How is your residential market doing?

[Benjibabs]

For my residential I've offered an unlimited remote (1 computer) for $200 per year and it includes A/V. I offer 20 percent off if a service call onsite is needed. Only have a handful that do it but so far it's worked out well for both sides I think. I just call them at the end of each of their year end and ask if they want to renew. I don't offer anything else with it. I talk to them about backups etc. Of course I make sure there's at least a good image on an external, but they are welcome to call me if there's any issues I tell them.

Does your unlimited remote include "How tos" (like how to use a function in MS Word or other software) or just tech issues like, app not launching, printer not printing etc? In short, how do you put a cap on what is included in the remote offer?

 

[lan101]

Does your unlimited remote include "How tos" (like how to use a function in MS Word or other software) or just tech issues like, app not launching, printer not printing etc? In short, how do you put a cap on what is included in the remote offer?

If the how to is something I can google search and send them a link and say here you go, I don't have a problem doing that. I've not really had anyone take advantage of attempt to yet. I guess I just have a good read on people if it's someone I feel would I don't offer it to them.

The people that do pay I just say anything within reason and so far that's worked fine for me. I think they get a good deal and I get a little upfront cashola for the service.

I would never offer it to business customers I don't think. Too many factors there that could eat up waaaayyyy too much time. I've offered some a discount bulk of hours. One of my business customers I sell him 10 hours at a time for 15 bucks off per hour. It's always easy work 95 percent of the time and I enjoy working for him so it works out well. So he pays me up front for 10 hours and then we just have him pay again for another 10 when it's up.

 

[Benjibabs]

I see. I remember my days as tech support analyst on helpdesk how we had to repeatedly tell our client we didn't support "how tos" and advised them to go and get some training on whatever software they were calling about.
Selling bulk time is another great offering I'm looking into as well.

Thank you for the response.

 

[lan101]

I see. I remember my days as tech support analyst on helpdesk how we had to repeatedly tell our client we didn't support "how tos" and advised them to go and get some training on whatever software they were calling about.
Selling bulk time is another great offering I'm looking into as well.

Thank you for the response.

You're welcome. A lot of the bigger business guys here do the MSP (managed service plans) where they charge monthly sometimes on contracts to cover all IT needs. There's a bunch of ways to go about it. It's all so area dependent. Some areas it's great other areas no one will really support it...so highly depends. My area being rural, I only have a handful of businesses that I do stuff for month to month...it generally takes a disaster for anyone to take it seriously or to understand the value of what we bring to the table.

When everything works good I think they believe they are just throwing money out and not realizing you are paying to keep it running well lol.