How do I grow my "vac shop"

[kirbyman65]

Hello!
I've been fixing vacuums out of my parents garage for awhile now, but I'm not making much. I'd like to grow my business. Any ideas on how I could do this? Could anyone with experience give me some tips? Thanks in advanced!
-Jack

 

[centralsweeper63]

I don't have large scale experience, but, I have found good storage and a good workbench is very good and helpful for vacuum repairs. My bench is 7x0.8 metres. I have 2 shelves of storage below and a small shelf for tools above. I love my air blower contraption. I took a 5.7 inch central vacuum motor and used a length of pipe to stop it from pinning. From there, using some hoses as adapters and the flexible piece, I used 2-3 (depending on where I needed to reach) hoses and a crevice tool.

 

[lanesharon]

Hello!
I've been fixing vacuums out of my parents garage for awhile now, but I'm not making much. I'd like to grow my business. Any ideas on how I could do this? Could anyone with experience give me some tips? Thanks in advanced!
-Jack

Jack, just our of curiosity, where are you located. BTW, I have a Kirby that is over 40 years old and I had the $99 lifetime repair insurance plan. I had a couple of minor repairs previously, but none worth the effort of doing the mail in and mail out routine to use that insurance. Recently, when I could find no vacuum repair place anywhere remotely close to me, I decided to try it. I was not only told that I had to cover the cost of mailing it in and out, but was also told that they may not have the parts needed to fix it and I would get it mailed back without repairs. No one wants to hear that and it is a way to just stop them from even trying. I bought another used motor unit to get it back up and running, but sadly, after using it less than a month, the fan blade broke. I love my Kirby, but am trying some other units that I had on hand but never used.

Why I say all of this is repair parts availability is a major 'decision maker' on whether you can fix a unit or not. So, parts suppliers are important. Or, gathering parts from broken machines and keeping an inventory of the 'good parts' for them. If you are serious about a business, a software package to keep track of parts and an organized retention area for those parts. Just a thought. I am a computer techie. I have parts and they are organized (smile). I did repairs as a full time business but have now retired at 77. I still do it in my local area for my neighbors.