Cost of Technician

[Debbie1]

I would like very much to have a real Melco person go over my machine--Just as preventive medicine. Are these costs in line?
$80.00 per hour
$80.00 trip charge (includes no time)

[Rod or Sharon]

Debbie,

Melco now charges $115.00 per hour for tech work.

The trip charge of $80.00.....I guess that would depend on where the tech lived and how long it took to get to your site and back home again....I would say this is not a bad deal...that is IF you are getting a " certified" Melco tech, meaning one that has been and still is a trained and certified tech by Melco.

Rod Springer
Amaya Tech & Trainer

[Debbie1]

The technician is coming about 20 miles. Considering the trip charge doesn't include any time I felt that was excessive but what do I know. Are there any lists of technicians sorted by area?

[Rod or Sharon]

Debbie,

Lots of questions can develop around your asumption that the $80.00 fee is excessive. No time is stated means they are giving you a flat rate in this instance. The about 20 miles, is that through farmland or through residencial or through a potential heavy traffic corridor?

Bottom line, it takes time for a tech to travel from one place to another. It takes time for a tech to get things ready, time to spend talking with the customer to diagnois the potenial problem(s), time to make the trip and return home.

This "time" always seems to be or should be "free" to the individual, some understand, but most definitly do not like the concept let alone accept it. This time is a part of a techs life and just is not free. It takes fuel and a vehicle, tire wear, oil changes, auto insurance as well as liability insurance, etc, etc, etc....

Melco, on a warranty service call, charges a flat fee based on zones.

I charge $40.00 per hour with a two hour minimum for travel. Other techs may charge differently based on their specific locations and special conditions.

Rod Springer
Amaya Tech & Trainer

[Mama Kass]

Be thankful that you aren't in the boondocks. We have to wait for a tech that might be coming to our area (extreme northern California - the nearest techs who can service our Big Red are in southern CA and Idaho!)) so that we can combine with others who need service and we still have to pay a lot for the travel. I guess it's just another sign of the state of the economy - fewer techs serving larger areas.

This is why I'm so,so,so grateful for this site and the techs who are willing to give advice "gratis."

[Wishes]

I know it sounds very expensive to hire a tech but when you consider the cost they pay for the training it is not that bad. They pay for the training, travel, food and lodging for at least one week if not more. Everytime they make major machine changes techs have to go back to Denver. They also don't get a deal on parts so they have to charge you for the total price. When a community group comes to us for a donation of shirts for an event, I think that they don't realize what they are asking. I didn't realize this until I got into a business. Everyone thinks you just right it off but as you all know that really doesn't help the bottom line much. I thank this list and the wonderful people who know a lot more than I do.
Margaret

[Dorothy Compton]

Mama Kass,

You might want to know Kevin is back in Napa....not real close but closer than So. CA. Where are you located? I'm just outside of Sacramento.

[Mama Kass]

Thank you Dorothy. That's still 7-8 hours south of us; we're close to the Oregon border in in the tiny town of Etna. I'm hoping that Rod will make a southern Oregon swing this fall. Does Kevin have training on Big Reds? and does he charge the Melco rate of $115/hr. plus travel?

[Judy]

I'm in Eureka, CA, and Kevin came to see my Silver Surfer in January. He was just back from spending time in Denver, and whatever he charges, he is WELL worth it. I thought my machine ran well before he visited. Oh, little did I know. I swear after his tune up it positively SINGS now.

It's 4.5 hours from Napa to Eureka (used to live in Napa, moved there from Eureka and moved back so I KNOW how long that drive is!) using 101, but if I remember right, Etna isn't far off of I-5? That's about a 5 to 6 hour drive up I-5. $80 sounds like it might cover the gas cost from Napa to Etna. I really have had great running after Kevin's visit, and I find him well worth the cost.

Whatever happened to Gary, the tech from Oregon...was it Gary Rose? It's been so many years I'm not sure of his last name. Haven Fry used to refer to him as "Magic Man".

[Dorothy Compton]

Also, Kevin was a Melco employee training techs on the Amayas right out from the start. Melco even snatched him from us for awhile. When Melco downsized, he returned to Napa (yea!!!!). I don't know his rates, but he is certainly reasonable. It does sound though like Rod might be a more reasonable option especially if he does a southern Oregon trip. Good Luck.

You can contact Kevin at [email protected] or (303) 483-0642 [He kept his Denver cell number].

[Rod or Sharon]

Gary Rose was the first tech to ever work on my very first Amaya....

He quit Melco several years ago and went off in another direction in the embroidery world. He has since retired many years ago and to my understanding is no longer envolved with the industry.

As far as Kevin Wasick is concerned, he is an excellent tech and very knowledgeable in the field. I would say that anyone that has Kevin come to do work on their machines will get excellent service and as Judy indicated he would be worth the cost when machine tuneup or repairs are needed. You would have to check with Kevin personally to inquire as to his charges...

Rod Springer
Amaya Tech & Trainer

[Mama Kass]

It's good to hear that there may be another option if Rod doesn't end up in our neck of the woods, but unless I'm mistaken most techs charge by the hour for travel (which is fair, just not convenient) so unless Kevin is coming up I-5 already we're talking $500 or so just for travel. Rod has been so helpful that I feel like a two-timer talking about someone else. We all owe him a lot for all his free advice.

[Juli in Kona]

I live on an island. Think about the cost involved in a service call for me!

Juli in Kona

[Rod or Sharon]

Awwwwh come on Juli.....gee, look at the captive audience you would have during the service call!!... } I might even consider giving you the service work free in trade for round trip tickets for the wife and I to work on your machine....notice I did say "round trip"...how could you pass up a deal like that??? :-}}}}}

Rod Springer