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Kitchen Appliance Repair

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Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > House & Garden > Kitchen Appliance Repair



Large Appliance Repair

October 2007

We have an old Kenmore washing machine that has recently stopped performing the last automatic spin cycle. We have to go back and turn the dial specifically to the final spin cycle, in order to get it to work. The washer was here when we purchased the house over 12 years ago, so I don't know where it is from. Where can we find someone to come out and repair this problem for us? Thanks!


Call Sears. They have an applicance repair service, and I think Kenmore is a Sears brand. We have an older Kenmore that is no longer under warranty. The washer stopped spinning, so we called Sears. It was a pretty easy fix and inexpensive.
Just wanted to offer an unsolicited post highly recommending Hi-Tech Appliance Repair. Our front-loader washing machine got sick over the weekend (of course!) and we ended up with a giant mess of sopping wet clothes and water all over our floor. I called Hi-Tech Appliance (owned by Majeed and Tony Hariri) on Sunday afternoon based on recommendations I found on BPN and Yelp. Tony called me back just a couple of hours later -- yes, on a Sunday!! -- and made an appointment to see me the next day during a hole in my schedule.

He showed up right on time, was courteous and respectful, didn't insult my intelligence (unlike many repair guys who think women just don't ''get'' manly things like tools and wires), and quickly diagnosed and solved the problem.

In addition, he offered some advice on how to keep things running smoothly, showed me how to troubleshoot the problem (socks stuck in the pump!) in the future and even noticed that the dryer vent wasn't completely connected and fixed that too.

All that, and he only charged me the cost of the service call ($95) -- no additional fee for labor. And he asked me to call him after I ran my next load of laundry to verify that everything was back to normal.

I've interacted with dozens of repair and construction folks in the past two years and have to say that Tony is at the top of the heap, both in terms of professionalism and in being a genuine pleasure to do business with. His company covers washers, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashes, etc. -- and if it's something they can't fix, he says, he'll refer you to someone who can. I highly recommend calling Hi-Tech the next time one of your appliances gets sick! (925) 348-3480. CC


Feb 2007

Another great review for Hi-Tech Appliance Repair. Dryer repaired fast, with care, cleaned up afterward; decent price, good advice, and comfortable courtesy. But mostly, you know how you can get a good feeling during a service experience that makes you feel that you got it right with a good person? 100% on this repair visit. David


Sept 2006

It was the worst - Saturday evening home with 3 kids, when dh is gone for the weekend, and then I notice - the popsicles in the freezer are no longer frozen. And the ice is starting to melt.

Luckily, I randomly called General Refrigeration Service (652- 1302), and Gary Cain came to my house less than an hour after I called, and at 7:00 *on a Saturday night*. He replaced the compressor in less than 1/2 hour.

Thank goodness! No lost food, no water all over the floor, no trying to pack everything into ice chests while waiting to get someone to come. And no exhorbitant fee for coming during off hours. I can't recommend him more highly!! Trish


August 2006

I just wanted to warn anyone out there considering buying an appliance from Sears. I've spent numerous hours scheduling appointments and waiting around for "service technicians" to fix a problem with our brand new refrigerator that has been there since the day we plugged it in. Conveniently for them, our warranty has expired during the course of the 6 service calls, and now, rather than replacing a defective product, they're going to charge me to try to fix it. I'll never buy a never appliance from them again! A very unhappy customer


August 2005

I just had a great experience with Hi-Tech Appliance Repair (HAR) and they are just as wonderful as everyone says. My 5-year-old Kenmore washer stopped working on Sunday night at the worst possible time - we were coming back from a week of camping with piles of dirty laundry, and every sheet and towel in the house needed washing. So I checked the BPN website, and called HAR the next morning. One of the owners was here by lunch time fixing my washer. HAR is owned by two brothers, Majeed and Tony Hariri, and they are based in Pleasant Hill but they cover the East bay area. Tony diagnosed the problem immediately (the washer's pump had filled up with coins and other debris), took apart the pump and cleaned it, and had the washer working within half an hour. He only charged me for the service call ($95) and not for any labor. Not only that, but he patiently explained everything he was doing, showed me where the problem was, gave me some maintenance tips to prevent other problems that happen in the kind of washer I have, and diagnosed a different problem I'd been having (leaking due to oversudsing). Plus, he gave me advice about my stove too!
I am so happy to know about HAR now. I will never call anyone else. The last time my washer broke, I called Sears and had a frustrating, expensive experience (told them when I called that the motor had burned out, but the repair guy apparently never got that information, and he showed up a few days later with no motor. So he had to put in an order for the motor, and we had to wait some more days, and it ended up costing about half what a new washer would have cost. I'm calling HAR from now on! 237-9267
Ginger


