Is Uncle Harry’s Appliance Repair School Worth It? Full Review
Uncle Harry’s Appliance Repair School Review – If you’re thinking about starting a career in appliance repair or branching out on your own as a service business owner, Uncle Harry’s is a name you’ve probably seen in your search. In this detailed review, we’ll break down what Uncle Harry’s Appliance Repair School has to offer, highlight the strengths of their hands-on, business-focused approach, and take an honest look at where the program delivers—and where it may fall short.
Choosing the right learning platform requires careful consideration. Some platforms are rigid in their approach, while others are more flexible, adapting to the evolving needs of the technicians taking their courses. As appliances become increasingly complex, it’s essential that training programs keep pace with these advancements to ensure technicians are equipped with the latest skills and knowledge.
Qualities Of A Good Online Training Program
- Comprehensive Curriculum – Covers all major appliance types (refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, ranges, ovens) and various brands/models.
- Technical Depth – Teaches both foundational theory (electricity, circuits, components) and specific troubleshooting techniques.
- Visual Learning Resources – High-quality videos showing real-world repairs and component identification.
- Structured Learning Path – Clear progression from basics to advanced topics with logical sequencing.
- Updated Content – Regular updates to cover new appliance models and technologies.
- Interactive Elements – Quizzes, troubleshooting scenarios, and problem-solving exercises.
- Certification Preparation – Helps students prepare for industry certifications (NASTeC, PSA, manufacturer certifications).
- Technical Support – Access to instructors or forums for asking questions when stuck.
- Business Training – Guidance on running a repair business, pricing services, and customer relations.
- Mobile Accessibility – Platform works well on smartphones/tablets for learning in the field.
- Downloadable Resources – Manuals, diagrams, and checklists students can reference offline.
- Community Access – Forums or groups where students can connect with peers.
- Reasonable Pricing Structure – Fair cost that does not break the bank.
- Lifetime or Extended Access – Ability to review materials after completion for reference.
What is Uncle Harry’s Appliance Repair School?
Uncle Harry’s Appliance Repair School offers an online training program designed to equip individuals with the skills needed to start and run a successful appliance repair business. Established by Harry D. Raker, who has been training technicians since 1997 and has operated his own repair business since 1970, the school emphasizes both technical proficiency and business acumen.
Program Content
The core of Uncle Harry’s training is the Platinum Program, which includes:
- Comprehensive Training Materials: Over 200 instructional videos covering repairs for various home appliances, such as washers, dryers, refrigerators, and dishwashers. These videos are designed to provide practical, real-world repair techniques.
- Appliance Repair Wizard: A proprietary tool included with the program that assists technicians in diagnosing and repairing appliances efficiently. This resource is pre-loaded onto a Lenovo laptop provided with the course, ensuring accessibility without the need for an internet connection.
- Business Startup Guidance: The program offers insights into establishing and marketing an appliance repair business, including strategies for attracting clients and setting competitive pricing.
Strengths
- Focus on Business Ownership: Beyond technical training, the program places significant emphasis on entrepreneurship, guiding students through the process of starting and managing their own appliance repair businesses.
- Practical, Real-World Training: The inclusion of the “Reality Series” videos, which showcase actual service calls with real customers, provides students with a realistic view of the challenges and scenarios they may encounter in the field.
- Accessible Support: Students have reported receiving prompt assistance during normal working hours, often getting answers within minutes, which is particularly beneficial during active service calls.
Weaknesses
- Equipment Reliability: There have been instances where students experienced issues with the provided hardware, such as tablets malfunctioning shortly after purchase.=
- Course Access Limitations: Some students have expressed concerns about course access expiring without prior notice, leading to unexpected disruptions in their training.
- Customer Service Responsiveness: While many students praise the support received, there are reports of communication lapses, with some inquiries not being addressed promptly.
