Got a dinger on craigslist

[vdub12]

OK normally I don't post these but this one completely took me by surprise.

Check it out

Windows Reformat/Reinstall-- $60 (drivers not included)

So he will reinstall windows with no drivers. This guy obviously doubles as a Pizza Hut delivery driver.

http://goldcountry.craigslist.org/cps/1919743161.html

What are these times getting to when even the pizza techs are blatant about doing crappy work. And get a load of his name "MnM microTech"

 

[Thedog]

Whats so strange with "drivers not included"? He probably means that he will only install windows and the client have to pay extra if they want drivers installed?

I actually say its kind of clever form of advertising since the drivers becomes a hidden fee and it sounds cheap.

 

[NeutronTech]

People don't like hidden fees. It will leave a sour taste in their mouth. Anyways, if your going to install windows, as a technician, drivers are included.... always.

 

[Puff]

Don't laugh. Last week I actually had a customer come in to have the drivers for her video card, 10/100 NIC, WiFi and card reader installed.

Some pizza tech from CL recently reinstalled her OS without the required drivers. He made some lame excuse about the video resolution and split.

 

[Puff]

Whats so strange with "drivers not included"? He probably means that he will only install windows and the client have to pay extra if they want drivers installed?

I actually say its kind of clever form of advertising since the drivers becomes a hidden fee and it sounds cheap.

Wouldn't it be better to just have a slightly higher price which includes the installation of drivers? If you end up not having to install additional drivers then you could even give the customer a discount of say $10 or something which is a very cheap way of building trust between you and your customers.

The other guy might get the initial business but he probably won't get the repeat business and I doubt he'll get any good word of mouth advertising.

Cheap work isn't good and good work isn't cheap. Most people learn that the hard way.

 

[Martyn]

Ridiculous. In theory you could just put the cd in and walk out basically after filling in the information. After it finishes though they will probably have no wired or wireless networking. The minimum for a Windows install is all drivers installed and no errors in device manager even if you don't do patches and service packs.

 

[4ycr]

Ridiculous. In theory you could just put the cd in and walk out basically after filling in the information. After it finishes though they will probably have no wired or wireless networking. The minimum for a Windows install is all drivers installed and no errors in device manager even if you don't do patches and service packs.

I agree as without drivers then the computer can be almost useless to the customer if they need high quality graphics or internet connection.

 

[Xander]

Drivers aren't even that hard to get anymore. They used to be like needles in haystacks but with newer software, I can't remember the last time I couldn't find a driver.

Vista and 7 are great at self-discovery. A DriverPack CD is a boon for an XP system.

 

[NWPhotog]

Whats so strange with "drivers not included"? He probably means that he will only install windows and the client have to pay extra if they want drivers installed?

I actually say its kind of clever form of advertising since the drivers becomes a hidden fee and it sounds cheap.

You nailed it! ...........................

 

[NWPhotog]

People don't like hidden fees. It will leave a sour taste in their mouth. Anyways, if your going to install windows, as a technician, drivers are included.... always.

Customers don't like to pay for computer work but life is rough. The tech from the ad is upfront about the additional work. I think it is a good way to do it.

 

[NeutronTech]

Customers don't like to pay for computer work but life is rough. The tech from the ad is upfront about the additional work. I think it is a good way to do it.

Most customers don't even know what a driver is. So many don't think they need it anyways. I mean, after all, the tech isn't including them, they must not be important. So he might be up front, but he's speaking Greek to the customers. It is almost no extra work hardly to install drivers. All that will lead to is an upset customer. Your either going to finish working on it and it isn't going to work when you leave, or they will be upset that you were hiding your fees.

Sure they don't like paying to get their computer fixed. That's not the point. They would rather pay more money getting their computer fixed the right way, but an trustworthy tech, than to deal with a shady tech/company who they can't trust and doesn't care about customer satisfaction.

Still think it is a good way to do it? If so, I won't be referring anyone to you.

 

[NWPhotog]

...All that will lead to is an upset customer. Your either going to finish working on it and it isn't going to work when you leave, or they will be upset that you were hiding your fees.

...

Still think it is a good way to do it? If so, I won't be referring anyone to you.

I TOTALLY disagree with you. The point in sales is always to sell the sizzle. You get a reinstall for $60. Yes it cost additional if you want the tech to do additional like drivers, data transfer, program install and so forth. The way the tech was careful to note it in his ad I am sure he explains it clearly in person. Shady would be saying $60 for a reinstall and leaving it at that. If you give your customers everything for next to nothing that is exactly what you'll end up with. Didn't we have this conversation before when discussing your hourly rates?! (oops sorry that was a different tech)

P.S. I don't need referals from new techs. I am completely booked as it is!

