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Geek Culture / Starting a PC repair service

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glyvin101
19
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Joined: 27th Jan 2005
Location:
Posted: 27th Apr 2007 03:28
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Hey guys I'm pretty good at removing viruses adware and such from PCs. I've dealt with many problems and feel that I could make some money from my skill. I've built my own computer and serviced my friends and families. I was thinking of offering repairs and upgrades and I was wondering how I should price it.

For a repair it seems like Geeksquad charges a bases price for a repair / cleaning then they try to get you to buy backups and software for bloated prices. I would try to make my selling point fair prices and I won't try to sell you things you don't need. Probably just going to put fliers up around town, but I was wondering what you guys thought.

Thanks in advance,

Will
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indi
22
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Joined: 26th Aug 2002
Location: Earth, Brisbane, Australia
Posted: 27th Apr 2007 03:35
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Market research about your competitors at this stage will dictate a price that you can live with.
I repair computers in Australia for $50 per hour, no call out fee but minimum of 2 hours.
Clients who have paid for a website etc get the first two hours free.

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Zaibatsu
18
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Joined: 1st May 2006
Location: Lost in Thought
Posted: 27th Apr 2007 06:30
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what someone did to me once is charge way under to repair my PC, but insisted it need some new parts, which he sold to me at ludicrous prices.

"I admire its purity, a survivor, unclouded by conscience, remorse, or delusions of morality"

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bitJericho
22
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Joined: 9th Oct 2002
Location: United States
Posted: 27th Apr 2007 08:02
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Quote: "what someone did to me once is charge way under to repair my PC, but insisted it need some new parts, which he sold to me at ludicrous prices."


It's best to be honest.. I'm actually working on a similar idea myself^.^

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Phaelax
DBPro Master
21
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Joined: 16th Apr 2003
Location: Metropia
Posted: 27th Apr 2007 11:10
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The prices that some people will pay to have their computer fixed is insane.


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Van B
Moderator
22
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Joined: 8th Oct 2002
Location: Sunnyvale
Posted: 27th Apr 2007 15:34
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I think the one area that is lacking in PC servicing is call outs. If you had a number that people could call and have you come to them, then you could hit on a market that is more willing to pay decent prices.

When PC's break down, they tend to do it at the worst times, people working from home for example, things go wrong and they can't get work done, if they could call someone to come along and be able to get them up and running again, well $50 per hour is hardly a concearn in most cases.


Good guy, Good guy, Wan...
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fik
20
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Joined: 28th Sep 2004
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Posted: 27th Apr 2007 15:40
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To Jerico2day Hope you do sink all your money into trying that and go broke like you would deserve.
Hate dishonest repair people trying to rip off people who don't know better.
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Benjamin
21
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Joined: 24th Nov 2002
Location: France
Posted: 27th Apr 2007 15:56
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Quote: "Hate dishonest repair people trying to rip off people who don't know better."

I completely agree.

Tempest (DBP/DBCe)
Multisync V1 (DBP/DBCe)
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Zappo
Valued Member
20
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Joined: 27th Oct 2004
Location: In the post
Posted: 27th Apr 2007 15:56
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You really need to make sure you look into insurance (e.g. Public Liability Insurance). If you repair someones PC and it goes 'pop' or electrocutes someone and they decide to blame you, you need to know you are covered. Seriously. There are some real scumbags out there that will deliberately cause you problems to try and get a new PC out of you.
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bitJericho
22
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Joined: 9th Oct 2002
Location: United States
Posted: 27th Apr 2007 16:57 Edited at: 27th Apr 2007 16:59
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Quote: "To Jerico2day Hope you do sink all your money into trying that and go broke like you would deserve.
Hate dishonest repair people trying to rip off people who don't know better."


Woah.... settle down.... I'm not saying I would want to do what I quoted from Zaibatsu.. I was saying if you're going to do it, be honest and *don't* do that >.<

I guess I could have worded my message better

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Agent Dink
20
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Joined: 30th Mar 2004
Location:
Posted: 27th Apr 2007 17:04
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I myself do computer repair for very cheap. I feel almost dishonest if I charge people more than 50$, since it's something that comes so natural to me. I suppose once customers start distancing themselves from the realm of family and friends, it will be easier to charge more, for instance if I ran an ad in the paper to get new customers.

I have no signature...
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adr
21
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Joined: 21st May 2003
Location: Job Centre
Posted: 27th Apr 2007 17:22
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My parents' business was mailshot'd by a callout IT install/repair/serving company.

The fact that they are doing a direct mail campaign means on of two things:
1. there is a market for callout PC repair/servicing, otherwise they wouldn't be in business
2. the fact that they're spamming businesses means they're drumming up customers, which means there isn't a large enough demand.


I'm superfly TNT
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fik
20
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Joined: 28th Sep 2004
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Posted: 27th Apr 2007 18:16
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Sorry Jerico2day did mis understand your post.
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