My new job at Geek Choice.

greggh

greggh

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Location
Boston, MA
So I waited a bit to post this, just to get myself more settled in.

I started work at Geek Choice in late August. Its been over a month now and I am happy here. I wanted to just open up a bit of a conversation, see what everyone thinks. For those that dont know, we are a nationwide on-site tech support company.

When I first got here there were of course some problems. A quick jump over to google will show you that. There were also other issues, such as the website not even showing up when you specifically searched for "geek choice". Their web presence was that bad. A trip through the wayback machine will show you just how bad:

Early 2004: http://web.archive.org/web/20041128140416/http://geekchoice.com/
Late 2006, getting better: http://web.archive.org/web/20061117161138/http://www.geekchoice.com/
Today: http://www.geekchoice.com

So its changed a lot. I have followed the old SEO 101 and setup twitter, facebook, linkedin, newsletter system, a blog, and so on... It is funny how all 4 books I read on the subject give the exact same advice in nearly the exact same language. Its been a lot of work. The site now has all the SEO I could really do to start (I am not a good content writer.) Next up is expanding content. So, I have a full plate.

With all that said I also would like to get the point across that I am working on the internals of this company too. Just as much work as I have put into the web presence I have put into making things work right here.

My position is Technician Manager. I handle hiring new techs for part time work, training on any problems they want help on, and supporting the techs while they are in the field. I am doing a lot more than that here though. Most customer service issues pass by me before they are resolved. So most of the complaints that people had in the past, I am making sure to fix. Internal policy is a lot better now and I am really happy with the direction everything is heading.

So here we are. Its my job to get our web presence going good, also to bring in new techs, to support those techs, and to make sure the company is doing everything it can to support the customers properly.

Interesting times indeed.

I have a LOT to get done here. Its a big job getting a company like this going as strong as I want it to. We will see how everything works out.


ps. Anyone actually looking for some side work, or time filler when they have downtime. We use onforce way to much here, I would love to have a few of you guys doing some of that work if your interested pm me.
 
You're going to get trounced....nationals are not liked here, because the majority opinion is that they put up advertising, and recruit rock bottom labor to fulfill their customers. Especially since you guys pay $35/hour (less than any other national), and charge more (88/hour with a $50 trip fee), of the trip fee your tech gets nothing. Compare that to any other national and you come off as greedy as all hell.
 
Sounds like you put alot into working with this company - so congratulations on that bit!

I personally have never heard of the company, but I do love the website and you seem to be going the right direction in regards to web presence.

As many techs find out - running, owning, or even working in the computer repair business is about much more then the technical side. You seem to deal with a range of issues such as customer support, business managment, internal issues, and human resources. I personally think this is all great for your future, getting your feet wet in a wide variety of aspects of a business.

Again, great job on everything your doing and best of luck!

If you need any work done in North-East PA, shoot me a message.
 
BostonGeek1 said:
You're going to get trounced....nationals are not liked here, because the majority opinion is that they put up advertising, and recruit rock bottom labor to fulfill their customers. Especially since you guys pay $35/hour (less than any other national), and charge more (88/hour with a $50 trip fee), of the trip fee your tech gets nothing. Compare that to any other national and you come off as greedy as all hell.
Click to expand...


I don't think that nationals are neccesarily "hated" here, although you could question a number of them on there ethics. To me at least, it really comes down to the quality of the company. Some of them are looking to make a quick buck, they constantly screw over techs, and screw the customers.

On the other hand, I have had personal expierence with others that have been very beneficial for both the customer and my company. I know other technicians who have literally built there business from working with nationals. Like I said, it really depends on the company in question.

In regards to the rates I didn't see them before, but I do agree - that does not give a great first impression.
 
BostonGeek1 said:
You're going to get trounced....nationals are not liked here, because the majority opinion is that they put up advertising, and recruit rock bottom labor to fulfill their customers. Especially since you guys pay $35/hour (less than any other national), and charge more (88/hour with a $50 trip fee), of the trip fee your tech gets nothing. Compare that to any other national and you come off as greedy as all hell.
Click to expand...

