Drop off or Onsite PC work?

[valentino70]

As I mentioned in my other post, I am trying to get a PC repair business going but have very few clients and live in apartment. I usually go to the customer's site when they call me to work on their computer or I bring it to my place with customer's consent. I've found that most customers want PC repair to be done on their site because of the lack of trust.

One time a customer asked me if he can drop off the computer instead. It was tempting but made me think of how bad it will make me look when they realize they are dropping it off to an apartment instead of a shop or a house with a workbench in a garage. I would love for some of these new customers to drop off their equipment at my location for it will save me gas and time. What do you guys think? Has anyone had this experience or similar situation and would like to share?

Thanks

 

[Hercomputers]

[QUOTE
One time a customer asked me if he can drop off the computer instead. It was tempting but made me think of how bad it will make me look when they realize they are dropping it off to an apartment instead of a shop or a house with a workbench in a garage. I would love for some of these new customers to drop off their equipment at my location for it will save me gas and time. What do you guys think? Has anyone had this experience or similar situation and would like to share?

Thanks[/QUOTE]

What happened with that client? You turned them down? You lost a customer because you didn't want them to see where you lived? Did you make them aware that you're currently working out of your home? Nothing wrong with that at all. For the time being, since you're starting out, use that to your advantage. They live in a apartment and so do you, if they live close to you, you can use that as way to attract more folks.

This is what you have to offer right now, go for it. If you can do the repair, don't turn down the work.

 

[Morrison5891]

As I mentioned in my other post, I am trying to get a PC repair business going but have very few clients and live in apartment. I usually go to the customer's site when they call me to work on their computer or I bring it to my place with customer's consent. I've found that most customers want PC repair to be done on their site because of the lack of trust.

One time a customer asked me if he can drop off the computer instead. It was tempting but made me think of how bad it will make me look when they realize they are dropping it off to an apartment instead of a shop or a house with a workbench in a garage. I would love for some of these new customers to drop off their equipment at my location for it will save me gas and time. What do you guys think? Has anyone had this experience or similar situation and would like to share?

Thanks

Man... you living in the apartment is not going to hurt you. You can make this work FOR YOU ... not against you. I have a great relationship with 50 or so apartment complexs in my area. Almost all but maybe 3-4 offer me FREE advertising in their move in packet and monthly/by-monthly newsletter. Go talk to the ladies/men in the office and see if you can get an add in the news letter. I've been marketing with apartment complexs for about 2 years and these clients alone could keep me in business.

 

[Hercomputers]

Man... you living in the apartment is not going to hurt you. You can make this work FOR YOU ... not against you. I have a great relationship with 50 or so apartment complexs in my area. Almost all but maybe 3-4 offer me FREE advertising in their move in packet and monthly/by-monthly newsletter. Go talk to the ladies/men in the office and see if you can get an add in the news letter. I've been marketing with apartment complexs for about 2 years and these clients alone could keep me in business.

Excellent idea, Morrison. I have tons of apartment complexes by me and it doesn't hurt to ask. Thanks for the suggestion - even though you were directing it to him--

 

[Morrison5891]

No problem. that was for anyone who wants to try a little new marketing. Again, this has worked very well for me. I don't want to get off topic, but I will post a few other things I have done in the marketing fourm.

 

[vdub12]

Personally I don't like drop-offs because I work out of home. I really don't want a bunch of random people coming to my home where me and my family lives. I will normally find an alternate drop off location or somewhere I can meet up with the customer so we can discuss the problem and fill out the paper work.

 

[Coffee is good :)]

For virus removal and tune ups I require that I pick up the computer and drop it off after it is finished. There is no way in hell that I'm gonna spend 5+ hours in some strangers house sitting and waiting for scans to complete. I'd be bored and hungry and uncomfortable. This has never once been a problem. People tend to trust me and give me the opportunity to take it.

I do on-site work when it has to be done or if it's something quick. Examples include printer/scanner setup or connecting them to a wireless router.

The bottom line is that if you don't want people coming to your apartment then you can go to them to pick up the computer instead.

 

[valentino70]

Thanks so much for the quick replies. I did not turn down the client he had to re-schedule but hasn't called me back; this is why I posted my question here so that I can get feedback from all of you experienced PC entrepreneurs. I will definitely follow your advises and will anxiously wait for more tips and information.

Thanks again

 

[ATTech]

If they give you the option, then you can choose on-site. If they only want to drop off, then think of it this way: What do you have to lose by taking the job and having them drop it off at the apartment? If they're not OK with it, then nothing will happen because they will decline over the phone after you give them the apartment number. If they still decide to go for it, then worst case scenario is that they give you money and don't call you again. That's better than them NOT giving you and money and not calling you again.

 

[SThompson86]

For virus removal and tune ups I require that I pick up the computer and drop it off after it is finished. There is no way in hell that I'm gonna spend 5+ hours in some strangers house sitting and waiting for scans to complete. I'd be bored and hungry and uncomfortable. This has never once been a problem. People tend to trust me and give me the opportunity to take it.

Thats me all day long. I much rather work on a computer at my house.

For just my local-central area I offer free pick up and delivery. If you have a car that may be an option for you.

 

[vdub12]

Thanks so much for the quick replies. I did not turn down the client he had to re-schedule but hasn't called me back; this is why I posted my question here so that I can get feedback from all of you experienced PC entrepreneurs. I will definitely follow your advises and will anxiously wait for more tips and information.

