|
|
|
|
|
| The e-Servicer |
Monthly communication from United Servicers Association |
|
|
|
Greetings!
Althou gh we tend to think of St. Patrick 's Day as an excuse to drink green beer, eat green bagels, wear green, and have parades, St. Patrick's Day has been celebrated by the Irish for over 1,000 years. It is the celebration of the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick. Now, St. Patrick himself was not Irish. He was born in Roman-occupied Britain to a wealthy family of churchmen. He was kidnapped by Irish raiders as a boy. In a dream he was told by God to escape and make his way back to England where he commenced study for the priesthood.
We hope you found the luck of the Irish and that March was your lucky month.
Sincerely,
e-Servicer Newsletter Team
United Servicers Association |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The 2011 Appliance Service Training Institute a Big Hit!
Over 400 service professionals gathered in San Diego last month.
United Servicers Association (USA) held their annual convention, the Appliance Service Training Institute (ASTI),  February 8-12 at the Town & Country Resort in San Diego, CA. The ASTI is the industry's premier appliance service management and technical training event attended by independent appliance service companies and their trade partners. The five-day event attracted over 400 industry professionals. The convention offered 30 business classes, 50 technical appliance classes, a trade show, appliance certification exams and networking opportunities.
The excitement and energy surrounding the education and social events created a unique environment to build stronger business relationships and acquire the skills and training needed today and in the future. Planning has begun on the 2012 ASTI to be held in San Antonio, Texas. Monitor the ASTI.us web site for details as they become available.
David Valesquez, National Service Manager of NEW, announced at the ASTI that his company will offer financial support of regional training in 2011. "NEW's commitment will give a real boost to the USA RSM (Regional Service Meeting) program in 2011", said USA president Tanner Andrews, owner of Andy's Appliance Repair. "The ASTI is the major component of the USA mission to make training available to the independent service provider," continued Andrews "and the increased attendance and outpouring of industry support is a key indicator of the event's success".
Every segment of the appliance industry was represented including Service Company CEO's, technicians, manufacturers and parts distributors. The importance of this convention to the industry was evident by the strong sponsorship support from Mr. Appliance, Mega Group, Lowe's , BOSCH, Nationwide Marketing Group, A&E Factory Service, 1st Source Servall, Sub-Zero/Wolf, Whirlpool, Electrolux, BrandSource Service, Trible's, NARDA, NEW, Virtual Fleet Supervisor, Certified Service Center, Reliable Parts, Rossware and Service Company Solutions. |
|
USA Calls for Standards in Background Checks
By Dean landers
This is the latest major issue to hit the independent service professional. Everyone I have spoken to has an opinion and is more than a little anxious about the issue. At our recent ASTI convention ,the topic was discussed at some length during the industry roundtable session.
Everyone understands the need because most manufacturers are self insured and therefore are trying to stem the tide of lawsuits, especially those involving their authorized service network potentially hiring convicted felons to service their appliances under warranty.
|
|
How Washington Ruined Your Washing Machine
By Sam Kazman - The Wall Street Journal
 It might not have been the most stylish, but for decades the top-loading laundry machine was the most affordable and dependable. Now it's ruined-and Americans have politics to thank.
In 1996, top-loaders were pretty much the only type of washer around, and they were uniformly high quality. When Consumer Reports tested 18 models, 13 were "excellent" and five were "very good." By 2007, though, not one was excellent and seven out of 21 were "fair" or "poor." This month came the death knell: Consumer Reports simply dismissed all conventional top-loaders as "often mediocre or worse."
How's that for progress?
The culprit is the federal government's obsession with energy efficiency. Efficiency standards for washing machines aren't as well-known as those for light bulbs, which will effectively prohibit 100-watt incandescent bulbs next year. Nor are they the butt of jokes as low-flow toilets are. But in their quiet destruction of a highly affordable, perfectly satisfactory appliance, washer standards demonstrate the harmfulness of the ever-growing body of efficiency mandates.
The federal government first issued energy standards for washers in the early 1990s. When the Department of Energy ratcheted them up a decade later, it was the beginning of the end for top-loaders. Their costlier and harder-to-use rivals-front-loading washing machines-were poised to dominate.
|
|
10 Cheap, Unique & Homemade Spring Cleaning Tips
By Lilyan Baker, Mr. Appliance
 You don't even need to leave the house for supplies with these inexpensive spring cleaning tips. Just open your cabinet, make these homemade creations and clean beyond your countertops and cupboards.
