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 Cakes
intj freethinker
 
Registered: 08/26/05
Posts: 1,583
Loc: Arizonee
Last seen: 3 months, 11 days
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 I'm starting a computer repair company 
#10663978 - 07/12/09 06:14 PM (3 years, 11 months ago) |
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And I'm trying to figure out the best way to market my services. If you were needing computer service, where would you look?
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Moronicus
smokehousebacon.
Registered: 05/13/09
Posts: 4,430
Last seen: 7 months, 17 days
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Re: I'm starting a computer repair company [Re: Cakes]
#10664359 - 07/12/09 07:12 PM (3 years, 11 months ago) |
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Geek Squad. 
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BACON RANCH, FUCK YEAH
A post about m00nshine
Anonymous #6 said:
Yes, it is. The shine stands for his job title, which is Shoe Shiner, the moon stands for the time he comes out to be a nigger, which is best suited for the negroid camouflage.
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Stonehenge
enthusiast
Registered: 06/20/04
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Re: I'm starting a computer repair company [Re: Moronicus]
#10670109 - 07/13/09 06:04 PM (3 years, 11 months ago) |
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You want free or cheap advertising. Go to craig's list, kijiji and similar places. tons of people want help with simple things. Not massive hardware failures, they just can't figure out how to do email or some other dead simple thing. Tell them free estimates and you'll get a ton of response.
This is one of the things i tell people to get into and pick up some easy money.
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“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.” (attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville political philosopher Circa 1835)
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yeah
Registered: 02/08/09
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Re: I'm starting a computer repair company [Re: Stonehenge]
#10672330 - 07/14/09 12:17 AM (3 years, 11 months ago) |
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I was thinking about this and I was told that it's a dieing business.
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I hope this is the dark part of the night which is generally just before day.
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Stonehenge
enthusiast
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Re: I'm starting a computer repair company [Re: yeah]
#10675049 - 07/14/09 02:41 PM (3 years, 11 months ago) |
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Yeah, no one uses computers any more. It's like the horse and buggy. Listen to your negative friends.
The key to starting a new business is doing it cheap. If you don't have to buy anything or invest money, it's worth a try. Put in an ad on craig's list and see what happens.
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“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.” (attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville political philosopher Circa 1835)
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Horse_Meister
Edible Farmer
Registered: 01/14/07
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Re: I'm starting a computer repair company [Re: Stonehenge]
#10675439 - 07/14/09 03:51 PM (3 years, 11 months ago) |
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Advertise but don't post rates. I charge 40 for first hour and 30 for every consecutive hour. You're driving to them, advertising, spending your free time on them. It deserves a premium. Never crumble on your pricing. Your time and skill have value. I have friends that charge 65 per hour regardless. When you have a clientele that respects the work you do and it gets them up and running they don't mind the charges. Don't feel bad. Your life has value. Just remember to be professional about it. When people are desperate to have their demands filled rake them.
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KTHXBai2YoU
Horse_Meister
Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans.
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Stonehenge
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Re: I'm starting a computer repair company [Re: Horse_Meister]
#10676580 - 07/14/09 07:14 PM (3 years, 10 months ago) |
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That is good advice. I like the gimmick of the free estimate. What you do is talk to them first by email or phone and find out what's wrong, how much they know and so on. You can tell if they are ripe for the plucking or not. If they say they have 3 estimates already and the cheapest guy wants $30 for the whole job and it involves parts and time, you are too busy to go out there. If it's a lady who just got a computer for her birthday and doesn't want people to find out she can't use it, you zoom out and give her a price based on the job, not per hour. Being nice and pleasant is just as important as doing the job right. Make them happy, fleece them and they will send you more customers.
