Touring Other TN shops

[Rob_NNCC]

After being in business for a year, I think it would be helpful to tour non competitor's shops, talk to the owner, see how everything is laid out, look at their mobile set up, so on. So, I will open up by saying:
Any Non competitor TN member is allowed to come to our shop and talk to me and my partner, look at our truck, look at our advertising and so on. Our website is www.nncomputerconsultants.com and it has our phone number and address, please call before showing up.

MODs, if this is a bad idea, please let me know.

Thanks!

EDIT: We are 2.5 hours south of Wash DC, 2 hours east of Richmond, and 2 hours North of Norfolk. See Kilmarnock in the Northern Neck
EDIT EDIT: I am interested in shops in Richmond, Washington DC, or Norfolk

 

[PCX]

I was actually thinking about something similar a few days ago. I also think it would be great to see how other shops are set up and how they run their business. Not only can you learn from other peoples success but from their mistakes as well. I especially would be interested since I never really worked in a shop before I owned my own, so I really had no reference to base my setup on.

 

[score444]

I know there was a thread on here about a year ago where everyone was posting pictures of their shops.

Since visiting others locations will probably be impossible for 99.9% of us, why don't we try and post some pictures of our shops to get an idea of everyone's current setup. I will work on getting some pictures up this weekend.

Physically visiting others shops is an excellent idea, and I think it will be very beneficial to see each others setups and also excellent networking. You never know what kind of business relationship you can draw up just by introducing yourself to someone.

For those of us that can't physically visit stores, I think pictures would be out next best bet.

 

[PCX]

I know there was a thread on here about a year ago where everyone was posting pictures of their shops.

Since visiting others locations will probably be impossible for 99.9% of us, why don't we try and post some pictures of our shops to get an idea of everyone's current setup. I will work on getting some pictures up this weekend.

Physically visiting others shops is an excellent idea, and I think it will be very beneficial to see each others setups and also excellent networking. You never know what kind of business relationship you can draw up just by introducing yourself to someone.

For those of us that can't physically visit stores, I think pictures would be out next best bet.

yeah . . . I saw those pictures. You know what I learned? Most techs are disgusting and disorganized and most use customers computer as cigarette air filters for their shops.

 

[score444]

yeah . . . I saw those pictures. You know what I learned? Most techs are disgusting and disorganized and most use customers computer as cigarette air filters for their shops.

I completely agree with you, a lot of it was very disgusting. I think this thread could be used more for posting pictures of shopfronts. The old thread was only workbenches. I think pictures of the entire store would be beneficial.

 

[PCX]

I completely agree with you, a lot of it was very disgusting. I think this thread could be used more for posting pictures of shopfronts. The old thread was only workbenches. I think pictures of the entire store would be beneficial.

Agreed. No offense, but I do not care to see peoples garage or in-house office setups. I would like to actually see store fronts (or hole in a walls) shops that have some level of success.

In fact, unless you want people to learn from your mistakes, do not bother posting anything if your disgusting and disorganized.

 

[Rosco]

Agreed. No offense, but I do not care to see peoples garage or in-house office setups. I would like to actually see store fronts (or hole in a walls) shops that have some level of success.

In fact, unless you want people to learn from your mistakes, do not bother posting anything if your disgusting and disorganized.

lol good one... thats why i never posted a pic of my work bench. so disorganized to the untrained eye. way to many spare parts and junk on my tables to be of help to anyone but me. lol.

i would be interested to see actual store fronts also.

 

[SprinterTech-WI]

I gotta take another video of my store when I get a few more things done (gotta install the new signage yet). and do a bit more to the benches.... here is the last video though.
This is our 3rd location in 3years.... 1 250sqft office, 1 1,000 store and now this 2,000sqft store.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150517304172870
This was taken about a week after moving in..... about 2months ago... wow time flies! still a slight mess lol.

 

[PCX]

I gotta take another video of my store when I get a few more things done (gotta install the new signage yet). and do a bit more to the benches.... here is the last video though.
This is our 3rd location in 3years.... 1 250sqft office, 1 1,000 store and now this 2,000sqft store.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150517304172870
This was taken about a week after moving in..... about 2months ago... wow time flies! still a slight mess lol.

