Part time PC repair buisness- advice please

[Tazman]

I have a CD catalog that contains various o/s's, boot disks, Norton System Works, Benchmarking / diagnostic programs (SANDRA), etc.

I bring along a screwdriver with interchangeable heads, and a cool little computer repair kit with all kinds of little tools I've yet to ever use .

I put all of this into my Laptop bag (with......my laptop ) . I also have a 40GB USB external drive that I tote around with me to do backups (not everyone has a burner - that would be too easy, huh?).

I would say that the tools that get used the most are a Win 98 boot disk, my screwdriver, and my external drive. I very rarely use any of the programs except for SANDRA as the copyright thingy .

Hope that helps. 'Course there isn't any need to spend the kind of dough that I did to get started. I am just a tad bit obsessive (for lack of another word) and think that I'm only as good as the tools that I'm working with (again, most of them unused for the most part ).

Mike

[Wombat]

Wow, I have read this forum with much delight. I am about to launch my own home computer repair biz within the next month and reading this has made me very happy and excited.

My only concern was my chosen biz name, but after reading Tazman with Byte me computers I don't feel so bad. I have chosen "Taky Techs" (not sure on spelling yet). What do you think? Will the name offend customers?

As per usual I love this place, all of my questions I could ever imagine are asked and answered..

Paul

[Tazman]

Wombat -

I found that Byte ME Computers DOES offend some people and that's a good thing! I really don't want to repair or build a computer for someone who is so "crusty" that they don't have a sense of humor - life is way too short . Be aware that this will limit your business a little but in the long run I find it's worth it. It's really tiring getting the calls from people that say their modem's screen is blank .

BTW, I like Taky Techs. If ya want some slogans, try a new thread that might catch Outpatient's eye - he should have been in advertising - he was a big help for me.

Mike

[fyxxer32]

A local parts/repair place near here is called " Reality Bytes"

[Richard Cranium]

People ask me why they should buy from me instead of a major mfg.


I tell them there are just a few benefits I can offer.

1. If it breaks you don't have to mail it off or wait for a technician WHO YOU DON'T KNOW to come to your home.

2. I use "Name Brand" parts that can be easily replaced from any computer store, NO items installed specific to a single computer mfg.

3. Processor speed being equal, my machines will usually outperform a "Store Bought" unit.

4. You don't pay for "Bloatware" or Software that you don't need.

5. I furnish a "Loaner" machine when the customer has miffed it up.

BTW
I don't sell ANY cutting edge machines, NO 2.0ghz units at Doc's shop

[wyvrn]

Great advice Doc on the loaner, I never really thought about it. I found this site pretty helpful in learning about small businesses, and they have a forum too

[Ed_S]

I've been considering doing some of this part-time, for quite some time, so this is all really interesting to me as well.

On thing I'd like to point out regarding part sales, might help keep someone out of trouble.
My background is automotive parts sales. Wholesale, dealing with shops & body shops. Most of our customers mark up the products, which legally requires a state tax resale number / license. Some have gotten into deep do-do over proper handling of this. A couple even lost their shops, one lost his home.
Regardless of the type of business you MUST follow the rules regarding collection and payment of sales tax on product!! The state likes to wait until the tax & fines have gotten out of hand before notifying a business.

Can't say about other states, but in Missouri sales tax only applies to product, not labor / service. So there is a workaround if you want to avoid the whole tax reseller licensing mess.

Simply charge a labor fee for going & picking up the part, but no markup on the actual item.
Customer gets the store reciept, but no part charge appears on an invoice from you.

BTW, it doesn't work to pay sales tax when purchasing, then markup the item when selling. State expects you to collect and turn in tax on the markup. That's the trap many have fallen into here! All it takes is one customer complaint. If it's documented that you ever sold an item as a business and did not turn in sales tax, they've got ya!

Check your state's laws concerning this.

[Dokeman]

as a full time store owner and operator, heres how we do things..

$45/hr. in store work. $45 minimum (customer brings it in)
$75/hr. on site work w/ $75 minimum.. (even if it takes 5min)

we give 15min free diagnosis.. if we havent figured it out yet we tell them its $45 an hour to keep going..

On all new systems we give a 1 year warranty on parts,labor, and software installed by us. Which means if you install AOl when you get it home and it FUBARS the puter. Bring it back and we'll charge ya to fix it.

Give a 30 day warranty that works the same way with all used stuff.

i also give 1 year warranty on individual items sold.

My return policy is if you open it you cant bring it back unless it dosent work. I dont mess the "if i take it home and try it and it dosent work can i bring it back"

If your going into business get some work orders with a disclaimer on them. This is something you defenately need to do. Make sure it says customer is responisble for backing up their data and we are NOT resposible for data loss and things of that nature.

Some other things.. I was thinking bout doing somekind of emergency repair plan. Something like $100/hr.

umm.. what else
i always try to avoid the customers that are tight with money. Not to say that im just after someones money and am gonna rip them off or anything..its just they will always complain about the price. And say "ohhh..that costs too much!' I always stay away from the people that say "i can get that cheaper on the internet" Well thats because that all the online stores sell things $3-$10 above distrubition costs. Half the time i find stuff cheaper than i can buy it online. I am trying to run a business and wonder bout somefolks. I guess they think im just gonna give it to them for what they found it for. But other than that just go with your instinct. If somneone looks cheap for looks like they might try to scam ya..just dont do it..its not worth it. If they try do beat ya outta money, just do like i do. say "good work ain't cheap, and cheap work ain't good." heres a good tip.. something i learned when i was doing what you are. (before i opened teh store) If its something that you dont think you can do, dont try! the last thing you wanna do is mess up someones puter. And always explaing to someone at least 3 times what formating is.

[Ed_S]

Dokeman's post reminded me of one shop's motto. This can apply to anything, really.

Good - Cheap - Fast

Pick Two

Good & cheap - won't be fast (think months)
Cheap & fast - won't be very good!
Good & fast - won't be very cheap!

We prefer to do good work at a reasonable cost in a reasonable time.

[brandon184]

Richard Cranium;

What's the reason for not selling any top of the line PC's?

- Brandon
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