Why I Take Deposits On Some Outdoor Power Equipment- Viewer Question Answered
Вставка
- Опубліковано 8 тра 2024
- Why I Take Deposits On Some Outdoor Power Equipment- Viewer Question Answered #smallengine
Don’t forget to click the 🔔 to turn on Video Notifications for more money saving videos and tips, featuring all the brands like Stihl, Husky, Husqvarna, Honda, Echo, Kohler, Tecumseh, Dolmar, Makita, Poulan, Ariens, Powermore, Briggs and Stratton, Champion, Murray, John Deere, Craftsman, MTD, AYP, etc.
Check out my new DIY channel here @MadeInMyGarage
If you'd like to become a patron to help this channel grow and get involved with future video ideas, here is the link:
/ donyboy73
Connect with me on these social media spaces (plus that's where I announce contest winners)
Facebook: / donyboy73-the-small-en...
Twitter: / donyboy73
Instagram: / donyboy73
I have easy to follow and thorough step by step tutorials "do it yourself" (DIY) videos to help you with your broken lawn and garden equipment including snowblowers and zero turn mowers.
I do my best to teach you how to easily diagnose problems the fastest, quickest and most efficient way with real repairs beyond just replacing a spark plug. These tips are for both the homeowner and shop owner.
Whether it be a handheld, two stroke, two cycle engine like a chainsaw, weed eater, weed whacker, string trimmer, grass trimmer, line trimmer, hedge trimmer, strimmer, brush cutter, leaf blower, or four stroke, four cycle units like a lawnmower, wood splitter, lawn tractor, zero turn mower, snowblower, pressure washer, generator or a ride on mower that needs parts installed or replaced, I’m your go-to guy.
My favorite brands of spark plugs are NGK and Champion and are the ones I recommend.
I’ve been a small engine mechanic for many decades and also run my own repair shop so my videos are loaded with tips and tricks that I have learned and want to share with you. You will also find many tool and product reviews from top brands on my channel as well.
I have the largest Small Engine Repair Video Library on UA-cam and the entire internet with over 1200 videos, just GOOGLE "DONYBOY73"!
I want "DON THE SMALL ENGINE DOCTOR" on UA-cam to save you time, frustration and most importantly, MONEY with my HOW-TO videos!
Due to factors beyond the control of DONYBOY73 “The Small Engine Doctor”, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. DONYBOY73 “The Small Engine Doctor” assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. DONYBOY73 “The Small Engine Doctor” recommends safe practices when working with power tools, hand tools, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of DONYBOY73 “The Small Engine Doctor”, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not DONYBOY73 “The Small Engine Doctor".
Tengo tutoriales paso a paso fáciles de seguir y completos, videos de "hágalo usted mismo" (DIY) para ayudarlo con su equipo de jardín y césped roto, incluidos quitanieves y cortadoras de giro cero.
Hago todo lo posible para enseñarle cómo diagnosticar fácilmente problemas de la manera más rápida, rápida y eficiente con reparaciones reales más allá de simplemente reemplazar una bujía. Estos consejos son tanto para el dueño de la casa como para el dueño de la tienda.
Ya sea un motor manual de dos tiempos y dos ciclos como una motosierra, un desmalezador, un desmalezador, una cortadora de hilo, una cortadora de césped, una cortadora de hilo, una cortadora de setos, una podadora, una desbrozadora, un soplador de hojas o unidades de cuatro tiempos y cuatro ciclos como una cortadora de césped, una cortadora de leña, un tractor cortacésped, una cortadora de césped de giro cero, una sopladora de nieve, una lavadora a presión, un generador o una cortadora de césped que necesita que se instalen o reemplacen piezas, soy su persona indicada.
#donyboy73 #stihl - Навчання та стиль
➡What topic would you like me to discuss next time? Please comment here!🔧🔧🔧
I forgot to mention if customer doesn't fix machine I keep the deposit, if they fix it the fee gets deducted from grand total cost of the repair.
I like the video when you were talking about getting a deposit that was pretty good and I like when you show how to fix things it’s pretty good 👍
A topic I'm interested in is whether a repair shop is a good place to buy a used mower.
Almost every house around me has been bought by some hedge fund company and converted to a rental house, so as they charge high rents, most renters can't afford a new mower. My advice is to call repair shops to ask if they have any available.
There's no reason you shouldn't profit from selling a sound machine. And when it needs maintenance, they'll know who to bring it to! 🙂
As a small business repair shop, how do you set up your suppliers/vendors?
