Happy Holidays!!!

I can't believe it has been over 4 yrs since our last post.  Many changes have occurred since then, but that may be another post.  Today, we are addressing a question that many have asked over the years, and that is why do we close over the Christmas / New Years holiday?  Its a complex answer.

The primary reason, believe it or not, is to serve our customers better.  What do we mean by this?  The best way to serve our customers is to have our experienced staff on hand as much as possible.  We guarantee the staff a certain amount of vacation days per year.  Closing at this time puts some of these days during our slowest time of year.  This allows them to be on hand more during the busier time of year. 

Having everyone take this time off all at once vs. spreading it over several weeks during the winter is also a cost savings.  Having everyone take this time off at one time reduced the fuel consumption for heat and electrical consumption for lights & other items.

A side benefit of this is recognized by the staff.  It seems to act like a reset button.  Everyone comes back refreshed & ready to take on the New Year.  Many times, we have made our biggest changes coming back after the break, such as installing all new LED lighting throughout the showroom, or completely rearranging the showroom. 

Now, something that has not happened during this time over all the years we have been servicing the area, is a weather related emergency.  Everyone here knows, if something appears to be heading our way, we will have to be available to open the doors to serve whatever needs our customers require.  Its not uncommon for us to be open at times of need.  We have come in on Sundays, have remained open late, or have even come in overnight to assist the Emergency Services of the area.  We will not leave our customers in need during these times.

So, from everyone here at GPE, we would like to wish your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Years.  We look forward to seeing you next year!!!!

Cost vs. Value

We have had people ask us why our labor rate is what it is.  Especially when then can have work done by someone else cheaper.  After asking who is doing the work, we find out that it is a "shade-tree" mechanic that they know.  Yes, this person may be able to do the work cheaper, but what is the value of the work being performed?

One large cost of a business like ours is insurance.  We are insured for the work we perform and if something occurs because of our work, our insurance is there to cover the costs.  Does the shade-tree mechanic have this coverage?

Also, all of our mechanics perform both off-site and on-site training on a regular basis.  Many time during the fall and winter, we go to seminars for the lines we carry that have to deal with issues that may have come up over the previous year or new techniques on performing certain repairs.  We also have available to us manufacturer based web-trainings that we perform on a regular basis.  Does the shade-tree mechanic have this training?

How about safety recalls?  We receive up to date information from the lines we carry on recalls and technical service issues.  During this past year, one of the major engine manufacturers had a fuel-filter recall.  The filter had the possibility of coming apart, allowing fuel to spill and possibly catch fire.  Every piece of equipment we had on the floor was inspected and action was taken if needed.  Also, if a unit came into our shop and fell into the dates covered by the recall, action was also taken, at the expense of the manufacturer.  The shade-tree mechanic cannot offer this service.

If you bring in a piece of equipment, and there are safety systems that are inoperable, bypassed, or completely missing, we will do everything possible to bring the unit back into safe operating status.  If a unit that we repaired left our facility in an unsafe manner and someone gets injured because of it, we may be held liable.  There have been times when we have had to advise a customer that we cannot do work if we are not allowed to repair these systems.  You may feel that we are just trying to increase or labor charge, but we are actually looking out for the safety of the operator or bystanders.  Will the shade-tree mechanic turn this work away, or will they give it back to you in an unsafe state?

Are we here to make money? Yes.  Everyone here is trying to make a living at this and enjoy our interactions with you.  We are not looking at getting rich.  We take great pride in the work we do for you.  We strive to turn out work that stands above what others do.  If there is EVER any question on a repair, PLEASE let us know.  We stand behind our work and will do everything possible to satisfy your request.

Jason M Hollowell
General Manager

GPE Help Desk !!!

We here at GPE created this blog to keep you informed on news and events relating to Gateway Power and the Power Equipment Industry.  We wish to reach out to you, the customer, on what you would like to see discussed here.  If you have questions or concerns about anything related to Power Equipment, please contact us.  The future of information is definitely the internet and we wish to supply you with as much information possible. 

There are many ways to contact us:

Facebook :  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gateway-Power-Equipment/135496672111

Twitter : https://twitter.com/Gateway_Power

Website : www.gatewaypowerinc.com

Email : sales@gatewaypowerinc.com


Please, drop us a line and we will do everything we can to get you the information that you want.

Special Carburetor Adjustment Tools

We get requests almost weekly from customers asking to purchase the tools required to adjust the new carburetors that are on small engines.  Unfortunately, we are not allowed BY LAW to sell these.  These tools are only allowed to be used by manufacture trained technicians.  The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) mandate that engines with adjustable parameters (i.e., carburetors) utilized in lawn and garden equipment be "tamper resistant."  The carburetors present on some products require the use of a special adjustment tool for a product being serviced or repaired, due to the tamper resistant mechanisms present on the product.  These tools is to be made available and used exclusively by manufacture trained technicians; it may not be sold to the public, as this could be a violation of EPA regulations.

Specifically the United Code of Federal Regulations, at 40 CFR 1068.101(b)(2) states:

(2) DEFEAT DEVICES.  YOU MAY NOT KNOWINGLY MANUFACTURE, SELL, OFFER TO SELL, OR INSTALL, ANY PART THAT BYPASSES, IMPAIRS, DEFEATS, OR DISABLES THE CONTROL OF EMISSIONS OF ANY REGULATED POLLUTANT, EXCEPT AS EXPLICITLY ALLOWED BY THE STANDARD-SETTING PART.  WE [EPA] MAY ASSES A CIVIL PENALTY UP TO $3,750 FOR EACH PART IN VIOLATION.

Accordingly, we are unable in any way to make available to the consumer these special tools. 

SAVINGS!!!!

Do you have a smart phone!!!  Download the paycloud app to your iphone/ipod or to your android smartphones today and earn your way to savings at Gateway Power Equipment.  Everytime you come in, place your phone up to the sensor to "checkin" and earn points.  Come in and ask about this new program.

For those of you without smart phones, we have a similar rewards card program.  Come in and ask how you can save money today!!!

SALE ON DEMONSTRATION UNITS

Are you in the need for a Zero-Turn Mower, but are looking for a great deal??  Come in now to save thousands!!  We have several manufacturers demonstrator units that have light usage, but carry their full warranty.  These units will allow you to get into that mower that you have been wanting, but didn't want to pay full price.

Come in today and ask about these units before its too late.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!!

All here at Gateway Power Equipment (GPE) would like to thank all men and women in our armed forces for their sacrifice in protecting our freedom.