Friday Morning Videos: Fridge Slip Solved

Today we feature a short video. The solutions seems somewhat obvious. Then again, sometime obvious is in the eye of the beholder. A simple solution to a common problem.



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

Throwback Thursday: News Recap January 8, 2015

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. It's been kind of a slow week for news, probably due to the holidays, but there was a little bit. So without further ado:

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

• How to install a dishwasher. This might explain why that is often not a "free" service. LIKE
• Yahoo offered their spin on laundry tips. LINK
• You always hear about cleaning out the inside of a refrigerator. Maybe the outside needs a cleaning out as well. Here's how. LINK

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

• Whirlpool opened a new Tech Center in Benton Harbor, MI LINK
• First we heard a bit more on the story from earlier this year where LG executives were accused of vandalizing Samsung appliances while attending a trade show in Germany. LINK
• Then we heard that an LG executive was banned from travel to CES show pending litigation in the case. LINK
• Then things got even more odd as the saga between LG and Samsung continued with a raid on LG's offices and upper management. LINK
• Whirlpool was showing off Nest connected appliances at the CES show in Las Vegas. LINK
• Whirlpool got a little touchy-feely at the CES in Las Vegas with their "Every day, care" campaign. LINK
• Want to control appliances with a smartphone app? GE's new product line promises to allow that. LINK
• Whirlpool won several awards at the CES show in Las Vegas. LINK

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

Technician Training and Hiring

Finding Repair People IS A Challenge (Flickr User JD Hancock/CC)

The roundtable discussion at a United Servicers Association meeting is always interesting and enlightening.The Portland roundtable in November touched upon an issue that is currently challenging our industry.

New technicians are not entering the trade at the same rate as old servicers are retiring. Many companies report great difficulties in finding skilled repair people. The conversation discussed the pro's and con's involved with training your own techs vs. hiring already knowledgeable techs.

In house training lets techs learn in an environment that matches how their company does business, but it is a time consuming process. Hiring an experienced technician can sometimes mean that they have learned to do things differently than your company might do them. In other words, you might be taking on "additional baggage".

There is a third way that was discussed to adress the need for techs. That would be to utilize one of the appliance training programs that are offered around the country. You might recruit a recent graduate or send a promising rookie to school.

Without our specific endorsement, there were three such programs discussed favorably at the roundtable meeting that I attended,

Freds Appliance Academy offers a three week immersion type of program that features classroom and hands on training. They even have a student dorm available for students.

Internet appliance repair celebrity, the Appliance Samurai, uses his irreverent (but quite knowledgable) approach to appliance repair. His online training program shows budding "appliantologists" how to repair and service appliances at his Samurai Tech Academy.

The last training program mentioned has been used by several Northwest technicians that I know of. Renton Technical College in Renton, WA has programs teaching appliance repair in a traditional collegiate training program.

If you are struggling to fill the gaps in your repair staff, graduates from one of these programs can step in already trained. Likewise, if you know of someone who would make a good technician, one of these programs could give that person the skills needed for success in appliance repair.

I know that there are other programs that exist around the country, if you know of a good appliance repair training program that I have not mentioned, please share it with us in the comments.

POST SCRIPT: This comment came in via Twitter:

@WLMayCo also add Los Medanos College in Pittsburg CA. Appliance Service Technology courses. short term, accredited. #SFBayArea
— ApplianceTechs_Marin (@ATOMsanRafael) January 7, 2015

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

Kelly's Korner - Resolutions

Hey, All,

The holidays are over and a new year faces us.  I know many people who make resolutions to do something different or better in the coming year but few do.

If one of your resolutions involves home improvements, I have several hints that might make it a bit easier.

First of all, get all your ducks in a row.  Have every step of the project planned.  This may include a project book with samples, pictures of all the stuff you want (light fixtures, window treatments, door handles, light and electric plates, countertops, cabinets, flooring, etc.) pictures of what you want your end project to look like, costs, contractors bids, timetables and research.

Creative Commons license on image.

Research?  If your project includes new appliances, research is a must.  Don't just go with how an appliance looks, ask yourself these questions:

1.  Do I need all the bells and whistles (features) that this appliance offers?
2.  What is the dependability of the brand I'm looking at?
3.  Do servicers in my area even work on this brand?
4.  What about the outside surfaces?  Are they easy to keep nice and shiny or is every fingerprint going to show?
5.  Is the appliance going to fit in the spot you have for it?

The last one is something that many people run into - yes, the refrigerator may fit into the space but can you open the doors?  If needed, can the door swing be reversed?  It is annoying to have all your working space on the right side of the fridge, but if the door swings the other way you almost have to walk around it to get what you need out of it.

Talk to people - call your favorite repair tech and get their opinions.  Don't let some slick talking salesperson talk you into something you don't need or want - they mostly are just concerned with their commissions.  Go online and peruse Consumer Reports and other research companies.  Talk to friends and family.  It's like buying a car - that little sports job sure would make you look cool but is it what you really need?

I really need to redo my kitchen and have been slowly building my project book - combing through websites and magazines to find the perfect look.  I'm going to have to live with my decisions for a long time so I need to make the right choices.  Make sure you can live with yours!

Have a great week!

Monday Motivation

I have no way of knowing how people really feel, but the vast majority of those I meet couldn't be nicer. Every once in a while someone barks at me. My New Year's resolution is not to bark back. - Tucker Carlson

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

Friday Morning Videos: Appliances Only the Maytag Repairman Would Love

This is not a fresh news story, but still it has some great shots. The woman in this video was given a new model of washer and dryer in exchange for a classic, still operating pink model. The old machines are going to the Maytag Museum in Benton Harbor, MI. Who do you think got the better half of this deal?



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

Happy New Year