How to become an Authorized Service Center (HP, Dell, etc)

[AlaDes]

I am looking into becoming an "Authorized Service Center" for some of the major manufacturers, such as HP, Dell, etc. For those of you that are authorized repair centers, how do I go about getting into this? Also, is it really worth it, or does it depend on the demographics or your location.

[oldtech]

I'll go ahead and post a reply on this since after 53 views no one else has. It should be pretty obvious to you but the first step is becoming an authorized anything is to visit the vendor website and find the "authorized whatchamacallit" link and read the requirements and process.

To answer the second part of your question - it really depends on the vendor and the channel program they have. Some offer rebates and discounts while others do not. Unless you have pretty good volume of hardware sales it generally does not bring anything to the table for you other than the marketing claim of being "authorized".

hope that helps

[twincountycomputers]

Originally Posted by oldtech

I'll go ahead and post a reply on this since after 53 views no one else has. It should be pretty obvious to you but the first step is becoming an authorized anything is to visit the vendor website and find the "authorized whatchamacallit" link and read the requirements and process.

To answer the second part of your question - it really depends on the vendor and the channel program they have. Some offer rebates and discounts while others do not. Unless you have pretty good volume of hardware sales it generally does not bring anything to the table for you other than the marketing claim of being "authorized".

hope that helps

I think he was more or less wondering about being an authorized "repair" center, not an authorized dealer, dealer is easy, most brands let you set up to be a dealer online and send you a spiffy plaque to go with it.

I have wondered about the "authorized" repair center myself. someone I know works as a dell on-site tech and offered to put me in contact with his superiors who supposedly could get me setup but he warned me that if I was setup dell would start shipping me parts and stuff to fix and it HAD to be turned around in a specified time, not sure how true any of that is as I never followed thru with it.

[AlaDes]

Originally Posted by twincountycomputers

I think he was more or less wondering about being an authorized "repair" center, not an authorized dealer, dealer is easy, most brands let you set up to be a dealer online and send you a spiffy plaque to go with it.

I have wondered about the "authorized" repair center myself. someone I know works as a dell on-site tech and offered to put me in contact with his superiors who supposedly could get me setup but he warned me that if I was setup dell would start shipping me parts and stuff to fix and it HAD to be turned around in a specified time, not sure how true any of that is as I never followed thru with it.

Yes, you are right. I am only interested in the repair side of it right now. As for looking on their site, that's like looking for a needle in a haystack

[oldtech]

repair center or dealer the same basic procedure applies for figuring out how to engage with the vendor. Look for the needle in the haystack or *gasp* pick up the phone and call them.

[NerdHouse]

Dell seems a lot easier to become certified/authorized for than HP. I have heard through the grapevine that you have to do x amount in sales. Wish I could give you more concrete details.

[geekhelp4u]

Originally Posted by NerdHouse

Dell seems a lot easier to become certified/authorized for than HP. I have heard through the grapevine that you have to do x amount in sales. Wish I could give you more concrete details.

This is correct. I am both Dell and HP Certified for work. For Dell, it was as easy as taking their test. For HP, we had to commit to buy somewhere around 100,000 worth of services or hardware before being eligible to take the test. Once you hit 200,000, they not only dispatch parts, but pay you to fix the machines as well.

[AlaDes]

Well, I'm already certified to perform work on HP and some Dells. However, this is only good if I'm going through Onforce. I've tried to sign up and get information by calling HP and Dell, but always hit a dead end. As a matter of fact, a Dell rep told me they only go through certain companies and let them handle the service calls. When I signed up for HP's program, I think they flagged be because I'm on Onforce's program, which only provides for service call work.