Clean your clients computers !!!

[jfm]

Yes please, so many clients brings in computer that were at other repair's places, dirty as f***.

I've been taught this way (old boss), once I finish a repair. I clean the computer. I make it look good !
Remove that old sticker glue !
I think it's a big attention that clients notice and it makes you another step above those poor repair places !

I think this thread belongs in marketing because it is somehow a marketing (re-marketing) factor.

New thing I'm setting up too is the repair box !
You put repaired or new PC's in that pretty branded box to hand to your clients.

Heard it on The Computer business podcast, Josh Elledge from www.upendpr.com, thank you !

Still a work in progress but hell I love it.
https://packlane.com/share/ZbZS7eGpegSfpWFwl

 

[Larry Sabo]

You put repaired or new PC's in that pretty branded box to hand to your clients.

Unless it contains stuff they would likely keep as long as they own the computer (e.g., installation/program media, documentation, spare cables, etc.) , it seems very likely to just end up in the customer's recycling bin.

 

[jfm]

it seems very likely to just end up in the customer's recycling bin

It will for sure, but the impact about your brand, work and care remains I think
Wich is the main purpose of it.

 

[Techtree]

The box looks fantastic and I love the potential. I see this as a great opportunity for people that run their business with a virtual office. Picking up their computer "at the depot" or the designated pickup location in this box would be so nice. I run a home based business and a lot of people that bring laptops bring them in a bag. While I love the idea and potential of the box I'm not sure how I could use it in my business. Having said that I want to find a use because there is definitely a wow factor.

 

[jfm]

Even gonna add a visually pretty repair summary inside the box, like whats been done and tested.
So they get that new computer feeling once again.

This is the same as wearing a tie on the jobs, makes you stand out in a crowd of t-shirt dudes

 

[phaZed]

I have always cleaned the customer machine. It's a great finishing touch and the reactions from some people is really great. Some don't notice and I don't tell. For the dirty ones, they always notice.

The box sounds expensive but as good idea nonetheless.

 

[Moltuae]

I've always thoroughly cleaned customer's machines too, especially laptops. Like when garages clean customer's cars before returning them, I think it helps create a professional impression. In fact, sometimes I think the customer is more impressed with the cleanliness of their computer than they are with the repair, even though the latter may have taken hours of work. I frequently have customers say things like "wow, it's like a new again!", mainly because it's clean and shiny.

I think the box is a good idea, if a little OTT. I use polythene bags. I keep a large selection of different sizes and I bag the computers up after cleaning, putting things like laptop power supplies in separate, smaller bags.

 

[Bryce W]

In fact, sometimes I think the customer is more impressed with the cleanliness of their computer than they are with the repair, even though the latter may have taken hours of work. I frequently have customers say things like "wow, it's like a new again!", mainly because it's clean and shiny.

I am not surprised. Computer repairs are generally not tangeable changes, whereas a big cleanup is.
It also goes to show that appearance really is everything.

 

[allstarit]

I always clean clients pcs too and laptops that look like someone used it as a plate to eat their lunch and then sneezed all over the screen.

Makes such a difference cleaning them up and they notice the difference too.

I like the box idea. Looks great

 

[sapphirescales]

The box idea is terrible. Here's why.

Do you really think spending $12+ extra per client is going to result in a high enough difference of repeat clients to even break even? I highly doubt it.

Also, clients aren't dumb. They know that box costs you money and it makes you seem expensive. My thoughts would be something along the lines of "wow, if they can afford to give every client a box like that, they must really overcharge to be able to cover that cost." Think of when you see a food item in the grocery store that's packed in a really nice box. It just screams "EXPENSIVE!" That's a good thing because the company can justify a much higher pricetag for the same exact product because it seems like a premium product, but it works against you when the client isn't expecting it and didn't necessarily expect (or want) a premium pricetag. Everyone wants premium products and services, but few actually want to pay for them.

 

[cypress]

I always clean clients pcs too and laptops that look like someone used it as a plate to eat their lunch and then sneezed all over the screen.

Makes such a difference cleaning them up and they notice the difference too.

I like the box idea. Looks great

I agree. I do the same.

 

[Diggs]

As mentioned in another thread, we clean all computers that come through and like to use a bit of furniture polish on a rag and then lightly wipe the keyboards. Really makes a physical impression with our customers since they can't really tell that something was fixed on the inside.

Never seen the boxes used but have seen (but don't use) large pink plastic anti-stat bags. They can be custom branded inexpensively.

http://www.interplas.com/poly-bags/antistatic

 

[jfm]

Unit price for the box is about 1.62$.
Even for inshop can be usefull to stack computers (laptops).

large pink plastic anti-stat bags. They can be custom branded inexpensively.

Very good idea to, this might be my plan B if the boxes are not worth a success.

 

[kpk1]

Totally agree with cleaning client machines.
I actually clean them before I work on them and after...
I don't want their 'bugs' or whatever else has been festering on keyboards and stuff...

I often get the comment 'it hasn't been that clean in ages' or words to that effect..

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

 

[Krynn72]

The box idea is terrible. Here's why.
Do you really think spending $12+ extra per client

If you click "customize this box" you can see the pricing for yourself. A full 15" laptop sized box is around $3/box if you order 100, and the price goes down if the more you order. Not exactly breaking the bank given one customer being impressed enough to become a repeat customer for life would probably cover the cost of several hundred boxes, and I think it could result in way more repeat business than that.

I think its a potentially great idea. Keep us updated on how it goes. Yeah some people will just toss 'em in the garbage, but others may keep them either for the laptop, or to store other things, and with your name, website and phone # on it, it could be a constant reminder to them every time the glance at it.

 

[trevm999]

Even for inshop can be usefull to stack computers (laptops).

This ^^^^, as soon as you pickup or get a laptop dropped off, I would put it in the box. Then the customer sees that it is a functional thing, and not just a marketing thing. Might reduce the 'Wow!" factor at the end though. But you can explain to them the purpose of it if they ask, but they will already see some of the purpose of it.

Too many shops stack laptops, and this shows you take extra care, and also take extra care not to lose any accessories. Ever seen a macbook where you can see the lighted Apple logo through the screen? This is because it was stacked.

 

[sapphirescales]

If you click "customize this box" you can see the pricing for yourself. A full 15" laptop sized box is around $3/box if you order 100, and the price goes down if the more you order. Not exactly breaking the bank given one customer being impressed enough to become a repeat customer for life would probably cover the cost of several hundred boxes, and I think it could result in way more repeat business than that.

I think its a potentially great idea. Keep us updated on how it goes. Yeah some people will just toss 'em in the garbage, but others may keep them either for the laptop, or to store other things, and with your name, website and phone # on it, it could be a constant reminder to them every time the glance at it.

Do you know how thick they are? I might want to use these for shipping.

 

[Krynn72]

Do you know how thick they are? I might want to use these for shipping.

Don't know, but they're literally called "Mailer boxes". I'd guess they're good for lightweight items that need minimal protection while shipping. That said, they do offer real shipping boxes for a very small amount more (looks like about $5ea @ 100 count and the same size as the mailer box I made) and equally customizable. Looks like the min order is 10, so can try both and see which one suits best.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Yup we've always cleaned up the clients computers.
We had the cloth handbags made, with our name/logo on them....we use those for giving hardware to clients.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

Yup we've always cleaned up the clients computers.
We had the cloth handbags made, with our name/logo on them....we use those for giving hardware to clients.

Neat, how much are those and where do you order them from?