Re: VCR sales

From: Jerry G. (jerryg-consult_at_NOSPAMca.inter.net)
Date: 11/29/04 

Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2004 21:59:46 -0500

Over here in Montreal, the stores have very few models of VCR's, and some
only get one for the customer by order only. Only the very large retailers
will have a few popular models. In the way of DVD players and DVD recorders,
the stores have many models.

A DVD recorder is now about the same price as a descent VCR about 5 years
ago. I am seeing DVD players priced at below $50 US now. I am also seeing
stereo HiFi VCR's priced at about $50 US for a low end model, that works
very well. These all come with a 1 year full exchange warranty.

As for stocking up the parts,for future repairs, this would not be practical
at all. There are too many models coming out from the Orient, and they are
changing their designs every few months. Parts and service manuals for the
low to the medium end machines are not available from the manufactures. I
myself don't see someone spending the time or money to service a $50 to $100
VCR, when the shop labour alone has to exceed this value for just one hour
of work.

The new VCR's and CD players are considered disposable machines. As for the
high end machines, less and less people will be wanting to service them, or
even replace them. The new TV sets are all going towards digital and HDTV. A
basic DVD player is the minimum required to see something descent on these
new sets. Maybe servicing the high end DVD players may be a worth while
investment. This is something we will not accurately know for a while yet.
An investment in to the proper tools and set-up will be necessary for some
one wanting to get in to servicing DVD players. It may even pay better to
subcontract this out to the established original manufacture rep. The layout
for the operational cost will be a lot less.

I personally don't see much of a future for the small dealer in home
electronics repairs. 

-- 
Jerry G.
==========================
<Harry Hotspur@hagan53.freeserve.co.uk (Hotspur)> wrote in message
news:41aa446c.1390896@news.freeserve.net...
Hi
Don't know what it's like in the rest of the world but here in the UK
our biggest retailer in Electrical goods has stopped selling VCR's and
the rest are sure to follow.
They now sell 25 DVD recorders to every VCR.
Now this may be a good thing for us repairers as there will be loads
of family tapes about with worn out machines to play them.
If I wasn''t now retired from TV repairs I may be tempted to stock up
with a good few capstan motors,pinch rollers,clutch/brake spares etc.
for popular expensive units.
Another step to progress I guess.
Also from next week the Government has ordered that ALL electrical
work in ones own house must be checked by qualified engineer.The days
of handyman electrical work in the UK are over.Got to be a good thing
for washer/microwave tinkering etc.bit over the top re. rewiring a
wall socket maybe.
"Best wishes from Chopwell,twinned with Fallujah"

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