Bad idea?

[Bryce W]

If I do end up doing it I wouldn't put a logo or website. Just computer repair & virus removal with the phone number.

Why? Because you know it is shifty?
Why would you want to associate your brand with being shifty?
You've got a lot to lose (reputation) and little to gain with this because it wont work.

 

[G8racingfool]

Why not do the best of both worlds and figure out who you need to talk to about it and then ask them if it's okay to do it? (what a concept!) If you get an OK then go for it. If not then you'll know 100% for sure that it's a bad idea and not to do it. In the business world it's far better to ask for permission than forgiveness and you're not going to get in trouble for merely asking.

(And if you already know the answer to the question that needs asked from the people of whom it needs asked, then yes it's a very bad idea.)

 

[timeshifter]

This is a really bad idea.

First, do you realize how much trust people put in their computer guy? I know how much trust my customers put in me. They tell me their passwords for everything, let me take their computers home to work on that have all kinds of private information on it, etc. etc.

Then I think about an auto body shop that quotes me one price if I pay cash and other if it's "on the books".

If someone is so open about cheating (dodging taxes, ignoring ordinances, etc.) how trustworthy can they really be? Do I want to hand over my computer with all my precious data to them?

 

[nlinecomputers]

Everybody here is WAAAAY over reacting. It is a frakin' sign. Exactly WHO is going to see or care about it? Most people will not have ANY clue that the sign isn't allowed, indeed most people will not even notice it at all. There are zero trust issues because absolutely no one, except for the janitor that has to yank down the damn thing is going to know that he was fined, assuming he even GETS fined. It is just as likely they just pull it down and toss it into the trash. It will not make the news or in any way be known about. Any more than anyone knows that the city fines you for having too many weeds or uncovered garbage cans.

How many people reading this topic, speed? Has gotten a parking ticket? There is NO great ethical dilemma because he puts up a damn sign in a public train station.

 

[timeshifter]

I notice. When I see a yard sign stuck in the ground by an intersection I do notice. I also make a mental note not to do business with that business because my perception of them is that of a dirt-bag operator who has no respect for rules or common decency.

 

[nlinecomputers]

I notice. When I see a yard sign stuck in the ground by an intersection I do notice. I also make a mental note not to do business with that business because my perception of them is that of a dirt-bag operator who has no respect for rules or common decency.

In many places that is perfectly legal. In my town signs like that can be put up for 3 days without any legal issues.