Solar Electric Repairs (1981) Ltd

Beware!!! Unless your a big business with lots of work for them forget about any service what so ever. Brought in a simple gas trimmer July 2, was told they were 3 weeks behind, like last time. Waited 6 weeks then called. They couldn’t find it. When they did, it was behind him on the counter and he forgot about it and would have a look at it. Ok, I’ll be patient and said no problem. Phoned back late the next day and he forgot again. He then phoned me the following day saying he looked at it and it needs a couple things that he’d have to order in and it would be another 2 weeks. This is so unacceptable. I took the non working trimmer home. If rather throw it out then give them my business. If you choose them because you have no choice, all I can say is keep on their backs and hold them to time frames.

I was originally referred to Solar Electric by Home Depot because they are the only authorized warranty repair shop for Ryobi hand tools on Vancouver Island. My first impression wasn’t good. The place is a ramshackle building that looks like it was organized by a hurricane, but they are the only warranty option, so I had no other option. Effectiveness – 1 star – two+ months gone by, item still not repaired Efficiency – 1 star – I called after three weeks, and they had not even looked at my repair yet. I could literally hear them paging through the stack of papers to get to deep enough in the pile to get to my item. They called later that day to say that it needed parts, which should take ten days. I called back two weeks later, to be told that the parts were still on order. Weeks later, parts still on order, but their supplier was relocating and they had no idea when the supply chain would be reestablished. Professionalism – 1 star - A week after all of the above, I stopped into the shop in person. The supply chain story was repeated. When I mentioned that they could save clients a lot of frustration by calling them and telling them what was happening so that people knew what was happening and could plan accordingly. Staff member literally laughed at me. “Call everyone who is waiting for parts?! Pfft! That’s just not gonna happen…” I guess there were probably eighty tools within line of sight, most of them probably waiting for parts. With this many people waiting for their items to be repaired and returned, I can only guess at how much frustration could be relieved by a few minutes spent calling each person and explaining why repairs were taking so long. I assume that Solar Electric’s status as the only authorized warranty repair shop on Vancouver Island is one of the primary reasons that people use their services. If there were any other warranty option, they could not afford to be this slow, unreliable and unprofessional. I have taken my Ryobi tool back home and will look into paying to send it to Delta for repairs, or just buying a new (non-Ryobi) replacement. This is unfortunate because the tool worked really well, until it didn't and then could not be repaired reliably. My advice is to save yourself the frustration and avoid Solar Electric entirely.

Although the place doesn't look much from the outside. They do a great job my generator packed in on me at the worst possible time. I thought it was toast. Turned out to be bushings which they replaced and got me back up and running great job and reasonable price

I recently had a table saw motor repaired here, which no one else on the Island would do for me. I was very impressed. The shop looks chaotic, and the repair took a long time, but don't let that put you off.

I've never left a review for any company yet but my experience was bad enough that I feel compelled to leave a review. My drill was there for a warrenty they said would take 2 weeks..... After 2 months I had to call Milwaukee directly to get parts for solar electric because they were too lazy to do the leg work. Three and a half months late,r they still can get it fixed because they dont know how to fix it. I took my drill back and will be going through Milwaukee directly (Milwaukee is super helpful BTW and took care of the issue instantly. My drill is being fixed in Vancouver at no cost to me and within the week). Solar electric employee's don't seem to care about their customers or providing quality service. All they seem to care about is getting paid. Won't be going back.

I dropped my air compressor (it was seized up) there approx 1 month ago. I was advised it would be approx 3 months before they could look at it as they were incredibly busy (proven by the number of engines and tools of all makes laying about). One month later it was repaired and ready to go for $60. I was very impressed with the service, price and quickness of the repair. Highly recommend Solar Electric Repairs.

You need a part or whole machine he has secondhand refurbished machines for sale this man can fix anything he is the Yoda of small and large tools at a glance he can tell you what you need it's surprising when you look at his old sign out front because inside he's a master don't judge a book by its cover this man will solve your tool problem

For a service center that's dependent on part suppliers, they are as fast as can be. Most negative comments are from people wanting parts to appear out of thin air, expecting a service that simply doesn't exist. As one of the last companies to offer free estimates and fair prices without pressure sales at all and the very last warranty repair center for almost all brands on this island providing service for the entire island, kudos.