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Questions about a direction - 7/23/2010 4:51:43 PM

MasterJohnSteed

Posts: 217
Joined: 2/17/2010
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would you rather Take your Computer, Laptop, Cell phone, Gaming system to

a store and have them keep it and charge you some amount later on
or would you rather have the tech come to your house charge you $40 for two house and then 20 an hour plus parts to fix it.

Consider that Geek Squad charges like $186 just to come to the house whether they fix anything or not.

Since I might find myself unemployed around Christmas, I am thinking of doing in home Computer repair, 40 flat rate for two hours whether I fix it or not and then 20 cash an hour plus what ever parts you buy for me to install.

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RE: Questions about a direction - 7/23/2010 5:20:52 PM

littlewonder

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First I try to fix it myself. I'm pretty good with computers so I'm usually successful at this.

If I can't and if it's a desktop computer I have them come to the house.

If it's my laptop I take it to them.

(in reply to MasterJohnSteed)

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RE: Questions about a direction - 7/23/2010 6:31:12 PM

DarlingSavage

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Joined: 9/18/2009
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I had Geek Squad come to my house when my puter caught a virus and I couldn't fix it. They only charged me $100 and they fixed it right up. I don't know how he got rid of the virus, but he did. I had tried to uninstall it. I found where it was saved in the puter, but I couldn't delete it. Anyway, they fixed it. And for $40/hr? Yes! But not if you don't fix it. I don't want to pay someone for not fixing a problem and I won't. They can kiss my ass.

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RE: Questions about a direction - 7/23/2010 6:32:53 PM

Missokyst

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I am a mobile service tech. I find people prefer it to disconnecting everything to haul it into a place that might take days to fix their computer. I charge and hourly rate with a 3 hr cap on labor. Parts are always extra. The trick to being successful in this business is to never screw over your client to make a quick buck. My people give out referrals and send me business all the time. I have done this for 10 yrs and I love it. lol now.. just DO NOT move into my territory

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RE: Questions about a direction - 7/24/2010 7:09:55 AM

MasterJohnSteed

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That's the idea,

Besides I am with in 5 miles of USC (University of South Carolina) and I figure at least 8 privately run off campus dorm/suite complex's. (Basically Mumsy and Dadsy rent overpriced apartments for junior and sis to live in while in college) Its like a smorgasbord for someone with a cash only computer repair business or any other type of delivery to Junior service.

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RE: Questions about a direction - 7/24/2010 9:42:47 AM

DesFIP

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Joined: 11/25/2007
From: Apple County NY
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The shop I use will do either. But depending on the problem, it's not uncommon for them to need to bring it back to the shop to work on it. They just don't carry everything with them in the car.

Oh and once you're getting repeat customers, you may want to offer remote access so you can fix it without going there. But I wouldn't allow that the first time I used someone.

My college aged kid doesn't need to pay for repairs at school. Either the school's IT can fix it or one of the engineering students will do it for free. So you may not get as much business from the college as you think you will,

< Message edited by DesFIP -- 7/24/2010 9:45:00 AM >

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RE: Questions about a direction - 7/24/2010 9:52:16 AM

Missokyst

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Remote access rocks! Some of our clients go away to school and it beats having them send it back by UPS.

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RE: Questions about a direction - 7/24/2010 10:13:18 AM

xxblushesxx

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Joined: 11/3/2005
From: Kentucky
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I prefer to have someone I trust come to my home. I will not pay for the home visit though. They come out, look at the machine, and tell me what it will be. Sometimes they fix it there, sometimes they take it with them. I've never had someone charge me if they could not repair my machine.

I would never have geek squad come out. Their prices are outrageous. Being new, your prices should be reasonable enough to build a clientelle, but do not undersell yourself, charge what your time and knowledge are worth.

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RE: Questions about a direction - 7/24/2010 10:21:43 AM

pahunkboy

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From: Central Pennsylvania
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Frankly- I would just buy a new one.

My unit cost me $300. Rather then sink cash into it- I would just replace it and use the old one as a spare.

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RE: Questions about a direction - 7/24/2010 2:40:58 PM

thornhappy

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Be sure to mind the legal stuff like bonding if you're going to make house calls.

quote:

ORIGINAL: MasterJohnSteed

That's the idea,

Besides I am with in 5 miles of USC (University of South Carolina) and I figure at least 8 privately run off campus dorm/suite complex's. (Basically Mumsy and Dadsy rent overpriced apartments for junior and sis to live in while in college) Its like a smorgasbord for someone with a cash only computer repair business or any other type of delivery to Junior service.

(in reply to MasterJohnSteed)

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Post #: 10