Newbie Needs adivce on starting Craiglist Repair.

[hondablaster]

Hi Ive been lurking through the forums for a while. And not sure how I feel. I have been a PC enthusiast for a long time and been the family friend PC fix repair guy for awhile. Now im actually going to community college for this.

Im very knowledgeable at PC repair from custom building PCs. Rock solid stable Overclocks and the current OSes. XP, Vista, W7. I need money, im broke thinking of putting a Craigslist ad for $50 flat rate.

Im asking what does a person really need to get going. I mean could most fixes be as easy as installing lets say Ad Aware and running a scan then uninstalling the application. It feels too easy.

The other day my friend brought me a PC that wouldn't get pass the XP screen or boot to safemode.

I took his HDD out. Ran AVG anti virus on my healthy PC removed 170 viruses LOL then reinstalled it. Ran Ad aware took out any lurking spyware. Stopped some boot up proggies in MSCONFIG and HiJack this and made 60 bucks.

Is this it. What does it take to be a PC repair guy. I think im pretty freaking good. But really scared to be in over my head. What is it like on a day to day workday.

I also stayed up late fixing another PC where the HDD had lots of bad sectors. I use Western Digital Diagnostics and did the extended scan. The client literally sat over my should the entire scan and kept asking "now what" "now what" is this common.

Any input on your first time startups? Guidance please?

 

[14049752]

Charge more than $50 flat rate. Unless you don't think you're worth it.... and in that case, find another way to make money on the side.

 

[hondablaster]

Wow, that is some negative advice.

I know I'm worth it but I am trying to gain experience. 50$ and the chance to fix PCs I need a starting point and thought 50 bucks was well worth it.

Any other pieces of wisdom.... or lack there of.

 

[Daifne]

You have a lot to learn before you start fixing strangers' computers.

 

[14049752]

Wow, that is some negative advice.

It was meant to be negative. If you're worth more than $50, charge more. If you're not, don't start charging until you are. I (and many of my colleagues on the forums) are trying to make a living in this field, and guys that do the $50 (or less) flat rate jobs really leave a sour taste in my mouth.

Search for the craigslist hall of shame thread for more on the topic.

 

[hondablaster]

You have a lot to learn before you start fixing strangers' computers.

Explain. This is a pretty vague statement.

 

[hondablaster]

It was meant to be negative. If you're worth more than $50, charge more. If you're not, don't start charging until you are. I (and many of my colleagues on the forums) are trying to make a living in this field, and guys that do the $50 (or less) flat rate jobs really leave a sour taste in my mouth.

Search for the craigslist hall of shame thread for more on the topic.

Dont we live in a free market. Don't get mad because craigslisters are undercutting your wages. That's just economics of it.... No?

If someone can do you what you do for less. Then perhaps you need to retool. That whole statement is not fair. Are you saying you dont shop the cheapest option when you can.... Don't be a hypocrite.

 

[lawson_jl]

Sounds like your on the right track so far. While it is good to get the practial hands on experience it's also very important to get an education as well. A solid foundation is one of the most important things to have in the computer repair business. Things will be a lot easier for you if you have a firm grasp of the fundamentals and trouble shooting. A lot of "techs" troubleshoot by fumbling around trying this and trying that till it works.

One thing you will find is the more you do this job the more you will come up with things that aren't so easy to fix. A lot of jobs are pretty easy for a experienced tech but there are jobs that will just drive you nuts and seem to make no sense what-so-ever. Thoses are the ones that will test your skills and push you to your limits.

There are two things I think many people have to over comes when they start out; 1. Price 2. Time

1. Price: Your performaning a service the person couldn't otherwise do themselves like fixing a car or going to the doctor. Even though you would never pay someone $70-$100 to remove a virus on your pc a car mechanic would never play someone the same to change the brakes on his car. You have a skill and you can charge accordingly. Different cities have varring rates and your should be line with what others are charging.

2. Time: When your fixing your friends or parents computer you can spend 3 hours and charge little or nothing and it really doesn't matter. When your doing it professionally and want to make a career out of it you need to make sure your making money. If you like to eat, have electricity and take showers you can't spend 3 hours working on someones PC and only charge $50. You will never get anywhere like that. Most repairs take me about 1hr -1h15m plus travel time and some office work like taking phone calls/scheduling appointments/ordering parts/research. So all in all each customer I charge $70 is about 2 hours work.

