In India, the repair and maintenance service industry are estimated to be worth Rs 1 billion. Of this, repair and maintenance related to home appliances like televisions, air conditioners, refrigerators, and kitchen appliances like mixer-grinder, microwave form a large proportion of the market. The announcement of lockdown came with a set of challenges for consumers as it led to the non-availability of many services including repair, installation of home appliances. It got difficult for the customers to cope up with the same and there came the startups and brands to their aid.
Amit Mittal, staying in the metro city was in a fix on how to get his 3 windows AC’s serviced as the summers are approaching, and surviving the same without AC could be a major problem. He wasn’t too sure to try local Fly by Night service providers as he lives in a joint family with elders and kids at home and was scared of the pandemic spread. While researching for the solution, he came across a startup called 247around- home appliance servicing partner for leading brands which is offering a FREE Video Assistance for its customers during the current lockdown situation.
Powered by the company’s employees working from home, it allows customers to seamlessly book appointments via a National helpline number – 9555000247. The platform is using WhatsApp, and Google meeting integration on 247around proprietary software.
Additionally, appliances and consumer electronics makers Panasonic and Godrej are helping customers make use of DIY (Do-It-Yourself) videos or remote assistance virtually to keep the products in shape on a real-time basis. Appliance maker Samsung has also started a live chat service where individuals can reach the company for any product queries
These initiatives by white goods makers and Start-ups like 247around comes as a boon for the customers since the technicians are not permitted to visit them to fix the appliances.