Most of us don’t judge people by how they look, but if an appliance repair company has employees who don’t look professional, don’t wear uniforms, and don’t show up at your home with the proper tools, you may have made the wrong choice, says Jorge Paiva, owner of Tom’s Appliance Service, Inc. in Morgan Hill.
A repair shop has an obligation to instill confidence in its customers and allay any fears they might have about inviting strangers into their homes. When companies aren’t scrupulous about whom they hire, says Mr. Paiva, it suggests they aren’t really focused on their customers’ concerns. “I tell my workers to park in front of a house when they arrive for a job. When the homeowner looks through their window, they can see the van is properly marked and clean, and the workers are wearing uniforms and have scrubs to protect their floors.”
Mr. Paiva says the Internet has made it possible for virtually anyone to “put a magnet on the side of their car and automatically become a repair person. A lot of these people just aren’t prepared. They don’t have the training. Just because you’re handy and can fix things doesn’t mean you should be doing this for a living,” he says.
If you’re unsure where to find a reliable and conscientious repair company, Mr. Paiva recommends a referral from a friend or relative. If you resort to the phone book, however, understand that the companies with the largest ads don’t necessarily offer the best service.
