Calls have dropped to zero...

[Moltuae]

Very little has changed for me, except my remote work has increased from about 90% to 99%. In fact I've been busier if anything. And without any social engagements/commitments, I've been working late most days too. A couple of my smaller business customers (a 4-surgery dental practice and an engraving/stamp business) have temporarily closed, but those businesses only account for a very small amount of my regular monthly income. Most of my business customers are currently attempting to push on through this, albeit in a limited or 'adapted' capacity. A couple of large retail businesses provide the majority of my work, which has increased lately due to the changes they're having to make, such as moving to online/telephone purchases and home delivery.

So, presently, I'm a little busier than usual. I just hope that my customer's businesses survive and all of my invoices get paid when they're due in a month or two. Unfortunately, as a sole trader, I can't claim any financial assistance (although I can delay my income tax payment and VAT returns), so I have no real choice but to carry on working.

 

[sapphirescales]

It's been steadily going downhill for us. First we were 30% down, then 50%, now we're about 70-90%. We're lucky to average one client per employee per day, which as you all know isn't enough to pay employees and the other business expenses (even at my prices).

My employees and I are going to have to have a discussion on what we want to do - either take a pay cut or go on unemployment. We're not there yet but we'll have to make some hard decisions over the next month or so if things don't pick up.

I've authorized my employees to be more lenient about the clients they accept. Usually we screen calls and get cheapwads off the phone, but now with business dried up we're basically taking anything.

Another thing to be concerned with is the massive influx of pizza techs. When people are out of jobs, they're likely to start doing anything they can on the side, and that includes computer repair. And people that never would have considered using a pizza tech in the past might be forced to seek them out because they can't afford the services of a real business.

2008 was a freaking disaster. I had to flip business class desktops (Dell's) on Craigslist. Made $88 apiece on them and sold 3-5 per day. It was nothing to snub your nose at, but imagine the type of people I got from Craigslist looking for a computer for less than $150.

Those days are long gone now with most people using phones and laptops instead of desktops, and Criagslist is much deader with all the competitors like Facebook Marketplace and Letgo. There aren't any more buyers. Instead you have to post your ad to 5x as many places to reach the same number of people.

Also, Craigslist doesn't allow HTML anymore so there's no way to really stand out among all the other 2000+ ads. It's going to be interesting. I still advertise and get calls from Craigslist, but I might have to start posting there more just to survive.

I'm going to start a new website with a different business name to advertise on Craigslist. If I'm going to start getting lowlifes again, I need to protect my business reputation*. It'll be an ecommerce website where people can buy computers and I'll also advertise repair.

*Even though I currently advertise on Craigslist, like I said earlier we screen calls. We don't accept cheapwads from Craigslist (or anywhere else for that matter). If I'm going to start accepting cheapwads from Craigslist, I need to insulate my business so they can't leave a negative review when they realize that the $150 laptop they bought isn't a gaming computer.

Sh*t's changing fast and you've gotta change with it. Who knows where we'll be in a month's time? Hopefully we can figure out a way to re-open the economy in a way that results in the lowest number of deaths. Maybe we'll be in a full-blown depression by then. Who knows? Hope for the best but prepare for the worst. That's my motto and it's helped me to survive tough times.

 

[frase]

I have been inundated with clients. Either working from home to students with parents going wtf is zoom or teams? I don't have a headset or mic, wont bluetooth FFFFFFFFARRRRRRRRK.

Sapphire I have a local in town has a facebook page {pizza Tech}. Is not a registered business - does not have an ABN, and charges low. Yea it pisses me of hard, but cant do much. Everyone praises him on FB - so hate that platform.

I get clients to drop off at my nice little clean desk out front. Advise them to bring a pen to sign my authorization form. I pick up system right away - maybe chat with client at a distance. Check on system, any damage etc - boot up if it does.

When ready call client that system is ready and awaiting pickup - please advise via phone or text approx time. Invoice is included with the system, If they dont pay me I send the hitmen around.

 

[britechguy]

Add me to the list of those hearing nothing but crickets. I think I've had three calls since this all began, one of those from a long established client who uses assistive technology and will only allow me to touch her system since she knows I won't screw up the stuff she must use.

The other was from someone about 50 miles away having printer problems (that sounded like an issue with old rubber pick-up rollers, and I told him to get and try rubber renewer on those), and someone having an issue with their kid's Chromebook (which I never heard back from after responding).

This is really a time where, in all senses, we're all in this together. This is hitting everyone hard, and will continue to do so for a while yet. What I find heartening is that so many individuals and entities are responding to life being put on hold by putting payments to them on hold. There seems to be a realization that the economy has ground virtually to a halt, and penalizing people now will just make life even more miserable after this is all over if you drive your own customers out of business. Many will fold, anyway, but why do something that ensures that? The phrase, "Cutting off your nose to spite your face," springs immediately to mind.

 

[katz]

As a side note, I'm not so sure the stimulus checks that were sent out in the U.S. will have much effect on boosting the economy. Of course, some will make impulse purchases, but most sensible people I talk to are going to hoard the money because of the uncertain future.

Or, they will be paying bills with it. People are behind on rent/mortgages, other bills. Which is what ours will go towards. Our school/property tax comes due in June, so this check will cover that. No splurge spending here.

 

[JustInTech]

We're steady(ish) with our business clients but not enough to keep the tech's busy so currently are providing free support to local residential customers with the conditions that it must be to improve their standard of living under lockdown.

The perc's are that it keeps us busy, morale up and gets our name out there.

 

[Larry Sabo]

If they dont pay me I send the hitmen around.

I do similar with regard to check in and pick-up, but require all payments to be by eTransfer. Above a TV tray on the porch, I put up a note that explains the procedure and I wipe down all documents, pen, tray, computer and charger with Clorox disinfecting wipes.