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“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.” (attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville political philosopher Circa 1835)
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 automan
blasted chipmunk
Registered: 09/18/03
Posts: 6,819
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Re: I'm starting a computer repair company [Re: Stonehenge]
#10686646 - 07/16/09 08:14 AM (3 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
Stonehenge said:
That is good advice. I like the gimmick of the free estimate. What you do is talk to them first by email or phone and find out what's wrong, how much they know and so on. You can tell if they are ripe for the plucking or not. If they say they have 3 estimates already and the cheapest guy wants $30 for the whole job and it involves parts and time, you are too busy to go out there. If it's a lady who just got a computer for her birthday and doesn't want people to find out she can't use it, you zoom out and give her a price based on the job, not per hour. Being nice and pleasant is just as important as doing the job right. Make them happy, fleece them and they will send you more customers.
That's terrible advice.
Do good work. Charge a fair price. Be punctual and clean. Always keep your word. Expect to run in the red your first year and plan for it.
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No, no, you're not thinking, you're just being logical. ~ Niels Bohr
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Stonehenge
enthusiast
Registered: 06/20/04
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Re: I'm starting a computer repair company [Re: automan]
#10688709 - 07/16/09 05:30 PM (3 years, 10 months ago) |
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autopost, i don't see where you refuted anything i said. I'm just giving tips on what to avoid and what to look for. Naturally you are supposed to do good work and be on time. Why the hell should you expect to go into the red the first year?
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“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.” (attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville political philosopher Circa 1835)
Trade list http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/18343673
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automan
blasted chipmunk
Registered: 09/18/03
Posts: 6,819
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Re: I'm starting a computer repair company [Re: Stonehenge]
#10689068 - 07/16/09 06:43 PM (3 years, 10 months ago) |
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It's better to plan for it and not need it than to have needed it and not plan for it. The majority of businesses don't turn a profit for the first fiscal year. That's why the majority of businesses fail in the first year.
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No, no, you're not thinking, you're just being logical. ~ Niels Bohr
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Mattplusness
Stranger
Registered: 07/12/09
Posts: 167
Last seen: 3 years, 4 months
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Re: I'm starting a computer repair company [Re: automan]
#10689869 - 07/16/09 09:08 PM (3 years, 10 months ago) |
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Your main target is going to be people who can't fix it themselves, meaning the majority being middle aged, baby boomers. I would post some ads in areas you would find them, supermarkets, home repair stores, gas stations. Along with the obvious internet websites.
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Quit smoking cigarettes August 23rd, 2008.
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Horse_Meister
Edible Farmer
Registered: 01/14/07
Posts: 398
Last seen: 1 day, 17 hours
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Re: I'm starting a computer repair company [Re: Mattplusness]
#10691252 - 07/17/09 12:53 AM (3 years, 10 months ago) |
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My pricing strategy works with the fact that I already work a full time job. If I am going to spend the time, gas, years of experience, it had better be worth my while. I don't mind being kind and going out of my way to get things done, but what I do mind is when you're working for free and still going through hell. Nothing gets me more aggitated than being underpaid and hassled. I'd rather streamline my business to people who can afford my time. Yes, they complain at first about price, every tradesman has his price, and undervaluing your work will not keep you interested in your work...atleast not with my mentality on money.
The way people think about computer repairs who have no experience with them: oh no my PC doesn't work the way i want it to. how do i do it as cheap as possible? oh yeah, blah blah blah's son went to school for it, or buddy at work might be able to fix it for free. hassle the kid and see if it gets done for free. fixed? no, i couldn't get ahold of them. let's look in the paper. quote please. oh my god that's a high price, you want what? let me get back to you. hassle some friend or family member some more, no progress. calls you back... I need this computer problem fixed, sorry about calling you back so frequently, i was just trying another way but it didn't work out. i value your time and considering i don't know you i will value your skill and pay you well for it. the first hour should cover one week's worth of ads in the expensive paper.
the unfortunate thing about computers is everyone knows someone who knows a thing about computers. this undervalues the market for people like me trying to make a buck, because those people bouncing around scared of paying for repairs are going around hassling younger relatives for free. personally, i do not like to be bothered from friends about computer problems because that's the next thing you expect them to ask or tell you the next time you hang out with them.