So, you work on the computers in the open?

 

[seedubya]

Dude, if you make it to Ireland, come on in!

 

[SprinterTech-WI]

So, you work on the computers in the open?

yea, the quantity of customers we have I need to be able to work on systems and watch the store at the same time (w/out using only the CCTV monitors).
It also helps when customers come in for say cell phones and see torn apart pc's tv's and printers.... you'd be surprised how many people don't read the signs that say "PC, Printer and TV Repair" ... if it becomes an issue I'll extend that half wall up another 2'.

 

[PCX]

yea, the quantity of customers we have I need to be able to work on systems and watch the store at the same time (w/out using only the CCTV monitors).
It also helps when customers come in for say cell phones and see torn apart pc's tv's and printers.... you'd be surprised how many people don't read the signs that say "PC, Printer and TV Repair" ... if it becomes an issue I'll extend that half wall up another 2'.

Have you thought about getting a door chime or something? Thats what we do. Its basically a window / door alarm that alerts you when customers come in.

 

[Rob_NNCC]

Here is an interesting question, but assuming a customer can not see another customer's private data, how could seeing the computers being worked on be an issue?

 

[TechLoopPC]

I keep my work area in the open too, I do have one room in the back for overflow. I also sell cell phones (verizon) and like to always be out front when customers stop in for a quick question or accessories. Additionally, I agree with Sprinter, a customer looking for phones see's my Verizon Wireless sign outside and often tune out the Computer repair sign, seeing the computers puts it in their head that we do both -- although they may not need computer repair, their buddy down at the bar might.

I don't see it as a privacy issue since when the customers are checking in their computers they see right where it is being worked on. If you're concerned you could get some 3M (HIPPA) privacy screen covers, the LCD then would only be view-able when you're sitting head on -- would drive me crazy but may solve the problem (at least for desktops)

 

[SprinterTech-WI]

Have you thought about getting a door chime or something? Thats what we do. Its basically a window / door alarm that alerts you when customers come in.

yea, but the problem is that I may have a half a dozen customers in the store at once, and my employees may be helping them.... but I like to work at the same time.... if I stop working anytime I have customers in the shop I'd get nothing done lol

And it's a bigger sales tactic than anything..... also customers LOVE a clean bench.... so when they see clean benches they are more likely to come here as most of the competition is a MESS!

 

[SprinterTech-WI]

I keep my work area in the open too, I do have one room in the back for overflow. I also sell cell phones (verizon) and like to always be out front when customers stop in for a quick question or accessories. Additionally, I agree with Sprinter, a customer looking for phones see's my Verizon Wireless sign outside and often tune out the Computer repair sign, seeing the computers puts it in their head that we do both -- although they may not need computer repair, their buddy down at the bar might.

I don't see it as a privacy issue since when the customers are checking in their computers they see right where it is being worked on. If you're concerned you could get some 3M (HIPPA) privacy screen covers, the LCD then would only be view-able when you're sitting head on -- would drive me crazy but may solve the problem (at least for desktops)

Maybe it's because those of us in cellular (and we are also big into printing and design) get a lot of traffic coming in for those things and need to convert as well.... I think most shops have people coming on for PC repair.... I get probably 20% of my walkins for computers and 70% for cell phones...

If you can read something on an LCD 30' away... well your eyesight is better than mine lol

 

[Big Jim]

Have you thought about getting a door chime or something? Thats what we do. Its basically a window / door alarm that alerts you when customers come in.

Can you show me the setup you use for your door chime as I tried and tried and tried to sort out a cheap door chime and they just dont work.

My doors opens both ways as well which makes things slightly more difficult, I did buy an infrared door chime but that soon went haywire and started going off randomly all the time of its own accord.

 

[PCX]

Can you show me the setup you use for your door chime as I tried and tried and tried to sort out a cheap door chime and they just dont work.

My doors opens both ways as well which makes things slightly more difficult, I did buy an infrared door chime but that soon went haywire and started going off randomly all the time of its own accord.

not sure what to do in your case, my door only opens one way. If I think of something I will let you know.