Melton's TV Service in Chattanooga: Repair for Older and Tube-Based Sets
Melton's TV Service is a full-service electronics repair shop specializing in analog and tube televisions, a category most chain retailers and big-box stores stopped servicing two decades ago. Located in Chattanooga, it handles repair, restoration, and parts sourcing for sets ranging from 1950s black-and-white models to early 2000s flat-screens, making it the rare local option for owners of vintage or malfunctioning older equipment.
What Melton's TV Service actually is
A single-location, technician-owned repair facility that focuses on the repair and restoration of television sets that consumer electronics chains will not touch. Unlike Best Buy's Geek Squad, which centers on new devices and peripherals, or mall kiosks that deal only in phone screens, Melton's maintains the specialized knowledge and component inventory needed for older technology. The shop stocks original and aftermarket tubes, transformers, and control boards, and performs CRT (cathode ray tube) testing, which requires equipment most modern repair outfits no longer own.
Services and pricing
Melton's charges a flat diagnostic fee of $45 to evaluate any set brought in, which applies toward the repair cost if the customer proceeds. Common repairs to older sets run between $80 and $250, depending on complexity; a tube replacement typically falls in the $60 to $120 range, while power supply or convergence work can reach $200 to $300. Restoration jobs on vintage sets, which may involve cleaning, recapping (replacing aged capacitors), and full system testing, are quoted case-by-case and often run $300 to $600. Verify current pricing before visiting, as component costs fluctuate with availability.
The shop does not offer same-day turnaround on most repairs; typical jobs take 5 to 7 business days once parts are confirmed in stock.
How it compares to other Chattanooga options
Chattanooga residents needing electronics repair have effectively two paths. Chain retailers like Best Buy offer quick turnaround and warranty coverage on current devices, but refuse to work on sets older than 10 years and charge higher labor rates (typically $60 to $100 per hour) for smaller jobs. Independent phone and computer repair shops around Chattanooga focus on mobile devices and laptops, not televisions. Melton's is the only option in the area for someone with a working 1970s Sony or a broken flat-screen from 2005 that a big-box store has deemed "not worth fixing." Choose Melton's if you own older or uncommon equipment; choose Best Buy if you need fast service on a recent purchase under warranty.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
Melton's is best for collectors restoring vintage televisions, households with older sets they prefer to repair rather than replace, and anyone whose TV is too old or unusual for standard service channels. It is not suitable for someone seeking mail-in repair, same-day turnaround, or a warranty on work (the shop offers a 30-day guarantee on repairs, standard for independent shops, but does not extend coverage beyond that). It is also not the choice if your set is newer than 10 years and covered under manufacturer warranty; those claims belong at a Best Buy service center or directly with the brand.
What the first visit involves
Call ahead with the set's brand, model number, and description of the problem. The shop will confirm whether it can take the unit and advise on whether you should bring it in or arrange pickup (delivery is not offered). At intake, expect a 10-minute consultation with the technician. The $45 diagnostic fee is paid upfront; the technician tests the set over the next few days and calls with a repair estimate before proceeding. Payment is due on pickup, cash or card accepted.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Melton's operates Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is closed weekends and major holidays. Street parking is available on the block; the shop does not have a dedicated lot, so plan for brief on-street parking during drop-off or pickup. The storefront is small, designed for quick transactions rather than browsing, so appointments are not necessary but a call ahead prevents wasted trips if the technician is in the back working on a set.
Melton's TV Service fills a gap no other Chattanooga repair business occupies: it keeps older televisions on air when replacement has become the default expectation. For anyone attached to a vintage set or unwilling to discard a functional older screen, it is the only realistic path to repair.
