Hirsch's

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  • ians
    Diamond Member

    • Apr 2010
    • 3943

    #1

    [Opinion] Hirsch's

    Let me start with a link... http://www.hirschs.co.za/

    I have been dealing with this company for many years, as a bussinessman and in a personal capacity buying appliances.

    when i started my bussiness, i had to do appliance repairs to generate turnover, so i use to go to Hirsch's in New Germany, it was a small shop with everything including good service, Allan Hirsch was always around making sure things ran smoothly, 23 years later i noticed he is still around visible at the shows, offering advice and just making sure everything is going according to plan.

    In the old days, they didnt carry everything, but had stock of most, like switches for the old defy washing machine, stove switches and simistat switches, and what they didnt have would be available for collection within a day or 2.

    My wife mentioned that she wanted a new dishwasher, washing machine and convection microwave, she mentioned she was shopping around, and the name Hirsch was mentioned, my first reaction was that maybe they are getting tooo big which would result in higher prices.

    So i left it up to her, as she is a good negotiator when it comes to getting the best deal, be it interest rates on hp for a vehicle or buying a kettle.

    To my surprise, all the appliances where purchased from Hirsch's at the best price and because i had to go in for a small op yesterday, i couldnt collect the appliances, so she got them delivered at a reasonable price,in fact cheaper than it would have cost me to collect, with 1 labourer and petrol. The delivery team unpacked the appliances for inspection and positioned them once we were satisfied.

    We were given a fridge as a present a year or so back, it took 6 weeks for the other company to deliver.

    Well done to Alan Hirsch, i must say i have watched your company grow and i am very impressed with what you have achieved. If anyone plans on starting a company and building into an empire, getting tips from this man would be a good foundation.

    The most impressive things i noted was that on the front page is the email address and contact number for the owner himself Alan. This is very rare, normally as a company grows you never get to speak to the boss directly as they are always tooo busy, out playing golf or just blowing the company money in general and the PA is an expert at making up good excuses as to why he cannot sort out your problem.
    Last edited by ians; 15-Dec-12, 12:14 PM.
    Comments are based on opinion...not always facts....that's why people use an alias.
  • Didditmiself
    Email problem

    • Sep 2012
    • 183

    #2
    Thanks for that ian. I've never had dealings with Hirsch's. It is nice to know that there is still a company that gives good old fashioned service and competitive prices as well. Next time my wife I need something for (the house or whatever), we'll look at visiting them.

    Comment

    • Dave A
      Site Caretaker

      • May 2006
      • 22803

      #3
      There is little doubt Alan and Margaret Hirsch are great examples of how to do it right.
      Participation is voluntary.

      Alcocks Electrical Services | Alcocks Pest Control & Entomological Services | Alcocks Hygiene Services

      Comment

      • Blurock
        Diamond Member

        • May 2010
        • 4203

        #4
        Originally posted by Dave A
        There is little doubt Alan and Margaret Hirsch are great examples of how to do it right.
        Agreed, good example of owner involvement and commitment. I believe that daughter Lucy is starting to make a name for herself too.
        Excellence is not a skill; its an attitude...

        Comment

        • Pap_sak
          Silver Member

          • Sep 2008
          • 466

          #5
          Funnily enough, I went and bought a few things there on Sunday (trying to avoid game and Makro) and although impressed with the shop - was not impressed with the service. I don't normally send emails, bit did this time.

          So far, no answer.

          Comment

          • Didditmiself
            Email problem

            • Sep 2012
            • 183

            #6
            What happened?

            Comment

            • ians
              Diamond Member

              • Apr 2010
              • 3943

              #7
              Alan hirsch has his email address on the front page of his website, i would let him know.
              Comments are based on opinion...not always facts....that's why people use an alias.

              Comment

              • Pap_sak
                Silver Member

                • Sep 2008
                • 466

                #8
                Still no reply - cannot see alan's email address, am I just being thick?

