Fix It Again Sam

Jan 2024-took in a lamp for a simple repair and was told it was a 2 month wait before he could look at it.

My very favourite crystal lamps needed repair. After putting off getting them repaired for 1 year, I came upon Fix It Again Sam. I dropped off my lamps, they were fixed, the fee was reasonable and I am more than happy! Next up is my Sunbeam toaster - will definitely drop off to Fix it Again Sam to repair!

Bill had light since 1st wk in Dec, I had to call after 3 wks to be told he was having trouble and was worried he would damage one Allen screw. At time told him to go ahead. Next time I called 2nd wk in March and no luck. Went to shop where Bill shows me the screw on the one of the mirrors swivel joints that he claimed to have “tried everything to remove” He claimed he would have to ‘grind part of the tube” to remove.

Took unit home, removed the screw in about 30 seconds, dismantled entire unit, two other swivel joints and base and mirror wiring, in about 15 minutes and have the faulty, 8” length of wiring out. Will replace it myself.
I do not believe they even looked at job; maybe felt it was too much trouble. Certainly did not try to put a tool to the piece, and no, I do not buy the old “he loosened it up for you” as I had already removed them before I brought the mirror to them in Dec and put them back as I thought it not worth my time to fiddle with the fishing of the new wire.

Did not bother to ask for the $10 “consulting fee” to be refunded but will not bother with this place again.

I paid $40 in cash upfront to get an estimate for what it would cost to get my gas lawn mower fixed. I was told the $40 would go toward the cost of fixing the lawn mower, if I agreed to have them do the job. I waited a couple of weeks for the estimate, but was told it would likely be fixed as soon as I gave the go-ahead. They called to tell me it would cost $80, I asked them to do the repair, and four days later I received a call to say that there was an issue with the engine they hadn't realized previously, and for what it would cost to fix it, I could buy two new lawnmowers. There was a possibility I would be charged for the work that had been done already (ie. sharpening the blades--why would anyone do that before ensuring they got the mower working again?), but in the end I was told the $40 I had paid for an estimate would suffice! So, they did an incorrect diagnosis of the problem and estimate of the cost to fix it, I waited two weeks to have it not get fixed, and that cost me $40. That hardly seems fair to me.

I brought in my pressure washer for repair. I paid a diagnostic fee of 20$ for them to look at it. They called me in 3 days, notified me that I needed a new extension hose. It was weather damage (I admit I left water in it over winter).
I gave the Ok for the Estimated cost of repair and an hour later they called to say it was ready. Bill is an honest and hardworking man, with friendly and knowledgeable staff.
My pressure washer is back up running and is perfect again. Thanks Bill!

Kept kept mower for a year on the pretext of either replacing or repairing the motor (bent shaft). Reported it would be too expensive to replace (as no suitable engines became available) or repair the shaft. Kept the $40 deposit without justifying any work. Will never go back.

Bill has patiently maintained and repaired our gas lawnmowers, which are heavily used, at a local community garden. He has also brought back to life several old lamps for our family. He is passionate about repairs. This kind of service is hard to find.

STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!!!! Took this guy over 2 months to fix my pressure washer. At first he indicated just a week. When I called after a week he said, the parts were on back order, then I called after 2 weeks, he said the Manufacturer sent him the wrong diagram, then after 3 weeks indicated that the parts that were sent were wrong, then again another excuse about the wrong diagrams. All in all 2 wrong diagrams and 3 wrong parts. Very unprofessional, bad businessman. Do not trust him with your equipment. Certainly his shop is overflowing as noted by the other reviewer, but that is only because this guy just holds on to the equipment for months. No apology on item pick up after 2 months. Total phony, stay away from this man.

TERRIBLE TERRIBLE TERRIBLE!!

Friendly Bill Ashley doesn't need my referral or recommendation. A generation of downtown and Leaside people have found his little shop. Half the year it is overflowing with old vacuum cleaners needing service, and half the year it overflows with old lawn mowers. You cannot walk in the store because it is too crowded with things awaiting service.
I have brought him old lamps to fix, an adjustable piano chair that intrigued him, and I don't recall what else. He takes time to chat, his repair fees are modest, and he treats your old stuff needing repair as if it is all heirloom quality. He's a delightful anachronism in our don't-repair-it-but-junk-it era.

Honest fellow, doing good work. Not always fast on the turnaround, and you have to nudge him, because he's juggling lots of little projects. But he's a treasure just the same.