Running a computer business is alot more then just fixing computers and I didn't even touch on all the legal stuff like making your business legit, taxes and all the rest. It is extremely fulfilling and at the end of the day there is nothing better then saving the world one computer at a time.

 

[14049752]

Most craigslist techs CAN'T undercut me, but not because of price....because they can't offer the services that I do, with the warranty that I offer, or the knowledge that I'll still be here if something isn't fixed right. Most of them also don't have the knowledge or skill to do some of the repairs I do.


The reason they leave a sour taste in my mouth is because they think that running Adaware is all you have to do to fix a computer. They think that they're 'very knowledgable' because they've built a few computers. They think that because they know more than an average home user, they're qualified to be a "computer repair tech" without any real experience. They don't have any sort of licensing, insurance, or anything else that is required of us playing by the rules.

But, by all means: If you can run a real business, have the experience, and think that $50 is all you're worth....go for it.

 

[hondablaster]

Well in my case Ad Aware was just to illustrate how easy it seems to me, to do something like this. Ad Aware is something anyone can run. But something like a BSOD and knowing where to turn after wards is also something im familiar with. As well as other tell tale signs of faulty hardware or bunk PSUs.

Its bugging me that I come to a site that sole purpose is to help people start a business and share knowledge to keep it running and someone is telling me to raise my fee. Because it hurts their business. Your saying limit my survival options so yours can flourish. That is crap.

I dont know how to charge more when I have not done this on any level other then friends of friends. I have no idea what to expect. Im looking for friendly advice. 50bucks is to get the ball rolling from there who knows. If I knew everything already I wouldn't be here asking these questions.

lawson_jl thanks for your sensible advice and sharing your wisdom.

 

[Daifne]

Explain. This is a pretty vague statement.

It's based on what you said you did with those two machines. The first one, especially, is very likely still infected. You did not do a complete job.

 

[14049752]

and someone is telling me to raise my fee. Because it hurts their business. Your saying limit my survival options so yours can flourish. That is crap.

You're not hurting my business at all. In fact, I get business from people all the time that tried to have some fool from craigslist fix it, only to make their system worse.
My point is this (and this is the last thing I'm going to say on the matter) There is NO way you're running a legit business and you're charging only $50 flat rate. It's just not possible. You're not getting any of the insurance that you should have, you're not registering as a business like you should, you don't have any of the licensing that California requires, you're probably not paying taxes correctly, and you frankly probably don't have the experience you really need. Go get a job working for someone until you're worth more than your ridiculous $50 flat rate.

 

[abe]

just charge $50 and get the extra pizza and soda, when you'll be really stuck , you can always post back here for help., anyone chraging 50 dollars flat rate either has no expenses, or is trying to commit sucide, for $50 your willing to sit around and fix soemones pc from any random problem that may take hours, you seem to have alot of time on your hands. my advice is work for a it shop repair or whatever and gain experiance, live and learn, if you can please post back here in a few months, to tell us honestly ho much experiance you gained.

Abe

ps.

Well in my case Ad Aware was just to illustrate how easy it seems to me, to do something like this. Ad Aware is something anyone can run. But something like a BSOD and knowing where to turn after wards is also something im familiar with. As well as other tell tale signs of faulty hardware or bunk PSUs.

.

you seem to think a bsod is something difficult, its probably the easiest thing since youv'e git an error code to work from.

 

[Bryce W]

I think when you said Craigslist, half the techs here were like "oh jeez, another craigslist pizza tech". Though, 14049752 shouldnt have bitten since you did ask for guidance. (14049752, isnt it better we guide him to become a real tech rather than just a potential craigslist pizza tech?)

To answer your question, there is a lot more to being a tech than just running applications like Adware, AVG etc..

I highly recommend you know what is in this article before you start:
http://www.technibble.com/essential-skills-for-basic-residential-computer-repair-work/

When you start doing professional work, you'll find that "being freaking good" computers is not enough. There are a lot of non-technicial things you need to do like if you say something incorrectly, the client may think you dont know what you are doing or try to rip them off. Sometimes, clients will try and rip YOU off and you need to know when to stand your ground or ease off because they are right.