stonehenge, personally i don't like the idea of per job estimates. why should the repair tech be responsible for how bloody slow the computer is to load/install anything. some people are so damn cheap and have legacy things that are really not worth the quote you talk about over the phone. if someone calls you telling you someone else's pricing, who the fuck cares. sell them your pricing with your years of experience and excellent customer loyalty. if they already called 3 other places to get quotes, you already gained a valuable piece of information, they're cheap. i wouldnt tell them im too busy. i would tell them my pricing and say thank you for calling, have a nice day. when you start to negotiate a pricing discount with someone you don't know, they will walk all over you. walk over them and see if they get back up and come back to you. once a bitch, always a bitch, don't be a sucker for your own business  As for reading the amount of knowledge the individual on the other end of the phone knows, ask them basic questions about their computer specs, what OS, etc. common sense tells you that the person calling you will know next to nothing about computers. i had one customer tell me they had windows 4000 installed on their PC.
if anyone has any ideas or suggestions to improve upon any of these ideas, post them. i'm liking this thread already.
Cakes, what have you come up with so far, in every respect?
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KTHXBai2YoU
Horse_Meister
Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans.
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legallyhomeless
mooch
Registered: 07/01/05
Posts: 4,051
Loc: EZRA for the Refuge
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Re: I'm starting a computer repair company [Re: Horse_Meister]
#10699929 - 07/18/09 05:19 PM (3 years, 10 months ago) |
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windows 4000 is no joke...
son.
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Stonehenge
enthusiast
Registered: 06/20/04
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HM, i agree telling them your pricing is better than just saying you are too busy but it will probably lead to the same result in the situation i mentioned. If you've looked at the computer and checked it out some and know what they want, what's wrong with a per job price? You explain that is just for installing the software, hardware or whatever they asked for. If they want it speeded up or other things, then that's extra. If you say $40 an hour for however long it takes, that is scary. They don't know you and you might say it took 10 hours to set up their email and adjust the modem.
Auto, if someone works out of their home and already has a job, why would they go broke the first year? How could they unless some very bad things happened?
Good luck and don't forget to print up some business cards to give to everyone you talk to about computers.
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“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.” (attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville political philosopher Circa 1835)
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lethargic
Stranger
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Re: I'm starting a computer repair company [Re: Stonehenge]
#10704152 - 07/19/09 04:03 PM (3 years, 10 months ago) |
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Wish you lived near Texas, I have experience working in computer shops =P
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automan
blasted chipmunk
Registered: 09/18/03
Posts: 6,819
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Re: I'm starting a computer repair company [Re: Stonehenge]
#10708125 - 07/20/09 09:23 AM (3 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
Stonehenge said:
Auto, if someone works out of their home and already has a job, why would they go broke the first year? How could they unless some very bad things happened?
If he already has a job and will be building this business on the side, then he probably wouldnt have to worry about it.
I own 2 businesses right now, one making good money while the other is making a bit over break even. I am launching a third in a year. (Look for it at summer NAMM 2010.) This country is so rich. If you are just willing to go out of the cave, kill dinner, be smart and honest... you will succeed. I had one business fail and another sold at break even before getting into my current endeavors. Just keep at it.
As to what to charge, create a price list for most of the common tasks people want. Have at the bottom of the list that anything not on the list is subject to the hourly rate. It is also a good idea to post it in 2 or 3 places in your shop. I don't know how many times someone has brought me a guitar for something like a bridge reglue. They come back to pick it up and see a charge of $135 and say they never knew it would be that much. I point to the poster sized price guide in the wall behind them. They say they didnt see it. I point to the same poster right beside them. They say they must not have seen that one either. The I point to the one laminated to the table they signed the work order on  I would never try to pull the wool over someone's eyes, but there are those people out there that try to get out of paying for anything. Just be prepared for those people and everything should go fine.
