How's business - September 2009

[NYJimbo]

I don't think we did one of these in a while, so why not.

How is your business doing. Specifically the past 30 days or what you are seeing as the summer ends (for most of us).

We are seeing alot of foot traffic into the shop and getting much more calls now. Not sure if it's the economy getting better or something else. At first I thought it was a "back to school" fixing computers thing, but most of my clients are adults fixing their own machines, not their school-age kids machines.

Seeing many virus filled machines with rootkits that people cannot clean on their own.

 

[dhrandy]

It's picking up. I'm beginning to get more phone calls too. It started picking up at the end of August.

 

[NickCat11]

Up until two days ago I was doing well, around 20 invoices for the month. Mostly virus removals. Past couple of days, no calls

 

[arrow_runner]

I saw a decent pickup in the last 30 days as well.

 

[Simmy]

Last 30 days I've had 150 calls on the landline and 40 on my mobile.

Out of all the sales calls/time wasters/people looking for a quotes/people wanting updates etc I think 35 of them ended up being jobs.

It's been fairly consistent like that over the past 6 months.

Lots of DC jacks and virus removals mainly. I've also decided selling refurbished PCs and nationwide remote repair is something I want to concetrate on.

 

[NickCat11]

Last 30 days I've had 150 calls on the landline and 40 on my mobile.

Out of all the sales calls/time wasters/people looking for a quotes/people wanting updates etc I think 35 of them ended up being jobs.

It's been fairly consistent like that over the past 6 months.

Lots of DC jacks and virus removals mainly. I've also decided selling refurbished PCs and nationwide remote repair is something I want to concetrate on.

Wow, you're straight ballin. You have any help or are you a one man show?

 

[Simmy]

Yeah, I'm a one man band, but I use a telephone answering service which takes alot of the pressure off. Before I had my outsourced secretary, I spent most of my time on the phone, which obviously didn't make me any money!

Now "moneypenny" simply takes the call for me (name, contact number, address and description of the problem) and texts the details to my mobile. If it's urgent they'll forward the call to my mobile. Otherwise I simply get back to the customer when I can. I've hardly lost any jobs doing it this way as I think people are less inclined to phone elsewhere once they've got through to a person. If you start to get a large number of calls then I suggest going this route

I hope work picks up again for you soon Take advantage of the quiet times by getting all the odd jobs done and above all else, relaxing!

 

[PCSupportGlasgow]

We have noticed it starting to pickup again especially with the SOHO clients who are starting to spend cash again after them spending the summer putting of any projects.

Domestic custom hasnt really changed much still steady flow enough to keep busy but not at the levels it was this time last year.

Suppose though we have been quite lucky as i know a few good techs in the area who have been very quiet.

one thing i have noticed is that sales reps calls seem to be reaching epidemic proportions.


Nick hopefully things will pickup for you again soon i suppose the spending levels are coming back to different areas of the country at different times. As mentioned in another post use the time wisely to identify areas of the business that need concentrated on or even dropped completely which will help you be in a position of strength when things get better in your area.

 

[computergeek1]

Business going well again, have had 3 jobs so far this week, and have another 2 coming in tomorrow, last week was dead, not 1 phone call, so far i have had a few good months.

 

[Jory]

The last few weeks were pretty brutal with the lack of work, but I did a couple jobs yesterday and have a few things lined up for tomorrow. Not to mention the few residential customers that have called asking questions, they'll probably schedule something once they get paid (tomorrow's Friday!). I'm hoping all that is a sign things are picking up again.

 

[angry_geek]

I'm in need of a vacation! I'm seeing tons of laptop repairs and sales of new equipment. I'm also getting an influx of business clients wanting to upgrade their networks and expand. This means new server work and migrations; gravy! I've also been selling a lot of netbooks. I currently have 5 of them surrounding me on my couch to be delivered tomorrow.

 

[Larry Sabo]

18 revenue-generating assignments over the past 30 days, about normal for this time of year. I'm a one-man, home-based business; residential customers. I'm disappointed in the low response to a couple of small block ads in community newspapers, but it takes time to earn the payback. Am getting new customers though, which is great!

Chickened out and have discontinued the "Free in-home computer diagnosis" offering. It seemed to attract bottom-feeders. One guy said he usually just pays $20/hr and could I do it for that. Hahaha. I said hell no; if I were him, I'd go hire the guy for $20. He called back a day latter and had me visit. Two dead systems, not economic to repair. Neither would POST; an E-Machine and some other ancient POS that was stone-cold-dead. The place was littered with garbage and stunk, so I just wanted out of there. I had the impression he had been laid off.

 

[14049752]

Chickened out and have discontinued the "Free in-home computer diagnosis" offering.

I don't call that "chickening out". I call that "wising up". I think a free trip to anyone's home is a horrible idea.

 

[Larry Sabo]

Well, it was a trial, prompted by this thread. I've since changed my rates to $30 for diagnostics (in-home or in-shop), waived if told to go ahead and fix the problem.

 

[1aComputerServices]

Busy busy...

A lot of a warranty work lately. Bulk of non warranty has been Spyware/Virus related.

Started offering an stressing free pickup and delivery as opposed to onsite and trying to cram all of that into the busy warranty schedule which is all onsite.

 

[DanF]

It's picking up over here as well. I'm trying to emphasize and increase advertising, if possible before school starts. Am also trying to partner with HP and another company to increase the income.

 

[JRDtechnet]

Busy busy...

A lot of a warranty work lately. Bulk of non warranty has been Spyware/Virus related.

Started offering an stressing free pickup and delivery as opposed to onsite and trying to cram all of that into the busy warranty schedule which is all onsite.

Warranty work from who if I may ask? We are not in the same area so PM me if you don't want someone else from your area getting in on it.

Anyway I've had 46 invoices in the past 30days.

 

[ClickRight]

I've been really busy this last week, I think it's because all the kids are going back to school and they need their new laptops set up and their old ones fixed up. Also been busy with business clients and networking.

 

[MichianaComputers2]

Yeah, I'm a one man band, but I use a telephone answering service which takes alot of the pressure off. Before I had my outsourced secretary, I spent most of my time on the phone, which obviously didn't make me any money!

Now "moneypenny" simply takes the call for me (name, contact number, address and description of the problem) and texts the details to my mobile. If it's urgent they'll forward the call to my mobile. Otherwise I simply get back to the customer when I can. I've hardly lost any jobs doing it this way as I think people are less inclined to phone elsewhere once they've got through to a person. If you start to get a large number of calls then I suggest going this route ....

Whats "moneypenny" costing you? I was thinking of doing this for another business I have.

 

[Simmy]

The basic package is £140 for 90 calls I think. If you get over 90 calls, it's £1.25 for each additional call. So I end up paying around £150-180 a month.

It was a toss up between hiring someone else fulltime to take calls and do jobs or going with moneypenny. Moneypenny was the cheapest option and frees up alot of time which now means I don't have to hire anyone.