May 2005

Does anyone have any current recommendations for someone to repair a 5 year old washing machine in the San Leandro Area? I'd checked the postings but wasn't sure how old they were, looked like 2002. Thanks. Rachel


I would like to recommend Hi-Tech Appliance Repair: (510) 237-9267. My washer went out and I called them on a Sunday. The owner answered the phone and diagnosed the problem whereby I then fixed the problem myself. This was amazing and the guy was so helpful and polite. I owe him a favor and hopefully this note is some payback. Andy
March 2004

Ok...I used BPN to research a repairman to call to fix my washer. I will say this and stand behind it whole- heartedly...

Hi-Tech Appliance Repair are WONDERFUL!!!!! They are honest, they are good and they are fast. I also want you to know that you would gladly pay 2x what they charge becuse you can rest assured that they will only charge you for work done that you need and if you don't need it, they won't do it to pad the bill.

Thanks Berkeley Parents Network, if I hadn't found them through you, I would have probably just called Sears (I own a Kenmore-NEVER AGAIN!!!) and *Lord Knows* what *they* would have charged me! BTW- p# for Tony and Majeed 510 237-9267 Sandra


Sojeila
I used Mike's Appliance in El Sobrante 510-223-8689 for a washer repair in January. They charged $49.95 plus parts. I checked the price of a couple of parts and Mike's charges about a 10% premium over the do-it-yourself parts from the manufacturer. Seems reasonable. If they have to come out to diagnose the problem on your appliance and then return a few days later with a part you do not pay for the additional visit. The technician who came out was wonderful--nice, helpful and efficient. He put my washer back together so that I could keep using it while we waited for the part. I would certainly use them again.
Jennifer
I can highly recommend Hi-Tech Appliance Repair: (510) 237-9267. After a truly nightmarish experience with Sears Appliance Repair, they fixed our 10+ year old Maytag washer and Kenmore dryer (of similar vintage) quickly, efficiently and for a reasonable cost. They gave a two-hour appointment "window" and kept to it (unlike other repair services that give you a window from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), they had the replacement parts on the truck for both appliances (Sears had to special order parts for its own machine, and then they never came back to install them) and they were very professional. I truly have been waiting for an opportunity to recommend them.
High Tech Appliance Repair (mentioned by Meg Freifeld) fixed our dryer just this morning, oddly enough. They did a good job, and just as mentioned, two workers were here so it went quite quickly. They are in El Sobrante but they do business in Berkeley, Oakland, etc. Call 510-237-9267 to reach them. Brenda
D&D Appliance - You may already be dealing with them. Don (the owner?) does indeed do some diagnosis over the phone, but he is good. John
Nancy
I've used "Louie's Appliance" several times and have been quite happy with Louie's work. He comes to your house and fixes it right there, and he can usually get there within a day or two, and will generally come sooner if you're desperate to get something fixed (like a fridge)
Meg I've had good experiences with HiTech appliance repair. They have always arrived on time, sent two workers, so one of them always knows what to do, and been friendly and happy to explain what the problem is. Don't know their number--they might be based in San Leandro, if memory serves.
Jon
I recommend Don at D&D Appliance Repair. He really knows his stuff and often diagnoses the problems on the phone and walks you through the easier repairs. If you're handy, this is a great deal. If not, his prices are reasonable and because he knows what he's doing, they are quick. D&D Appliance Repair
From: kbliman

I recommend Galvin Appliances (in Albany on San Pablo Ave.) for kitchen appliance repair. They have come by several times over the years to fix our aging oven and dishwasher. They show up when they say and I think they are very qualified and honest but I don't know how their prices compare to others.