 

[pcpete]

As a side note, I'm not so sure the stimulus checks that were sent out in the U.S. will have much effect on boosting the economy. Of course, some will make impulse purchases, but most sensible people I talk to are going to hoard the money because of the uncertain future.

Or, they will be paying bills with it. People are behind on rent/mortgages, other bills. Which is what ours will go towards. Our school/property tax comes due in June, so this check will cover that. No splurge spending here.

I agree, or just pay late bills

 

[sapphirescales]

I agree, or just pay late bills

This is one instance where having a 0.1% super rich is actually a good thing. Rather than causing horrible inflation, all it's going to do in the end is give these rich a$$holes a few more zeros in their bank accounts. Wealth doesn't "trickle down" - it's a reverse funnel. The people at the top throw us peanuts, which we give back to them in one way or another in order to incentivize them to produce something of value.

 

[Markverhyden]

As a side note, I'm not so sure the stimulus checks that were sent out in the U.S. will have much effect on boosting the economy. Of course, some will make impulse purchases, but most sensible people I talk to are going to hoard the money because of the uncertain future.

Or, they will be paying bills with it. People are behind on rent/mortgages, other bills. Which is what ours will go towards. Our school/property tax comes due in June, so this check will cover that. No splurge spending here.

All those actions are is typical posturing by politicians doing something so they can say they did something. What they're doing will have almost no real impact on things. Just like always. And when things don't work out like they promised they'll just do what they always do. Blame it on someone else. Or Rio.

 

[overburnz]

Here in Portugal, I work in an AASP, and we’ve had an increase of phone calls asking if we are open and if they can bring they’re MacBooks and iPhones to us, for now we are working almost as we would normally do

 

[frase]

I still quote what I usually do, depending on product. And as usual I qery client

Very little has changed for me, except my remote work has increased from about 90% to 99%. In fact I've been busier if anything. And without any social engagements/commitments, I've been working late most days too. A couple of my smaller business customers (a 4-surgery dental practice and an engraving/stamp business) have temporarily closed, but those businesses only account for a very small amount of my regular monthly income. Most of my business customers are currently attempting to push on through this, albeit in a limited or 'adapted' capacity. A couple of large retail businesses provide the majority of my work, which has increased lately due to the changes they're having to make, such as moving to online/telephone purchases and home delivery.

So, presently, I'm a little busier than usual. I just hope that my customer's businesses survive and all of my invoices get paid when they're due in a month or two. Unfortunately, as a sole trader, I can't claim any financial assistance (although I can delay my income tax payment and VAT returns), so I have no real choice but to carry on working.

Yeap not much else to do so why not. I am a late sleeper early waker - no not other one lol anyway... I average about 6 hours per night. Here in Australia we can claim - whether it gets passed is another issue. I don't understand her in Australia why are we giving out $$ to ppl whom don't have a job or never want one cause they are too fecking lazy! The payment is $750.00

I have relocated a lot of business to home. Purchased new systems and relocated all data, even got some finally onto 365. Using a lot of remote service, when onsite I wear gloves (shits me) clean all equipment before and after (shits me) I dont wear a mask (not usefull) I keep a distance as required

These are generally network issues, which is an essential service. Anything else I get client to drop system at my Designated X pint...sorry point..

 

[Porthos]

(shits me)

That is why there was a run on TP.

 

[callthatgirl]

As a niche service business, I'm in my own world here. Not msp, not typical break/fix. Outlook is a luxury product now (that's what I tell my clients if they complain I'm too expensive)...so I have to hang tight before I lower my rates. Which I can do, but I'm still doing ok this month. I'm half past my minimum goal. 2 weeks left, crossing fingers!!!

 

[ell]

Since this pandemic started, the repair calls have abruptly dropped to zero. Haven't had a call in three weeks, not even remote jobs. I know it is a different scenario in different areas, of course. We are mostly break/fix here, rural, blue collar area. All but the essential businesses have closed. I service roughly 75% residential, 25% business. A few of the businesses are churches, and even those are closed at the moment.

I would have thought that I would have seen an increase in remote calls since many people are stuck at home, but that hasn't been the case. I canvassed the local areas as I usually do with flyers advertising remote assistance, a round of three adverts. Fortunately for me, I have an essential delivery job to fall back on, otherwise I would be hurtin' at the moment.

I know break/fix is largely dead, especially residential, but I did think that with everyone being at home would have generated some business. I guess folks are simply running scared and holding on to their money, not certain if they will even have a job in the future.

yeah pretty much dead, I have a macbook that has been sitting on my bench for two weeks now as she waits for her new pc to come, shipping is very slow. The home schoolers are just buying whatever is on the shelf in the store, chromebooks especially. I expected more calls too.

 

[Big Jim]

And even worse than that, I have suppliers chasing me for money I simply don't have, and are threatening to remove my clients from my dashboard, so they will have zero decent protection.

One client owes me close to £800 which will more than cover what I owe out. but i just cant get paid because they are closed.

uk Government giving £10,000/£25,000 grants to small businesses, are you eligible ?

 

[Kitten Kong]

uk Government giving £10,000/£25,000 grants to small businesses, are you eligible ?

I wish Jim. I don't pay business rates, as I work from home.

So Nada.

 

[frase]

Chromebooks arghhhh, I cant update my OS..well your fecked cause you purchased a POS. If clients dont purchase from me, I wont support those systems. Well that is a Catch22 situation cause I would not sell one of them in the first place.

 

[pcpete]

I am feeling blessed. In our 80% residential break-fix market, we are up over 15% in April from last year. We had one slower week, but other than that it has been busy.

 

[Porthos]

Up 50% from April 2019. April sucked last year.