                Comment

                • ians
                  Diamond Member

                  • Apr 2010
                  • 3943

                  #9
                  There is a picture of him on the front page with his cellphone number, scroll down on the right below the branch and contact numbers.
                  Comments are based on opinion...not always facts....that's why people use an alias.

                  Comment

                  • Pap_sak
                    Silver Member

                    • Sep 2008
                    • 466

                    #10
                    Cheers for that Ians -have emailed again.

                    Comment

                    • ians
                      Diamond Member

                      • Apr 2010
                      • 3943

                      #11
                      the new convection microwaveone purchased last month, took it back this morning, was told the motor is faulty, so they replaced the whole unit, no problem, got home unpacked the brand new one it has a sizable dent, so we have to go all the way back again. The box in good condition and it doesnt look like it has been hit, Clearly Defy is not doing any quality control checks on their products. The last microwave rusted inside and they had to replace the inner shell, they did it with out a problem, but what is going on, i have had defy product which have lasted 10- 20 years.
                      Comments are based on opinion...not always facts....that's why people use an alias.

                      Comment

                      • Pap_sak
                        Silver Member

                        • Sep 2008
                        • 466

                        #12
                        Well, the manager of the CT branch called, pleasant enough chap - but I end up still feeling short changed. Basically you drive 60km to a shop, spend R3000 and find if you had been there on the 15th you would have saved 15% and on the 17th you would save 17%. But of course this is not advertised on the website, so I go on the 16th and get squat. Because of that and a few other niggles I probably won't go back.

                        Comment

                        • Justloadit
                          Diamond Member

                          • Nov 2010
                          • 3518

                          #13
                          Blaming the store that sold a bum product is not really the right answer. The store is after all selling in good faith a product not manufactured by them. What gives the brownies, is how an issue is handled when it arises.

                          The fact that you traveled 60Km to buy it is really your problem. The point could be raised - well why did you not open the box, and inspect the unit before you loaded it onto your vehicle?

                          At HiFi corporation at a shopping centre close to me, opens every single boxed appliance they sell, to ensure that there are no dings, scratches or cracked glass/screens what ever. They probably have experienced what you have described here.
                          Victor - Knowledge is a blessing or a curse, your current circumstances make you decide!
                          Solar pumping, Solar Geyser & Solar Security lighting solutions - www.microsolve.co.za

                          Comment

                          • Blurock
                            Diamond Member

                            • May 2010
                            • 4203

                            #14
                            Clearly quality is not what it used to be and no-one cares. When we got married we bought a 2nd hand Frigidaire from a friend. Years later he bought it back from us (now painted a bright orange) and still had it 20 years later.

                            Our own experience with a Defy fridge was good (also about 20 years) and when we decided to replace it, it was because we could no longer get door seals or other spares such as shelves etc. I was told by a reputable dealer that the average life span of a fridge is now 3-5 years and that they do not keep spares for longer than that.

                            Sadly, the upgrade to a new Defy was actually a downgrade as the new fridge was built with much lower quality materials and appeared to be flimsy in comparison. The first one was replaced after 6 months and the replacement has been running without any problems for 5 years now. I still want to buy local, but these guys are making it very hard to support them if they don't care about quality.
                            Excellence is not a skill; its an attitude...

                            Comment

                            • Pap_sak
                              Silver Member

                              • Sep 2008
                              • 466

                              #15
                              Originally posted by Justloadit
                              Blaming the store that sold a bum product is not really the right answer. The store is after all selling in good faith a product not manufactured by them. What gives the brownies, is how an issue is handled when it arises.

                              The fact that you traveled 60Km to buy it is really your problem. The point could be raised - well why did you not open the box, and inspect the unit before you loaded it onto your vehicle?

                              At HiFi corporation at a shopping centre close to me, opens every single boxed appliance they sell, to ensure that there are no dings, scratches or cracked glass/screens what ever. They probably have experienced what you have described here.
                              You do realise that IANS and PAP_SAK are two different people??

                              My main issue is that they had a sale the day before and day after we visited, but did not advertise it on their website.

                              Comment

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