Thanks again

Another tip is if a customer calls you and says they need to call you back to schedule an appointment its a nice way of getting off the phone and they normally don't call back.

Typically if a customer has a problem they want you to fix and they are happy with your prices and terms they will set an appointment up on the phone with you.

 

[vdub12]

Also as a side note many of us that work out of our homes have not only customer systems but also our own systems at our homes and some people might want to case the place and see if there is anything worth stealing.

I am very leery about letting people I don't know come to my home. All it would take is one crack head riping me off to put me out of business. Its just not worth it.

 

[ComputerClinic]

I work out of my apartment as well. There have been a few people who didn't like that and went with someone else, but most people don't care if you work from home. I avoid using the word "apartment" and say "home" instead. Most people are OK with free pickup and delivery but some insist on dropping it off. For those people I tell them that "my place" isn't easy to find so it might be easier to meet at a coffee shop. If they still insist I will let them come to my apartment. As long as you keep your apartment clean and have a dedicated space for fixing computers, most people won't care.

 

[ComputerClinic]

Another tip is if a customer calls you and says they need to call you back to schedule an appointment its a nice way of getting off the phone and they normally don't call back.

Typically if a customer has a problem they want you to fix and they are happy with your prices and terms they will set an appointment up on the phone with you.

This is very true. People simply won't tell you the truth if they don't want to do business with you, unless the issue is price. They will politely lie and never call you back.

 

[Mushin]

As I mentioned in my other post, I am trying to get a PC repair business going but have very few clients and live in apartment. I usually go to the customer's site when they call me to work on their computer or I bring it to my place with customer's consent. I've found that most customers want PC repair to be done on their site because of the lack of trust.

One time a customer asked me if he can drop off the computer instead. It was tempting but made me think of how bad it will make me look when they realize they are dropping it off to an apartment instead of a shop or a house with a workbench in a garage. I would love for some of these new customers to drop off their equipment at my location for it will save me gas and time. What do you guys think? Has anyone had this experience or similar situation and would like to share?

Thanks

Here is a good way to handle the "Can I drop off the computer?" question.

Unfortunatley I can not guarentee a time that someone will be at out shop because we specialize in Onsite Computer Services and Repair. However; if you are in need of an immeidate appointment we can probably schedule an appointment for us to pickup your computer to be repaired at out shop during non-business hours. This will allows us to minimize the amount of time you are without your computer and ensure that repairs are started as soon as possible.

As for the commute time a fule charges.

You should factor these into the fees that you charge. But... with remote repair capeabilites you could possibly reduce the actual number of trips needed by suggesting that you perform a FREE Remote Assessment prior to scheduleing an actual onsite visit.

This will give you the opportunity to assess the problem and in cases where the repair can be performed remotely quote and start the actual repair process.

If the repair can not be performed remotely you now have a preatty good idea of what you are walking into AND you can get approval for the amount of the repair. Depending on your setup you might even be able to authorize the clients card for the base repair rate you charge which Will help with reducing no sows. (Do you have a cancellation policy? Might be something to consider...)

To address the lack of trust we hardly every recommend a pickup service right from the start but we do plant the seed that some repairs may require us to take their computer to our shop.

If you look and act professional and present your business well most people will not question you about takeing the computer off site.

 

[MobileTechie]

It is a problem if people don't trust you to take their PC. Do you dress professionally, have professional forms and procedures, have boxes to take their kit etc?

 

[valentino70]

I do dress professional (business casual) but didn't have any forms for the lack of knowing how to create a "legal" document for the service agreement. And I don't have all clients not wanting me to take to "shop" just a minority. I just feel that it's human nature for people to feel uncomfortable to allow a person (not a tech from a big company like Geeksquad) they just met to take their computer away.

I have created a legal agreement and feel that people will feel better when they have this document with them just in case they need reclaim their computer.

 

[vdub12]

I do dress professional (business casual) but didn't have any forms for the lack of knowing how to create a "legal" document for the service agreement. And I don't have all clients not wanting me to take to "shop" just a minority. I just feel that it's human nature for people to feel uncomfortable to allow a person (not a tech from a big company like Geeksquad) they just met to take their computer away.

I have created a legal agreement and feel that people will feel better when they have this document with them just in case they need reclaim their computer.

Buy Bryce's forms.

Filler................

 

[techguyforyou]

I do dress professional (business casual) but didn't have any forms for the lack of knowing how to create a "legal" document for the service agreement. And I don't have all clients not wanting me to take to "shop" just a minority. I just feel that it's human nature for people to feel uncomfortable to allow a person (not a tech from a big company like Geeksquad) they just met to take their computer away.

I have created a legal agreement and feel that people will feel better when they have this document with them just in case they need reclaim their computer.

I've found that alot of people are weary if you want to pickup or have them dropoff their machine. If people insist on dropping off at my house (no shop yet) I have them come in the side door directly to my work area that is used only for repairs. This way they don't get a chance to "case" for anything else, and also puts them at ease since their computer isn't just going to be sitting in my living room.

Of course dressing professionally and having actual forms helps also.

 

[trapped]

I have had people dropping off systems to my house on a daily basis for the past year or so without incident. I also offer free pick-up and delivery in the local area, but I find more people opt to drop it off themselves which is fine with me. It also means I can do more because my wife can be here for drop-offs and pick-ups while I am out on service calls.