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Fix it please
By Colin J Campbell
I fix things.
I hate to throw something out if there is a possibility that I can fix it. Sometimes there is no hope but often finding the problem and repairing it is doable and the result is almost as good as new.
This year one of the strings of lights on our Christmas tree stopped working. After a closer examination it appeared that every bulb has burned out. We had extra bulbs, so I set out to fix it.
First take all the bulbs out and replace them. I discovered that there was a wire loose and it had shorted out, which is probably what caused all the bulbs to burn out. A quick snip to remove the failed section, one Marlette to reconnect and good to go. Back in the box until next year.
After the decorations are put away you had to vacuum, only trouble was the plug had broken. No problem Mr. Fixit has extra plugs, of course. About 15 minutes – a little snip here and a tug there and the plug is installed, and the vacuum is back to work.
Sadly, not everything is fixable. We bought a new Kobo a few years ago, the old one was fine, but it didn’t have a back light and reading in the dark was difficult. The new one with the backlight took care of that. Only trouble was after a few years the new one stopped charging. Either the battery or the connection.
The first plan was to find out from the manufacturer if there was a way to have it serviced. Nope no service. Second was to check U-Tube for possible suggestions. The best one of all: “First, paint a red dot on the face, let it dry, then hit it with a hammer. Once it is in pieces beat all the pieces to a pulp with the hammer.”
The last part of this saga was to buy a new kobo. Alas there are occasions when Mr. Fix it just has to give in to reality that our society is a disposable one.
– Colin J Campbell, CLU, CH.F.C. is managing partner of Guidance Planning Strategies Ltd. in Cranbrook. An independent wealth management firm, specializing in helping families and entrepreneurs create wealth and keeping it for generations.
