Monthly Revenue Poll

[Xander]

Home PC repair is dead. Not enough business to profit and computers are just too cheap now. Just not worth it anymore, you will need to expand other services

Thanks for stopping by then.

 

[papuchazo]

You guys are debbie downers! Depressing me over here as my revenue is 80% break/fix. I hope I can go full business clients only before the "doom and gloom" scenario you guys are painting.

 

[Wheelie]

Home PC repair is dead

No it's not. Neither is small business.

Not enough business to profit and computers are just too cheap now. Just not worth it anymore

Huh?

you will need to expand other services

For instance?

 

[StableSolutions]

Home PC repair is dead. Not enough business to profit and computers are just too cheap now. Just not worth it anymore, you will need to expand other services

Maybe it's just me but does anything this guy posts actually make any sense to the rest of y'all?

 

[angry_geek]

There will always be a need for home computer repair just as there is still a need for bicycle shops. However, the market is changing. You need to change with it and adapt. The business world is a war zone, and, just as in combat, you have to be able to cope with an ever changing environment. It's not meant for everyone in this field to work on business systems. Therefore, if your business is based in the consumer sector, what will you do to adapt to the changing market? This question, and your answer, is what you need to be focusing upon. For us, we have always been focused on the SMB side. The consumer side was costing us time and money.

 

[mrtechnology]

Ready for Change

Thank you to everyone for all the post. I have not had a chance to read through all of them but I've read enough to agree and know that I am ready for change. I have been a one man operations for years now. I have a decent amount of clients ranging from home users to small business (1-15 users). HOWEVER I AM SO READY FOR CHANGE. To all those who have increased your revenue stream and have become profitable, please share I am open like a seven eleven to learn .

Years ago I attempted the managed remote maintenance model, but it never got off the ground. Again I am ready for change, please share. Thanks in advance.

"Mr. Technology"

 

[mrtechnology]

Angry Geek, I just went to your site, very nice. I also noticed that you do not have any prices on your site. I am sure this is by design. Can you share your logic here or in a private inbox

 

[angry_geek]

Angry Geek, I just went to your site, very nice. I also noticed that you do not have any prices on your site. I am sure this is by design. Can you share your logic here or in a private inbox

There are a couple of reasons for this. Primary is that we don't cater to the consumer sector, mostly SMB. For this market, we want contact before we discuss rates. Also, different situations require different rate structures. For the most part, our standard labor rate is $75/hour, which will be going up at the first of the year. However, there are rates for msp scenarios, hazardous environments, etc. What we charge for consulting in Southern Illinois is different than what we charge in Chicago, St Louis, or Little Rock. It gets too confusing to advertise our entire structure. The best thing for us is to get the customer on the phone, meet with them, and determine the best service for their needs. It also helps weed out the lot looking for the best craigslist deal or trying to look for the lowest common denominator.

We are in the process of opening up a consumer friendly shop. On that site, will be our rates for different services. Hope this helps.

 

[mrtechnology]

Thanks

This really does help and makes since. Can you address the first post I made as well.
Mr. Technology

There will always be a need for home computer repair just as there is still a need for bicycle shops. However, the market is changing. You need to change with it and adapt. The business world is a war zone, and, just as in combat, you have to be able to cope with an ever changing environment. It's not meant for everyone in this field to work on business systems. Therefore, if your business is based in the consumer sector, what will you do to adapt to the changing market? This question, and your answer, is what you need to be focusing upon. For us, we have always been focused on the SMB side. The consumer side was costing us time and money.

There are a couple of reasons for this. Primary is that we don't cater to the consumer sector, mostly SMB. For this market, we want contact before we discuss rates. Also, different situations require different rate structures. For the most part, our standard labor rate is $75/hour, which will be going up at the first of the year. However, there are rates for msp scenarios, hazardous environments, etc. What we charge for consulting in Southern Illinois is different than what we charge in Chicago, St Louis, or Little Rock. It gets too confusing to advertise our entire structure. The best thing for us is to get the customer on the phone, meet with them, and determine the best service for their needs. It also helps weed out the lot looking for the best craigslist deal or trying to look for the lowest common denominator.

We are in the process of opening up a consumer friendly shop. On that site, will be our rates for different services. Hope this helps.

 

[mrtechnology]

What's the apporach ?

For those of you that have successfully increased your revenue, what is your approach other then going to the business sector and leaving the consumer break and fix in the dust. Are you using a manage software that you are selling to the end user on a monthly bases?, Are you offer monthly retainers for tech support? That is the approach to get the residual income from a business?

 

[Hello]

Well fine, Home PC repair isn't quite dead but it isn't much profitable IMO. The last person that dropped her PC off said she doesn't have a time limit to have it fixed because she's been using her tablet In fact she probably won't even use it anymore.and this has happened more than once.But i know not everyone is using the tablet yet but it seems to be changing gradually. I don't see how normal users would really use the PC anymore, Only geeky gamers which they usually fixed themselves or businesses. I just dont see how a computer repair business can survive without having other services or selling items if they only work on consumer level. unless they absolutely love repairing computers and work outrageous hours with little return, well big return for them since they absolutely LOVE repairing computers.

 

[angry_geek]

For those of you that have successfully increased your revenue, what is your approach other then going to the business sector and leaving the consumer break and fix in the dust. Are you using a manage software that you are selling to the end user on a monthly bases?, Are you offer monthly retainers for tech support? That is the approach to get the residual income from a business?

I'm not sure that can be answered to your satisfaction. There are so many elements to this; it would require a lot of people responding and discussing. You're basically asking us how to start a whole new business. I think that discussion would be best had in a different thread. Just keep in mind, most of us may give you pointers, but we're not going to give you a complete blueprint with all of our strategies.

Back on topic. Revenue appears to be on an uptick for smb tech companies, but down for consumer. On the consumer side, we've seen an increase in people with kids needing machines fixed and new purchases for the kids. However, the typical home users appear less dependent on their desktops and notebooks these days.

 

[mrtechnology]

I'm not sure that can be answered to your satisfaction. There are so many elements to this; it would require a lot of people responding and discussing. You're basically asking us how to start a whole new business. I think that discussion would be best had in a different thread. Just keep in mind, most of us may give you pointers, but we're not going to give you a complete blueprint with all of our strategies.

Back on topic. Revenue appears to be on an uptick for smb tech companies, but down for consumer. On the consumer side, we've seen an increase in people with kids needing machines fixed and new purchases for the kids. However, the typical home users appear less dependent on their desktops and notebooks these days.

Thank you for responding.