Whats wrong with the Electronics field where is the repair shops and trade?

JohnVladEasternTiger · #1 03-11-2010, 10:44 AM

Hi gang, I love electronics and working and learning with breadboards and making circuits, working with components and using various testers.

I am a newbie in this hobby and Im wondering where are the television and electronic service and repair shops we used to have in the country? Im speaking for the UK but im sure its the same in the USA Canada and Australia etc.. I remember about 10 years ago I went in to a great service center and they were 3 guys working on monitors and had a full supply of televisions computers and other electronic devices to repair, they were highly skilled in their trade, so where is it all and how do you put your electronic hobby and skill you have to use in a trade where you can make money from it?

GetDeviceInfo · #2 03-11-2010, 11:48 AM

mass manufacturing has rendered those shops obsolete. The 'computer repair guy' came after, but they have all but dried up. On a hobby level it's all about personal satisfaction.

'Make money at it' is something all together different, now your talking professional. Industry still has a ton of old stuff, and all the new stuff. Instrumentation or any of the maintenance trades will put you on the right block

JohnVladEasternTiger · #3 03-11-2010, 11:52 AM

[QUOTE=Industry still has a ton of old stuff, and all the new stuff. Instrumentation or any of the maintenance trades will put you on the right block[/QUOTE]

I dont understand what you mean by this comment? Yes Electronics have become cheaper and its pointless to repair when you can just buy a new

retched · #4 03-11-2010, 12:04 PM

Most repair shops are just shipping points now. They return the product for a new one. As for actual repairs, the big chains have some, but they are usually huge warehouses.

IE, Ritz camera has a camera repair service. It is a huge warehouse with 300 employees fixing cameras. There is no public access.

Its a shame, It was great fun, 25 years ago, watching artists at work. I remember wondering how in the world they knew what to do. I thought it was a born talent. I didn't know there was enough time in the world to learn all that was needed to understand IC's and the such.

Now there is Radio Shack. And now I would have to forget everything I know (except how to sell cellphones) to work there.

shortbus · #5 03-11-2010, 03:28 PM

Did you guys see yesterdays 3/10/10 comics in the paper? The BLONDIE strip was talking about this

maxpower097 · #6 03-11-2010, 04:32 PM

Theres really no use for them anymore. You can buy a new tv now cheaper then you can repair them. A friend has an electronics recycling business with tons of HDTV's. He says each one has the exact same thing wrong with them and its a board in it that heats up and fries it out. Problem is the new board is like $129 and you can buy the TV on CL for $130. Then add to the fact that electronics are getting more and more complex, and the normal mr fix it of the neighboor hood is way out of his league now when he opens up a flat panel TV.

Bill_Marsden · #7 03-11-2010, 08:35 PM

Actually I have several TV repair shops (and general electronics) in a 5 mile radius. It has a lot to do with population density I suspect.

Duane P Wetick · #8 03-11-2010, 11:09 PM

Look back at the history of Heathkits to understand what has happened to electronics and communications in the world today. This trend will only accelerate with 3DTV the next big thing to come. More to follow, stay tuned...
On another note, one of my friends is a software guru, who has worked all his career on software development. Everyone he has worked for has gone belly-up or the software license has been sold or it has been rendered obsolete; (usually the last). This trend is also accelerating today.

Cheers, DPW [ Everything has limitations...and I hate limitations.]

retched · #9 03-11-2010, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Look back at the history of Heathkits to understand what has happened to electronics and communications in the world today. This trend will only accelerate with 3DTV the next big thing to come. Stay tuned...

I think I would rather change the channel.

GetDeviceInfo · #10 03-12-2010, 01:53 AM

Quote:

I dont understand what you mean by this comment? Yes Electronics have become cheaper and its pointless to repair when you can just buy a new

Alot of times in industry, it's not about saving money on repair, it's reducing down time, hence a proficient troubleshooter is in demand. At some point, board level repair may be deemed inefficient, but your understanding of the failure will empower you to make good choices.