We all love you around here too. Of course we charge the same as our actual competitors in the Boston area. By competitors I mean the people doing as much work as we are. So I will have to just ignore your complaint on that one. I am all for constructive criticism though. And in all honestly $35/hr is what we pay, and we get techs who love that. Strangest thing I have actually found is that when I have let techs I am thinking about hiring say what they were expecting to get paid not one has actually said more than $25/hr. They all seem to be really underselling themselves. One of them was an MCSE with his A+ and 7 years doing this exact work and he told me he was expecting $19/hr. We of course still offered him the $35.
 
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Like others said looks like some very nice web work that you did. Not sure about the "Franchisee" part. I believe by law you have to put the states you can or can not franchise in. I do not believe you can franchise in Virginia at this time.

At the bottom of your main page you have:
Website Design by 123Triad Web Design

But, on the blog you have:
Designed and Maintained by Geek Choice

Looks like the same design to me.

Plus, someone needs to change their testimonials:

Geek Choice Testimonal:
"We have enjoyed three years of service from Geek Choice. We have been very satisfied since we placed our complete software package and hardware with James and his staff. I would recommend Geek Choice to any one as they are very knowledgeable; provide timely courteous service and are conscious of our needs."

-Jeff Bronson, Chicago, IL


Butler Computer Services Testimonal:
"We have enjoyed three years of service from Butler Computer Services. We have been very satisfied since we placed our complete software package and hardware with Gene and his staff. I would recommend BCS to any one as they are very knowledgeable; provide timely courteous service and conscience of our needs."

Larry D. Jensen manager
Chief Wabasis Potato Growers McBride , MI

Butler Computer Services has been around alot longer then Geek Choice so I would think it's their testimonial....
 
cmonova said:
Like others said looks like some very nice web work that you did. Not sure about the "Franchisee" part. I believe by law you have to put the states you can or can not franchise in. I do not believe you can franchise in Virginia at this time.

At the bottom of your main page you have:
Website Design by 123Triad Web Design

But, on the blog you have:
Designed and Maintained by Geek Choice

Looks like the same design to me.

Plus, someone needs to change their testimonials:

Geek Choice Testimonal:
"We have enjoyed three years of service from Geek Choice. We have been very satisfied since we placed our complete software package and hardware with James and his staff. I would recommend Geek Choice to any one as they are very knowledgeable; provide timely courteous service and are conscious of our needs."

-Jeff Bronson, Chicago, IL


Butler Computer Services Testimonal:
"We have enjoyed three years of service from Butler Computer Services. We have been very satisfied since we placed our complete software package and hardware with Gene and his staff. I would recommend BCS to any one as they are very knowledgeable; provide timely courteous service and conscience of our needs."

Larry D. Jensen manager
Chief Wabasis Potato Growers McBride , MI

Butler Computer Services has been around alot longer then Geek Choice so I would think it's their testimonial....
Click to expand...

Interesting catch on the testimonial. Getting that one removed. I took the testimonials that they had in place before and just converted them over to the new design. Removing that one as I have no idea whats going on there. I sent out a survey to our customers that had opted into email from us (using verticalresponse.com) We should have a much better selection of testimonials up next week. If I had to take a stab at an explanation it would be that 123 filled in the missing holes with testimonials from the web instead of actually asking these people for more when they didnt have enough. That isnt how I am going to be running things. So thanks for the catch.

The 123 thing, they actually did some of the design early on, but basically nothing they did is still left. So it will be replaced soon. Its a time thing right now. Getting most of this and the 293750753 other things done is taking up all my spare time as well.

As for the franchise thing, you are actually 100% correct from what I know. The whole franchise page and everything to do with it will be gone by tomorrow. I have been working with them to make that a thing of the past. Its all agreed upon. Its actually gone from the site itself now.

Thanks for this, this was exactly what I was hoping for :)
 
And the Microsoft Certified Gold Partner I'm assuming that is you and not Geek Choice correct?
 
