In The states I think it’s called, “Planned Obsolescence”, you buy it, you use it, and then you junk it, and replace it. But not so in the Philippines, anything and everything can be fixed and or wired and duct taped, so it works a while longer. My wife used to pick things out of my junk pile, that I’d thrown away and explain to me that it was still good, how could it be good if it no longer functions? Then off she’d go and return with the item working. True it no longer looked the same, but work it did, and worked well, I might add.
Here is a list of some of things we’ve had fixed so far.
My seven inch circular saw: The safety on/off switch no longer worked, it came back with a replacement toggle switch. OSHA would have a fit. I still use it!
My computer: Purchased in1997, 3 new hard drives have been added, and every part inside has been fixed or replaced, I’m using it today. Works well!
Electric Fans: All mine have been rebuilt, and I found out, that the repairman will sit for 4 or more hours re-winding the electric motors. Ask someone in the states to do that and see what they’ll tell you! I guess I’ll never get a new fan.
My Power Washer: A friend dropped it off his roof, he offered to replace it; it was ugly, yet it still worked. The only damage was the trolley it road on. The medal worker guy built a new trolley out of stainless steel. I love it, and it cost my buddy p1,000.00 to fix it, vice p17, 000.00 to replace it. I wash my car every week with the ugly little thing.
My front Gate: Is 10 years old and rusted, I needed a new one! My wife gets involved and the next day a guy with a welding machine shows up and with some metal pieces, and two days later, rust is gone, gate looks as good as new, repaired and painted. P7,000.00 was all. What would a new one cost?
My Air/Con.: Purchased in 1996 (second hand) not cooling as well as it had in the past (can you imagine that). The guy came to my house to service it. Took it apart in my yard, used my power washer to clean it, added some Freon, painted the case, now it’s as good as new. The repairman commented that it was a good machine for its age. I thank him and then told him; “You sold it to me 13 years ago!”
In 1980 I was a Senior Chief stationed on the U.S. Naval Supply Facility, Diego Garcia (British Indian Ocean Territory) running Special Services. We had 50 workers under contract from the Philippines. I had to fly to Singapore for 3 days. When I returned my employees had rebuilt my office, by taking apart hardwood pallets, sanding them, and installing them on the wall in a diamond pattern and varnishing it to a high gloss. Then they made me a hardwood desk. It was outstanding and the workmanship was fantastic. The downside is when the Commanding Officer visited my office and asked why his office was not as nice as mine. Since I only had a few months left on the island, I responded in typical Navy Tradition “I’ll check on that sir, and report back to you!”
Anyway, it would take me six more pages to list all that has been repaired on both my house and cars, by some of the most talented guys I’ve had the pleasure to deal with. There are a few horror stories very few, as they are the exception to the rule, and I’ll write about them in the future, (Some damn funny stories I might add!) I read about the Cost of living, then realized they’re saving me a fortune in replacement costs, and I thank them one and all.
If you remember my article “They’re only Seven Once” I told you about my car being hit by a truck on the way to the mall. Well the following week a friend of my Son-In-Law came and picked up my car. Three days later they returned it to me in perfect shape; he even went around the entire car and repaired all dings and scratches, then repainted the car and charged me P5, 500.00. I didn’t even tell my insurance company. As I said above, they can fix anything and fix it well. I’m lucky to live here.
Hi Paul,
Good story,i feel we are just to wasteful in the west nowadays,it wasn’t always that way.
Your story reminded me of a documentary i once watched some years ago.
An American stock broker took time out to travel across China,India to Pakistan by motorcycle.BMW donated the motor cycle.
In India,in the middle of nowhere,he hit a pot hole that buckled his front wheel.A passing truck,lifted it and took them to the nearest small town.He thought his trip was over,as getting a new wheel there was near impossible.A local suggested he try the only local Blacksmith.
4 days later the wheel was near perfect,using basic tools and hammers the Blacksmith had done a brilliant job,and he could continue his journey.
Regards Chas.
Chasdv;
I’ll bet the blacksmith was from the Philippines. (LOL) I had an 850 Norton that I would fix many times on the side of the road, but never a wheel.
Paul
It sounds like you have lost touch with the idea that we live in a throw away economy.
We are supposed to buy cheaply made products use them for a year or at most two, then when they break we are supposed to go out and buy cheap products again.
So you are just another one of the people responsible for this failing economy. I envy you!!
Neal;
Stop the envy and get to the airport! We still have no snow here, and I wear shorts every day, and never a tie!!! (LOL)
Neal, I didn’t know you were so young looking … I thought you were as old and grouchy as me. No need not worry about taking up space and weight allowance in your suitcase for the suit or the tie, won’t be needed here.
I think the last tie I owned was given to my nephews last year … they were going through a “Mr. Bean” kick and they wanted a “shoelace” to wear so they could take turns play ing Mr. Bean. Not so strange that they called a necktie a shoelace, they aren’t really familiar with either one in real life LoL.
The above is so true – Filipinos can get anything working again with some wire,duct tape and some superglue!It is also true that the concept of routine maintenance is completely absent – it is case of run it till it fails then fix it.
Bryan;
I’m taking my car in next week for a tune-up and oil change. Every time I do that they ask me what’s wrong with the car. Why would I be there if nothing was broke?
In years past, when most consumer items, especially electronics, were designed to be servicable, we had a flourishing service, repair and parts businesses here in the USA. I was involved in those businesses for many years and made a good living at it. In the past few decades however, the cost of labor and the cost of running a business eroded the profits out of it all. Today, even a labor charge of $50 per hour is not enough. If your $12,95 electric can opener breaks what would you do ? Same for a $79.95 ( or less ) DVD Player, a budget $200 PC and similar items, especially after you have enjoyed the use of them for a few years.