We are always fascinated by the topics you pick for your videos Dony.
@@zaineridling Yes it is better to buy equipment even if it is used from a reputable shop.
Hey Donyboy73. My name is Donnie from North Carolina in the U.S. I’m 47 years old and I’m also a care assistant for my wife for the last several years. I’m in the process of starting a small engine repair business. Please do continue to make videos like this because it will help me to be taught what graces to have on customers, as well as what graces not to have. I also live with High Functioning Autism as well as ADHD so for me to be employed under someone in a company is not an option. I’ve been watching your videos for around a decade or more and I appreciate what you do for your viewers.
Keep doing what you are doing brother!
In the auto industry they don't call it a deposit fee. They call it a diagnostic fee. That makes more sense and may help the customer understand the concept better.
I will use that from now on, thanks!
The difference is the mechanic has the car which is worth more than the diagnostic fee. So they don’t collect upfront. A deposit is collected when the equipment is left at the shop.
Yes that is better for sure, my car repair people do that makes sense 👍
Do you at least make some money on parts from left equipment?
Don you should absolutely charge a fee deposit, or diagnostic. Minimum charge 1 hour of labor that will go towards the repair. If the repair is less labor than 1 hour your expertise needs to be accounted for. Keep up the good work, and tutorials.
I wish you and your wife all the best. Thank you for the excellent advice.
Perfectly understandable and resonnable Don, to many people will walk all over you if you give them half a chance!
Absolutely. Your time is well worth it.
Hey I’ve been involved in equipment repair for number of years. I didn’t start charging a diagnostic fee at first but learned early on people started just taking the equipment back and paying someone else to do the repairs making the money.
Excellent tutorial
You’re absolutely right to take deposits. But I have to disagree those people don’t forget. When it comes to money they know.
Any you're absolutely spot on. When someone knows they owe money they may claim they'd forgotten or they'll hem and haw, but deep down inside they know.
Donny is great at saving us money and showing us how we can do it ourselves but the bottom line is that he’s a businessman and deserves to earn a living. I’m in 100% agreement with his shop policy on deposits. Good for you, Don. Bravo!
Here in central New Jersey, we have two local repair shops. They both charge $89.00 as the drop off fee. Repairs are extra.
Dony, I am a one man show just like you & this is my living. Last year i noticed i was getting stuck with alot of 2 cycles & pressure washers so i started deposits on all of those and it made a big difference. Now after watching your video i think deposits on push mowers is a great idea. To see what other small engine guys are doing business wise is a great idea. Looking forward to next business video.
Thanks for sharing
@@donyboy73 I DO MY OWN REPARS
AND I WILL FOR OTHERS
BUT BE DAMNED
THEY PAY FOR THE PARTS FIRST
YOU CAN WEED OUT THE SCAMMERS THIS WAY
You are totally wright Dony. Here in the Netherlands we say “only the sun comes up for nothing”. You have to pay your bills too, so your diagnostic time must be paid also.
Rance here. I would guess that if old equipment is brought to you for repair that it may not be worth even looking at, because old parts aren’t available, and you spend time on computer or EBay looking trying to find old parts. I fix older equipment and am amazed by the “parts discontinued “ notation when I for sure thought that they would be available.
He gets it just right: "Don't take old junk from cheap people."
exactly right to do so Donnie.
i tell people if you can't fix it yourself leave the JUNK on the scrap pile or at the dump where you found it, don't waste my time asking for a free autopsy.
Awesome video and several excellent points, prayers to you and your wife.
Don, This is how I would state the policy, "When the value of the repair is likely to exceed the value of the equipment, a SUBSTANTIAL deposit will be required" 😉
I like the sound of that
I totally agree with that statement!!
Based on what I have seen for years on your channel I wouldn't have ANY problem giving you a deposit, you've proven on this channel to be a honest 1st rate mechanic
Hey man I’m here in the USA in the Deep South I greatly appreciate your videos I have learned a lot from them thanks for sharing and business is business
You're doing it the right way about deposits and communicating with your customers. Keep up the great work and your repair videos are absolutely the BEST!!!
Thanks 👍
From my view it's only fair. Every worker of any stripe is worthy of their wages. Great video donyboy!
I knew exactly what you were going to say and why. Bingo, right on, some folks have absolutely no respect for guys like you and me. It's not fun getting jerked around every week for nothing.Thanks Don, more people need to see this. Thank you sir!
