The importance of servicing and support

Choosing equipment from a trusted manufacturer is the first step in ensuring your power tools can provide the power and performance required for the task at hand. But what happens later down the line? In this article, Tony Coleman, Technical Services at Makita discusses how professionals should also consider the level of support they can receive after their purchase and how a reliable and efficient service offering can help to reduce delays on site.

 

For landscaping professionals, power tools and equipment that can provide the power and performance needed to get the job done is crucial in achieving great results and completing the job on time. However, when machines don’t perform as intended it can cause delays to work and put projects on hold, which for professionals, can disrupt cash flow and add even more pressure and constraints on an already busy schedule. Therefore, it is important to not only select products that satisfy power, speed and run times, but that also benefit from quick service and support in case of a breakdown.

Warranty

A warranty is a manufacturer’s statement of promise regarding their product’s performance, quality and reliability. Registering a new tool within a set number of days following the purchase is the first crucial step in ensuring the product is covered for any defects or unexpected issues – and therefore reducing the potential for a costly impact on the business, both in time and parts. Power tools typically come with a minimum one-year warranty as standard and some manufacturers offer extensions to this either at an additional cost, or if the applicant meets certain criteria such as registering within a specific time period. For example, Makita offers an extended three-year extended warranty for customers who register their machines via the Makita website within 30 days of purchase. Therefore, in the unlikely event of a malfunction during this time, users can arrange for Makita to assess and repair it at no additional charge.

 

Tool Servicing

Regardless of whether a machine is in warranty or not, tools should be regularly maintained to retain their quality, performance and longevity. Specifically, as kit is subjected to arduous, heavy-duty tasks and adverse weather conditions, it is essential to not only keep tools and equipment clean and well stored on a daily basis, but also help prolong their working order with an annual service.

 

For those using Makita tools, the manufacturer’s service and repair service will fix and service any Makita tool, even those models that have been discontinued or obsolete, or tools that were purchased several years ago – the team are able to work on the entire Makita back catalogue and bring them back to peak working condition.

 

On receipt of the tool, Makita’s experienced technicians will promptly complete a thorough assessment and will conduct the service and any repairs within just 72 hours. This swift turnaround helps to minimise the time that the tool is out of action, so professionals can get back on site as quickly as possible.

 

Those looking to use this service may either arrange for the tool to be collected by Makita, using its tool collection service, or opt for its “DROP and GO” service. This allows customers to arrange a date to take their machines to one of Makita’s Factory Service Centres (FSCs) in person. Alternatively, customers can also take their machines to a local Makita Authorised Service Agent, which are located nationwide.

 

Pre-delivery Inspection

Power tools should always be purchased from trusted sources to ensure they work at peak performance and come with the appropriate warranties. Makita works with a network of expert dealers that are approved by the manufacturer to carry out a free pre-delivery inspection (PDI) of its grounds maintenance, landscaping and gardening equipment (including specific cordless and mains garden machinery) prior to purchase.

 

This extra level of service undertaken by factory-trained technicians, aims to provide professionals with ready-to-use equipment, helping them save time whilst also reducing the risk of incorrect assembly which could potentially render the equipment unsafe.

 

Additionally, those using this service will benefit from an automatic, free, full 3-year extended warranty package as part of Makita’s promise of providing superior service levels for its end users. To qualify for this, once a product is purchased via an approved PDI dealer, the customer should return their machine to the dealer within the first 12 months for a service (an additional cost for this may be charged by the dealer), where the standard one-year warranty will be extended for a further 24 months, making a total of 36 months warranty cover for the tool.

 

It is clear, then, that choosing manufacturers that offer a range of quality, durable and reliable products, as well as a comprehensive warranty and servicing plan, is a major factor in keeping projects running smoothly and minimising tool repair and replacement costs. For peace of mind, Makita has an expert customer support team and dealer network that are always on hand to help when such unexpected issues arise.

 

To find out more about Makita’s service offering visit: makitauk.com/weblog/top-notch-service-customers-can-rely-on

 

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