USA is parterning with Mega Group USA, Mr. Appliance, NEW and a local parts distributor in seven regional cities to bring technical and business management training to a city near you. We've taken the format of the successful national four-day ASTI program and condensed it into a comprehensive Friday and Saturday program. Each event will have up to four OEM training sessions, one business management session and include an  open roundtable discussion on current challenges.  Registrants will be able to attend all 6 sessions. Event registration is only $99 per person and includes 4 meals, course materials and a first year membership in USA. RSM's require a shorter time commitment and are easy to travel to. 

Click on the city nearest you for details and registration.

                                           Seattle, WA - October 7 & 8                

                                           St. Louis, MO - October 7 & 8

                                           Columbus, OH - October 21 & 22     

                                           Dallas. TX - October 21 & 22 

                                           Sacramento, CA - October 21 & 22      

                                           Albany, NY - November 4 & 5                   

                                           Atlanta, GA - November 4 & 5

    

Nick Capener, Vice President of Customer Service and Logistics for Fisher & Paykel Appliances, explained the company's new requirement in a letter to all Authorized Service Centers (ASC's) dated September 15, 2011. The letter explains that the decision is a result of increasing concerns from customers over security and the risks associated with in-home service. "Fisher & Paykel has an obligation to our customers that we use reasonable care in the referral of ASC's and their technicians to our customer's homes or place of business" the letter said.

PlusOne Solutions is the company that manages the background screening program for Fisher & Paykel. The letter to ASC's stated: "If you are already in compliance, we appreciate your participation".

United Servicers Association contacted Fisher & Paykel to get further clarification on this statement. Mark Phillips, National Service Manager of Fisher & Paykel, responded to our inquiry explaining that if an ASC has already completed the background screening process for another OEM or supplier that they would not require a second screening process.

He further stated that there would be no additional cost to the ASC if the company has previously completed background screening with PlusOne Solutions.

PLusOne Solutions manages similar programs for NEW, Whirlpool, Samsung and Assurant Solutions.

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Andy's Appliance Repair, Inc. in Lincoln, NE

As service companies, we interact with so many people on a daily basis that we really can make a difference. It was recently published that "The ranks of the Nation's poor have swelled to a record 46.2 million - nearly 1 in 6 - as the prolonged pain of the recession leaves millions still struggling and out of work." Read more.  

 

For two years, Andy's Appliance Repair, Inc. in Lincoln, NE has held several food drives for local charities. Last month's drive donated over 1500 pounds of food for a local mission. Tanner Andrews, president of Andy's, urges all service companies to run similar promotions. " Many of us are blessed with successful businesses and this is one way we can use that success to give back to those that need it most and at a time of year that can be very stressful." says Andrews. October is an important month for food banks as the holiday season is fast approaching in November and December. Many food banks are already running short and the holidays are an even heavier burden on them.

 

When customers call in for service at Andy's Appliance Repair Inc,. they're given the option to reduce their repair bill by $10.00 if they donate 3 cans of food to the local food bank and the technician will deliver the donation for them. Warranty customers are given discount coupons for future service calls with a similar donation during the warranty repair. "We promote this on the radio, Facebook and in emails to our customers. People are very receptive and often donate more than just the minimum of three cans", explains Mr. Andrews.

 

So hats off to Andy's Appliance Repair Inc. in Lincoln, Nebraska who demonstrates that it doesn't have to be that way. Service companies can make a difference.

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What to Do With Customers Who Won't Pay Their Bills 

By Donald F. Harris, Dependable Services   

     

So How Do You Deal With Customers That Won't Pay Their Bills?

 There has been a lot of discussion lately on one of the forums in the Appliance Service Industry on what to do about customers that refuse to pay for services rendered, especially if the customer does not want the product repaired after a service call and diagnosis has been made. The comments received range from doing nothing at all due to the low dollar amount involved to calling in "Uncle Louie" with a baseball bat!

It's Just Part of Doing Business  

First off, you have to realize that if you are in business, you will have customers that won't pay for your products or services. It is going to happen and you must be prepared for it and not get all bent out of shape when it does happen. That's why you'll see on all financial reports a category entitled " Bad Debt," "Write Offs," "Reserve For Bad Debt," or something to that effect. It will happen. Your best defense is to just know that at various times during the year it will happen and you have to have some type of plan in place as to how you are going to handle it when it does happen.

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Dinnertime is more than sitting down for a quiet meal with your family. Once the cooking and dining is finished, you still have to pre-rinse, load, wash and sometimes rewash your dishes. Why not make your dishwasher work for you and give yourself a relationship with your family, not your dishwasher?

 

"Most people make dishwashing into a much larger job than it should be," said Doug Rogers, President of Mr. Appliance® Corp. "The dishwasher should make your life easier, if you use it correctly."

 

Follow these easy tips from Mr. Appliance to keep that sparkle in your dishes:  

• Eliminate a step from your cleaning process- no more pre-rinse! Dishwasher detergent is dependent on food particles to do its job. By having no food to attack, it usually moves to glassware, leaving your dishes cloudy with permanent etching damage. 

 

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