New name but same tunes from Te Puke store

After 27 years of retailing in Te Puke and four business name changes, Phil Booth reckons he'll still be selling appliances for another 20 years.
Phil, 61, grew up and completed his apprenticeship in Te Puke where his father was a partner in Bayliss & Booth serving the dairy industry - servicing water pumps, milking machines and separators.
Absorbing everything about radio and television sets was Phil's earliest passion.
He left his hometown in the late 1960s and bought into a servicing business in Kawerau, mainly repairing television sets. Later he and a partner added a retail store to their service outlet.
In 1983, Phil sold out to the partner, Dennis Jackson, and returned to Te Puke.
His first Te Puke store was Phil Booth TV and Radio; the second was Phil Booth Appliance Court; then Phil Booth RetroVision, followed by Phil Booth Appliance Spot.
Now its 100 per cent Phil Booth, since Guiness' closed their Te Puke shop last month.
"We always accessed the same bulk deals (as 100 per cent Guiness Appliances) but it didn't make much sense to have two businesses with the same brand name, so we were Appliance Spot."
Phil puts his business longevity down to his "outstanding staff and Christian faith".
His appliance salesman Tom Howie was voted Te Puke's Employee of the Year in the annual business awards.
Tom has worked with Phil since 1984 "and he's still here," says Phil.
Another two of his employees are entrants in this year's competition - Dane Attwood and David Wilkinson.
Dane has worked there for 10 years and David for five. Both mainly do computer sales, installation and repairs.
"We are happy to follow up with our customers. We don't just sell them an item in a box, we install it and see they are comfortable it is what they wanted," says Phil . Being "Johnny on the spot" is vital to keeping customers happy.
Since Guiness' closed Norman Mowbray has joined the staff, mainly as an audio-visual salesman.
He has spent about 25 years in the whiteware industry. including as an apprentice.
Norman enjoys helping customers to establish integrated home systems - audio-visual or home appliances - he's happy to help.
Completing the seven-member staff are office workers, manager Caroline Jones and admin assistant Linda Warin.
Phil as owner and general manager is often out in the delivery truck. "I enjoy getting out and about.
"My staff are knowledgeable, reliable and trustworthy," says Phil. "We are here to help."
Also tucked away in his Jellicoe St store are musical instruments for sale. Phil plays guitar and keyboard and Dane plays bass guitar.
"We enjoy playing music and carry a range of guitars, ukeleles, strings, pics and accessories for string instruments."