Repair shops stay busy as consumers keep old things longer
John Porterfield doesn't have much in common with the Big Three auto manufacturers, even though a lot of their handiwork passes through his West Side garage. JP Auto Repair doesn't need a bailout.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- John Porterfield doesn't have much in common with the Big Three auto manufacturers, even though a lot of their handiwork passes through his West Side garage.
Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2008 - Andy Arthur, owner and manager of Charleston’s Fife Street Shoe Shop, cleans a pair of shoes for a customer on Christmas Eve. In light of today’s economy, Arthur said, he’s seeing more people having their shoes fixed rather than buying a new pair.
During the early days of this month, the carbon paper invoices were already stacked several inches deep on Porterfield's desk. In November, his team of mechanics made between 400 and 500 repairs, a 25 percent increase in customer traffic from this time last year.
"Our business has been growing. The economy is not hurting us as badly as many others," Porterfield said.
Despite the recession, a variety of local repair businesses are in the black as consumers cut back on buying new products and try to extend the lives of the things they already own.
"We're staying busy and always deferring work into the next day each day," said Steve Basham, owner of Steve and Stacy's Service Center in Charleston.
"Even with a weak closeout to the year, this will probably be the most profitable year we've ever had," he said.
It's not only auto repair businesses that are feeling a lift from the spending crunch.
"We're swamped," said Pam Sigmon of Sigmon Appliance Repair in South Charleston.
She said business on residential appliance repair is up by about 30 percent, especially in large appliances like washers, dryers and refrigerators.
"We're selling a lot more parts, too. People seem to be doing repairs themselves to save money," Sigmon said.
And then there are consumers taking the bottom-up approach to careful spending. Fife Street Shoe Shop in Charleston has seen an increase in customers who want to repair their footwear and leather goods.
The store has stitched its way through quite a few economic downturns since it opened in 1920, fixing soles and replacing heels. Andy Arthur has worked at the family-owned business for more than 20 years.
"People are trying to save a little more, and repair if they can," Arthur said.
"Some ladies' shoes can run $50 to $100 or $200, and you can put a heel tap on for $5," Arthur said.
In addition to new customers, people who have visited Fife's for one-time jobs are also making more regular visits. They're bringing belts or bags to be refurbished instead of trashed from wear and tear.
Though inexpensive goods may seem like the economic bargain, Arthur said they might not save money in the long run. If people invest in a quality product, they can take steps to protect and repair.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- John Porterfield doesn't have much in common with the Big Three auto manufacturers, even though a lot of their handiwork passes through his West Side garage.
JP Auto Repair doesn't need a bailout.
During the early days of this month, the carbon paper invoices were already stacked several inches deep on Porterfield's desk. In November, his team of mechanics made between 400 and 500 repairs, a 25 percent increase in customer traffic from this time last year.
"Our business has been growing. The economy is not hurting us as badly as many others," Porterfield said.
Despite the recession, a variety of local repair businesses are in the black as consumers cut back on buying new products and try to extend the lives of the things they already own.
"We're staying busy and always deferring work into the next day each day," said Steve Basham, owner of Steve and Stacy's Service Center in Charleston.
"Even with a weak closeout to the year, this will probably be the most profitable year we've ever had," he said.
It's not only auto repair businesses that are feeling a lift from the spending crunch.
"We're swamped," said Pam Sigmon of Sigmon Appliance Repair in South Charleston.
She said business on residential appliance repair is up by about 30 percent, especially in large appliances like washers, dryers and refrigerators.
"We're selling a lot more parts, too. People seem to be doing repairs themselves to save money," Sigmon said.
And then there are consumers taking the bottom-up approach to careful spending. Fife Street Shoe Shop in Charleston has seen an increase in customers who want to repair their footwear and leather goods.
The store has stitched its way through quite a few economic downturns since it opened in 1920, fixing soles and replacing heels. Andy Arthur has worked at the family-owned business for more than 20 years.
"People are trying to save a little more, and repair if they can," Arthur said.
"Some ladies' shoes can run $50 to $100 or $200, and you can put a heel tap on for $5," Arthur said.
In addition to new customers, people who have visited Fife's for one-time jobs are also making more regular visits. They're bringing belts or bags to be refurbished instead of trashed from wear and tear.
Though inexpensive goods may seem like the economic bargain, Arthur said they might not save money in the long run. If people invest in a quality product, they can take steps to protect and repair.
"It's always good to buy shoes that are reparable, if you like them and they fit well," Arthur said. "Everyone has to wear shoes, so it makes sense to make them last longer."
In auto repair, business owners are seeing the same trend on a larger scale. Car owners are willing to pay the price for engine or transmission repairs on an otherwise reliable vehicle they own rather than face high payments on a new vehicle in a time of financial uncertainty.
"People put aside some money for a trade-in, and when they can't get financing, they decide to have some work done to make it last another year or two," Porterfield said.
Porterfield and Basham both give part of the credit for good business to the strong customer bases they built during a better economy.
"We try to be as honest with people as we can. We try to work with them on what needs to be done immediately," Basham said. Sometimes this means making less money in the present, but it brings a customer back in the future.
New customers have come to his garage for second estimates or with the impression that they can get the lowest deal at a non-dealership repair shop, he said.
"I think some people believe that [dealers are more expensive], but not everyone," said Richard Stephens of Stephens Auto Center in Danville.
"While there may be some savings at an independent repair shop, you could sacrifice. We have the correct diagnostic equipment and use the manufacturer's parts and fluids."
Stephens said he has also made good relationships with the customers at his medium-size dealership and that, combined with the fairly steady coal industry in Boone County, means he is faring better than some dealers across the country.
"We've done very well this year - until October, when things got really soft - and I attribute that to our ties to the community," Stephens said.
Dealerships, most of which are independent businesses, are being hit hard by stagnant automobile sales, said Ruth Lemmon, president of the West Virginia Automobile and Truck Dealers Association.
Traffic in the showroom is down about 70 percent and car owners are resistant to bring their vehicles in for anything that's not a necessity or not covered by warranty, though scrimping on winter preparation and regular servicing can mean greater costs in the already uncertain future, Lemmon said.
She said rebuilding consumer confidence is the major step to reviving the local automobile economy.
"Many of our dealers are local entrepreneurs. They live and work in the community," Lemmon said.
While Porterfield is thankful for steady work at his auto business, he also is worried about the future.
"The auto industry employs so many people. There will be a trickle down to our business on parts and to our customers. I just pray that it straightens out soon," Porterfield said.
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