"Geek Choice techs know the computer and its workings. Their demeanor is both personable and professional. I can think of no one better to call when you're in one of those baffling situations. I would highly recommend Geek Choice."
-Cindy G., Norwood, MA

"Computer Geeks techs know the computer and its workings. Their demeanor is both personable and professional. I can think of no one better to call when you're in one of those baffling situations. I would highly recommend the Mountain Geeks."
Susan M., Lake Burton, GA

"When my computer was acting up, I placed a call to Geek Choice and Brian promptly came by and ascertained the problem, corrected it and got me up and running again."
-Harold B., Esq., Providence, RI

"When my computer was acting up, I placed a call to Low Cost Computer Help and Paul promptly came by and ascertained the problem, corrected it and got me up and running again." Toni Griffiths, Chelsea"

"Rick was great - answered all my questions and more - I never felt rushed or like I was stupid - most importantly he always had a smile!”
-Christopher Berman, Stamford CT

"Isaac was great - answered all my questions and more - I never felt rushed or like I was stupid - most importantly he always had a smile!!!"
- Bryan Timlin
Click to expand...

...and so on.

I think I might go in to the business of writing phoney testimonials for phoney IT companies, there seems to be a ready market for it!
 
The forum is a cut and paste job as well. Looks to be mostly Yahoo! answers.

I hope you lose a lot of money on this venture greggh.
 
I dont' believe greggh owns this site. I think he said they brought him on to basically fix them. If that is the case then i'm sure that is exactly what he is trying to do.
 
You know all these nationals are good for the market. Otherwise Onforce will take over completely and some of the lesser skilled people on here will be doing jobs @ $25/hour. Any competition is good competition.
 
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cmonova said:
I dont' believe greggh owns this site. I think he said they brought him on to basically fix them. If that is the case then i'm sure that is exactly what he is trying to do.
Click to expand...

100% correct. It is my job to fix all of this. I sent out the survey and basically have enough responses now I think to replace all the testimonials on the site. Ill be spending most of this coming weekend on all that crap.


People around here know me. I've been a user of this site for a long time. Upstanding member of the community.

iptech said:
I think I might go in to the business of writing phoney testimonials for phoney IT companies, there seems to be a ready market for it!
Click to expand...

Sadly enough there is. Tons of SEO companies do that for their clients. The few people involved in all of that horrible mess around here arent with the company anymore. I've pretty much replaced all 3 of them.

I am always open to criticism on things I am responsible for. And technically I am now responsible for these things, but I did not create any of that mess. I am working on cleaning it all up and getting everything fixed around here.

Its actually an interesting challege and I am learning a lot just from the mess I have had to start fixing. Luckily I am on the job and everyone is listening to what I have to say.

iptech said:
I hope you lose a lot of money on this venture greggh.
Click to expand...

Thats just downright mean and not what I would expect around here. I wont be losing any money on any venture. I am an employee at this point.

But the place you went to, the quite obvious anger. Thats actually where a lot of people are. I will be spending the next few months of my life attempting to solve all of this. You would be suprised at just how hard that is. Hard might not be the right word, but time consuming definitely fits.
 
That was pretty sad of iptech wasn't it ? I guess they got out of the wrong side of bed this morning.

It sounds like your on the right track so far greggh.

I really hate it when companies write up fake testimonials. And the wording of it just seems so fake; and leaving in 'spelling mistakes' makes it look even worse lol
 
Greg I thought you worked for Geek Housecalls, a direct competitor to Geek Choice (formerly Computer Geeks). Didn't Lucas Brunelle and the owner of Geek Housecalls start their companies around the same time? Virtually identical pricing and ideology.
 
I used to work there. We had some differences. I wanted to work nationally and bring some new challenges to my job. They want to really focus on this area only. A simple difference. I like challenges and this is definitely a challege.

I actually stayed at Geek Housecalls for almost 6 years. About 3x longer than I had ever stayed at any major job. I was quite happy with my time there. Just wanted a change.
 
All those phoney forum posts have been made since you joined the company to clean up their act. Will you also be employing the same degree of tenacity addressing the theft of customers computers or the sub-contracting of criminal techs?

What sort of position do you hold within GeekChoice? According to Dun & Bradstreet they have an annual turnover of $49,000 and have a single employee.

When you joined Technibble in 2007 you said you then worked for "Computer House Calls" who coincidentally same the same administrative contact address and phone number as GeekChoice:

Computer House Calls
35 Myrtle Street
Boston, MA 02114
(617)263-0077

Geek Choice
(617) 263-0077
35 Myrtle St
Boston, MA 02114
 
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