The right man for the Job

Being a service technician is not always easy. The trick is to make it look easy.  A lot of studies, information gathering and understanding are necessary for doing this job. However it is impossible to know everything. Those who claim they do are liars. Almost every week I come across a piece of equipment not yet seen before. Sometime I will tell the customer to get someone else because lack of knowledge can be disastrous.  I prefer redirect the user toward a more competent person rather than attempt and fail badly.  The customer may pressure you in to doing it however when sparks start flying you’re the one holding the screwdriver and it becomes your responsibility.  Believe me when I say the customer will appreciate it more if the right person works on his equipment.

For those jobs I do accept, they become a challenge. After all it’s only electromecanic.  Certain factors need to be present for me to accept a challenge. I don’t like too much electronics. Because with electronics it definitely necessary to have the right manual and proper troubleshooting guide otherwise you’re in trouble.  Another thing is the equipment should be in fairly good shape.  If the equipment as seen too much action and too many technicians, you may end up redoing the machine from scratch. It means a very expensive repair to the customer. Might as well buy new. And one more thing, no bugs. I hate bugs, if I see bugs I decline. 

All equipment can be repaired, no matter what is the problem. If the customer is willing to pay than it can be fixed. Only the customer can evaluate if it is worth it.  I never assume. He will ask my opinion of course. In the end, the machine is still old and more than likely other things will break on it.  A machine should not cost more to repair than 30% of its value as new.  Some equipment is worth spending more.

One important suggestion I have for those of you who own equipment; Don’t be cheap. Don’t wait to get the repairs done. The more you wait, more expensive it is going to get.  And, yes, use the right people.