Computer repair biz....
 

Anyone run one? Own one? Mobile or storefront...

I'd like to hear some opinions on them....

in NY my gf sis pay near $150 for reinstall os lol..

That's a work of like few clicks and a coffee while it installs :1orglaugh

We'll charge $140 if the person doesn't bring their OS and driver discs, it takes time having to hunt down that shit.

Doesn't this thread come up every few months?

I had a very successful computer repair business, but due to the economy and low price of hardware, gave it up because I was making about $10/hr due to all of the freebies and consulting I just couldn't afford to charge for any longer.

Plus a couple hours taking up bench time while windows updates with about 100 different fixes, and also making sure ppl don't lose their emails and program data.

it sounds great on paper but u must be very clear what you are fixing or you will become someones sale

you will fix someones network issues and then they call you and tell you

"since you fixed the network card my external drive dont work" etc

big headaches you must be clear in writing or u will lose all profits

I did a search and the last time someone asked was like 08... but anyways... I did read your posts and thanks for the advice you posted...

May I ask what part of the country are you in?

Was it that long ago? Damn.

I'm a few hours away from SFBA, not quite a rural area, but not a huge metropolis, either. Between Reno and Carson City, NV.

The biggest problem you have is developing a proper relationship with the client, and sometimes that means doing a freebie 5 minute call to keep them as (happy) clients.

Cheap hardware and parts on hand are usually key - keep some ATX power supplies, a spindle of software CDs, etc, etc. You can get by with minimal overhead and if you do mobile, they're not only happier but you don't need a huge storefront until you (want/need) to.

Do you think a storefront would add more legitimacy to the biz thus garnering trust/biz... Or is mobile the true way to go?

Skin your car like geeksquad lol

All I would have to do is put your face on it and I would make a killing!

What? looking for work now?

I thought you dident contact people :winkwink:

I thought this forum was supposed to be talking about how we are spending our $millions, not about getting jobs for $10 an hour outside of the adult business :Oh crap

bump for more thoughts

My brother owns a computer store, he offers repairs. He would love to do repairs all day because basically it's 100% profit for him (he's at the store anyway). Much better than selling hardware at only 20% markup.

I used to do freelance computer repairs when I was in college. Good money if you target an "above average" area. You have to be able to cope with people being absolutely dumb about computer stuff though. It drove me mad how "ignorant" people were.

If you have any specific questions send me an e-mail.

I had one until about 6 years ago...
but finally gave up - I hated the customers too much...

I kept a few customers (companies only, no private homes) and still run their networks, servers and workstations - still good money. But these are cherry picked customers - I ditched all the rest.

So you pick customers that you like. I guess it's not discrimination. Good luck.

sounds like a lucrative business

I ran my own store front for a couple years. Actually the biggest mistake I ever made was when I ran into a guy with a fancy tech van at my local wholesaler. He was talking about how he was going to start a company and get these vans going to peoples houses for repairs and said I could be in on it for 20k and the outfitting of a van... I thought about it for about 1 day called him and said na.. Anyone ever heard of PC On Call... DOH!!!

Anyways... how do you possibly compete today with every retail box store offer pc service? Maybe you could dig a small living if you live someplace without direct access to these places like 45 mile outside of town or something. Today, people around me know I work on computers, from time to time they have me fix their shit, I charge them 50 bucks and hour cash. But I'm not looking to ever get back into it. To many headaches dealing with home users.

My cousins husband has had a store for years. I think he struggled in the beginning but now is doing pretty good. He sells, fixes computers and sells software/hardware and he hired a guy to do web development/search marketing/social marketing. I think if you can be a one stop shop for everything like him you will do okay just might take a bit to grow a client base.

i handle everything from fixing computers, custom development in just about any language, security, administration, windows, unix, mac, nonstop, cisco, design, infrastructure, qa for big, well know companies and industries. had to hire guys to even do cabling. Anything you can think of from "how do i get my contacts on my new phone" to "get on a plane and get to hong kong, our infrastructure is under attack". Have clients on 6 continents, which i constantly travel around visiting. with the downturn in the economy, business has grown exponentially. fixing computers, theres so much competition out there (although mostly inept) that if you can set yourself apart by taking on other things, the business will always be there.

my rates are higher than most, but 90% of my work is fixing up other "techs" or "admins" fuck ups. You go with the cheaper guy, youre always going to get what you pay for. they always learn the hard way.

I would only deal with business.
Be selective with customers and think long term.
Offer consultation and setting up the network for small and medium business.

Basically be an IT guy consultant

This.. back before I got into online I used to do some side work upgrading and repairing computers. You would always get people complaining this was different now or something stopped working like 2 months after you upgraded their ram so it's obviously your fault.