From: salsacl

I would like to recommend Kim's Appliances Repair. He was recommended to me and we used him for dishwasher repair and he came exactly on the dot when he said he would. He is the owner of the company and he comes out himself. I've seen other recommendations for his company. Kim's Appliances, 436-5382


From: Lori

A-1 Appliance Repair in El Cerrito has repaired our washer, dryer, stove, oven, and dishwasher at one time or other. Don (he works by himself) always does a great job. I don't have his phone number with me, but he's in The Book.


From: Barbara

Galvin Appliance, Albany 527-2244


Toaster Repair

October 2002

I have an old (1950's?) toaster that has worked for years, but finally stopped heating up. Can anyone recommend a reasonably local repair shop? I don't want to buy a new one, I want mine to toast for another 50 years! R.K.


For vintage toaster (or other small appliance) repair, call Mr. Toaster at 707/554-2587 in Vallejo. We've used him and he's good. He travels around, so you probably won't have to go to him. Joan

Repair for espresso machine

Aug 2003

Does anyone know of a shop that can repair an espresso machine? Julie


Thomas Cara & Sons in SF ... I think they're on Pacific St., near Sansome ... right about where the Financial District turns into North Beach. The sons are all that's left now, but they really know their stuff. aj
Check out Thomas Cara in SF: The Caras sell to both commercial and residential patrons and handle all the west coast warranty repairs for Pavoni. They also service Riviera and Gaggia from Italy and Femoka models from France. Repairs take approximately three-four weeks as parts must be shipped from Europe.

Vintage Stove Repair/Renovation

Dec 2004

I highly recommend Raynard (not sure if that's his first name or his last). He was recommended by an appliance parts supplier on San Pablo in Berkeley and he is very good. The pilots stopped working on our vintage O'Keefe and Merrit and he came out and diagnosed & repair the problem (thermo coupling was shot)in less than 2 hours. He also does small heating and plumbing jobs. 510-309-6095 (pager) 510-233-8677 (phone) 162 24th Street Richmond
Fran


Can anyone recommend a good person to repair an old Wedgewood stove? Perhaps even for a reasonable price? PG&E has adjusted the oven pilots several times, but it looks like the problem is more serious this time. Thanks. Joan
In answer to the person seeking repair for the antique stove, I recommend the following business, located in Berkeley: www.antiquestoves.com/toac/stoveparts.htm
WRP
Mackall's in Palo Alto, (650) 858-0515, did repairs on a 1940s Wedgewood I had when I lived in that area. They seem to specialize in old stoves. They even gave me very useful info. by phone. If they're too far away, maybe they can recommend an old stove specialist in the East Bay. Mary
I had an old Wedgewood fixed up (pilots, loose oven door, etc.) by a co. called G.S. Refrigeration. The repair man came out in the evening as requested and did a great job for under $100. Their number is (Oakland) 763-2611 or (SF) 362-5600. Lisa
May 2002

We have a Wedgewood stove that needs to be re-chromed and re-enameled. Who does this work? And how much can I expect to pay? Thanks! Jodi


Apple Appliance on Sacramento (just north of Ashby) is great for restoring old Wedgewood and O'Keefe and Merritt stoves. We bought a fully restored O'K&M stove from them about four years ago. They had the stove rechromed before they showed us the stove (the other work was done after we committed to buy it), so I don't know how much it cost to do because it was part of the total price. It looks great (still). They also sent the burners out to be re-enameled. They repair and restore stoves as well as selling reconditioned old stoves. The owner is named John. They are pretty idiosyncratic - they often don't answer the phone and take a while to return calls and the store hours are unpredictable, but they really know their stuff, so it's worth putting up with the weird behavior. Karen
I just had my 50-year old Wedgewood Stove serviced by Henry Rutgers. I don't know if he'll do chrome or enamel repairs, but he might be able to refer you to someone who does. His website, with link to email: http://oldstoverepair.com. Lorraine
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Last updated: Dec 2, 2007
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