What do you charge to reset a login password?

Encrypted Existence

Encrypted Existence

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Hello all. I think the title speaks for itself. I am aware that prices vary from country to country, region to region, state to state, town to town and so on. I would still like to know. Thanks. :)
 
In shop or on site? Typically my minimum charge which is 1 hour on site but only half an hour in shop.
 
NWPhotog said:
In shop or on site? Typically my minimum charge which is 1 hour on site but only half an hour in shop.
Click to expand...

I was thinking in shop but thanks for the info. I think that is a good way to charge for it. I honestly haven't done any on site work yet as I am just starting but I am sure the day will come. Thanks. :)
 
Depends if it is part of another job and where it is etc and how far I have to go to collect it. It would typically be around £20-£25 though.
 
I charge 1 hour for this £27.50, but then also offer to do a cleanup and general check for the rest of the hour. Some want it, some don't.
 
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I'm on the east coast of NC, USA. We charge $50 in-store for a typical password reset if that is the ONLY labor you get. It's pretty much our minimum 1/hr. EDIT: As stated by TLE, we also will give a quick checkup of the PC maybe some light cleanup of startup apps / toolbars if we see junk and get approval to remove it. We'll try to do something to give them more of that hour.

However if it is in combination with another service we just tack on another $25 or so.
 
My min callout is 1.5 hours (£60) except within the small village (1-5 minute travel) where I live where it's 1 hour (£40). Passwords are no different.

No way am I travelling to someone's house and back for £25. Petrol, other car costs, getting ready to leave, driving, parking up, greeting, signing waivers, doing the job, getting paperwork signed, driving home, accounting for it later. Just not worth it.

I think this is a classic case of perceived value vs time taken. Most other industries charge a full callout for any type of problem. For some reason home techs seem to take any excuse to charge less.
 
MobileTechie said:
I think this is a classic case of perceived value vs time taken. Most other industries charge a full callout for any type of problem. For some reason home techs seem to take any excuse to charge less.
Click to expand...

No excuse to charge less. A password reset probably only takes a couple of minutes (15 at a push) so why charge for a full hour? Unless of course I was performing some other jobs such as a clean up, then I have no problems charging extra.
 
It can be done, it depends where it is and if its on the way back from other jobs. I always try order the jobs so I am not having to travel too far for a job.

In more rural areas you can probably get away with it, but I could not charge £60 remove a password in the middle of Manchester when there is a computer probably next door or a few minutes walk away which will do it for £20.00
 
I just did this yesterday XP and moved computer and printer to another room
It took 1 hour and it was 15 miles each way. I charged $70 since they always pay me cash
I tend to always charge on the low side, thinking I will get more business, but I don’t think it has.
 
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Steve202 said:
No excuse to charge less. A password reset probably only takes a couple of minutes (15 at a push) so why charge for a full hour? Unless of course I was performing some other jobs such as a clean up, then I have no problems charging extra.
Click to expand...

How many other traders or professions will stop what they are doing, drive to your house to do a job for less than a 1 hour fee? I can't think of many. Quite how it's become the norm in domestic computer repair I don't know.

It's not just 15 mins of your time when you think about it. You also can't work for maybe an hour if it takes you 15 mins to get there, 15 mins there and 15 back + paperwork. One way or another you've lost that time.

Same with screen or keyboard replacement. I'll do them onsite if they'll pay for the parts in advance. Takes like 10 minutes but I charge £50 + parts for those (I find screen replacements to be competitively priced so that seems to be the upper limit). I've had the odd "crikey that's good money for 10 mins work". I explain that I've had to order the correct screen, drive there and back, that I'm the one taking the risks with their laptop and will fix it if the clips break and potentially deal with the screen supplier if it goes wrong in the next 6 months. So they're not just buying 10 minutes they're avoiding ruining their laptop. Invariably, they understand it.

I offer to stay for the remaining time to check their computers if they want. Some do, some don't.
 
Got to say I agree with the guys who charge 1 hour minimum - for onsite at least. Happily offer to stay the full hour and do a service/clean/tuition but if they don't want it so be it - still going to be an hour.

Instead of asking yourself 'how would I like to be treated' ask yourself 'how would other professionals treat this job' - they'll charge the full hour and if that means they lose a few small jobs so be it - they weren't worth the hassle of going there anyway, let the other guy drive all over just for a few dollars...

It's tough for a nice person to think like this but necessary if you're in business or you may as well just work for free and get a warm fuzzy feeling - bet some customers would still complain about something though :rolleyes:
 
What program do you use to change the password?


Do you crack it with Rainbow Tables or OphCrack?

or do you Change it with something like the ERD boot disc?
 
I really wish I was more strict with my fees in this regard from the beginning. A few customers just take the weewee, like the one which was a no show to tonight. As usual as I was nice and polite with him......:mad:

Although I will make sure I am late for the next appointment.
 
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