time to schedule a service appointment. One of the most common questions asked to customer service reps is "do I really need a technician?" The truth is sometimes you don't. Here are some tips to help avoid appliance emergencies, and improve the lifespan of your machines.

Plug it in.

If it won't start, check the power. If the fridge isn't cooling and the light bulb won't turn on - power supply is the likely culprit. The same goes for any appliance. Check to make sure the plug is in a working receptacle, the breaker is on, and the proper voltage is being delivered to the unit.

Leaks are usually caused by loose connections. Make sure that all your fill and drain hoses are securely attached. If your dishwasher or washer is leaking around the door, make sure nothing obstructs the seal. Any weakness in the seal may cause leakage.

Unplug it.

Most appliances rely on freely flowing air or water to function.

If your dryer is taking too long to dry clothes, check the venting. Make sure the tube behind your dryer is not kinked, and the outdoor vent is unblocked.

Your dishwasher likely has a filter that prevents waste from entering your plumbing. If your dishes aren't cleaning, build-up in this area could be restricting water flow. Always make sure that none of your dishes interrupt the path of the spray arm.

Any residue build-up should be cleaned regularly. Soap compartments should be rinsed, lint traps cleared after every load, and if dust is starting to build-up on your refrigerator's condenser system vacuum it. Dust can cause unnecessary pressure that will shorten the lifespan of the cooling system.

Your refrigerator usually has cold air supplied through the freezer. If your fridge section doesn't cool evenly, make sure the area around the fan is not over-stuffed.

Lastly, if computerized controls seem to be locked or frozen, unplug the unit from its power supply for 10-15 minutes, allow it to reset, and plug it in again. If the problem persists, call for service.

Do Your Homework.

If you recently purchased a new machine, it is important to read the use and care guide thoroughly. It will outline proper guidelines for installation and maintenance, as well as the warranty coverage. It is also important to realize that new appliances won't always sound or function the same as your old appliances.

For Many Entrepreneurs, Running the Show is Stressful

By COLLEEN DEBAISE

Running a business isn't easy. Work-related pressure can lead to a host of stress-induced problems: headaches, sleepless nights, irritability, weight gain and lost productivity, among others.

Business owners often cite the following as their most common sources of stress:

� Excessive workloads

� Concerns about making enough money

� Fears (when employees are involved) about making payroll

� Underperforming when it comes to meeting customers' expectations

� Feeling increased pressure to succeed when many things (such as personal savings, a corporate career and time away from family) have been sacrificed

The statistics on survival only underscore the stress placed on small business owners. About one-third of new businesses don't make it past two years, and almost 60 percent fold within four years, according to the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy. Causes of failure range from lack of capital to inexperience.

Too many business owners make the mistake of working in the business and not on it.
Attend the ASTI next month and work ON your business.
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Issue: 8
January 2010

In This Issue

Service Desk Purchases Logiserv

New Year's Funnies

How to Make This Year Better

MyPartsHelp.com Now Free

Marcone Acquires AP Wagner

USA Renewal Membership Drive

Do I really Need a Technician?

Working ON Not IN Your Business

Walt Disney Discounted Tickets