The Hyper Cheap Customers

[bagellad]

I keep getting these cheap customers. I would refer to them as the "Hyper cheap" I had one calling me wanting to buy an old CRT monitor or something for $20 dollars, would not haggle. I didn't do it because frankly it wasn't worth my time and I just felt if someone that cheap would become a big headache.

Another potential customer was trying to get free wireless tech support over the phone on the weekend, sounded like he was the brother who usually knew the"I.T." stuff but wasn't able to fix it.. he was like "Can't you just give me some numbers or something over the phone??". I said no.

Should I even consider accepting jobs from the Hyper cheap customers? (assuming they break down and have to pay for something?)

 

[Simmy]

I've had customers just like that too - they really grind my gears! Like you, I simply refuse to give them free help or to sell them stupidly cheap goods if I'm not going to make a decent amount of money on it.

The cheek of people who say "can't you just tell me the solution over the phone?" or try and fish for the answer is unbelievable! I just tell them my hourly rate and tell them to take it or leave it (not so bluntly).

Since raising my hourly rates a year or so ago, I've had fewer people like this. It keeps the uber cheap customers from hassling me. They're not the kind of customers you want.

 

[TimeCode]

Since raising my hourly rates a year or so ago, I've had fewer people like this. It keeps the uber cheap customers from hassling me. They're not the kind of customers you want.

I agree whole-heartedly. The trouble they cause isn't worth the $ they give you.

 

[gunslinger]

I don't do the free tech support, but I will sell cheap parts if I stand to make a little bit of cash. I do sell refurb RAM and CD/DVD drives all the time also old CRT monitors. Most of the time I have nothing invested in these so its all profit. The customer also knows these are sold as is.

Yeah, its only $20-30 here and there but its still free money.

As for the trouble they cause, I have yet to have any. Been doing it this way for over 6 years. Sometimes it works like this.

Customer: I want to upgrade my RAM from 256 mb.
Me: Ok, I can order the RAM and have you fixed up in about a day.
Customer: How much will it be? (cheap customer alert)
Me: Depends on if you want me to come to your place or if you bring it in. It will be $50 if you bring it to my shop, and that includes installation.
Customer: Hmmm, that sounds expensive.
Me: Its really not, I invite you to price check, call shop XYZ if you like.(knowing full well I charge less than half of what they do) I can also save you some money if you want to use refurb parts, but these come with no warranty.
Customer: How much if I go refurb?
Me: $30 if you bring it to me.
Customer: Be there in 15 mins.

I have no money invested in the RAM. It takes me less than 10 mins to including the phone call, and they use their gas. I'm happy and they get a quick 512 RAM upgrade. Happy customers spread the word, and hand out business cards.

 

[RoboGeek]

Consider yourself lucky...

I have one who insists the gov has hacked her PC because she communicates with aliens (I'm NOT kidding!)

The police chief sent her to me as a forensics investigation (more like unloading a crazy on me) and i fixed her problems. She thought netzero was spying and deleted all the exe files she thought were watching her...

So since I fixed her probs and verified GWB was not targeting her she now calls every week with a new file she suspects. I let it go to the machine and every call maxes out my machine at 12 minutes...


I'll gladly trade her for any of you's guys's lowballers!!

 

[Jory]

Consider yourself lucky...

I have one who insists the gov has hacked her PC because she communicates with aliens (I'm NOT kidding!)

The police chief sent her to me as a forensics investigation (more like unloading a crazy on me) and i fixed her problems. She thought netzero was spying and deleted all the exe files she thought were watching her...

So since I fixed her probs and verified GWB was not targeting her she now calls every week with a new file she suspects. I let it go to the machine and every call maxes out my machine at 12 minutes...


I'll gladly trade her for any of you's guys's lowballers!!

The only solution to this problem is the next time she brings her PC in make a hand motion to her not to say anything. Then slowly slip her a piece of paper that says:

"They got to me, go now while you still can. Good luck."

She'll think you're a great person, and at the same time she'll never bother you again. No hurt feelings, and everybody is happy. Problem Solved.

 

[thecoldone06]

The only solution to this problem is the next time she brings her PC in make a hand motion to her not to say anything. Then slowly slip her a piece of paper that says:

"They got to me, go now while you still can. Good luck."

She'll think you're a great person, and at the same time she'll never bother you again. No hurt feelings, and everybody is happy. Problem Solved.

Hahahaha that sounds like a great solution! I don't know that I could do it without busting up laughing.

 

[RoboGeek]

too funny!!

I don't really have problems with cheap customers. My rates are set and everybody pays the same. My parts go for what is marked. I don't do phone support, or remote support (except on my business customers).

I have had people call about data recoveries, and tell me they can find people on craigslist to do them for $500. I simply say if you do try them and they fail, the cost will go up from any legit data reco place. Those lowballer data recovery places usually screw up the heads and platters so bad you can't even recover data anymore

 

[jj2000]

LOL! Not too sure of your age, but I will toss this out there. When the customer is there or on the phone, pretend you have a call/another call and then go back to her after about 30 seconds, and tell her "That was Mork and Mindy ringing in... They advised me that aliens are invading my shop in 30 minutes. I must prepare! Then run away.

hahahahahaha

not having a problem with cheap customers anymore thank god but i am getting so many calls from other "businesses" trying to sell me crap that my day seems to be spent dealing with these people.

 

[RoboGeek]

I am a mere 47 years old

Alf would work too!

I noticed there are many more national contractors calling now to try to get work done. But they are all offering $12-$35/hr!

 

[lawson_jl]

Good stuff there. I do on-site computer repair in the evenings after my day job. I run into a crap load of cheap ass customers. I only charge $50 per issue, per issue mind you not per hour. The average job takes me 2 hours from the time I leave my house to the time I get back home, so $25/hr not bad and still worth my time. I always get people that ask "Why is it so much? Can I get a discount? I can get it done at "xyz" computer reapir for less." Which I know for a fact none of the brick and mortar shops come even close to that. So I say "Well I know my prices are the lostest around and I don't offer discounts, if you can get it done for cheaper then I'd go there." Some schedule appointments and others hang up.

 

[MHCG]

If you advertise low rates you will attract cheap customers.

 

[Bullfighter]

Hey lawson_jl,

Do you have any intention of doing repair full time? You might kick yourself later for having such low prices now...

EP

 

[gunslinger]

I can't speak for lawson_jl, but I'm full time and my rates are only $35 per hour for most jobs, and i do just fine.

 

[bagellad]

Gunslinger how many customers do you end up doing work for on an average week? Im not running into people balking at my rate so much as asking for crazy cheap things, like tech support for ipods i don't sell (Hell I dont even own one)

 

[gunslinger]

I like to keep a steady flow of 10-12 jobs per week not including websites. Plus I still build the odd custom PC.

I do notice when prices for other things like fuel go up, people start to balk at prices , more so with websites.