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ForumsI try to cover as many topics about the computer business as I can when I choose what to write about, but I am sure I have missed some areas. So, does anyone have a computer business related question they would like to ask me? It can be a very specific question or very general. If so, either leave a comment below this post or use our contact form. If you are receiving this via our email newsletter, just hit the reply button and email it to me.
If it can be answered in just a few lines, I will most likely do an “answers post” answering multiple questions at once. If its something that needs to be answered in-depth, I may write a big article about it in the coming weeks.
So, do you have a question about the computer repair business you would like to ask me?
I’d be interested in the best way for a PC support provider to arrange cover for holiday and sickness or especially (as I’m considering now) taking a 6-12 month break for travelling. Calls are always directed to my mobile phone anyway so I’ll still receive them and can provide remote support when appropriate, but how to handle onsite needs? Maybe call a competent provider locally – but should I invoice the customer myself and ask the provider to invoice me, or should I just invoice the provider for a ‘finders fee’. Also, how to avoid losing the customer to the competitor permanently? Thanks for any tips.
I’ve been in business a year now and i’m struggling financially and I was wondering if it gets any better in the second year? I realize its the toughest the first year but does it get better? Some months I’ve done really good other months nothing.
Regulating the computer industry. Possibility of a “licenced tech” just like the majority of other trades are licensed.
Hey Scott…
I used to be struggling like yourself. Advertising and being organized helped me enormously.
These days I get calls from clients I services more than a year ago there’s always some sort of client traffic so to speak. Repeat business.
I would recommend that you advertise in classified ads. It doesn’t have to be in the yellow pages ($$$) but everything helps.
I advertise in 1 newspaper and 2 kind of suburban papers in 3 different areas of my city and it really has paid off. I also advertise on craigslist.
You can be the best in the business but if nobody knows who you are it really does not matter.
When you are not busy you can always use that time to plan other ways to generate business. Flyers, leaflet drop offs, etc…
What REALLY made a difference for me besides the advertising was my ORGANIZER. I don’t even use a blackberry. I find that as soon as I started writing things down properly in my agenda.. the more organized I was the more business came in and the more successful I’ve been.
I realize this question was for Bryce but I really have gone through a lot so I thought I’d just give you my 2 cents and I hope they help.
Regards,
Majestic
I’m running a P/T repair business and looking for an affordable means of reselling the different MS operating systems when customers need them. Does MS have a program for discounts for resellers and what type of volumne is required?
Hi Bryce -
I’m 16, and I started my computer repair business in my neighborhood. I’m not getting a load of business, although it’s enough for me to live off of.
I’m certified, but apart from that, do you have any other pieces of advice for a teenager working on his repair business?
Thanks,
Stefan
Hi there, i am just about ready to start my PC repair business, i am just in the process of getting a COMP Tia + certificaton. My qusetion is about insurance. I am from England and wondered if anybody can help, i think i need some form of liability insurance, if this is correct, what levels of cover do other Techs have and what sort of premium should i expect to pay.
David,
Try “One Business Insurance” for your public liability.
Chris
Don’t worry about business insurance until you have a client base big enough (or until someone asks for it) to justify buying insurance.
I recommend a simple rule: don’t buy something until you know that you need it for sure.
This includes insurance, repair tools, and all other types of toys that you’re suddenly excited about “investing” in for your new business…
Good Evening everyone,
I wanted to ask how would you get into a contract with a small business thats just opened up? A real estate agency recently opened in the Area and I wanted to help them with IT Maintenance etc…(If they arnt taken)
What would you do?
a) Send an email
b) walk in there
c) post a letter
d) Pretend I’m a customer and drop my documents on the floor with my Business Services Listed.
With Regards,
Adora
Teknyka,
I have to disagree with you on the insurance front, as I feel that is something that is absolutely essential for a business, starting or otherwise. However, the other items you listed are very true and sound advice =)
TBO
On-site work vs. taking back the computer ?
In this activity, many tasks require a lot of time. Do you try to make as much as possible at the client location or do you take back the computer as soon as you are facing a non trivial problem or a long task ?
One typical situation is the complete antivirus scanning of a computer. It can take more than one hour especially with portable computers. I have one running now : 25 min. 8%.
I can’t imagine sitting for two hours or more doing nothing. It’s also not good value for the customer.
There is also the problem of planning. Someone phones you, says his PC won’t boot, needs it yesterday, when can you come ? If the PSU has died, it takes 1/2 hour. If his windows is so populated with trojans that even though you cleaned up everything, the system is so screwed that you need to install from scratch, plus backups of course, then it can take a workday or more. How do you do when you have other clients waiting ?
So i have decided to make those long tasks at my place as a first rule but it has some disadvantages :
1. The client asked for someone to come at his home or office to have it solved there. If he wanted to bring his computer in a shop he could have done it by himself. Of course he has the diagnostic in his place so if the problem is trivial, it is solved without needing a transport.
2. Maybe the customer needs his computer tomorrow morning. In that case there is no choice, solve the problem there.
3. Bringing back the computers is accumulating work for later but you still have to do it ! If you come home late in the evening, it will be hard to start a complex task. And if your next day is busy, another delay and then the client is upset. That never happens when you work on-site, although sometimes you have to come multiple times.
4. Something might break when the computer is under your responsability, or worse, some client might accuse you even if there is no damage. (happened once, client refuse to pay new hdd, ram and, of course, work because there is a hole in the back of the computer : a missing cache where PCI cards fit. Of course the metal piece was missing before. I could have solved that easily but the guy just keep saying that as i work bad he doesn’t want to see me again …)
5. You win less for the same number of hours because you won’t ask the same price on-site than off-site (after all maybe i should get paid for watching that antivirus working while I drink a glass of wine with the client …)
Any advice ?
On the Insurance front, I have been in business for four months part time while I still have a full time job. Insurance is really expensive and its been someting thats been on my mind the whole time..You know, what if…
I’m in australia and the quotes I have been getting have been around the $1000 mark. Pretty expensive when you are starting out. Does anyone have suggestions for a reasonable insurer?
I am having a hard time getting a client to get new servers the current servers are over 5 years old. I would love a document to show them that it’s time to replace the systems with new ones
Thank You Tesla for your advice on a insurance company. Would that company be obis/uk as that is the company that comes up when i do a serch for One Business Insurance. If so do you carry insurance and how much does it cost, if i could be so bold. Thank you
Hi David,
I pay around £150-£200 per 12months but I am also insured for wall mounting Plasma TV’s, installing projectors etc. as my business also undertake AV installations.
The cover is for £2mil which you will find when working for larger clients, perhaps schools they stipulate as a minimum.
Drop me a PM or email via the forums for any more info.
Similar to BroKen, I would like to know what volume MS Windows licensing options are available to small businesses. I’ve looked around with no luck…I have seen ‘Family Packs’ of 3 licenses or thereabouts which have a minimal discount. It’s also frustrating when a customer brings in an old machine with a serial from XP SP1 and when doing a reinstall having to start with SP1 and then upgrade it rather than just starting with SP3 to begin with. I’ve spent hours on the phone with MS but to no avail of course.