I use to sell office equipment. Now this was a long time ago so these were electric typewriters, faxes, copying machines and calculators. This equipment required a support team of about 5 guys to service and repair throughout the life of the equipment. They'd go to a customers office notice that a spring was disconnected, reconnect it and 5 minutes later wrap it up with a $75 bill. The customers didn't want to pay $75 for a 5 minute fix. So our service team would have to emphasize that they get trained for all the new stuff at least 3 times per year so you're not only paying for the time you're paying for the training required to fix a problem in 5 minutes. Service technicians have a tough job having a very thankless job. So I get it when I'm asked for a deposit.
You came up with the right plan Dony gotta make your money especially with time invested !
As always, an excellent video, Dony. Unfortunately, many people today want everything for free. I'm not sure why people feel entitled and believe your expert experience with small engine repairs shouldn't have to pay just because they don't like the repair price. Parts are expensive and your impeccable knowledge on repair costs needs to be added into the final bill.
You, Sir, are a stand-up mechanic who loves and takes care of his ill wife. That alone proves the kind of man you are.
Stand strong, take care of your wife and please keep making these awesome videos.
👍👍👍👍👍🙏😇
Wow James, thanks for such an honorable comment!
Tres bien dit James!!! 👍🏻👍🏻✊🏻✊🏻🙏🏼🙏🏼
@simonmorneau7933
I have the utmost respect for Dony, who is an excellent mechanic and, more importantly, takes care of his wife, who is ill.
@@simonmorneau7933 Merci!
Great video. People don't realize the knowledge you know is from many years of service, and it should be paid for. Like a lawyer, their very expensive but have many years of education under their belt.
I agree wholeheartedly with your way of doing business. I have some experience as a small businessman for 37 years and I have some experience as a caregiver for 10 years also. God bless you.
God bless you! My friend
Thanks Donny! And God bless you.
Great video! I totally agree with your deposit policy. My wife and I have a handyman business and we often spend a lot of time visiting someone and doing an estimate, only to have them go somewhere else. It's not common but if it became common I would start charging for estimates. Keep up the great work! I enjoy your videos and greatly appreciate the information on repairs and small business operations.
I used to diagnose swimming pools with issues. I soon learned that I had to charge a fee to diagnose since so many people would take my information and get a buddy or a friend to do the heavy work. I charged $125 and put it against any expenses so that I at least had a better chance at the repair than simply giving “free” advice-costing me time and mileage and wear and tear on my truck. This was in the 90s-early 2000s when limited information was available on yt.
Even as a person who just fixes things for myself I enjoyed this video
Proper thing . Time is money !
The attitude clients have where they expect free professional evaluations/diagnostics can be blamed on those who promote Free Estimates as a value added service. Renovators are the worst and seem bent on promoting a race to the bottom in rates charged.
Free estimates need to die, and clients have to learn they need to pay for the time, knowledge and skills from their service provider, without exception.
As a self employed architectural design professional, I feel your pain and I too take a deposit. It’s credited against the amount of the last invoice. That way the client always has skin in the game.
Glad to learn there are ways of navigating this type of predicament.
You a right to take a deposit thanks donny.
Very nice way to let people know you are awsome Don.
Many people... don't fully appreciate, or understand the importance or cost of seeking highly coveted "Expert Advice" before seeking repairs.... While they really appreciate your wisdom and insights, they "conveniently" overlook the time, and effort you invest in sharing that expertise.... It reminds me of an old saying: "You should never ask a gentleman to pay his bill." When someone countered with, "Well, what do you do if he doesn’t pay?" the response was, "Then I realize he is certainly no gentleman, and I ask him to Pay his Bill."
Most good people. respect and acknowledge the effort you put into assessing their equipment.... *And, Creating these helpful videos! Just as a true gentleman would never need to be asked to pay his bill, those who genuinely value your knowledge should understand and respect all the time you spend to helping others. Thank you Dony!.
Very interesting; I'm a hobbyist, I appreciate you and your business practices.
This video was extremely helpful and I'd love to see more videos like it. I repair small engine equipment as a side gig to make extra money. I currently only work on friends, neighbors and co-workers equipment. But I'm always interested in learning more about the business end of working on small engine equipment.
Thank you for all the great videos you post. They are extremely helpful.
Thanks for the good advice on the business side. Appreciate your video quality. You've saved me a lot of time, money and frustration over the years.