In summary, Uncle Harry’s Appliance Repair School provides a comprehensive program that combines technical training with business guidance, aiming to prepare students for both the operational and entrepreneurial aspects of appliance repair. Prospective students should weigh the program’s strengths in practical training and business focus against reported concerns regarding equipment reliability and customer service
Uncle Harry’s Appliance Repair School Review
If you’re thinking about starting a career in appliance repair or branching out on your own as a service business owner, Uncle Harry’s is a name you’ve probably seen in your search. In this detailed review, we’ll break down what Uncle Harry’s Appliance Repair School has to offer, highlight the strengths of their hands-on, business-focused approach, and take an honest look at where the program delivers—and where it may fall short.
Program Overview
Uncle Harry’s Appliance Repair School offers a self-paced, online training program designed to help students not only understand the technical side of appliance repair, but also how to launch and run their own repair business. The program has been around for decades and includes over 200 instructional videos, a “Reality Series” featuring real service calls, and detailed repair walkthroughs for a wide range of appliances including refrigerators, washers, dryers, ovens, and dishwashers.
What makes Uncle Harry’s program stand out from some others is its dual focus: it’s designed to create both competent repair technicians and successful business owners. Students are walked through foundational concepts, common repairs, troubleshooting procedures, and how to handle customer service and pricing—all with an emphasis on building an independent business.
Proprietary Tools and Delivery Format
One of the hallmark features of Uncle Harry’s program is what he refers to as “proprietary technology.” This includes a diagnostic tool that acts as a searchable index or navigation system to direct users to specific repair guides or information. In practice, it functions much like an advanced table of contents—very useful when looking for a particular issue without having to dig through multiple modules.
However, access to this tool is only available through a significant hardware investment. Options include an $800 tablet, a $2,100 external hard drive, or a laptop package priced just under $3,000. While the utility of a searchable offline reference is clear, this model raises several concerns. First, external hard drives and pre-loaded content can quickly become outdated—especially in an industry where manufacturers regularly update service manuals, release new technical bulletins, and issue service pointers. Unlike some modern platforms that offer cloud-based updates, this approach risks delivering outdated material unless the student pays for future updates or upgrades.
Their Website Blog
Additionally, the blog and site content appear to be out of date, with the most recent blog post dated 2022. In today’s training environment, students and technicians alike benefit from fresh, relevant updates that reflect current repair challenges and industry changes.
Pricing and Value
Compared to other online appliance repair training platforms, Uncle Harry’s pricing is on the higher end. For the cost, you’re gaining lifetime access to a vast library of training materials and business guidance, but you’re also paying for delivery formats (like pre-loaded hardware) that may not meet the expectations of today’s digitally connected workforce.
The website itself also reflects an older design aesthetic and lacks the interactivity or real-time features (such as live instructor support or regular course updates) that some other modern training platforms provide.
Culture and Community
Uncle Harry’s website includes a side-by-side comparison with Master Samurai Tech, another well-known training program. In this comparison, the founder of MST, Scott Brown, is characterized as a “one trick pony” due to his emphasis on electrical theory. While it’s fair to highlight program differences, this kind of framing feels unnecessarily critical. The appliance repair industry is built on a culture of shared learning, and many in the field believe that collaboration—rather than competition—is the best path to raising the bar for everyone. It’s worth noting that many technicians and business owners benefit greatly from MST’s deep focus on schematics and circuit diagnostics.
Who This Program Is Best For
Uncle Harry’s Appliance Repair School seems particularly well suited for individuals who want to become independent service providers and start their own businesses. The business guidance included in the program is extensive, and the tone throughout the site makes it clear that entrepreneurship is a central goal.
For business owners looking to train technicians to work under them, however, this may present a downside. When training materials focus heavily on self-employment and launching independent operations, it can lead technicians to consider branching out on their own rather than staying with their current employer. This makes the program potentially less attractive to companies that are investing in training for team members they hope to retain.
Final Thoughts
In summary, Uncle Harry’s Appliance Repair School provides a robust training program that combines technical know-how with entrepreneurial education. It shines when it comes to guiding new techs toward independence and self-sufficiency, and it offers a breadth of video content that walks learners through both common and advanced repair scenarios.
However, prospective students should be aware of the higher price point, the risk of outdated materials tied to offline hardware, and the tone taken toward other training platforms. If you’re an aspiring business owner or solo technician, this program may be worth serious consideration. If you’re a business owner seeking a scalable training solution for your employees, other platforms may be a better fit.