Re: Starting part-time comp. building business. Help and suggestions needed.


"Hackworth" <NoSpam4Me@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:K_OdnVrVhMqQ2T_eRVn-vA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> "hdrdtd" <hdrdtd@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:QYOdnX4DwYHXdjzenZ2dnUVZ_tmdnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> all good points.
>>
>> along the same lines,,
>> what happens if you're at the customer's site and something happens while
>> you're working on thier system that causes data to be lost of one reason
>> or another.?
>> Do you have the customer sign something ahead of time that relieves you
>> of any resposnability for any data loss?
>
> Yep.
>
>>
>> On the other side of the coin.....
>>
>> taking the system back to the shops definatly has some advantages.
>> 1. Murphey says that whatever piece of software or hardware needed to
>> complete the call, will be back at the shop no matter what or hown much
>> you brought with you.
>
> Yep.
>
>> 2. working on a system back at the shop where it's quiet allows you to
>> concentrate much better.
>
> Yep.
>
>> 3. Taking it back to the shop means to have a much larger selection of
>> tools and components to use while troubleshooting the problem.
>
> Yep.
>
>> 3. Working on it back at the shop avoids the typical customer that keeps
>> asking 'what is that you're doing now.?
>
> Yep.
>
>> 4. It also avoids the customer that keeps asking 'how much longer will it
>> take'?
>
> Yep!
>
>> 5. It helps enforce the concept to the customer that it's broke and you
>> won't be able to use it for a while.
>>
>> But....
>> 1. doing the repair on site with the customer present allows you to ask
>> the customer questions about the symptoms, etc, while you try to track
>> down the problem.
>
> I always ask pertinent questions before I take the system. I can always
> call them on the phone later if need be.
>
>>
>> All in all, getting into the PC home repair business requires about 30%
>> computer and troubleshooting skills, 30% communication skills, and 40%
>> people skills.
>>
>> after working with computers for 30 years, and being in the PC
>> service\repair business in one fashion or another for the last 20 years,
>> You couldn't pay me enough to do home repairs.
>>
>> But that's just an old fart getting old.
>
> Yeah, I pretty much just do it for family and friends now, and it's just a
> hobby. I work in an office of about 400, and after several years, many
> folks know who I am and that I'm a geek, so I'll sometimes make a few
> bucks doing repairs for them.
>
I've gotten to the point I will only help out an imediate family relative
such as a brother or father, and that's it.

Even at family gatherings, if someone asks what I do for a living I tell
them as little as possible. When they start talking computers between
themselves, I just keep my mouth shut and play dumb.

Once they find out you do it for a living, look out...

I handle all aspects of the computing enviornment at work for a bit over 200
pc's currently. The last thing I want to do on my own time is dealing with
even more users. some people understand that, some don't.

Back in the early days of Windows 3.1, the General Manager of the company I
work for asked me If I would be willing to come to his house and help him
install Windows 3.1 on his home machine.

I told him no.
He said he was willing to pay me, and I just told him, it wasn't about the
money, it's just something (house calls) I have chosen not to do.


>
>


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Starting part-time comp. building business. Help and suggestions needed.
    ... >>> Do you have the customer sign something ahead of time that relieves you ... will be back at the shop no matter what or hown much ... getting into the PC home repair business requires about 30% ... >>> after working with computers for 30 years, ...
    (alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt)
  • Re: Starting part-time comp. building business. Help and suggestions needed.
    ... will be back at the shop no matter what or hown much ... Working on it back at the shop avoids the typical customer that keeps ... getting into the PC home repair business requires about 30% ... > computer and troubleshooting skills, 30% communication skills, and 40% ...
    (alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt)
  • Re: Starting part-time comp. building business. Help and suggestions needed.
    ... will be back at the shop no matter what or hown much you ... Working on it back at the shop avoids the typical customer that keeps ... getting into the PC home repair business requires about 30% ... computer and troubleshooting skills, 30% communication skills, and 40% ...
    (alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt)
  • Re: OT Re: Repair Fraud?
    ... >>> that brake inspection has to go back together so the hoist can be ... That depends on what the customer is asking for. ... >> Simple because then you would have to increase your labor rate ... "Your" in this case is referring to a shop that is known to have a high ...
    (rec.autos.tech)
  • Re: OT Re: Repair Fraud?
    ... >> air and the wheels are off. ... > That depends on what the customer is asking for. ... > appointment with a shop and give them a list of items I want done, ... their car. ...
    (rec.autos.tech)