Response to Sam

[bea...@comcast.net]

I am Roger Ingalls----RVSA '05--- but a product of Sam Alsop not the "other guy"(The Dr.).  I support RVTC in all my referrals.  I just want to pass on a word of encouragement to those recent grads of RVTC (and, actually RVSA grads, too) that there is a real need for mobile techs who know what they're doing!  My workload is steadily increasing thanks to the many dealers around Atlanta and other places who have sub-standard techs (not the tech's fault---they are under paid and under-trained) who put out a work performance that makes me cringe.  Yes, there are good techs at dealerships out there and I respect them whole-heartedly.  But as a rule, the dealerships get what they pay for.  Unfortunately, it is the customer who pays the price for shoddy work, incomplete work and dangerous work that I see daily.  My typical customer is a full-timer either working on a contract in the area or staying in a park for extended periods of time.  I have six major parks all around Atlanta from which I constantly have calls for myriad reasons.  These people all have horror stories from dealerships and none can afford to take their rigs in for an extended time at a dealership for repairs.  So, my business is booming!  There seems to be an increasing number of people living in their RV's on a full-time basis due to corporate cut-backs on travel expenses, spending less $$ out of a 'per diem' allowance, or just the crappy state of the economy.  The point is, if their home breaks, it has to be fixed and they live in it so they prefer someone to come to them.  Hence, a strong mobile rv repair business.  My best advertiser is "word-of-mouth", but I established my company in each RV Park with a 3-ring binder with all the needed info about my company and my certifications (Thank you, Lew).  I keep plenty of business cards in each park office, and I keep my web-page up-dated.  I am realizing about 20-25% of my business now coming from the internet.  It took about 6 months for my company to hit the #1 spot on Google, Yahoo, Lycos, Kudzu, and others in the Atlanta area, but eventually it did.  Costs are minimal for the web-page.  I made it myself and maintain it myself on www.register.com.  Pull it up:  www.rbimobilervrepair.com.  I have furthered my training and certifications from  HWH,  RVP, Dometic, Carefree of Colorado, Splendide, and Aqua-Hot.  I am an Authorized Service Center for Norcold (Thetford), Suburban, PowerGear, BigFoot, Carrier, Atwood, and several other manufacturers.

     I have never worked for a dealer and can not imagine doing it--- especially for the $$$ being paid.  I charge $85.00 for a Service Call and $75.00 per hour plus parts (25-35% mark-up after wholesale)  and I am busy every day.  I average about four calls per day-- a bad day has one call and a good day usually no more than five.  Travel is my biggest problem--- too many miles around Atlanta and too much traffic!

     If I can be of any help to any one out there, give me a call--- 404-277-2849.  Terry DeHarte, Pete Hilton, Hank Lanier, Gary Osburn, and Lew Farber hear from me frequently and I rely on the insight these guys give me when I have questions.  Let's hear from some of you other guys and gals out there---Karen Echols--- what are you up to?

 

Regards;

 

Roger Ingalls

RBI Mobile RV Repair, LLC.

rbimobil...@comcast.net

www.rbimobilervrepair.com

404-277-2849