Don cheers me up if i"m feeling blue!!!
I am a one man show in Ga. I always get 1 hr labor up front it weeds out the bad customers
I forgot to mention about weeding out the bad customers!
Bravo! Very well spoken. With appliance repair it's $75 to $100 for them to just step into the house.
That's very reasonable Dony, fair play to you.
Exactly right. The diagnostic fee is also an excellent test of the customer's willingness to pay for the actual repair. If he balks and hems and hahs over a $50 or $75 diagnostic fee, what are the chances he will want to pay $200+ for the actual repair?
Prayers for you and your wife, Donny. We love you, man.
By the way Donny, that poor 026 made me want to cry. That was a great saw that somebody neglected.
The other factor warranting diagnostic fees is the stories customers give you. Can tell you how many times somebody told me "It ran great last season." I open the fuel cap and find pancake syrup in the tank. Love the top of that toolbox. Looks just like mine.
Good video Don. You are in business to make money, taking a deposit is good business sense.
Your spot on ...keep these topic coming ..self reliant business ...THANK YOU
Makes total sense Don. Diagnostic is what most people aren’t capable of doing on their own, so it should definitely not be free.
Thanks for sharing the business expertise! I do similarly, and that's why I'm still in business 26 years after starting. It did take a few years into it before I fully realized I couldn't operate on an unpaid basis...for any of the shop or mobile (RV) work I do. "We're not a charity" as I tell those who try to take advantage of us.
Thank you for the insight of what you deal with as a business owner. I don't have a small engine repair business, but I do like to fix up free mowers for profit along with bicycles, and other misc things I get for cheap or free. Most of the time I work on the stuff outside my garage when the weather is nice, and it's like a magnet for the neighbors who want me to fix their stuff. Sometimes I feel like i wish my skills were hidden from public view lol. As for repairing stuff for other people I do it only for a select few. Other than that I just don't like the hassle of repairing peoples stuff as a business. Especially during winter with snowblowers. When I was younger I always wondered why people were such a holes, and as I got older I discovered why. You have to be tough to prevent yourself from being taken advantage of.
ha You're being nice about it.....yes, the time all adds up. I feel like charging to show ppl the stuff i sell also.
I had to start doing the same thing. But I took deposits on all new customers. And some customers, I always took upfront money. It just depends on the customer. Some that I knew well enough to know they'd be coming back for their equipment. Those I never had a problem. My last straw was an older mower that needed a lot. That just kept coming up with more needed parts. He only one repair at first. But the more I got into it, I'd find more things that needed repairs. And every time, I'd call this customer to get the OK first. By the time I was done, the bill was up around $300. And he simply stopped answering the phone. And it took forever to sell the mower.
Donny gets a coors in him and makes a good video !
Totally agree time is money.
More videos Please.
Very wise business decision.
Thanks Don ...
Totalement d'accord avec toi, ton expérience et tes connaissances ont une valeur qui doit être reconnue par tes clients. Il est normal de charger des frais de diagnostic . And cheers for the beer ;) !
Great idea! Thank you!! I have worked all day on 2 cycle equipment and no success, only to be told by customer just throw it away. Sometimes it cost me money to throw away their equipment.
Exactly!
Had the same problems. Sometimes customers asked me to fix their equipment, then never picked it up. I had to sell it or tear it for parts.
God bless you ,you are absolutely right!
Great video! Would like more like this one.
That would be awesome if you made more video
I will, please leave your questions here!
Same thing is happening in retail, people ask for a demo in the shop, take up your time, then scoop home and buy on line
I didn't realize this was happening, thanks for the comment!
Before the internet & online sales, they'd come in to a specialty store, ask all their questions and for a demo. Then go across the street, or next department store in the mall (back in the day) to buy item for a crummy five spot less.
Great advice buddy. 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
All the shops in my town charge a diagnostic fee that ranges from $100 to $150. They apply that fee to the repair if you decide to go ahead and get it fixed. Seems reasonable to me, though I tend to fix my stuff myself. But if I can't fix it and I need to take it to the shop then it's definitely worth fixing and I don't mind the fee. Cheers!
Good information and video. Hello from Kentucky.
Thanks I have to agree with you on this. I personnaly will look at a pc of equipment and try to figure out old the equipment is and decide to tell the customer that the equipment will cost more to fix than it would be to buy a new one. The customer will appreciate your honesty and most time offer you some for of payment for your time. Thanks
Your expertise and wisdom are appreciated.
