Radio and television today (Jan-Nov 1941)

SERVICE BOOM! HOW TO KEEP UP WITH THE RUSH OF REPAIR BUSINESS A period of greater prosperity lies ahead for radio servicemen. There are plenty of facts to back up this statement. The National Emergency program is having a profound effect on the radio business. As a part of this great industry, the serviceman should carefully analyze conditions and determine how they will affect him, and how he can best be of service to his country. GET THE JOBS Two major factors are going to increase the number of radio service jobs per serviceman. First, the defense demands for certain metals, aluminum, nickel, cobalt, and the like, have dictated a reduction in the normal new receiver output. The new sets produced this year will probably be about 50 per cent of the 11 million sold last season. An even greater reduction in output may be necessary next year. The effect of this shortage on the servicing business is obvious. The sets already in use will have to do — and will have to be serviced. Because many of them will of necessity have to operate for more than the usual number of years, new tubes, filter condensers, and other major repairs will be absolutely necessary to keep many of them going. And because of the importance of the events of these days, listening is on an ever-increasing schedule. The other major factor is the shortage of servicemen which is developing in certain quarters due to the selective service program. This decrease in the ranks of servicemen means that the greater number of repair jobs must fall on fewer shoulders. All of these things mean a great deal more business for you. This new business is not all "beer and skittles." You will have to work even harder, first to get the business in your shop, and second to handle the greater number of jobs in the same working day. To get these jobs, will mean selling and advertising. Use the method which is most effective for your particular area. Remember that a lot of your customers will be new ones, so select a medium which will reach them as well as your own customer list. Telephone calls and personal calls can reach both new and old customers. Postcards, handbills, blotters and similar ads should be small enough, and preferably with enough important information, to keep them where you want them, and not in some wastebasket. A list of short-wave broadcast schedules, names of newscasters, stations, and times, and similar information will make your message important enough to do its job — register your name and business. Special servicing campaigns may call for newspaper advertising. Remember, also that your local broadcast station is vitally interested in the condition of listeners' sets and will probably be glad to cooperate with service organizations in advertising. OUT WITH THE OLD The time angle in handling the greater number of repair jobs will call for careful study. The new situation is going to mean that every minute of your time must count — in dollars and cents. Avoid wasting time with inadequate equipment, methods, and reference information. A few dollars invested now in mod "There's something terribly wrong with it; last night Mr. District Attorney robbed a bank and shot two policemen!" In the present situation — 1. Get More Business — by selling and advertising with phone calls, personal calls, post card mailings, circulars, local newspapers, etc. 2. Handle Repairs More Quickly — by equipping your shop with latest and most efficient test instruments and reference information, to diagnose set troubles rapidly, and enable you to turn out more work. ernizing your service procedure will pay dividends. And the equipment you need and may put off buying now may not be available a little later on. If, with modern service methods, and equipment, you can cut your service time per job in half and service twice as many sets per week as you are now doing, you can boost your weekly income about 71 per cent. These figures are based on the average service shop income and cost figures determined from a Radio Today survey. Remember that the new equipment doesn't help you get the new business, but it does help you handle it. STRESS RELIABILITY This is a very good time to stress the reliability, honesty, experience, and fairness of your shop. Certain attacks on repair men in various industries are being made by magazines directed to the public. Be prepared to defend your business and your right to a fair price for your work. Stress your membership in organizations which guarantee the service work of its members. These and other problems which will arise from present conditions must be met by the servicemen. Watch your part stocks carefully and aim toward increasing parts on hand to cover possibility of more serious shortages and until such time when replacement parts are given a more advanced priority rating. (Already they have been advanced from B7 to B2.) Keep constantly in touch with the affairs of the industry and watch the progress of your business carefully. 32 R A DIO TOD A Y