Add these suggestions to your spring cleaning to-do list to eliminate odors, remove stains and get rid of food buildup in the kitchen.
"Don't neglect your kitchen appliances during spring cleaning," said Doug Rogers, president of Mr. Appliance Corp. "Your appliances never get a day off. They take the most abuse, yet probably get the least attention. Keep them clean to help them last longer and run more efficiently."
|
|
|
|
The 2011
Dave Ashton Lifetime
Achievement Award
Ron and Arlene Riddle, Riddle Appliance in California, were the first recipients of the prestigious Dave Ashton Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was created in honor of USA's late founding Executive Director, Dave Ashton.
Ron and Arlene were recognized for their contributions to the appliance repair industry beginning with NASD and continuing with the United Servicers Association and the Appliance Service Training Institute.
Dean Landers, USA Past President, presented the award to Ron and Arlene Riddle during the ASTI Awards Banquet in San Diego.
.
|
|
 |
|
ASTI 2012
FEB 15 -18, 2012
San Antonio, TX
Save the Date!
Details soon on
|
|
|
|
 Mr. Appliance
Platinum Sponsor of
ASTI 2012
March 18, 2011 - Lance Kimball, President of the United Servicers Association announced that the platinum sponsor for the 2012 National Convention the "Appliance Service Training Institute" (ASTI) will once again be Mr. Appliance®, North America's leading appliance repair franchise system. "We are delighted to have the continued support of Mr. Appliance, for the third consecutive year. Their sponsorship of the ASTI conference clearly indicates the value of the conference and their commitment to a robust service industry," explains Kimball.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Many Corporations Oppose Corporate Tax Cuts
A blog post by Ernie Goss Saturday March 12
Despite a corporate tax rate of 35 percent, U.S. corporations paid an average tax rate of only 26.5 percent the year before the recession. But even this statistic overstates the U.S. corporate tax burden for many. For example, the Wall Street Journal recently reported that Whirlpool Corporation paid no federal income taxes on its $18 billion in sales and $619 million in earnings for 2010.
 They accomplished this feat by taking advantage of production tax credits ranging from $75 per dishwasher to $200 per refrigerator. Thus, Whirlpool was able to stockpile more than $500 billion in tax credits for making "energy efficient" appliances. Not only did Whirlpool pay no taxes last year, they will carry unused tax credits forward so that they will pay no taxes until many of the overly generous politicians have "left the scene of the crime."
|
|
Were you at the 2011 ASTI in
San Diego?
 | | ASTI2011 Photo Album |
Click the flickr link below to view and download your event picture
|
|
Jennifer's Warranty Tips
Tip #12 GE Claim Rejections
Do you check your GE claim rejections on ServicePower a day or two after you have filed them?
Do you pay attention to the Service Power status report that is emailed to you each night?
If you don't check your claims or repor ts, you might be missing a common rejection that General Electric enforces; and you only have 60 days to correct your rejected claims.
|
|
|
|
Online Version of the Blue Book Available
Order your subscription at unitedservicers.com
The industry leading flat rate job guide "The Blue Book" is now available in an electronic online version.The new online Blue Book gives you the ultimate in customization. You will be able to adjust every aspect of pricing from the service charge to job rate based on your market and cost of doing business. Built into the online Blue Book is the Technician Presentation Tool. This new powerful addition has many features and great functionality, and is included in the subscription price of the online Blue Book. More information on the Technician Presentation Tool is available here.
You can still order the traditional technician pocket version of the printed Blue Book from USA
 | | Order the Updated Version Today |
|
|
|
|
|
About USA
USA's mission is to develop and provide services and programs intended to assist members in building strong businesses in North America's competitive environment.
Among these services are:
- Educational Programs
- Manufacturer Relations
- Management, Marketing and Operational Programs
- Peer Group Formation & Facilitation
|
|
|
|
Contact Us
United Servicers Association
One Presidential Way
Woburn, MA 01801
1-800-683-2558
VISIT OUR WEB SITE www.unitedservicers.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
