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Mission Statement
Well, that's the pompous description using contemporary management-speak! So, how do I try to run my business?
After a near-fatal heart attack in June 2001 I took the hint and decided to finish my business troubleshooting industrial electronic equipment and semi-retire, turning my old interest of the 1960s into a job. Accordingly I started this one-man micro-business repairing old transistor radios, as well as supplying parts to other enthusiasts. There is an old American business saying: "Quick, Cheap, Good. Choose any two". Well I've done it for you. I do a thorough job at what is for me basically an uneconomic rate. I also take as much care over the job as if the item was my own. So no - I can't guarantee a quick turnaround. Refurbishing old radios is a bit like repairing antique furniture - the job involves plenty of TLC. Also bear in mind that specialised spare parts may have to be found - from somewhere!!
I'm a keen swimmer so that comes first. I know this doesn't conform to the current "work before play" ethic but when the Grim Reaper shows you a yellow card, you sit up and take notice......or take the consequences! I train every day, and swim long distance in open water during the warm weather, and in the pool when it's too cold outdoors. As I don't watch the rubbish on TV I generally work an evening shift with radio classics on BBC7 in the background!
I try to answer emails when they arrive but I have no-one else to help. So if I don't answer immediately please be patient. Should you get no reply within a couple of days, please resend as it's possible the original got mislaid in cyberspace, or my elderly PC crashed and wiped it before I got the chance to answer. Likewise, please don't keep asking for updates - it costs a lot of time to answer if everyone does this, and anyway I'll come straight back when your job is finished, or if there is a problem. Please supply a landline (NOT mobile!) number on which I can call you. If you'd like confirmation of receipt, please put your name and address (and if possible, an email address) somewhere on the outside of your parcel, as I don't unpack radios until I'm ready to work on them. Helps prevent damage or loss of any loose parts. Please send items by Royal Mail only , not by courier. In the event I am not in to accept delivery, it's easy for me to collect items from our local sorting office.
I used to list my landline number but found my privacy kept being abused. No-one likes being called late at night, in the middle of their meal, or first thing on Sunday or Bank Holiday mornings. Also I'm a Wiccan with the old-fashioned view that Sunday is special. So although I can't abide the things, I've had to resort to using a mobile as my "business phone". You are welcome to try the number (07794 329 912) any time. It'll usually be switched off if I can't take calls.
Parts orders I try to post the next day, but again - I don't drive so it depends on when I can go to the Post Office. Likewise when I have large parcels to post I tend to do this just once or twice a week as I have to use the bus - at £1 each way!
Why do I service marine radios? Well, putting it simply I love the sea and all things nautical. So I'm basically trying to combine my two interests - indeed my ambition is to buy a sea-going boat to make my home. I try to service marine kit as quickly as possible, but again if special parts are needed there can be problems obtaining them.
I hope I've been able to give you a bit of an insight as to how and why I do what I do. Oh, nearly forgot! Repairs are now written up for publication in the "Vintage Spot" feature in the UK's new technology magazine: Technology@Home (link on my home page).
NB: The background picture is of the Mersey, looking upstream from Egremont, Wirral. Liverpool's famous Liver Building can be seen mid-left.