I’m always suspicious of people who fix things, like home appliances for example. On the other hand, I understand that the fees I’m paying are for time and skill that I don’t have. In Austin, I have a great car mechanic I’ve gone to for years – Ken Tate – and a great handy man we call up for things around the house – Barry Carroll. So far I haven’t found a good appliance guy – someone to fix gadgets around the house.
Today I had a quick visit from Tom at Fleshman Appliance Repair and he’s looking to be a good appliance guy. He came over to look at our washer, which has been rattling and dancing around the floor.
After running it briefly, putting some sheets in it and running it, and otherwise checking it out, he said, “well, I’m not gonna act like I’m fixing anything. This is just the way it is. Kinda loud and rattly.” He said our floor was slick and spongy, so the washing machine would just naturally rattle around and move. So, no sense spending more time and money on it.
And while this makes me feel like those honesty billboards, or whatever, I was quite pleased with the visit. The Crestview neighborhood email list and <a href="“>Yelp listing both had multiple nice things to say about him, so I wager I’ll be giving him a call next time something around the house breaks.
Ken was our mechanic too. We knew him when he ran his business from the back of his station wagon, before his shop. Haven’t heard from him in a while, though, and he doesn’t answer his phone. Do you know if he’s doing all right? He’s one of the most honest people I know.
Regards,
Don