iPad fix what to charge?

[altrenda]

A business client calls me to come check out an iPad with a broken screen. After some of the recent discussions, I'm expecting broken glass and a dented frame.

Instead, it's in perfect condition, but opening the cover causes the screen to flash a yellow apple then go black. Turns out, it was dropped from a desk and landed flat on it's back.

I took it into another room where the client couldn't see me and gave it my version of the "hammer fix". Sitting in a chair, I rapped it on my knee several times and it came back to a life. The client was thrilled.

So, what would you charge? A simple fix, but I did roll out and go there. I have a 1 hour minimum, but can I charge over $100 for this? It's an OK client that doesn't have much growth potential, but could bring some referrals.

What would you do?

 

[PCX]

Nothing, because you probably didn't actually fix anything. The problem is that the cable probably came loose and it needs to be reseated and clipped down, which requires full disassembly. For the moment, you knocked it loose again into a position where it is making a proper connection and it will probably be good for a little while, until it gets dropped or hit again.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Would they have known to do this? How come you know? They are paying for your expertise. The fact that you can fix it in 5 seconds doesn't alter the fact that you knew how to do it and they didn't. Don't discount that. It is not always labor or parts that they are paying for.

 

[altrenda]

PCX, I agree with you somewhat, that's most likely what happened. But, I did perform a 'fix". When I got there, she had an iPad that didn't work, when I left, it did.

I explained the risk to the customer, that another drop could make it not work again, but another drop could also do further damage. And that the fix may be temporary. But we agreed it was worth a wait and see.

To be honest, my success rate for removing a digitizer and screen intact is less than 100%. At least this way, the customer has use of the iPad right a way, which is worth something, plus I came to her to do it. If she had brought it to me and I didn't have to drive there, I might think differently.

nlinecomputers, as I said, I felt that I gave the client value, a working iPad, so that has to be worth something.

In the end, I gave her an invoice for my standard 1 hour minimum, with a generous discount, and full disclosure that we might have to do more a more intensive repair in the future.

We both walked away happy.

 

[coffee]

A business client calls me to come check out an iPad with a broken screen. After some of the recent discussions, I'm expecting broken glass and a dented frame.

Instead, it's in perfect condition, but opening the cover causes the screen to flash a yellow apple then go black. Turns out, it was dropped from a desk and landed flat on it's back.

I took it into another room where the client couldn't see me and gave it my version of the "hammer fix". Sitting in a chair, I rapped it on my knee several times and it came back to a life. The client was thrilled.

So, what would you charge? A simple fix, but I did roll out and go there. I have a 1 hour minimum, but can I charge over $100 for this? It's an OK client that doesn't have much growth potential, but could bring some referrals.

What would you do?

Im with PCX,

You didnt fix anything. Thus, You dont charge anything.

coffee

 

[CaliZ]

Did you have to go on site or was it brought to you? I would stick with no charge as you did not have to disassemble, modify software, or incur a cost other than part of your time. Give them your business card and ask them to recommend you to others.

Think of it as an investment of time, rather than a high charge.

 

[mikeroq]

You went on a service call. Charge them something.

Is a plumber going to come out to your house and hit his pipe wrench on a pipe a couple times and not charge you?

Tow truck going to come out and give you a jump start for free?

 

[Markverhyden]

Trip charge.