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Author Topic: Starting my own service co. Any suggestions? Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-29-2007 09:34 PM                     quote: Louis Bornwasser Suppose, while repairing or cleaning, you fracture the unobtainable part? You simply step into your machine shop and make a new part. Its something we do pretty frequently. Not sure if there should be a Duh... or a D'oh at the end of this one... but sometimes its definately both! Mark  |  IP: Logged Tim Reed Better Projection Pays Posts: 5246 From: Northampton, PA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 06-29-2007 09:48 PM                       quote: Louis Bornwasser Suppose, while repairing or cleaning, you fracture the unobtainable part? D'oh! (Don't know why I didn't think of this earlier.) If it's obsolete... it shouldn't be touched to begin with, per the hypothetical contract.  |  IP: Logged Michael Schaffer "Where is the Boardwalk Hotel?" Posts: 4143 From: Boston, MA Registered: Apr 2002 posted 06-29-2007 10:14 PM                        quote: but sometimes its definately both! Mark, it's spelled "definitely". Duh!  |  IP: Logged Ken McFall Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 615 From: Haringey, London. Registered: Apr 2001 posted 06-30-2007 03:23 PM                     I have two cinemas that rely on me for support and service. I have always been more than willing to be on the end of a phone to give support, advice and talk thru problems. As I don't do this for a living it's not really a problem. However I do get tired of call's that go like this.... The rewinders not working.... could it be the fuse! It gets to the point that you are there to wipe their ar... do I need to say more. By all means provide a willing and available service. But remember your time costs you. At the end of the day they may not buy parts or your time but they will eat into your life..... Visit any 'eat as much as you like' resturant and you will see what I mean. It becomes so easy just to pick up the phone. So what you were asleep or in the middle of a meeting. You don't cost anything so whats the problem. People don't have long memory's of how you've helped them out in the past, dropped everything and gone to their site to get them back on screen. The first time you're not available is all that matters to them. Then you're shit! However if they pay for your sevices, even a minimal fee, they will respect your time and experience. As for working with old defunck equipment.... I am happy to help if I can. I make it clear that I may not be able to resolve the problem and they trust me totally. I don't exploit that and as a result I have their total confidance.... something I will not abuse. The larger companies tend not to try and repair or patch up older equipment, in my experience. So there is a market for someone who will pull out all the stops to keep them going. You sound like that is the market you are aiming for. Do your best and ALWAYS be honest and you will always have work. I wish you the very best. Regards.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-30-2007 05:01 PM                     quote: Mark, it's spelled "definitely". Duh! Michael... Are you absolutly Shure? Mark  |  IP: Logged Tim Reed Better Projection Pays Posts: 5246 From: Northampton, PA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 06-30-2007 08:43 PM                       quote: Ken McFall People don't have long memory's of how you've helped them out in the past Ken, that's absolutely right. Forget that you've even solved a tough boat load of long-standing problems - which no one else has been able to fix for 10 or 20 years -- service is very much a "what have you done for me lately" proposition!  |  IP: Logged Michael Schaffer "Where is the Boardwalk Hotel?" Posts: 4143 From: Boston, MA Registered: Apr 2002 posted 07-01-2007 12:03 AM                        quote: Mark Gulbrandsen Michael... Are you absolutly Shure? Yes, I looked it up! BTW, it's absolutely, not absolutly. Duh! I don't get the Shure thing. Probably a joke, but I don't get it.  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 07-01-2007 12:23 AM                        quote: Michael Schaffer Mark, it's spelled "definitely". No, it's spelled "it." Definitely is spelled "definitely." (sorry)  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 07-01-2007 07:00 AM                     quote: Michael Schaffer I don't get the Shure thing. Probably a joke, but I don't get it. quote: Mike Blakesley No, it's spelled "it." Definitely is spelled "definitely." D'oh! Both you guys fell for that trap!  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 07-01-2007 07:27 AM                     Not me....I saw that bait laid out and now taken. Michael...look into microphone manufacturers.  |  IP: Logged Michael Schaffer "Where is the Boardwalk Hotel?" Posts: 4143 From: Boston, MA Registered: Apr 2002 posted 07-01-2007 08:05 AM                        I know what Shure is, but I still don't get the joke.  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 07-01-2007 11:42 AM                        Remember "You can be Westinghouse if it's Shure." Louis  |  IP: Logged Ken McFall Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 615 From: Haringey, London. Registered: Apr 2001 posted 07-04-2007 07:42 PM                     Hi Sean how have your plans poregressed. It seems you have been taking time to take in all the neagtive, and some positive comments about your proposed venture. You are entitled to be feeling very excited and can't wait to get your hands on someons equipment It would be nice for you to have a number of minor issues to build your confidence.... and get some money coming into the bussinese. The more technical problems that don't need you to dip into your pocket to buy spares will give a good start settling into what I'm sure will become a very easy going friendly service. There are going to be problems that do cost you 'Uo front' and these are the things to watch out for. It's a difficult balance between installing the parts and getting them On Screen as soon as possible..... but getting no cash for your efforts. Or coming to some agreement that at least splits the burden to some extent. The cinema must pay at least half at time of installation. You will have to learn what is the hardest word of all to say when you get a phone call and that is NO! I'm sorry but your account is severely over due. I cannot call until some or all of this balance is settled. It's hard to turn away from people who have problems..... but when you have problems they will do exactly the same. They are in bussiness themselves after all. Please Please re think some of your 24X7 availability and consider a billing plan that will more closely match the service you provide. Phone calls for support $10 ph Phone calls for advice and support $10 ph When you're off duty totally and accepting emergency calls ONLY $20ph. I don't know eaxctly what the rates are locally but you get the idea. Calls afger a certain time at night will not be attended to until 08:00 the following days etc etc. The cinema has to bear some of the cost of any lost shows. Provide a good flexible service but have controls and limitations to protect you and your family life. Let us all know when things start moving forward for you and how you are coping. Wishing you all the very best in this venture. Regards Ken [ 07-05-2007, 12:15 PM: Message edited by: Ken McFall ]  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 07-04-2007 08:43 PM                        I would surely turn off the cell phone ringer/vibrator after 10 pm until 8 am every day. That way you at least start off each day rested. I once did not do this and it almost ruined my health. Cinemas who are "off" show no mercy for you or your family.(20+ calls after 1 am.) Louis  |  IP: Logged Bud Shepard Film Handler Posts: 31 From: Fall River, Massachusetts Registered: Feb 2000 posted 07-04-2007 09:09 PM                        Louis, I wish I had that luxury. In my title and position I have been on call 24/7/365. I have received calls from our customers at 2am demanding to speak to a tech, but that's when I intercept the call. In fairness, we do allow our techs (STS) time off everyday from 11pm - 8am (no calls) and all techs have at least one day off (some three) during the week.  |  IP: Logged

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