Auto repair shops, including dealers charge over $100 Per Hour for out of warrantee work. Auto Body Shops ? Today on a late model vehicle it is more cost effective to replace an entire panel rather than remove the dents from it and you’d be getting a real bargain to get in and out of a Auto Body shop for less than $500 !
Today in the USA and possibly some other countries as well, it cost less to replace than to repair and you’d be fortunate to even find any kind of repair shop for many items in the first place. Even getting replacement parts is not that easy anymore.
It brought back many fond memories when I went around to some of the repair shops I saw in The Philippines. Visiting some parts stores for me was almost like a kid being in a candy shop and yes, I did bring home a bunch of parts with me even if I will ever use them or not. Even in Gaisano I was rather amazed at the variety of electrical and electronic repair oriented things I saw.
Even more impressive to me is when I have visited Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology in Iligan City. Although I was never all that interested in many of the academic courses when I was in school, when it came to technical things or having to repair things I was right there !
I have had several very comprehensive tours of MSU-IIT and when I visited the technical labs, the Air Conditioning and Refridgeration class areas and shops I was nothing less than Ultra-Impressed. They also have industrial automation classes and shops ( labs ), Computer and IT courses and so many other things related to service, installation and repair of so many things it really blew me away that educational facilities like this still exist. To me, it’s ” The Real Deal ”
It is a shame that due to economic circumstances such as the cost of doing business and the cost of labor and for that matter the cost of living here in the USA that in more cases than not, it is more economically practical throw it away and replace with new than it is to have it repaired.
Bob;
Thank you for the great idea, I’m going to check with the schools in my area to see what services they offer.
I’ve noticed here that repair shops here run in groups of five or more all in a row. Tire repair (vulcanizing) or Air/Con repair and others. I think they do that so they can borrow each other’s tools. (LOL)
Fascinating story Paul! It reminded my of my late father. I still remember him taking a part the starter on my used motorcycle, fixing the brushes and reassembling it. My Dad could fix anything.
Hello David;
My Father and I built an 18 foot runabout and a sailing pram in the cellar of our house in Boston when I was a kid. Like your Dad he could also fix anything! I wish I’d learned more from him.
Check this out Paul…I bought a window aircon in 1995. Still works great. I bought it used, the man I bought if from got it brand new in Guam…1978. I have never touched it. No one here can believe it still runs and cools. Maybe it was made in the RP. 🙂
Cheers,
Gary
Gary;
What luck we have! Was it a “National” Air/Con? That’s what mine is and I’m still looking to buy the same brand again if it ever breaks. Did you get yours from the same guy that sold me mine? (LOL)
Great article, Paul. And regards to regular maintenance … while it is a luxury to some, my air con guy, and my car dealer to name a couple make a good buck from me on regular maintenance. I have the aircons pulled out, pressure washed, dried, rust treated and then put back in twice a year. Costs me a whopping P1100 Pesos each time, and with the dirty air here so close to the “Big Smoke” it’s probably worth it. If I lived where you do, such regular cleaning might not be so necessary.
As bonus, when you are a ‘suki’ (regular) like I am, you get little things for free. One of the control knobs broke. I took it around the corner to the air con guy and saked about ordering a replacement. “Order?” he asked, with a strange look on his face. “Just leave it with me.”
Later that afternoon he was calling from my gate. Some glue and a tight wrap of wire where the knob had cracked and it’s good as new … cost P0.00.
BTW, National is Pansonic’s designed for cheap export brand. They also sell National in Japan, for the poor folk or the foreigner. Sharp has the same relationship to Sony for Sony customer wanna be’s 😉
Hi Dave;
If National is the cheap brand, than their main brand should last 50 plus years or so.
It’s like the Energizer Bunny it keeps running and running! I clean (my wife) the filter every week and that’s it.
Hi Paul – You know, they can even fix the morning after headache & body aches with a little soup made from octopus ink and other “secret” ingredients. Like the balut, you take your soup with eyes closed. 😀
Paul;
And when was my last hangover, somewhere around 1966! Two aspirins, and two classes of water prior to sleep, works for me. With my eyes wide open. I only use ink in my printer.
Mr Thompson Sir . I have a meeting in manilia and can squeeze in a day to come and consume some malt , hops and yeast desoloved in water. Any chance of meeting up on Monday 8 February in Subic you show me around and i will pay for the beers. You can get this email address from Bob Martin.
Hi Frank;
Hell yes, but with one condition. No sirs in my name please. (LOL) I’ll send an e-mail through Bob.
On my last set of military evals I was marked “Quick to consume a malt beverage” UPPER
Be careful drinking that horse pee ha ha lol ha ha ha!
Hello Paul, you did not mention of any umbrellas being refurbished? I know–you have no use fro umbrellas. 🙂
I miss that kind of service. I don’t miss though the plumbers that we have it there. It seems to me that plumbing issues there are so complex. Unlike here, plumbing issues are solved in a jiffy.
Roy;
You are so right about umbrellas, a long time ago I figured out,that I would lose one faster than I’d ever need to repair one.
As you’ve might have read in my article “I Be a Plummer” I found the same was true here. Better I learn how to do it, than get angered at some guy who’s just trying to make a peso.
Have learned that if the leak does not stop just add some more glue and say a prayer ha ha ha lol!
Thanks Paul watch your email
Best article I have read on here. Sure beats alot of hogwash some of the others write! tanks for the article Paul. SALAMAT PO!
BOT ZEE
Ahh Shucks thanks fer saying dem dar nice words bout me. I just write about the things that happen here in the Land of Not Quite Right..