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PC Repair Business???

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abispac:

--- Code: ---3.  People don't understand computers, so when you give them bad news or tell them they need to buy something, they always think you are trying to rip them off. 
--- End code ---
   :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2: i get that alot.

Gatt:
I wouldn't do it.

In addition to the things people listed above...

1.  Customers do not hear the word "Wipe",  or even "This will completely delete everything".  They will always think you mean it'll delete everything except all of their files,  games,  programs.  No amount of explaining will get them to understand that "Wipe" means every last file.  

2.  It won't take a week before half of them reinstall whatever gave them the virii again,  and then they'll call you and demand you fix it again for free because "You didn't fix it last time".  If you make the mistake of doing it,  you will be dragged in to their house every week until the end of time.

3.  A sizeable number of the people will be trying to install Crysis on a P90.  As someone noted above,  you cannot tell them it's time to upgrade.

4.  2/3 of them will lie to you.  You won't figure out that the problem is that they poured pepsi into it until after 4 hours of extremely painful attempts to try and diagnose short-circuits.  

5.  A fair number of them will think that this is a negotiation.  You'll hear about how they should only pay you $20 because they could've just called their nephew and had him do what you did,  they were just being nice to you,  and you should just be happy with $20.

6.  Another fair portion will have gone to Best Buy,  had the Geek Squad's completely useless drones look at the computer and tell them they need a new Motherboard (This is solution #2 to every problem at BB,  solution #1 is reformating).  You'll go there,  replace the motherboard,  it won't work because it's something else,  and they'll refuse to pay you because "You screwed it up,  Best Buy said this is all it needs".

7.  Then there's the cheapskate contingent,  who'll refuse to use the right parts and insist on the cheapest parts,  which generally fail in a month.  Which is again your fault,  and they'll try to force you to foot the bill.

There's a reason why independent computer shops have been dying out,  this is not a lucrative buisness,  and the hassal just is not worth it.  If you absolutely feel you want to do this,  work only with buisnesses and upscale clients.  Don't do the average families.

SNAAKE:
^ sounds about right.... :laugh2:

Drnick:
This is basically what I do.  Trust me it becomes boring very quickly.  I actually took 5 Years away from PC's and Learned to Drive a forklift & Truck, along with Cleaning streets and various other jobs.  I kind of fell back into the current job I am in. Luckily I am now dealing with Business users so don't have to worry about the Gameplayers of this world any more.  If you can get business contract's then go for it.  If dealing with the general public.  :angry: :angry: Oh and all the things Gatt said are true.

Also Howard's list of kit you need.  Spot on, that is all you really need. (Although a large selection of spare parts never goes amiss). 

Corbo:
I ran an IT business for 5 years with a partner before selling my share and moving on.

Within the first year we ditched home users and supported businesses only.  You don't need any paper qualifications, but it helps to justify a higher price if you can say you are an MS Gold Partner as we were, and it's really not that expensive to build up your qualifications if you learn by the book or videos and just pay for the exam.

Either way you need to be confident of your own ability.

With home users will come irrational demands, out of hours calls, expectations of free repeat visits.  We saw a market to make more money in the SME sector, but if you're going to go with home users I recommend you make the ground rules and prices very clear.

It's a good idea to get some duplicate notepads printed on to which you can record what you did at each visit and get the customer to sign it.  Include your terms and conditions.  It may cost a bit but it covers your ass and makes the transaction feel more official.  They will be less likely to try it on then.  To take this even further, get some polo shirts made up with your logo on, it all adds to the image of "I'm an organised business, you won't get away with trying it on".

Other than that, go for it.  you learn the ropes in business pretty quickly when you're in at the deep end, and if you don't try it now you may never have another chance :)

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