Prepay for parts over $50 or $100
- Thread starter anth
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ATTech
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- Sacramento Area, CA
Oddly specific...
...My limit is $42.97.
...My limit is $42.97.
dgiles79
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As mentioned before, if you have their PC, it shouldn't be necessary to have them prepay. If you were ordering parts to build a new PC or taking special orders over the phone, then that might give you a reason to collect up front payment.
If I have their computer, nothing is to be pre-paid. I got their computer and they read the terms (well they signed them anyways)
If I am building a computer, depending on the cost will depend on a percentage up to the full amount I will have them pre pay....especially if it is a 16 year old wanting the ultimate system.
The only case I asked for a pre payment, new customer called, wanted over $100 worth the parts, he was almost 80 miles from me, he was going to install it himself, I wanted $60 up front before I ordered.
If I am building a computer, depending on the cost will depend on a percentage up to the full amount I will have them pre pay....especially if it is a 16 year old wanting the ultimate system.
The only case I asked for a pre payment, new customer called, wanted over $100 worth the parts, he was almost 80 miles from me, he was going to install it himself, I wanted $60 up front before I ordered.
I'm moving towards $100 payment upfront on hard drive replacement simply because I hate it when customers abandon their stuff, I have two laptops now that I've had for months. I hate asking for prepayment though, and I'm only going to do it for new customers, especially the younger ones.
PCX
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Wow ell, way to go on resurrecting old threads
Well, since its now revived. Heres a tip on avoiding abandonment. Charge a diagnostics fee upfront. It will help to ensure that you get paid regardless of what they do and they will more likely pay for the repairs if they have something invested into the computer already. As for deposits for parts. I make customers pay a $100 deposit for parts that are at least $100. The only time I make them pay more up front is if they want a customer computer built, in which case you are usually talking about several hundred in parts alone.
YeOldeStonecat
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For "parts"...such as for repair of their computers..hard drives, power supplies, etc...generally "no".
For larger items...such as new workstations, laptops...depends on cash flow at the moment..if it's just 1 and we're OK cash flow wise...we'll order and have them pay at time of delivery. If our credit is already tight for the month..we'll have them pre-pay before placing the order. For items over say....2,000.00 per...we'll have them pre-pay. Such as higher end firewall appliances, servers, etc.
For larger items...such as new workstations, laptops...depends on cash flow at the moment..if it's just 1 and we're OK cash flow wise...we'll order and have them pay at time of delivery. If our credit is already tight for the month..we'll have them pre-pay before placing the order. For items over say....2,000.00 per...we'll have them pre-pay. Such as higher end firewall appliances, servers, etc.
LOL! just testing to see if anybody was paying attention! I think a lot of it has to do with appearances too, I work out of my home so I think maybe they take me less seriously also, unfortunately there isn't much I can do about that. Its the same reason why I don't take checks anymore from 1st time customers, sad. I decided to ask for a deposit because the young girl was fixing up the laptop to give to her brother, $200 didn't seem to bother her, she said she already had bought herself a new laptop, I got suspicious she may leave me holding onto it, still waiting, I have her laptop but she never showed up with the deposit to order the drive. I never asked for hd deposits before, but with the drives prices up considerably now and laptop prices down, its easier to walk away from fixing a 4 yr old laptop for $200 when you can buy a new dual core for $299.
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phaZed
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I usually have the customer pay for the part before ordering. Sometimes I will float the bill but only under the right circumstances.
If you go to the auto-parts store and order a part, you pay at the time of order... and pick it up when it gets in. No worrying about being paid and if the customer does abandon their equipment, well, you got a new part/working computer for free.
If you go to the auto-parts store and order a part, you pay at the time of order... and pick it up when it gets in. No worrying about being paid and if the customer does abandon their equipment, well, you got a new part/working computer for free.
phaZed
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It works either way I guess
I just don't like spending my own money if I don't have to. Most of my business occurs in my shop, so I guesstimate the cost of repair after having a look at the computer with the customer. Difference in cost is applied to final bill. I do charge for services AFTER services have been rendered.
I feel better making them pre-pay even if it is only $100 after reading your input. I do not want to have laptops laying around, I call for a few weeks, wasting my time, then they sit. I haven't sold any because I don't want to do deal with them if they call wanting them in 6 mos! I'm not sure what the laws are here in the states, but its all just a waste of my time and I want to avoid it, not wanting to get into the used laptop sales biz. I did that once on ebay and the buyer threatened my feedback score cuz he thought the mobo would be working when I clearly stated "non-working" in the listing! not worth the headache.