Thanks @Donyboy73. I would definitely appreciate more videosike this.
Great video! Not only is this a great topic for small engine repair shop owners, it also provides invaluable information for consumers (such as myself) to better understand the business side of a typical small engine repair shop. Nice job on explaining the do's and dont's of a small business owner.
Good information. Thanks Donny
As a long time viewer of yours (years) and I have used many of your tips, as in storage for my Ariens snowblower or my Honda lawnmower. I am just a simple retired homeowner and I totally agree with you and I don't think you should do anything for FREE. You may know, but in the USA, most businesses charge a diagnostic fee and sometimes a travel fee. I think you should too.
I'm a big fan of your videos and comments.
Thank you,
Don from Milwaukee, Wisconsin USS
Good explanation. Completely understand.
Love all your advise and video's.
Love all your videos
Great advice Don I don't work for free either and It doesn't take long to examine a hot horse shoe🥵
So true, so true
Hey Donny im im Windsor Ontario the city has grown a solid 60.000 in population in 2 years big EV plant being built massive construction projects the city todayis almost unrecognizable with how much developing land has been done. My majority of income is selling equipment not repairs I take 20$ off a machine for a trade in then eventually I get enough trade ins to build and put together a few solid mowers to basically supply itself the used market here is insane and im getting loads of customers that have rental properties. I also take in a ton of free stuff and pay scrappers for mowers. Last season I sold 280 mowers for around 120 160$ each.
Great topic! I find that like TV's and most appliances things are becoming more disposable, I prices a B48M carb for an 1982 onan powered Case garden tractor and it was $1057 USD. Once stuff goes out of production it changes a lot. One critical part that cannot be found can ruin everything.
In the case of the carb I was able to rebuild it. Runs great for them.
Lot of small businesses are their own worst enemies, state the price and conditions without apologizing for them.
Hi Donyboy73, We are paying through the nose here in the states too! I just bought a carburetor float for an old craftsman mower with a B&S twin engine which use to cost about $3.00 and now a whopping $32.00! That is unsustainable!
My man has a can!🍺
Last week, a semi-regular customer brought in a handheld Husky blower. The carb was completely covered in dirt. So, I cleaned the carb inside and out, changed the fuel, checked for spark and still didn’t start. Discovered it didn’t have compression. He was confused why I wanted paid for that time. He almost lost his shop privileges!
This video has given me an idea
Great tips video, do more of those business type tips video.
Tu as parfaitement raison : je depannais des "amis" qui voulait économiser et quand tu leur chargeait un $10 pour avoir travailler 3-4 heures sur leurs machines: la relation d'amitié se transformait en "connaissance" puis 1-2 rencontres plus tard au Tim Horton du coin, cela se transformait en "inconnu".
Même situation pour moi !! C’est très frustrant de travailler des heures pour lui faire plaisir !! Et de constater qu’il veux tout simplement profiter de nous !! Ceci crée un froid inévitablement!! ...on apprend avec l expérience!! Et avec des gens généreux qui s ouvre le cœur pour partager certaines expériences!!! Encore merci Dony!! ✊🏻👍🏻
Spot on Don:)
Yup! been there, done that. Great Explanation!
After watching you for several years,I would gladly pay entire amount up front! Very educational ❤
Very helpful. Thanks from Australia
Just use the deposit fee to keep certain undesirable customers away, like ones that dump equipment off onto someone else's storage space while wasting labor time. Tricky part is figuring out what the threshold amount needs to be...and maybe you apply that deposit towards the -started or diagnostic labor since some parts-removal may have been needed.
Don't feel bad about changing to the 6 minute mark (0.1 hrs of a 60 minute period) if needed...attorneys do it all the time and charge the client for time they spent bs'ing with the client!
Very good insights!
I'm not in the business like you, but I do fix small engine stuff for friends and family and I only charge for parts - mind you, I wouldn't refuse a case of beer for my time! (LOL!) However, if I was a business owner like you, I would definitely charge a diagnostic fee (paid upfront) for everyone - regardless of how long they were a customer. The longstanding customers would understand this and any customers who don't, wouldn't be worth keeping.
Well said!
great information
Thanks for sharing!
A very clear-headed assessment.
I'm not a business owner, but if I was this would be golden.
You rock.
We could a man of your character in the US.
All good advice.
Great advice, thanks so much for the info.