Mark's Telethon Electronics

[Bruzilla]

I went into that shop several years ago to see about getting a big screen TV fixed and didn't even bother to talk to the owner. I was waiting for him to finish with another customer and I saw all of the used VCRs, TVs, stereos, and other electronics for sale and I knew from experience that this was not a place I wanted to do business with. I've learned that really good electronics repair places may have an item or two for sale, usually because someone never picked up the repaired item, but if they've got enough to fill a small showroom it's usually because of deceptive business practices.

The game is someone brings in a broken TV for example. What seems like a complicated repair is usually a cheap and easy fix, and the repair guy orders a replacement part from a wholesaler up in Baltimore. They get the part and mark up the cost 400% or more, then slap on a lot of labor costs. Then when the customer comes back for the TV they either pay the excessive cost of repair, or they leave the item and the store sells it. It's a win-win for the store owner. Unlike a pawnshop, these places can charge more for a used item because the item has been repaired and "warrantied". So the store usually stays in business more by selling items than by repairing them.

I took my TV to the repair shop that used to be a part of the Radio Shack store on RT 5. I walked in and saw a lot of TVs awaiting pickup, but none for sale. I got the TV fixed quickly for a very good price. I also noticed that this shop closed down about a year later, while Mark's is still in business.

 

[Negative Nancy]

I need to know

Does this Donna person have real big hair?
And does she have a weight issue or not?
I really need to get this resolved.


Fat people pizz me off.

 

[mAlice]

Fat people pizz me off.

 

[waupaca]

In response to your perception of TV shops with alot of TV's VCRs, etc for sale. I in no way condone the way Mark's runs his business, I ran my own shop for 14 years and in that time I never had a single complaint with the BBB. This is not to say that I did not have complaints. My answer to that was if you don't want it repaired that's your choice or if you have changed your mind after I had already repaired it(an estimate was always given prior to repair) let me take my parts back out of unit and you just owe me the estimate charge. I always had alot of TV's VCR's stereos etc on my sales floor.How I aquired them was repaired units left and being sold for repair charges, I purchased from auctions, over the counter, excess inventory from pawn shops etc. If you know anything about a honest repair shop, you would know that you do not make a lot of money (just a living). By my selling used sets it allowed me to pay overhead expenses. Many times people brought my sets that were not even there for service. They were there to purchase an inexpensive set for child's room, video game or did not have enough money to purchase new and they could get a quality set with a warranty for 50% or less of cost of new. I know the gentleman who ran the Radio Shack that you mentioned and his franchise rules prohibited him from doing certain things and if you remember that store you recall it was small and did not have alot of floor space. I am not trying to be negative and normally would not write and response, you have to be careful about making blanket statements that may or not hold water. The main reason I closed my shop is that I could no longer compete with the cheap for imports. I built a relationship with my customers and to this day six years later I still get Xmas cards and mail asking if I plan to ever open up again. I will concede that there are probably no shops left that you can feel comfortable with as they are just holding on any way they can to make a few bucks.