How This Started
Terry Matzer started fixing appliances out of his Van Nuys garage in 1992 after spending a decade working as a service tech for a regional appliance distributor. He’d watched the industry shift toward dispatcher-quoted flat-rate pricing, scripted upsells, and “we don’t service that brand” cop-outs — and figured Van Nuys homeowners deserved better.
He started small: one truck, one tech (himself), word-of-mouth from neighbors. Within five years he’d hired three more techs and bought a real shop. Within ten years, half the Sherman Oaks luxury kitchens that had been giving up on their Sub-Zeros were calling Terry instead.
We’ve grown since. Same garage neighborhood, bigger building. Same tech standards. Same handshake-on-the-doorstep approach to service.
Who We Are
Terry Matzer — Founder & Master Technician. Still on calls, especially the ones that other shops have given up on. If your tech is named Terry, you’re getting the guy who started the company. He’s been inside more Sub-Zeros than any tech in the Valley.
Our crew. Five full-time techs, all factory-trained on the major luxury brands (Sub-Zero, Wolf, Miele, Thermador, Bosch, Viking, Gaggenau). Most of them have been with us 5+ years. Average tenure on the road: 12 years of appliance service experience.
Our dispatchers. Two full-time dispatchers, both with the company for over a decade. They know the customers, they know the territory, and they don’t need to put you on hold to “check with the manager.”
Veteran-friendly hiring. Three of our current techs are post-9/11 veterans. We actively recruit from the veteran community — the discipline, the work ethic, and the “complete the mission” mindset translate directly to good appliance service. Worth noting because it’s part of how we’re built, not just a sign on the wall.
What We Believe
We’re a family-owned, blue-collar service business in a city that increasingly doesn’t have many of those left. We believe a few things that we think still matter:
You should know what something costs before someone starts work on it. Period. No “we’ll see what’s wrong and let you know.” We diagnose, we quote a flat-rate repair, you decide. No surprises.
A repair that holds is worth more than a repair that’s cheap. We use OEM parts, we torque to spec, we test the repair before we leave. That costs a few percent more in parts. It saves you a return visit and saves us our reputation.
The right answer is sometimes “don’t fix this — replace it.” If we can save you money by being honest about whether a repair makes sense, that’s the right call. Long-term customers don’t come from one-time upsells.
The work matters more than the marketing. We’ve never bought a TV ad. We don’t run Yelp promotions. We don’t have a 50-page website filled with “expert tips.” We do the work and the work brings repeat customers and referrals. That’s been the plan since 1992 and it still works.
What “American” Means On Our Truck
Some honest words about the name. Yes, the founder is American. Yes, we believe in old-school American craftsmanship — show up on time, do good work, charge a fair price, stand behind it. Yes, we hire veterans. Yes, the truck is a Ford.
But “American” on our trucks isn’t political and it isn’t aimed at excluding anybody. It’s about a standard. The standard says: honest work, plainly explained, properly executed, fairly priced, and warranted by the people who did it. That standard is what’s worth showing up for. That’s what the name means.
We service customers from every background, working on appliances made in Germany, Italy, Sweden, Korea, and yes the United States. We treat every customer’s house the same. The standard is the standard.
What You Can Expect From Us
When you call American Appliance Specialists, here’s what happens:
- A real human (Terry, Lauren, or Diana) picks up the phone.
- They ask the brand, model, symptom. They give you a 2-hour service window, often same-day.
- The tech calls you 30 minutes before arrival.
- He shows up on time, in uniform, with shoe covers and a drop cloth.
- He diagnoses the problem and explains it in plain English.
- He gives you a flat-rate quote. You approve before any work happens.
- He fixes it. If parts are needed and we don’t have them, he tells you the honest lead time.
- He tests the repair. He cleans up. He leaves you with a written warranty.
That’s the whole thing. It’s not complicated. It’s just consistent.
Service Area
Operating out of Van Nuys, covering most of the San Fernando Valley with same-day or next-day service:
- Van Nuys (HQ) · Sherman Oaks · Encino · North Hollywood
- Studio City · Valley Village · Toluca Lake · Lake Balboa
- Reseda · Tarzana · Panorama City · Valley Glen
- Woodland Hills · Granada Hills · Northridge (call for ETA)
- Beverly Hills / Bel Air south side (yes, we cross the hill)
- Toluca Lake / Burbank (limited area)
Outside that radius? Call. We travel for the right job.
Licensing & Insurance
Fully licensed for residential appliance and gas appliance service in California. General liability and workers’ comp insurance current. We can provide certificates of insurance for property managers, HOAs, or anyone else who needs them — just ask the dispatcher.
Get In Touch
- Phone: (818) 752-1902
- Email: [email protected]
- Hours: Monday-Friday 7 AM - 8 PM, Saturday 8 AM - 6 PM, Sunday emergency only
- Service area: Van Nuys & most of the San Fernando Valley
- Diagnostic fee: $89 standard, $129 luxury brands (waived with repair)
- Warranty: 90 days labor, 1 year manufacturer parts on all repairs