New Life Games Tech Forums

So, just seen this on a Craigslist posting. Guys selling a machine and showed his repair bill....apparently we are not charging even close to the going rate for repairs! I can't believe anyone would pay this much...and sad thing was, it was on a S6000. No wonder he's asking $1200 for the machine.

Time to up your rates, Roz  :-)

That is sad, esp. for that type game.  Hopefully they like it. Some folks like what they like I think and will pay whatever to get their machines to work.

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Well that repair man hit the jackpot on his customer!

Gosh I guess!!! Or we need to charge an admission charge here!  :72-

I thought only doctors, lawyers, and hookers made $85/hr! Geez!


I'm trying to find out who it was....not sure I will though.

Before I came a member here I did not know anything or any one that could or would help me if a machine went down . Thanks to this site and the vast amount of  information in the archive . I am  OK at fixing the problems that pop up . Not defending the cost BUT how far did this guy drive to get to the machine . Was it a simple fix or one that took lots of time . Is this machine in a non legal state ?  Repairs are expensive  I know I'm  one of your NIGHT MERES   Ever have to call a plumber /  boiler mechanical contractor out after hours or worse on a weekend or HOLIDAY . If you have a skill that people will pay for than it is no different than buying goods as gas or food . No one held a gun to his head ( hopefully not ) for this service . If this was the difference of a operational  machine and a boat anchor  . Than he got what he asked for .if the guy charged him and it didn't work than it was a ripoff . If he had searched out  NLG he could of saved BIG MONEY  .crap before I came here I washed my Cleopatra reel strips . Do I really need to tell you how that worked out for me . they were new  by the way .  Maybe a invite to the site in what he needs in his future  just my opinion P.B.

PB, well said. I totally understand where you were coming from, and thankfully, where you are now. Just crazy to see what people will do. I could not even hand that invoice or quote to someone! Maybe why I'm still peddling parts, lol. Maybe I am just missing the boat COMPLETELY!!! 

What would you all think if it was a member here who did that repair ticket??? and calls dealers to ask what is wrong with the machine while at customers house.

$160 for a set of eproms is the icing on the cake.

If you ever get a call that starts with... I am gonna need some parts but let me tell you what it is doing, then you now know what it going on.... free support for a guy charging $85 an hour

High 5s Jim. All so true.

I could go on for days

As a person thats new to this, what would folks consider for the work done to be reasonably charged? Assuming it's performed in a home on a service call type of basis?
In my line of work within the commercial construction industry a price of $100 an hour for a competent technician to work on complicated building systems (such as fire alarms, security, energy management, etc) is not unreasonable, this is not including any material costs. Just curious...

Just like parts it's a matter of supply and demand. How many repairmen are available in that person's area to fix that slot?
And, it's up to an owner to shop around, do some homework. If your too lazy to shop around, or learn yourself, then that's what you get.

Was just commenting yesterday how the internet has changed the world. I remember twenty years ago paying out the nose for appliance parts at the local parts store whenever my washer/dryer, frig, or furnance broke. Had no other choice. And had to troubleshoot on my own. Yesterday my heat pump coils frosted up outside. Went on the internet, learned how to diagnose the problem, ,defrost control board, and tested to determine I need a new one. Called local suppliers and it was $145-$225 for a new one. Went on the net and ordered one for $45. Twenty years ago I would be calling a repairman and looking at huge bill.

Just remember just because it is posted on the  internet does not make it a FACT .  Lots of postings are just an opinion of that persons experience  . Mechanical  parts may be OEM or a generic part . Sometimes it maters sometime it does not . Price mark up can differ on the resellers to buy in bulk or one at a time . I personally  do not sell electrical  parts over the counter . That is just an automatic argument  about to happen . People  will use every new part you have and then want to return all the parts they have tried  and FRIED  for a full refund . You will just be left with a shelf of used parts that the next guy won't buy because the box was open . Many of the vender's  on this site  I have bought parts from . They have learned there trade through a very expensive learning  trial and error or schooling process . I went out and repaired a boiler heating system for a guy that had been working on it with his friend /brother /in law and father . After 3 days  I was called out as the last resort which is no problem as I understand if you can or are willing to try first maybe monies can be saved . What I resent is the fact that when I'm call in on a weekend and the guys want to tell me how to fix there problem . Learning is done with your ears not your mouth so SHUT up and listen . He then wanted me to take back all the parts he bought from someone else for a full refund . That didn't happen and being stupid is expensive I'm sure many of the trades here have the same story in there fields . As I get older I'm becoming like BUZZ  ( bless his heart ) I just don't care if I say something that hurts your  feelings . Wake up and smell the coffee  . Your not the most important person on the planet no what your mother told you . Dam I'm funny this post even made me happy . Best to all of you who have been there P.B

Maybe we are crazy ---- but we charge a flat rate of $79.95 plus parts for a home service call. This is not a get you there cost and then hourly cost but the total travel and labor cost. We do charge more for extended travel. If you get right down to it most machines are fixed within 10-15 minutes of arrival. We have not had a machine we couldn't fix --- but we advertise if we don't fix your machine give us $15.00 for gas and we are even. Why should a customer pay for something they get nothing or very little good out of ???   Maybe this is why a high percentage of our service calls turn into sales !!!!! 

We charge $65 per hour but a fluctuating rate depending on the value of the item being worked on. Certainly an older 6000 doesn't support high rates .

Thank you!!!!!! We charge $125 for comeplete strangers (as in, don't know what you're walking into strangers,$100 of which is fromthe potential creepy factor), and pretty much zero for past customers...We already know 99% of the problems we are encountering, but I just still don't see charging someone that much, I get it, we all need to make $$$, supply and demand, all that, but man, where is the balance between "I know the fix and you DON'T" and "I sleep just fine at night, knowing I helped someone for a decent wage and they are happy now???"

Sorry, don't mean to sound like a sap, but I just could not charge anything even a close to what was on that receipt....and FYI, it IS REAL. I could call the guy out tomorrow and he would charge me the same (well, maybe more, now that he's seen this thread, lol). I totally realize that some customers SHOULD be charged 3x the going rate, just for the PITA factor, but none the less, I do not believe in taking advantage of someone...PERIOD.

I'm putting my rates up or coming to live over there ???