TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

In Poor Economy, Fixit Shops Keep Things In Good Repair

Tribune photo by LAURA FRAZIER

Daniel Chung, owner of Brandon Shoe Repair and Alteration on Edwards Ave., works with a cutting machine he uses at his shop to slice through leather and other materials.

ADVERTISEMENT

By LAURA FRAZIER and YVETTE C. HAMMETT

lfrazier@tampatrib.com yhammett@tampatrib.com

Published: March 11, 2009

BRANDON - Nothing lasts forever, but a growing number of cost-conscious consumers are finding a quick fix to address the old adage by choosing to repair, rather than replace apparel and household items such as shoes, clothes, televisions and vacuums.

In better economic times, such goods gone bad might have been kicked to the curb without a care. During the past four months, however, many local repair shops report increases in business of 50 percent or more.

Just Keep It Going

Brandon TV owner Elliott Flomberg said business in January and February - usually the slowest season for television repairs - surpassed his traditionally busy time, lightning season.

During the first two months of 2007 and 2008, Flomberg said the shop he established 32 years ago in Seffner took in an average of 285 residential and commercially owned TVs for repair. During the same period this year, he wrote an astounding 1,339 repair order tickets.

"They're saying they can't afford a new TV, and they can't put it on a credit card, so they're just having the old one repaired," Flomberg said.

In addition to repairs of high-end sets that cost thousands of dollars, Flomberg said he's fixing more broken sets that sold for $300 or $400.

"If they can put $100 into it, they'll go ahead and repair it."

Fixing Everything

It's not just big-ticket items that are being brought in for repair.

Vince Esposito, manager of Seffner Shoe & Boot Repair, said business at the 21-year-old shop is up about 45 percent.

"About four months ago, it just got busier," he said. "I'm doing more soles, more heels and a lot of purses, but not the real Louis Vuittons. We're seeing all the fake stuff."

Esposito also has noticed an unusual trend in recent months: people asking about repairs for random, relatively inexpensive items such as a Johnny Jump-Up bouncing baby seat, an aluminum folding chair and a soft-sided cooler.

"People are just holding on to stuff longer," he said. "I've got shelves full of stuff waiting for repairs. It's good. It's real good."

Foot Fancies

At Brandon Shoe Repair and Alteration, owner Daniel Chung said business is the best it's been in 15 years. He opened the shop in 1986 on State Road 60 and later moved to his current location on Edwards Street in Brandon.

"It used to be that people would come in and ask 'how much to repair these shoes' and then change their mind and walk out," Chung said. "Now they leave the shoes to be repaired because they don't want to buy new ones."

He estimates orders are up 25 percent from three or four months ago and also noted a trend in the types of apparel people bring in for a nip and a tuck.

About Alterations

With the price of some clothing in the bargain basement as business owners and managers try to move merchandise, some consumers are taking advantage by purchasing items that may not suit their needs perfectly but just need slight alterations.

And they still come out ahead financially, said Carolyn Rhodes, owner of Alterations by Carolyn in Sun City Center.

"People are taking advantage of the lower rates," she said. "But they may need a petite and there isn't one. They buy anyway, then pay to have it altered.

"Everything is marked down so low at stores right now, they don't want to pass up the bargains," Rhodes said.

TV Land

George Artaloma, owner of Minute Man TV Repair in Sun City Center, said he isn't doing a lot more repairs, but he has steady customers who have been more willing to fix than to buy new.

"People in Sun City Center, if they've made an investment in a television that's not a throw-away, they're willing to pay for a repair. They don't want to buy new," Artaloma said. "They want to keep something they already have and that they know how to use, instead of having to learn how to use a new product."

Vacuum Packed

Pam Hopperton, co-owner of Bill and Pam's Vacuums and Small Appliances in Brandon, said business is steady. The store specializes in high-end and commercial equipment repair.

"People still seem to think of vacuums they bought at Walmart for under $100 like they're disposable," she said. "They don't bring them in for repair."

But, Bill Hopperton said, more people are looking to buy used, high-end machines, which often sell for about the same price as new, top-of-the-line department store vacuums.

"People are looking for more value for their money," Pam Hopperton said. "The machines they sell door-to-door like the Kirbys, they'll last you forever with the occasional repair."

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 865-1566. Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 657-4523.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT