writing a warranty?

[John Prophet]

Ok. I am near to getting my lil entreprenuerial feets wet.

Most obstacles have been tackled...a few remain.

I have whats called a "home occupation" biz....in other words I am working from home, lol. The catch there is that the zoning laws dont allow for retail selling in that situation....so to sell stuff I will have to go out with brochures and then deliver it etc.

No problem there, I can make that part fly....except I am having problems nailing down one aspect of it.

The warranty.

Obviously people want some kind of warranty....the whole premise of my approach is going to be aimed at those who arent comfy setting up their own comps blah blah..the very people who will want the decent warranty.

BUT...of course...all warranty work means me cranking up the car and going out to them. cost $$$$

I dont want it to be where I am obligated to make a 15 mile round trip to show someone that the printer has to be turned on to print etc.

So how can I work this out?

Could I give a 6 month or year warranty but have it be $15 charge every trip out?

Or maybe offer options of different warranties?

Or even "sell" the warranty, lol...you buy the comp..u buy whatever warranty you want..if any etc? They could save a few $$$ by buying no warranty, lol.


Also how should it be worded so as to distinguish between something going wrong with the comp and some idiot deleting system files etc??

Also somehow to protect me against lightning damaging modems..which we get a lot of around here.



Any examples online??

JP

[TheBurningCat]

I like the selling idea.

[Tazman]

Just a snippette of what I include in a customers receipt.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Warranty
The following computer is covered by a 1-year parts and labor warranty. If shipping charges are required, Byte M.E. Computers will pay the costs both ways. This warranty is void if the listed equipment is damaged, malfunctioned or failed due to misuse, abuse, failure to use proper surge protectors, etc. In other words, treat the equipment with the respect it deserves.

General Disclaimer
This warranty does NOT cover software support nor does it cover formatting or data recovery caused by operator error, inexperience, or Windows becoming corrupt, or any of the other zillion errors that can occur to the operating system and / or system settings. Byte M.E. Computers offers software support for a $50.00 on-site fee and $50.00 per hour for each additional hour after the first hour to resolve any problems found.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I know, kinda basic and general works for me.

I dont want it to be where I am obligated to make a 15 mile round trip to show someone that the printer has to be turned on to print etc.

In my area, it's more like a 80 mile round trip to plug in a speaker wire the dog got tangled in.

Mike

[John Prophet]

Wow, you eat the shipping? No way I could do that. I definitely would have a clause for that.

I guess the parts only thing would work in a way....but sometimes its so interactive on a comp between the parts and OS....for instance the OS can buggar up and make the cd tray not open etc..or when its locking up is it heat or the OS?? could be either.

I remember working at the comp store and people would buy a comp..then go install Peachtree or something..then bring it back in and want US to explain how to work the Peachtree....?? I definitely dont want any part of that sort of thing, lol.

Nor do I want any part of the 3 way shouting match that can occur when they live in the county and the phone lines suck but the phone company tells em its a comp problem when they only connect ay 22k. (but I will be ready with the external modem upsale! lol)

Any other ideas??

Thanks, JP

[Skywalker[TSG]]

Have them ship the items to you - This could ofcourse be cost free for the customer as it is covered by warranty etc.

If however the customer wants you to pick the item up or fix it at their place you charge for your time regardless of warranty or not

[John Prophet]

Quote-> Have them ship the items to you.

That sounds like a lottttttt of complications. The whole premise of my business approach is to make it easier for the customers.

I just dont want to be "nickel and dimed" do death by unneeded tech calls. I need some "legalize" to protect me from it.

For instance I am thinking of running an ad for people in the county who are stuck with dialup....running an ad about their dial up speeds...when they respond I tell em I can come out and check it out and if applicable I can install an external serial modem to get them a decent connection.

But then how do I protect myself against when lightning destroys it, lol.

There HAS to be something in place..at least a blurb on their receipt.


How do you other businessmen do it, I know there are some of you in here, lol.


Any help will be appreciated, this is one of the last things holding me back

Thanks, JP

[Uncle Bob]

Originally posted by Tazman
Just a snippette of what I include in a customers receipt.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Warranty
The following computer is covered by a 1-year parts and labor warranty. If shipping charges are required, Byte M.E. Computers will pay the costs both ways. This warranty is void if the listed equipment is damaged, malfunctioned or failed due to misuse, abuse, failure to use proper surge protectors, etc. In other words, treat the equipment with the respect it deserves.

General Disclaimer
This warranty does NOT cover software support nor does it cover formatting or data recovery caused by operator error, inexperience, or Windows becoming corrupt, or any of the other zillion errors that can occur to the operating system and / or system settings. Byte M.E. Computers offers software support for a $50.00 on-site fee and $50.00 per hour for each additional hour after the first hour to resolve any problems found.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I know, kinda basic and general works for me.



In my area, it's more like a 80 mile round trip to plug in a speaker wire the dog got tangled in.

Mike

I like the name, nice play on words. How do you seal the case to keep the customer and his/her diddle sticks out??

[John Prophet]

any other ideas/experiences? I need some ideas here.....