Repair service a big hit in Banda Aceh
Repair service a big hit in Banda Aceh
Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh
Pipin Electronic, an electronics store located in the Meuraksa
district of Banda Aceh, is overwhelmed with repair orders on all
types of electronics equipment.
The store, which provides sales and repair services, has seen
a 300 percent increase in service orders compared to before the
Dec. 26 tsunami.
Firdaus, a technician at the store, said on Wednesday the
orders began to pour in as soon as the store reopened on Jan. 27.
Since reopening, the store has received 500 orders to repair
washing machines, radios, televisions, refrigerators, fans and
water dispensers.
Before the tsunami, the store received one to three service
orders a day. Now it takes up to 10 orders a day.
"All of the electronic equipment being brought in for repair
suffered water damage. There are no other problems," Firdaus
said.
He said the increase in repair orders meant the store's six
technicians had to work overtime to catch up with all of the
jobs.
"The high number of service orders means we have to work
overtime, but we're happy because it means we get more money. Our
income is based on a sharing system, 40 percent for the workers
and 60 percent for the owner," Firdaus said.
Repair charges vary according to damage and type of item being
worked on. For a refrigerator the store might charge Rp 400,000
(US$44.40), Rp 200,000 for a radio and Rp 250,000 for a water
dispenser. These charges do not include the cost of replacement
parts.
"Some of the electronic equipment brought in was badly damaged
and beyond repair. Sometimes the owners still want us to try and
make it work again. In a case like that, we charge more," said
Firdaus, adding that some people just abandoned items at the
store that could not be repaired.
Firdaus said the store was charging customers more for repairs
compared to before the tsunami.
He said the increase was due to the number of orders and the
rising cost of replacement parts, which have to be ordered from
Medan or Jakarta.
"Currently, there are about 80 items that need to be repaired.
They need new components that we have to order from Medan. It
takes time. If we don't need new component, it only takes us a
day to work on an item. But it will take a week if we need new
parts," Firdaus said.
Other electronics stores in the city have enjoyed similar
upswings in business. Safwan Service near Syiah Kuala University,
for example, has a pile of items sitting outside the store
waiting for repair.
"I've had to turn down jobs over the last few days. We already
have too many items that need repair and not enough technicians,"
said Idris, the owner of Safwan Service.
Idris said most of the items were damaged when the massive
waves swept through people's houses on Dec. 26.
Last month alone, his store's three technicians repaired at
least 200 pieces of electronic equipment.
"If we took all the orders, we wouldn't have enough space.
Once we finish repairing all these waiting items, then we'll
start taking new orders," said Idris.
Idris said most people preferred repairing their electronic
equipment rather than buying new items because of the high prices
in Banda Aceh. Moreover, repair shops like his usually offer a
three-month warranty.
"If we offer a warranty with our repairs, customers will have
faith in our service," Idris said.