Getting A Job At A Vacuum Store

[repairman]

Hi, I know that this is not really the place to discuss this matter, but I was wondering what the qualifications are if one were to apply for a job at a local vac shop. I have 12 years of experience and have worked on several machines including new, vintage, and antique. Does anyone know what a store owner would look for when hiring me?

 

[relhall]

An open position ...

It certainly depends on the shop and it's needs.

Any experience is helpful, though training is always needed so no employee is expected to walk in and know it all.

Basic hand tool experience with some mechanical and electrical troubleshooting abilities are needed.

Willing to get dirty & stinky, and hopefully no allergies.

Computer experience is needed these days ... helps with everything you do.

You'll likely find yourself selling something to someone at some point, so being able and willing to SELL is pretty important.


As it is likely a small business with limited employees, personality can go a long way. Expressing desire to work there can't hurt. I say drop by one of your local shops and get to talking. Even if they don't have an opening now, it never hurts to have an eager potential candidate in your back pocket when it does come time to hire.


It mostly boils down to having a position available.



Good luck in your search ~

 

[kloveland]

Vac shop qualifications

I often wondered about the industry standard qualifications for owning or working in a vac shop. For example an electrician would need a license to repair the electrical systems in a building. I would think working in a vac shop would require something similar. Because employees are repairing small appliances for customers and there is a slim chance of electrocution to the customer if the vacuum was wired wrong.

 

[relhall]

In an ideal world some sort of certification would be great; however, salaries might tend to rise and most vac shops couldn't afford to pay the going union rate.

(that is kind of a joke)


Fortunately we are dealing with standard household current, and most breakers will flip or fuses would pop if an issue arises. We have to reset ours each time my tech learns the lesson to unplug the unit before sticking the screwdriver in it - each time! I have even picked up a few new "four letter words" from these experiences.


Oh, and customers DO get shocked, occasionally, in spite of having a qualified tech at the wheel. Defects can arise, or even use of a unit which has not been properly maintained (ie - damaged/torn electrical cords) can cause the user to get a jolt.

This should not happen to a customer fresh out of service though. Assuming the unit was tested before the customer was called, the tech is the one who gets to check for a shock ... usually ~

 

[bikerray]

Think of the fun you'll have dealing with the public...

A woman bought a brand new Riccar, then brought it back 2 hours later, she sucked up the cord into the vacuum, damaged the roller brush and cut the cord.

A woman brought in a Rainbow D3C for service, after cleaning it and servicing it, when she went to pick it up she kept saying this isn't her vacuum, hers doesn't have white stripes in the top section. Even though we showed her that the serial number on the receipt and the serial number on the unit match she still kept saying it's not her vacuum.
A man brought in a vacuum, after figuring out what's wrong and giving him an estimate, he doesn't want it fixed. So he picked it up. A week later he comes in with new parts that he bought online and wants us to install them at no cost.

 

[panasonicvac]

Speaking of which

One time we had someone bring in a Bissell shampooer that had the cord messed up. She claimed that the cord had "Melted" inside but it looked like that the brushroll just chewed it up. We knew that she was lying about the cord but she wanted the warranty work done so we just let Bissell do the rest of the trouble. After a few denials from Bissell and with her complaining about the wait, they've sent us a warranty replacement unit but she was all pissed off when the replacement was actually used which that's what it's supposed to be.

 

[huskyvacs]

Agreeing with the above discussions. You could definitely make a highlight reel of all the stupid things people do to vacuums.

This one is from one of the vacuums in my collection. "Why does my Dyson not suck anymore? Oh well time to toss it."

 

[speedqueen]

Vac Shop Wackiness...

Recently I started working at a local shop and I see all kinds of craziness, the most typical thing is someone wanting a bag/filter/belt and not knowing the type or even brand or color for that matter.

 

[relhall]

Stories from vac shop employees could be an entire thread, if it isn't already.


You will need some mind-reading capabilities to deal with the "public" as most leave theirs at home ... so their cell phones become their only intelligence ... and most can't even figure out how to work it as I am standing in front of them asking them a question ... they're stumbling around flipping through messages and old photos hoping to find a picture they took 6 months ago when they used the last bag only to show me a picture of a handle that looks more like an adults ... wait ... "ma'am, that is not a picture of your VACUUM CLEANER!OMG."


... add Clairvoyance & Patience to the list of criteria ~

 

[rowdy141]

My family booked a Vacuum Repair Guy to fix their new Electrolux. It'd suddenly lost all power but was still under warranty.

The Engineer arrived, turned it on at the mains outlet, turned it on at the base unit, turned it on at the handle, turned it on at the brush-head. Wooosh.
All working fine!

"That'll be £65 Call-out Fee Madam. Are you paying Cash or Cheque?"[this post was last edited: 6/8/2018-12:15]

 

[repairman]

Guys,

Thank you for all of your input. I recently went to my local Oreck dealer and the store owner had me "sell" him a unit on the showroom floor even though I had more knowledge with fixing the machines and he was blown away with how much I knew. He told me he has to fit me into another worker's schedule since the worker is going to have surgery. I will hopefully get a call soon about the job.

 

[human]

Congratulations on the job prospect. I hope it works out and is a good fit for you and the store owner.

 

[kirbylux77]

Congratulations Mike! Make us all proud & do well at your job.

Rob

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Excellent

This will benefit both of you.