Outsourcing - Part Deux!

[C6Gunner]

Well, not what I'd set-up to do initially, but... I've made the switch.

After learning how to replace laptop DC jacks and being decent at it, I've decided to hand the task over to a professional instead.

This is a fantastic working relationship: I diagnose the problem, diassemble the laptop, give him the motherboard, he replaces the jack in the same day, I reassemble, test and tadahh!!!... Less headache and the job is perfect every time.

Is someone else out there doing something similar?

S.

 

[NYJimbo]

I think you are throwing away alot of money doing it that way. You already are doing 90% of the work. Just master your skills with the soldering and get more bucks.

Right now I am branching out into fixing Blackberry's. My soldering skills on laptops are making me more money doing usb charging ports on the pearl and curve models.

 

[NickCat11]

I agree with Jimbo. If you're going that far with it why not just finish the job yourself? I'm in the process still of mastering the technique so I still send the laptops out if one comes in that needs replaced. I never dissemble it though, let the guy you're paying do it.

 

[soho-integration]

Depends on what he's paying the guy.. and how busy he is.

 

[C6Gunner]

@soho: I'm paying him $30 cash, and we're both happy.

@Nick: My guy is not a computer tech, but a professional solderer that works for a big electronics repair firm. But I don't mind disassembling myself.

@Jimbo: I agree with you, but knowing that the job will be perfect everytime is an assurance that's worth the loss profit to me. BTW, great transition into the BB business!

S.

 

[NYJimbo]

@Jimbo: I agree with you, but knowing that the job will be perfect everytime is an assurance that's worth the loss profit to me. BTW, great transition into the BB business!

Well, at least think about it. Like today, we got another HP DV6000 with a damaged jack. I am waiting for a Acer to come in later this afternoon. If I passed up those jack jobs to someone else that would really be a nice chunk of money gone.

 

[usacvlr]

For about 3 solid years almost all of our business was mail order repair for computer shops all over the country then we opened a local shop. Our mail order is still almost all B2b even IT departments at large companies outsource to us as opposed to sending back to the mfr due to cost.

 

[mekon]

I'm not the worlds best or fastest solderer and find it very time consuming, but can do it.

I would love to find somebody who could give me a professional job with a fast turnaround for £18.50 ($30).

I would consider that a real bargain especially if they were local and there wasn't any mailing involved.

The postal services in the UK are crap when it comes to handling anything fragile. Anything marked "fragile" or "do not bend" they seem to treat like a personal challenge.

 

[NickCat11]

I would love to find somebody who could give me a professional job with a fast turnaround for £18.50 ($30).

I wouldn't count on that...

 

[ProTech Support]

I wouldn't count on that...

Why, the guys making a killing. All he is doing is the actual soldering part. He is not disassembling/assembling the laptop.

 

[NickCat11]

Why, the guys making a killing. All he is doing is the actual soldering part. He is not disassembling/assembling the laptop.

That was referred to Mekon who I believe wasn't breaking down the laptop for the guy...The OP, yes, that's a good deal.

EDIT: After re-reading, maybe that's what he meant...

 

[Xtreme]

The shop I used to work at used to outsource these jobs. But we didnt disasemble the boards.

But now this is something I am looking to start doing. Just gotta find something to practice on.

 

[NickCat11]

But now this is something I am looking to start doing. Just gotta find something to practice on.

Just practice on your own laptop

Usually throughout the year I'll collect 2-3 laptops that people don't want anymore. That's where I get my practice. I'm sure you'll come across some as well in due time. Or you can buy a $25-$50 broken one off ebay and try to fix it

 

[Bullfighter]

I think outsourcing is a fantastic idea, especially if you a)don't like to the soldering, b) it takes too long and you could be making more money doing something else or c) it's a great deal.

I COULD do my own bookkeeping, but I hate doing it and I suck at it, so I outsource it. This is one of the greatest things about owning your own business, you don't have to do (and in most cases shouldn't) do the things you don't like to do. It doesn't mean you blindly hand things over but delegation is a great way to keep yourself from getting burnt out.

Just my thoughts,
EP

 

[wimwauters]

Just practice on your own laptop

Usually throughout the year I'll collect 2-3 laptops that people don't want anymore. That's where I get my practice. I'm sure you'll come across some as well in due time. Or you can buy a $25-$50 broken one off ebay and try to fix it

You don't even need an old laptop for practice, any old PCB will do:
video and audio cards, PSU's, motherboards: they all got chunky connectors to practice on.

A heated solder-sucker helps a lot

 

[Xtreme]

Yeah, I think I might need a new soldering iron. I have a few old ones and I tried them on an old old motherboard taking the caps off and resoldering but it took forever for the solder to melt. Im talking like a min or 2. I think one was a 15 watt though. Any recommendations on soldering kits? And whats the difference in a regular soldering gun and a hot air station. I've seen the extras that come with one but I dont understand the "hot air" part.

 

[wimwauters]

Yeah, I think I might need a new soldering iron. I have a few old ones and I tried them on an old old motherboard taking the caps off and resoldering but it took forever for the solder to melt. Im talking like a min or 2. I think one was a 15 watt though. Any recommendations on soldering kits?
.

A 35W solder sucker and a 50W soldering iron. Get a temperature controlled one as they are cheap nowadays.

And whats the difference in a regular soldering gun and a hot air station. I've seen the extras that come with one but I dont understand the "hot air" part.

Never tried one, price puts me off.

 

[NickCat11]

You don't even need an old laptop for practice, any old PCB will do:
video and audio cards, PSU's, motherboards: they all got chunky connectors to practice on.

A heated solder-sucker helps a lot

Actually you do. Dis-assembly and re-assembly is important to practice as well and that's why I mentioned using laptops. Some laptops are a little challenging to break down so practicing on them will help with the overall procedure.

 

[Xtreme]

Yeah I have broke down many laptops and some aint as fun either. lol

I would definetly want to use an old laptop though to make sure it charges after I'm done.

 

[navigatorrs]

I would soldier jacks for $30.00 any time. That is the easy part of the job!! I would rather pay someone $30.00 to disassemble and reassemble the laptop and i would do the soldiering LOL