Ready, set, go!

[JosephH]

Hi all

I am ready to start business! (I think) Please let me know if I've forgotten anything important before starting out this week.

• Flyers (going to start delivering this week) and business cards
• All necessary tools and equipment
• Work orders and engagement forms
• Receipt book and duplicate book
• Laptop
• Wireless internet
• Appropiate clothing
• Transportation
• Determination

Cheers

 

[14049752]

Insurance? Proper filings with your local government?

These are very important things, almost as important as "determination"

 

[JosephH]

On insurance and registration what I'm planning on doing is testing the waters first to see if there is any viability in it

 

[dominexsus]

Good Luck

Please check this out. it maybe helpfull.

http://www.technibble.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10256

http://www.technibble.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15971

 

[callthatgirl]

Do you have your policies in place?

 

[14049752]

On insurance and registration what I'm planning on doing is testing the waters first to see if there is any viability in it

Hmmmph....ok. I think that you're making a huge mistake.
Think about it this way; When you advertise, how are you going to advertise?

"Joseph H - I'm just some guy and I fix computers"
or
"Computer Repair Business Name - More professional service because I actually cared enough to register a real business"

Ok, maybe not those exact words, but close enough.
It's not expensive to set up a real business or to get even adequate liability insurance. There are real benefits to doing so, such as the ability to get reseller pricing on parts, tax exemptions for reselling, and real free benefits form places like Microsoft et. al.
Not to mention if you should screw up and you get some litigious a-hole or whatever, you're somewhat more protected depending on how you actually set up your business.


But, whatever...it's your decision and I'm sure there'll be an army of guys to defend you since they don't have insurance or a real business either.

 

[PR Tech]

I agree 100% with 14049752. It only takes one mistake on your part to get sued and we all make mistakes. I have never lost a client's data or been threatened by a jilted client(knock on wood), but I really like having that security blanket in place for "what if's".

 

[callthatgirl]

I overlooked that, I agree, get the insurance asap. The first job you do, could be the last LOL. I got mine after about 3 jobs. I couldn't handle the stress of not being covered.

 

[Appleby]

But, whatever...it's your decision and I'm sure there'll be an army of guys to defend you since they don't have insurance or a real business either.

Wow. Strong statement right there. Very strong. I think the advice you are giving him is excellent but it sounds like you are giving it from atop your high horse.

Insurance is an option, not a requirement. A wise option, but not a requirement. And a real business? Wow, I'm speechless.

 

[14049752]

Wow. Strong statement right there. Very strong. I think the advice you are giving him is excellent but it sounds like you are giving it from atop your high horse.

Insurance is an option, not a requirement. A wise option, but not a requirement. And a real business? Wow, I'm speechless.

I stand by what I said and make no apologies for it. I feel VERY strongly that having a real business is the right way to go, even if you only set up as a sole proprietor or DBA or whatever.

And to add more detail, there are situations where other businesses and entities won't do business with you as a business unless you're registered as such. Distributors, banks, credit card companies, etc. Sure, you can set up personal accounts and use it for your business, but it's not just me that's saying you're not a real business if you don't have some formal filing to say so. Lots more that won't even look at you if you don't have insurance (national companies, for example).

Having said that, I do understand that there are differences in local laws, and if you're legal in your area/state/whatever...great. But there ARE distinctions between an "individual" and a "business" in many places.

Lastly, there are plenty of people on Technibble that have openly defended the opposite view. When you get right down to it, it's their decision...but as I said, I very strongly disagree.

 

[perryny]

Hi Joseph,

After you've gotten all of the legal nitty-gritty out of the way...

Have you given thought to how many customers you're going to need to be able to cover your monthly expenses?

I understand you're going to start handing out flyers and biz cards this week. Have you given any real thought to how many phone calls or hours of service those flyers will have to generate for you to pay the rent next month?

I guess what I'm getting at... do you have a basic business plan that will tell you what you need to accomplish in terms of sales every month for you to survive?

-Rob

 

[qamarjrk]

Simple easy homebased computer repair business

Working full time as PC and laptop repair technician, with A+ Net+ MCSE CCNA CITIRX certification. And I do on the side in evening and weekend. I may consider add more when I become full time with my business.

1-No Insurance
2-No store front
3-No Uniform
4-No Logo
5-NO Business Card
6-No Bureaucracy, very easy and simple business.

All I do simple site and free google local business ads, that's it.

Only I offered great customer service and that beats everyone here my local.

 

[callthatgirl]

You can do many things to prevent a lawsuit.

Have a lawyer review your work order. Make sure it's tight. Make sure they sign it at drop off and pick up. Make sure they see the results of your repair. Make sure you do things that prevent problems from happening (like data loss). We cannot prevent everything, but if they signed paperwork that their data is backed up, and you cannot get the data, they signed off on it. I always do a verbal too with them, just in case. People never have it backed up correctly when I do remote supports. I usually end up showing them and downloading an internet back up program (I use Mozy).

Always keep the client in the loop of problematic computers.
Always keep them in the loop when you first see a problem that is big
Document, document, document!

Prevention is your best way to avoid a lawsuit.

I mostly wanted insurance for if somethings happens to ME at their homes or I drop a machine on travel/enroute.