Filters, Bags and Cleaners...Oh my!

(Flickr user Ruud Hein/CC)

Have you ever heard of a tickler file? A tickler file is an old time sales tool. It is often a little more like a list and you are not tickling cause laughter, you are tickling to bring on sales.A tickler file is a list of prior customers that may have needs for your product or service again. How can that be useful for an appliance repair company? Accessories.

When an appliance is repaired, if all that is done is the repair, it is likely that you will not be hearing from that customer until something else breaks and they call you. For those clients, a tickler file is of little help.

What if you also sold them a water filter, or some cleaners,or compacter bags, or fresh drip trays for their range? These items can be harder for the consumer to find. Some servicers carry a "display briefcase" of accessories that they open while doing a repair, curiosity from the consumers opens the door for that repair person to make an extra sale.

If a  service company also sells appliance accessories this is where a tickler file can be useful. Keep a record of customers who purchase water filters, compacter bags and/or appliance cleaning products. After an appropriate period of time, reach out to those customers to offer to replace their supply.

There are a lot of ways you can contact the customer. Email or a direct mail postcard can do the job, or if you have more time to spend a call can work. Don't make your contact the next week, but try to time things so your contact will reach them at the same time that the product will be used up and in need of replacement. This can also be a great time to follow up with the client on the repair if the products were purchased when a repair was done on their appliance.

One last thing, don't overdo it. There can be a fine line between annoying pest and helpful guest. You want to be helpful. If done right, using a tickler file can be helpful to your bottom line and you will be providing your customer with a service of saving them a hunt to find those replacement products. Naturally, if your own supply is lacking in accesories, give W.L. May a call and we can help get you set up.

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Throwback Thursday: News Recap May 1, 2014

If you have been reading the W.L. May Blog but haven't checked us out on Facebook, Twitter or Google+, you may not be getting the whole story. We use all of those social media outlets to share news stories that relate to our industry as well as appliance tips we have found from other sources. Here is a recap of some of the top stories we have seen lately. A lot has been happening so without further ado:

We start with some consumer friendly articles we feel would be great for sharing:

• Ecosalon check in with their top 4 "natural" dishwasher detergents. LINK
• CBS8 has some tips for freshening up your laundry room. LINK
• A letter to Parade asked, and got an answer, to the age old question: Air dry or towel dry those dishes? LINK
• Remodelista suggested some ideas to consider when purchasing a dishwasher. LINK
• ViralNova posted some great tips for getting the most out of your microwave oven. LINK
• TheSpec.Com looked into the question of a new energy efficient model appliance vs a quality used appliance, which is greener? LINK

Next, we look at the manufacturers and how they have been in the news recently:

• GE launched a microfactory to allow for designs from students, engineers and makers to be produced more quickly than traditional manufacturing channels. LINK

We found several articles that might be of interest to those of you who love all thing appliances:

• LAist showed us this bar in Los Angeles. It looks like a yard sale-until you open the refrigerator door! LINK
• The Oregonian took a stroll through the kitchen and tells about when many of our appliances were introduced. LINK
• London24 told us about "Tony the Fridge". He has run TWO London marathons in 24 hours with a refrigerator strapped to his back to raise money for cancer research. LINK
• This article from the UK talked about the history of laundrymats, including pictures and laundry tips. Some of this is particularly British, but still interesting. LINK
• Quick and Dirty Tips suggested a great idea for a Mothers Day gift project. LINK
• ABC5 shared some tips from Angies List to help make dishwashers run more efficiently. LINK
• A Portland artist found an interesting use for old refrigerators-modern art! LINK
• Iceland in Review told us about a dicey situation where sticks of dynamite were cleaned in North Iceland washing machine. LINK

Sometimes, the links we post are related to technology, business or happenings on the internet:

• We've told you before about the website that predicts dating compatability by refrigerator contents. Here is an interview with the man behind the site. LINK
• Facebook released some important information for page owners. LINK
• Instructables posted on building a stationary bike generator from a washing machine. LINK
• Gizmodo explained why, if you have heard complaints about whites not being as white as they used to be, it might not be the appliance. LINK

We close with a few stories that are just for fun:

• Columnist John Winters' dishwasher broke. He thinks the kids can do the dishes-his wife doesn't agree. LINK
• This columnist doesn't take her appliances for granted-she appreciates them! LINK

For more from education and entertainment from W.L. May Company click...HERE