help on new idea, or opinions?

[ComputerPro]

Hi All,

Shop move is almost done! Lol. Only took 30 days longer than expected. We'll post some pics and more video soon. I think its coming along great and will be a lot better place for us than our old shop. I lot of people liked the look of our old shop so we wanted to keep the 'cool factor' with the new one also. I think our plans and last minute changes worked out for the better this time.

Question is: We have a 'Bar' looking bench area that we tossed around the idea of calling it a 'Tech Bar'. A spin on apples Genius bar. We would have coffee there too. It would be a place where customers could get questions answered (we would have a TV for demo's and a whiteboard behind it). It would keep them from tying up our receptionist at the front checkout counters. An example would be: A cust picks up their laptop and asks a question about how to set it up with a wireless router when they get home. The receptionist could say, no problem... Terry (or any tech) will meet you at the Tech Bar and answer any questions you have.
This would free up both the receptionist and the checkout area. The cust would have bar stools to sit on and the tech would have a whiteboard / TV, demo equipment etc to explain things better. It seems like it would be a perfect fit considering the placement of it. (I'll post a video showing it soon as we are almost done moving our equipment in).

I'm wracking my brain thinking of things this could be used for besides (an extra bench to get cluttered).

There are no shops around here anyway that have such a thing so it might be unique and kinda cool. I think the customers would like it also.

As a bonus it would be a place where we could our training sessions. Since we usually do a few people at a time vs a whole classroom.

Does the idea seem..... good or bad? Any downsides or other ideas?
Also, we were trying to come up with a cool name since Genius Bar is taken lol. Tech Bar seems simple enough but any suggestions would be much appreciated!

Tech Bar
Pro Bar (Computer Pro)
.... Bar?

Thanks!

 

[Krynn72]

How would it affect your tech's workflow if they had to attend the bar at the same time? That would be my biggest concern.

One thing you could do is use it for things like quick phone repairs. Especially if you've got a TV and beverages there, you could probably make a killing with while-you-wait screen replacements and such.

Using it for the (scheduled) tutoring sessions is a good idea too. Though you'd have to be careful of leechers who just happen to be in the store at the time and bud in on the lesson that your other customers have paid for (assuming they're paid for).

 

[SpaceSquad]

Using it for the (scheduled) tutoring sessions is a good idea too. Though you'd have to be careful of leechers who just happen to be in the store at the time and bud in on the lesson that your other customers have paid for (assuming they're paid for).

Leechers is a good term! I was thinking this too...we have to be a little tough on some people to get them to move on at our shop...this idea would seem to attract those who have brought you no business.

Maybe a polite "When did you have this computer in with us?" or "Can I see the receipt for your repair please?" would help keep them at bay.


edit/ my vote goes to "Tech Bar"...maybe stash a bottle or two behind the counter for your techs after a long day

 

[clayb226]

If you are in a college town, and you sale high end gaming systems, maybe you could host a LAN party every now and again. Let them use some demos, maybe it will sale a few gaming systems to the locals.

 

[Cornerstone Technologies]

If you are in a college town, and you sale high end gaming systems, maybe you could host a LAN party every now and again. Let them use some demos, maybe it will sale a few gaming systems to the locals.

Have you been to a college or college town lately? College kids don't have discretionary money to spend on high end gaming machines.

 

[clayb226]

Have you been to a college or college town lately? College kids don't have discretionary money to spend on high end gaming machines.

Yep, have 2 locations in a small, all female college, town, that we service. Almost all of them drive brand new cars, not the cheap one either, like camaros and stuff. This may also just be that it is different here, but it seems that most college students live better than I do.

 

[ComputerPro]

Tech bar

Here is our last progress video. It shows the tech bar that I'm talking about. Easier to imagine when you see it vs describing it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkwf09iGt0M&feature=youtu.be