I'm going back to flat rate $100 repair

[RegEdit]

I think I know why the big chains have 1 fixed price for repairs. I experimented with itemized pricing:

$35 diagnostic + repair of simple issues like Disconnected or disengaged on / off switch, data cable, Molex or SATA II cable, 20-pin, 24-pin or 4-pin cable, Faulty data cable, Incorrect jumper setting, Improperly seated RAM chips (but not CPU seating issue), Replace CMOS battery only.

$50 diagnostic + replace : RAM chip(s), desktop power supply (when computer won't properly boot to desktop), desktop fan, desktop video card ONLY. No other issues. No software based issues.

$100 diagnose + fix all else.

But it's too complicated to have to explain this pricing to customers and they only get confused. If it turns out to be an intermittent problem and I previously only charged them for a $35 or $50 repair I don't want to have to go through the motions of explaining that it will cost MORE to fix the bigger problem that didn't present itself the first time around. Plus having the higher $100 price will help weed out those undesirable customers who want to cut corners.

 

[lan101]

Yeah I pretty much agree. I have a flat rate call out of at least $75.00...so if it's a real peddily BS deal and or a cheap tire kicker type customer, that usually weeds them out.

The thing with me is, regardless of the problem, I will always optimize and clean up the system at that price as well.

 

[lan101]

and yes I figured out that its much easier to charge more then try to go back and explain that you have to charge again for one reason or another

 

[RegEdit]

so if it's a real peddily BS deal and or a cheap tire kicker type customer, that usually weeds them out.

Yeah I want to get out of the "I just need a tune up" business and focus on the full jobs. If they don't like it or if they are trying to cut corners then they can search Craig's List for an unlicensed x-con. In short, I want to be like the lawyer that says "I don't want to be bothered unless you put up a $3,000 retainer". Stick with the higher paying jobs.

 

[RichmondTech]

But the big chains don't have one fixed price for repairs. All of the basic stuff they do in-house is itemized by service. For the jobs they ship out to depot they have a flat rate only because they don't have an in-house service that covers whatever else could be wrong with the unit.

Even the lawyers with the big retainers get asked to do really basic services, so if you're looking to avoid that it might be harder than you think. I actually like the easy jobs because 1. they're easy 2. they are a great stepping stone to other upgrades, and 3. they continue to build relationships with my customers. If I only saw my customers for big repairs I'd only see them once a year or two. With the infrequent visits there's no relationship to build and thus no loyalty to stick with me.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[ZenTree]

I think it's a great call, we have gotten into set pricing for work now, there were a few who complained to begin with (the type of people who want to pay an inspection fee for 2 hours work). It's a better use of our time to lose those customers and focus on getting more work of the higher paying kind.

 

[ZenMike]

Yeah I pretty much agree. I have a flat rate call out of at least $75.00...so if it's a real peddily BS deal and or a cheap tire kicker type customer, that usually weeds them out.

The thing with me is, regardless of the problem, I will always optimize and clean up the system at that price as well.

Same here. My flat rate for any PC repair or virus cleanup is $120 + parts and includes chassis cleaning and visual inspection, backup, hardware scan (RAM and HDD), malware scan, patch and update OS and 3rd party apps, temp file cleanup, defrag, and repair of whatever was the original issue.

This way, even if it's an easy fix they still get value from the tuneup and I don't ever feel guilty over the charge or like I'm ripping anyone off.

 

[maclaptech]

For few years I have been charging $75 flat for basic repairs (virus removals, tune ups, etc) and $95 for OS Installs and other longer repairs. Works good for me.

I do have some other charges that are specific. $85 for labor for replacing laptop screens plus the cost of screen but I combine the price and give it to customer with the cost of screen.

 

[RegEdit]

I do have ala carte prices for individual things like replacing a CD drive, adding a 2nd hard drive, etc, etc. But I am very keen to sticking to my base repair price now when it's someone who wants "just a tune up", any kind of boot failure issue, anything that sounds like virus damage like Windows not updating, browser slow. I'll give them advice over the phone and I have free tune up instructions on my web site, but beyond that it's $100, take it or leave it.

 

[lan101]

Yeah, I've had a few that just needed a power supply changed, or cd drive but couldn't do it themselves. If I felt comfortable with the phone conversation, I allowed them to bring it to me at my residence if they didn't want to pay the additional money for a call out.

 

[Technitiate]

Do you ever have customer that just want a simple service like a RAM upgrade? Or do you generally direct them to other sources? Working at a bigger box store, we have quite a flow of RAM installs that we only charge about $30.00 for, but then, we also make profit off the RAM sales. How would you approach such a case?

 

[RegEdit]

I also charge $30 for RAM upgrades only.

 

[inlinetech]

I agree about too many charges for different things = too much confusion for the customer, but flat rate sometimes is too "flat", so I've implemented a "flat rate range" which works well and my customers like it. Basically, flat rate range for 2011 was $80 to $160 and I tell them that covers 80% of all repairs. So they know and expect it will fall somewhere in there unless I call them and tell them it will be more. That way I don't feel bad if I need to charge a little more if there are difficulties, etc, $80 for very simple and $160 for more complex issues, with $120 to $140 for the average job...

 

[Mr.Mike]

I agree about too many charges for different things = too much confusion for the customer, but flat rate sometimes is too "flat", so I've implemented a "flat rate range" which works well and my customers like it. Basically, flat rate range for 2011 was $80 to $160 and I tell them that covers 80% of all repairs. So they know and expect it will fall somewhere in there unless I call them and tell them it will be more. That way I don't feel bad if I need to charge a little more if there are difficulties, etc, $80 for very simple and $160 for more complex issues, with $120 to $140 for the average job...

Wow. Wish I had your market...

Anytime I have to "pop the hood" I automatically charge $50.00. Changing simple hardware like RAM or CD/DVD ROM drives usually includes the cost of the new hardware plus $25 to $50 with some exceptions. If I had to say I had a "flat rate" it would be $75. I'm thinking of going to $95 because my most of my demographic balks at $100 charges.

 

[phaZed]

Don't forget the psychology of the 9's... as in $89, $99, etc. It really works.

 

[inlinetech]

True...I just like easily dividable numbers! ;-)

 

[Mr.Mike]

Don't forget the psychology of the 9's... as in $89, $99, etc. It really works.

Right! $99 it is. Thanks for the reminder!

 

[houstonpcrepair]

I disagree

I have a price for each service. It leaves the option open for an up sale. Flat rates can cause problems sometimes. If you have a bad hdd, and i replace the hdd image the drive and find out you have viruses. You must pay for a virus removal because that is a different service. Guys if we give away services we destroy the industry. We are all in this business to make money, lets not forget it. We don't cheat anyone, but they must pay fair market value. We set what the market value is, don't destroy it. You can charge under geek Squad and make good money. If they charge $200 for a virus removal, why are we charging $50. They set the market value of that service at $200, and someone messed dat up charging $50 and giving better service.

 

[RegEdit]

I have a price for each service. It leaves the option open for an up sale.

I do too for extra services, but for most people who come in they have the same issue... virus or boot failure and they do or don't want to back up data. I tack on another $20 if they need to migrate up to 100 GB of data from a healthy drive.

 

[houstonpcrepair]

I do too for extra services, but for most people who come in they have the same issue... virus or boot failure and they do or don't want to back up data. I tack on another $20 if they need to migrate up to 100 GB of data from a healthy drive.

I agree viruses and boot failure is very common.