SKS APPLIANCE REPAIR

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Courteous and knowledgeable.

They were friendly, punctual and knowledgeable. They did a good job.

Our dishwasher was not working. The SKS repairperson examined the machine and determined that its pump was broken. The very kind lady manning the phone (I didn't have to leave a message--a live person was there!) explained earlier that manufacturers are no longer required to supply parts for older machines. The upshot was that it would be more cost-effective to replace the machine than wait and pay for a replacement pump--if one could be obtained. The repair person was very professional. I was very satisfied with SKS, especially because it was locally owned and operating with the philosophy that word of mouth is a better way to let people know of the excellence of their service rather than the expensive advertising of their competitors.

I called this company to fix my 80's era SubZero ice-maker, and to unclog the drain of my condensation tray, which was causing water to leak on my floor. Steve first told me that I didn't have a leak. I showed him the clear water stain trail leading back to the condensation tray and explained how I regularly mop up water. He said the problem with my ice-maker was a bad water valve. He quoted me $213 labor to fix the valve, $49 to unclog the tray drain, and $55 for a new valve part. He got 3 minutes into working on the valve, and told me the problem was actually with my pipes, and I would need to call a plumber. He then spent 2 minutes squirting CO2 into the drain of the condensation tray and removed a ball of gunk. He then charged me $175. I asked why the cost for cleaning out the tray went from $49 to $175. He couldn't explain. I then talked to Kim back at his office. She rudely explained to me that I must be "confused over the original quote." She said for 7 years they have always charged $175 to clean a drain. I pointed out that 3 minutes before Steve misdiagnosed the problem with my ice-maker the cost to unclog the drain was $49. She rudely explained that the cost for her to be talking to me and Steve to drive the truck to my house was $175. When I initially called to schedule this company, the person who answered the phone snapped at me and said, "you'll have to wait 2 weeks before we can come out, we're too busy right now." I offered to give them the model number on my fridge, since it was so old and I wanted them to arrive prepared. The woman sarcastically said, "I guess too much information is better than too little." When Steve arrived, he spent several minutes hunting around for the model number in the fridge. Apparently, that information was never passed on to him.

They made the appointment on the phone about 5 days out. The woman in the office is very kind and efficient. The repairmen arrived within the window. He diagnosed the dishwasher, gave me a cost and timeline to get it fixed, and left. I can't remember how much they charged, around $90 I think.

Phone contact was positive, first appointment and diagnosis was good, they ordered the part and came back and installed it. Price seemed fine. Haven't had a problem with the oven since.

When my vintage Kitchenaid dishwasher stopped getting water I checked Angie's List and chose SKS. When I got voice mail, I left a message describing the machine and problem in detail. I got a very detailed return message from "Kim". She explained the $99 charge to come out and said they couldn't guarantee they could fix it as they couldn't guarantee availability of parts, because how old my dishwasher is. She also said I might want to check prices on-line for new dishwashers, because even if they can fix it, something else may soon break, and I should consider if buying a new one makes more sense than repairing it. I was very impressed that she gave me advice and possibly lose a customer! I decided I'd try to see if the part was available. The parts store said I need to bring in the part for them to match. I tried to remove the valve (flooding the kitchen floor in the process) and when I got it half off I found 3 wires (a black, white and ground) hanging loosely. Apparently while I was removing the screws holding the valve to the water pipe, these wires were falling one by one off the screws holding them! I noticed corrosion debris in the valve and thought this may be the problem. So I suctioned out the debris but couldn't test my handiwork because I didn't know which wire went to which screw and I was afraid of frying the part if I got it wrong, especially if it was irreplaceable! So I called SKS again and talked with Kim explaining the whole sad story. I told her I needed them to come to re-attach the wires correctly so we could test the water inlet valve and see if it would now work properly or if not, replace it. But the important thing was the wires need to be attached correctly. "Steve" came on time and when I showed him the dangling wires he looked at me blankly and said "I don't know where they go." I replied, "But that's why you're here!" He looked closer and determined that the wires had never been used (it was a converted portable dishwasher he said). He promptly removed the valve, saw it was bad but didn't know if he could get the part. I said I'd wait while he tried. He left all his tools and went off, coming back within an hour with the new part which he quickly installed and it works perfectly. I decided to repair, not buy new, because we have the old REAL Kitchenaid, made out of metal not plastic and which is made to last! Reading the on-line Kitchenaid Forum site convinced me. After complimentary comments Steve made about this dishwasher as he serviced it, I think I made the right choice. We'll see. After the first shock that Steve said he wouldn't know the correct wiring without the factory diagram, I was very pleased with the work. Steve and Kim both have my vote of confidence and I'd call them again.

We are very pleased with the service. Steve had to make two trips; the second was to install a grommet that had to be ordered for the dishwasher. In both cases he was well within the three hour window he provided. On the second trip, he said he would be at our place between 12-3 pm, and arrived at 12 noon exactly. He provided clear explanations of the work to be done, and his return trip to install the part for the dishwasher cost us $7.00 less than the estimated labor cost. He was friendly and knowledgeable and we will definitely use SKS Appliance Repair again.

SKS was recommended by BOSCH as no other appliance repair shop I called repaied BOSCH dishwasher. It was easy to make an appointment (although it was done via voicemails) and Steve showed up timely, quickly diagnosed the issue, and advised it was still ok to use the dishwasher. Quoted repair cost at that time. When part arrived 2 weeks later, another appointment was made, and Steve returned and had the new part installed in minutes. First visit cost deducted from 2nd bill. Easy to work with; definitely would use again (but I hope the dishwasher keeps working so I don't have to!)