I recommend you keep your rate above $50 because even though your like "oh wow, $50 to just sit here and run an antivirus", there are more costs than you think. You'll need insurance in case you mess something up, a little for advertising, petrol, depreciation of your cars value etc..

This article talking about the Math of what you are REALLY earning each job (and its not $50): http://www.technibble.com/are-you-charging-enough/

As for "really good with computers", that'll be tested on the field. Im sure your computer is nicely overclocked, got great parts in it and the OS runs like a dream. However, you'll be working on machines that have been treated like **** all their lives, probably the cheapest parts available and they only sent it to you when it got really bad. So, you've got to work with some seriously troublesome computers.

Sometimes, its not even about the computer. There could be surges coming down the line, it could just be unplugged or there could be a guinea pig in the printer.

 

[Reset]

Im currently running a special that last till winter and its a flat rate of 39.99 i have all the correct documents for running a business, i have a accountant that comes to me monthly, i have all the certs i need. Im running a legit business with a lower rate than 50 bucks. But ive also been around since 1999 and offer other services. But the only reason is i have a lot of business with very low over head an no im not running this business from my home i have two locations.

 

[14049752]

14049752, isnt it better we guide him to become a real tech rather than just a potential craigslist pizza tech?

Yeah, probably. I just have a penchant for over-reacting to certain things, I guess.
So, in that regard, I apologize for being so rash. I still very strongly disagree with the pricing.


My honest advice would be to humble yourself, and really ask how much you know. If you still think you really know enough to go it alone, go for it. If there is doubt, there is absolutely no shame in working for someone to get experience.

 

[hondablaster]

It's based on what you said you did with those two machines. The first one, especially, is very likely still infected. You did not do a complete job.

Based on what. What is the right way. Anyone can type a post. Saying "this didnt do enough." What should I have done. Try to make a paragraph this time. Criticism without supporting your critique with facts is just an opinion.

 

[hondablaster]

Hey Bryce W
The article
essential-repair-work

this was the very article that led me to believe I actually can do PC work on my own. I am familiar with most of the things in that list. Almost all. I read that article I believe in March or April and thought to myself I can really do this. There are some things that I would need practice on... Like I have yet to use UBCD for windows. It reminds me of an Ubuntu Linux live disk.

I use Ubuntu Linux, XP, Vista, and W7 on the same machine.

But yes I have read that again and am sure that I can master and surpass everything you have listed.I really would like more input like Lawson or Bryce. Im eager to hear comments.

 

[Crgky127]

I understand that you want to charge $50 as your experience is limited to friends and family, however having a lower rate does not make it OK to use your customers and their machines as guinea pigs. Work under an experienced tech's supervision until you are ready (even at a big box store if you have to, just don't get brainwashed). You think you are ready now, but after 6 months to 2 years, you will look back at how you are now and realize the huge difference. During that time, read every single thread on this forum. If you ignore everyone's advice, remember one thing (that I can tell you with certainty as I was once in your position): your mental picture of what this job entails is like looking at the night sky on a cloudy night.

 

[abe]

Work under an experienced tech's supervision until you are ready (even at a big box store if you have to, just don't get brainwashed). You think you are ready now, but after 6 months to 2 years, you will look back at how you are now and realize the huge difference. During that time, read every single thread on this forum. If you ignore everyone's advice, remember one thing (that I can tell you with certainty as I was once in your position): your mental picture of what this job entails is like looking at the night sky on a cloudy night.

I say he should look back after 3 months as I wrote in my previous post, even after 3 months you'll see a big difference, nevermind after 6 months you'll be getting nervous from the craigslist $50 dollar pizza tech's just like we are, no offense, but I really mean what I'm saying, experiance is the name of the game, as for the way to clean a computer from virie do a search on technibble for manual virus clean and you'll see some guides, but beware these things change very quickly, you have to be on the ball.

another important thing is to have the correct tools, check out the articles and threads for lists of tools we have, you'll understand from the tools what type of situations we can get stuck in, and how difficult this job can get.

lots of luck
Abe
ps. pm me if you need advice and you don't want everyone eating you alive.