Repair service a big hit in Banda Aceh<\/p>\n
Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh<\/p>\n
Pipin Electronic, an electronics store located in the Meuraksa
\ndistrict of Banda Aceh, is overwhelmed with repair orders on all
\ntypes of electronics equipment.<\/p>\n
The store, which provides sales and repair services, has seen
\na 300 percent increase in service orders compared to before the
\nDec. 26 tsunami.<\/p>\n
Firdaus, a technician at the store, said on Wednesday the
\norders began to pour in as soon as the store reopened on Jan. 27.<\/p>\n
Since reopening, the store has received 500 orders to repair
\nwashing machines, radios, televisions, refrigerators, fans and
\nwater dispensers.<\/p>\n
Before the tsunami, the store received one to three service
\norders a day. Now it takes up to 10 orders a day.<\/p>\n
\"All of the electronic equipment being brought in for repair
\nsuffered water damage. There are no other problems,\" Firdaus
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He said the increase in repair orders meant the store's six
\ntechnicians had to work overtime to catch up with all of the
\njobs.<\/p>\n
\"The high number of service orders means we have to work
\novertime, but we're happy because it means we get more money. Our
\nincome is based on a sharing system, 40 percent for the workers
\nand 60 percent for the owner,\" Firdaus said.<\/p>\n
Repair charges vary according to damage and type of item being
\nworked on. For a refrigerator the store might charge Rp 400,000
\n(US$44.40), Rp 200,000 for a radio and Rp 250,000 for a water
\ndispenser. These charges do not include the cost of replacement
\nparts.<\/p>\n
\"Some of the electronic equipment brought in was badly damaged
\nand beyond repair. Sometimes the owners still want us to try and
\nmake it work again. In a case like that, we charge more,\" said
\nFirdaus, adding that some people just abandoned items at the
\nstore that could not be repaired.<\/p>\n
Firdaus said the store was charging customers more for repairs
\ncompared to before the tsunami.<\/p>\n
He said the increase was due to the number of orders and the
\nrising cost of replacement parts, which have to be ordered from
\nMedan or Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"Currently, there are about 80 items that need to be repaired.
\nThey need new components that we have to order from Medan. It
\ntakes time. If we don't need new component, it only takes us a
\nday to work on an item. But it will take a week if we need new
\nparts,\" Firdaus said.<\/p>\n
Other electronics stores in the city have enjoyed similar
\nupswings in business. Safwan Service near Syiah Kuala University,
\nfor example, has a pile of items sitting outside the store
\nwaiting for repair.<\/p>\n
\"I've had to turn down jobs over the last few days. We already
\nhave too many items that need repair and not enough technicians,\"
\nsaid Idris, the owner of Safwan Service.<\/p>\n
Idris said most of the items were damaged when the massive
\nwaves swept through people's houses on Dec. 26.<\/p>\n
Last month alone, his store's three technicians repaired at
\nleast 200 pieces of electronic equipment.<\/p>\n
\"If we took all the orders, we wouldn't have enough space.
\nOnce we finish repairing all these waiting items, then we'll
\nstart taking new orders,\" said Idris.<\/p>\n
Idris said most people preferred repairing their electronic
\nequipment rather than buying new items because of the high prices
\nin Banda Aceh. Moreover, repair shops like his usually offer a
\nthree-month warranty.<\/p>\n
\"If we offer a warranty with our repairs, customers will have
\nfaith in our service,\" Idris said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/repair-service-a-big-hit-in-banda-aceh-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}