Booking a Repair Service

Rahul's washing machine has stopped working, so he calls a repair technician to describe the problem and book a convenient time for a home visit.

Meanings in Rahul, Repair Technician

Key words and phrases

techniciana skilled person who repairs machines or equipmentThe technician checked the machine's motor first.

appointmenta fixed time arranged for a visit or serviceCan I book an appointment for tomorrow morning?

service chargethe fee charged for a repair or serviceThe service charge is three hundred rupees.

visiting feethe amount charged just for a technician to come and checkThere's a visiting fee even if no repair is done.

spare parta replacement piece for a machineWe'll need to order a spare part for the motor.

warrantya promise to repair or replace a product for free within a periodIs the washing machine still under warranty?

breakdowna sudden failure of a machine to workThe machine had a complete breakdown last night.

faultynot working correctly due to a defectThe drain pump seems to be faulty.

inspectto examine something to find the problemHe will inspect the machine before giving an estimate.

estimatean approximate cost given before the actual repairHe gave me an estimate of eight hundred rupees.

availabilitywhether a person or service is free at a given timeWhat is your availability this week?

book a slotto reserve a fixed time for a serviceI'd like to book a slot for tomorrow afternoon.

urgentneeding to be dealt with immediatelyThis repair is urgent since I need the machine daily.

wiringthe system of electrical wires in a device or houseThe wiring inside the machine looked burnt.

leakagewater or gas escaping from where it shouldn'tThere's a small water leakage from the machine's pipe.

malfunctiona failure to work properlyThe washing machine's timer has a malfunction.

service centera place where products are repaired officiallyYou can also take it to the service center.

quotationa written statement of the expected repair costPlease send me a quotation before starting the work.

convenient timea time that suits someone wellWhat's a convenient time for you tomorrow?

guaranteean assurance that the repair will work for a periodWe give a fifteen-day guarantee on all repairs.

Useful sentences

Ask Hello, do you repair washing machines?
Answer Yes, we do. What seems to be the problem?
Ask The machine isn't draining water properly.
Answer It sounds like the drain pump might be faulty.
Ask Can someone come and inspect it today?
Answer I can send a technician by five in the evening.
Ask What is your visiting fee?
Answer It's two hundred rupees, adjusted in the final bill.
Ask Will I need to buy a spare part?
Answer We'll know after the technician inspects the machine.
Ask Can you give me an estimate before starting the repair?
Answer Sure, we always share a quotation first.
Ask Is the machine still under warranty?
Answer No, the warranty expired six months ago.
Ask Do you offer any guarantee on the repair?
Answer Yes, we give a fifteen-day guarantee on all repairs.
Ask What's a convenient time for the visit tomorrow?
Answer Anytime between ten and one works for me.
Ask Can you book a slot for me right now?
Answer Done, the technician will reach by eleven tomorrow.

Dialogue

RahulHello, do you repair washing machines? Mine has stopped draining water.

Repair TechnicianYes, sir. It sounds like the drain pump might be faulty.

RahulCan someone come and inspect it today? It's a bit urgent.

Repair TechnicianI can send a technician by five in the evening. Is that okay?

RahulThat works. What's your visiting fee?

Repair TechnicianIt's two hundred rupees, adjusted in the final bill.

RahulWill I need to buy a spare part for it?

Repair TechnicianWe'll know after inspecting it, and we'll share a quotation first.

RahulSounds good. Do you offer any guarantee on the repair?

Repair TechnicianYes, we give a fifteen-day guarantee. See you at five, sir.

Common mistakes

Saying "machine is not working" repeatedly instead of describing the specific fault, like "the machine isn't draining water."
Saying "repairing charge" instead of "service charge" or "repair cost" when asking about fees.
Saying "send technician" instead of "send a technician" — don't drop the article before a countable noun.
Confusing "estimate" and "bill" — an estimate is given before the work, a bill is given after it is completed.
Saying "machine has problem" instead of "the machine has a problem" or "there's a problem with the machine."
Saying "warranty is there" instead of "it's still under warranty" — avoid the direct translation from Hindi.

Quick quiz

1. What is a "visiting fee"?

2. Complete: "The drain pump seems to be ___."

3. What does "estimate" mean here?

4. A replacement piece for a machine is called a ___.

5. What does "book a slot" mean?

6. Complete: "We give a fifteen-day ___ on all repairs."

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