Remote software and how to get paid

[pc-rebuilders]

I have ran accross this and signed up for a free trial. zoho.com/assist Have not tried it yet, but was wondering if anyone else has used this service. Also need to know the best or recommended way to get paid if you provide remote support. Just getting into this and need advice on these topics. Can't afford the big guns yet, so hope you can be of some help. pc-rebuilders.com
Feedback welcome, Thanks, Gary

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

I use Paypal and get paid upfront as soon as I get connected. If for some reason I can't resolve the issue I have the option to refund. Customers have been ok with this so far. If it is a good customer I may just bill them after the I'm done.

 

[mason]

we take all details from the customer before we connect and then once fixed and the customer has said he/she is happy - we email them an invoice and leave it on the screen for them to pay ( if they have a printer we print it for them on there printer )

 

[pc-rebuilders]

Zoho

I signed up for a free trial of ZOHO yesterday and had an opportunity to try it out tonight. I have no experience with remote support but this looked like the best deal for the money. Since I lack experience I have nothing to compare this to but it seemed work like a charm I was able log into my sister's computer take control uninstall AVG, and install Microsoft security essentials. I would be interested to know from those of you have experience, how this program looks to you. I'm trying to expand my computer repair business and venture into remote support hoping that that would generate additional income. Any advice or feedback would be great greatly appreciated thanks, Gary

 

[houstonpcrepair]

I get payment up front. If you wait, its a strong possibility you will not get paid. Or they could disconnect the session and you are stuck.

 

[MJMNetwork]

Yeah i would get payment up front with them over the phone with your credit card merchant company. I use Intuit for mine cause it works well with Quickbooks and been using that for our store and billing.

If you don't have one you will need to get one. Paypal is other short term option but if you going to be doing a lot in sales they can be costly cause they take a higher percentage. i only pay 0.9% plus 14 Cent Transaction fee Paypal is much higher

 

[BusyTech]

Have you considered a 1300 number which charges the incoming caller by the minute?

 

[zchehi]

I use square up on my thrive tablet, get info upfront it does not let you hold funds but it has the best rates in my opinion.

 

[rsarceno]

For new customer, We establish remote access, do preliminary diagnostic, Ask for payment up front. and then do the work. I let the user click on the paypal button to put a deposit. I have the capability to do a refund.

This is my online support page. http://www.snccomputerrepair.com/onlinesupport.php

I used remotezilla. It's perpetual licensing. It also have remote gateway capability. Remote gateway allow me to provide remote support outside my office as long as my gateway server is up and running.. It a small service that run on top of windows.

If client is having browser or email issue, they can establish remote session by typing xxxx.snc-llc.com on the run or command prompt.

Also make sure your apps can reboot the host on safe mode and automatically reconnect.

I've tried several apps but not ZOHO.

 

[tallship]

For new customer, We establish remote access, do preliminary diagnostic, Ask for payment up front. and then do the work. I let the user click on the paypal button to put a deposit. I have the capability to do a refund.

This is a sound approach with new customers. For [mostly] larger customers, if the relationship begins over the phone, we fax, email, or offer a link where they can d/l one of our Technical Services Agreements (This affords us a slam dunk for collecting funds after the collection agency is done with them if we have to go to the trouble to get a judgement - something I haven't had to do since the Northridge earthquake).

I used remotezilla... they can establish remote session by typing xxxx.snc-llc.com on the run or command prompt.

That's pretty interesting

I've used quite a few, and even evalutated some of those pricey ones, which truthfully, don't offer more than FOSS based solutions.

At this time, one of my favorite tools is Mikogo. Not only can I have a client click on a link placed on a web page or email, but it's truly cross-platform, working with BSD, Solaris, Linux, Mac, and yes, even Windows.

I hope that helps

Kindest regards,

.

 

[ESIT251]

Easy Payment for Remote Support

Hi guys,

I found a cool payment provider, Stripe, which makes taking payment super simple. I have a link on my Remote Support page so when I am ready to collect payment I just direct the client to click on the purchase link to submit their payment. The great thing is that the fee is less than Paypal and the client does not have to leave the website, have an account, or enter a buch of information to make the payment.

The flow would generally be something like this:

Client engages via phone or website chat -> Remote support offered and payment is submitted -> Remote session created and service is started.

Here is our Remote Support page:

http://easternshoreit.com/remote-support

I believe Stripe is only available in the US for now.

 

[tinkerz]

ESIT251,

Thank you for that useful piece of info about Stripe. Additionally, I checked out your website and was very impressed with the simplicity but functionality of it. The integration of RingCentral "call now" and the remote support chat dialog are exactly what I was envisioning for my website.

- Keith

 

[Angle-Pc]

I use square up on my thrive tablet, get info upfront it does not let you hold funds but it has the best rates in my opinion.

I love Square. I am ok with the rates and now I can take credit cards on site. Without calling the mother ship to run the numbers...

A lot of people think it is neat as well. So it also gives us tech points LOL

 

[David232]

teamviewer

I signed up for a free trial of ZOHO yesterday and had an opportunity to try it out tonight. I have no experience with remote support but this looked like the best deal for the money. Since I lack experience I have nothing to compare this to but it seemed work like a charm I was able log into my sister's computer take control uninstall AVG, and install Microsoft security essentials. I would be interested to know from those of you have experience, how this program looks to you. I'm trying to expand my computer repair business and venture into remote support hoping that that would generate additional income. Any advice or feedback would be great greatly appreciated thanks, Gary

try this out for remote access teamviewer

 

[kwest]

As a rule I only do remote service to existing clients and I send them a bill afterwards. If a new client wants remote help i let them know that i nee to come out the first time I have yet to be stiffed.

 

[Xander]

I just got a new remote customer last week. She's about 3 hours away. On word of mouth reference from a good (local) customer. When she called, I was simply clear about the services that I could and couldn't provide remotely. She even signed up for my remote monitoring program, and paid her invoice by Paypal within a couple of hours of me sending it.

 

[Instant Housecall - Corey]

I recommend connecting to your customer first, do a quick diagnostic, provide an estimate or a quote, then take payment before you proceed with work. It avoids refunds, builds good will with your customer, and also ensures that you get paid.

A bit of shameless self-promotion: Instant Housecall has an integrated online payment feature.

 

[Bankie]

Interesting

Never heard of a bunch of the stuff you guys have brought up, like Stripe. Going to have to check it out.

I use PayPal, and have been happy with it so far.

For remote, I have tried several, but use LogMeIn Rescue right now. It expensive, but it has some features that I can't get elsewhere. One is the ability to collaborate or transfer sessions. I have a few techs. They can invite each other onto sessions to share the screen across two accounts to work together, or transfer the session entirely. It's great for long Virus cases during a shift change.