Ron's Handyman Svc

"I appreciate this client's frustration and did not solve his problem on the Savaria "Step-Saver" as quickly as he would have liked. This is the primary reason why the industry has settled into an approach that we only service what we install! My approach to the service business is a flat fee for a service call, which includes a two hour minimum charge. When I agree to make the service call, the customer usually understands and accepts the premise of paying for the call. I tried to solve the problem with the normal approach of addressing the symptom, and since the batteries were dead on a 2 year old lift, they were replaced as the most common solution for this problem. I was surprised to hear back from him, and should have declined further service, since he was not my customer, but I went back to dig deeper and attempt to meet his service needs. Upon return, I replaced the batteries at no additional charge, and continued to troubleshoot the charging system on the motor unit itself, and connections from the wall charger to the track, and continuous power to the charger outlet. Having ruled out other problems, I suggested that the power supply / charger might be the problem, and suggested to him, that it be replaced. He agreed. The charger was ordered and installed at material cost, on a third visit to his home, whereupon he refused to pay me at this time. Disappointed, I reminded myself that this was not my long-term customer, and I should walk away. I was extremely surprised when his calls continued, and only returned his calls when he gave a bad report to the third party who was the Savaria dealer, who had nothing to do with this sale, installation, or service, other than referring the request to me, an independent installation and service company. Knowing it wasn't fair to this dealer to get caught up in this, I agreed to go back a fourth time to his residence, and dig yet deeper into his stairlift problem. I de-installed the motor unit and examined all details of the installed track to find a small part, which was not properly installed at the top of the track. It had been pushed down by the motor unit to a point about a third of the way down the track. It seemingly was pushed against the charging strip on the track, intermittently, keeping the charger from properly maintaining the batteries. Upon finding this wayward part, I feel confident that we have finally solved his "Step-Saver" problem. I know he will never appreciate the extra effort I gave his case but I relate that "no good deed goes unpunished"!"