Computer parts and some other questions

[coffee]

Hello Everyone,

Iam very new to the forums and hope you cut me some slack if I screw up here. Iam really enjoying the forums (lurking) and finding alot of valuable info. Thanks to everyone so far. But I did have a few questions on how some of you other small business people handle certain things.

1. I have been out at service calls at customers homes and sometimes it only takes about 1/2 hour to complete a call. I try and use up the additional 1/2 hour (hourly rate repairs) by checking there system for updates ect. But do you charge a full hour if you only use about half an hour?

2. I am starting to get alot of laptop repairs and am wondering the best place to get the motherboards and screens ect. Right now I search ebay and such to find the best price. Is there a better way or am I pretty much doing what you are doing?

Thanks in advance, I really enjoy the forums so far and am learning alot!

coffee
Renue Computers

 

[iisjman07]

1) This is entirely up to you; I know plenty of people who would either keep going or charge for the hour. I know a couple of people who might give them a bit of a discount considering the circumstances. I also know a couple of people who charge by the half hour or by fifteen minute intervals to give the customer a nicer deal.

2) Most of our laptop screens and motherboards come from eBay; they have the widest selection of parts by far. The only slight problem with this is that sometimes when screens have to come from China, they often can get held in customs for a while. Once you buy a couple you might be able to find a shop you can rely on for most of your parts. Sometimes the OEM's can help, but they're often very expensive.

 

[16k_zx81]

1. I charge minimum 1 hour. Its not worthwhile for me to go onsite and be paid for half an hour or 15 mins or whatever. As far as filling the time, yes, if the fix is a literal '5-minute job' I will try to pad things out a bit so the customer feels they have got their moneys worth.

2. There are heaps of threads on here about parts suppliers. Maybe do a search?

 

[FoolishTech]

1. I advertise that I charge a one hour minimum onsite, and I mostly stick to it... Beyond that, I bill in 15 minute increments. But if I'm there for 5 minutes to unmute the volume control, then I might bill just 1/2 hour.

2. we get parts from a variety of sources, mostly found via google searches, but we try to avoid eBay as it's less hassle if you get a bad or incorrect part. You want to buy from somewhere with a fair return or exchange policy just in case. impactcomputers.com comes to mind as one of our main go-to sites but they can be a little high sometimes - just depends on the part.

 

[cprompt]

1. I think you need to decide what your minimum onsite charge will be, and be sure it is communicated to your customers. Some people won't go for under a one charge. My policy is set as a minimum 1/2 hour charge, plus appropriate mileage. I certainly would be sure to check with the customer after a 5 minute fix if there was anything else they wanted, but definitely charge your minimum.

2. I usually use eBay for most of my laptop parts...

 

[Martyn]

I charge a minimum of one hour and make it clear before I go. Nevertheless I've been known to cut them some slack if it is a quick job.

 

[Cambridge PC Support]

1 hour minimum here too, and 1/2 hour increments after that

 

[coffee]

Thanks everyone!

Just wanted to make sure I was on the right track for charging and parts. I do usually hit up ebay as a search for parts.

As far as charging rates, I charge 60 an hour and a 15 dollar trip fee. I think thats more than fair considering my competition is geek squad and some locals that charge alot more.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Lersar]

I think thats more than fair considering my competition is geek squad

What's the rapport of GeekSquad in your area?