 

[Martyn]

I TOTALLY disagree with you. The point in sales is always to sell the sizzle. You get a reinstall for $60. Yes it cost additional if you want the tech to do additional like drivers, data transfer, program install and so forth. The way the tech was careful to note it in his ad I am sure he explains it clearly in person. Shady would be saying $60 for a reinstall and leaving it at that. If you give your customers everything for next to nothing that is exactly what you'll end up with. Didn't we have this conversation before when discussing your hourly rates?!

P.S. I don't need referals from new techs. I am completely booked as it is!

But drivers? It's like selling a car and the buyer is pleased with the price he paid and then you say the wheels are extra though.

 

[vdub12]

I TOTALLY disagree with you. The point in sales is always to sell the sizzle. You get a reinstall for $60. Yes it cost additional if you want the tech to do additional like drivers, data transfer, program install and so forth. The way the tech was careful to note it in his ad I am sure he explains it clearly in person. Shady would be saying $60 for a reinstall and leaving it at that. If you give your customers everything for next to nothing that is exactly what you'll end up with. Didn't we have this conversation before when discussing your hourly rates?!

P.S. I don't need referals from new techs. I am completely booked as it is!

I think your wrong.

I would not allow a computer to leave my shop without drivers installed. Pricing it as such is a sign that its actually an option. I have a certain level of service that I provide and I would never lower that level of service to make my price seam cheaper.

 

[NWPhotog]

But drivers? It's like selling a car and the buyer is pleased with the price he paid and then you say the wheels are extra though.

Some would same the same about data and programs. As long as the Tech is clear and up front there is no issue. If he hides then yes. When you look at the sticker price of a new car they add transportation to the dealer, prep, and even "added dealer profit"!

 

[NWPhotog]

I think your wrong.

I would not allow a computer to leave my shop without drivers installed. Pricing it as such is a sign that its actually an option. I have a certain level of service that I provide and I would never lower that level of service to make my price seam cheaper.

Sure it is an option. Say the customer says don't worry about drivers even the MB drivers. I am paid to do what they want. If they want it that way it is 100% their choice. Besides the idea is to talk with them and let them know how experienced you are and that you are there to do exactly what they want.

 

[14049752]

Anyone that's not installing drivers as part of an OS reload (without hidden costs) is a shyster. There's no way you could possibly justify not installing drivers for a customer with a new windows install unless you flat out say "I'm purposely lying about my prices." or "I don't care if I don't do a good job." Then I'd just think you're a sleezebag.

 

[NWPhotog]

Anyone that's not installing drivers as part of an OS reload (without hidden costs) is a shyster. There's no way you could possibly justify not installing drivers for a customer with a new windows install unless you flat out say "I'm purposely lying about my prices." or "I don't care if I don't do a good job." Then I'd just think you're a sleezebag.

Yep, IF the price is hidden I agree 100%. If the Tech is up front about the additional cost it is 100% OK!

 

[Xander]

But saying "Drivers cost extra" is a hidden charge by virtue of most customers not knowing how absolutely necessary they are.

"Here's your new car, ma'am. Oh, you want to drive it? Gas tank (NIC) is empty but I hear there's a key for the gas cap in that field over there. Best of luck!"

To even suggest to a customer that they'll be happy with a driver-less system is dishonest and shady.

 

[ATTech]

The clients who know what drivers are aren't the ones who are going to be needing somebody to restore their system for them.

Technician: I've restored your operating system, you are missing network, wireless, video and sound drivers. These drivers are needed for the hardware to function. If you would like, I can take care of that for an extra $40.

Likely Customer Responses:
Customer: Yeah ok (brushing it off) I'll just take care of it.
Two hours later...
Customer: Hi, you fixed my computer today but I can't get on the internet.

Customer: Wait, so I can't get on the internet, watch videos or listen to music unless I pay you extra?! I paid you to get my computer back to how it use to be, not to make it useless.

Honestly, there is no reason to offer it like this. There is no benefit, and you are only going to succeed in alienating the customers that would respond like posted above. The headache of having to explain what it means is not worth the little amount of time it takes to install the drivers, especially when there are so many utilities out there to make it so much faster and easier than it used to be.