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No, no, you're not thinking, you're just being logical. ~ Niels Bohr
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iluvfungi
Registered: 06/18/09
Posts: 1,488
Loc: Oakland, CA USA 
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Re: I'm starting a computer repair company [Re: automan]
#10759353 - 07/29/09 02:59 AM (3 years, 10 months ago) |
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Ok check this out. Where I live I posted ads for Computer Repair; 0 responses back. I posted ads for Car Mechanic; I had 4 calls and made $50 in an hour and 1/2 on a job.
Everyone knows how to use a computer these days... and the market is saturated with companies that will fix it. Unless you are desperate for income, I wouldn't try that business.
I guess it depends where you live. The amount of time building the business directly correlates to how much money you make. Time=Money.
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pistola321
Stranger
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Re: I'm starting a computer repair company [Re: iluvfungi]
#10776020 - 07/31/09 07:19 PM (3 years, 10 months ago) |
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best way is word of mouth. you wouldnt believe how much business that has brought me over the years
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"Beyond the viel of the human mind there is a gesalt energy that is a pure and loving light. It is the source, creation, the one. Some people call it God, but a name cannot describe it. It is the pure energy that gives and connects all life. We come from this place and we return to it. It is the pure energy that gives and connects all life."
-chinacat72
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Cakes
intj freethinker
Registered: 08/26/05
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Re: I'm starting a computer repair company [Re: pistola321]
#10787671 - 08/02/09 08:44 PM (3 years, 10 months ago) |
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Wow, I thought this thread died after the first response but I guess not!
Quote:
Horse_Meister said:
Cakes, what have you come up with so far, in every respect?
Well, I've done a good amount of thinking on the subject and have come up with a lot of advertising routes. First off, word of mouth seems to be a very big thing when it comes to computer repair. I've been asking people I know where they would go to look for a computer repair service, and nearly everyone says they will ask friends and family if they know anyone good. I guess the trust factor makes a difference when it comes to peoples' computers.
I'll be living in an upper-middle class suburb of Phoenix when I actually get the business going, but I will be less than 20 minutes away from middle and lower class areas of town. First of all, I'm going to start off by targeting the upper income and lower income markets separately. Two different types of ads, two different DBA names, two different styles of interacting with the customer. On the upper end I will be aiming for small businesses and wealthy suburb folk, and on the lower end, the average joe and college students.
I plan on advertising through Craig's List, with fliers at the library/grocery store/laundromat/etc, business cards to people I meet and service. I am going to look into the Yellow Pages, but I feel like it is a dying method of finding business. I don't know what the ad rates are for phone books but if they're too high I'm not going to worry about using them. I'm considering the ValuPack/Money in the Mail things, and the Pennysaver. I will try newspaper classifieds but in the past they haven't been very useful.
I'm also considering door-to-door fliers. I've always found them annoying personally but I suppose not all people do.
I will be working another job primarily, but I want to build my business as quickly as possible on the side. I plan on spending at least 5-10 hours a week on marketing alone. I don't see any reason I would go into the red here. I will be spending a very minor amount on advertising and gas to get to the jobs. Together, I doubt those things would set me back more than $200 a month.
I will be offering free estimates in all my advertising, as well as a flat rate. A lot of people seem scared of hourly rates because it's hard for them to know that you aren't milking the clock. Not only that, but it's difficult to give them an estimate considering all the random ass problems that can pop up during a computer repair. A flat rate seems more honest and appealing. I'm ok with losing money on a client every now and then because I quoted them less than I should have. I think I will get significantly more business this way.
I am considering advertising a rate cap to the lower end customers. A few other people in that area on Craig's List advertise a $75 max flat rate, and I feel that if I can't compete or match that, then they may get the business that I could have had. I may try a rate cap in one area, and not try it in another similar but separate area, and see how much business I get from both.
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Horse_Meister
Edible Farmer
Registered: 01/14/07
Posts: 398
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Re: I'm starting a computer repair company [Re: Cakes]
#10788155 - 08/02/09 10:09 PM (3 years, 10 months ago) |
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nice work on your business advertising plan. just remember, a TONNE of old people don't even know what craigslist is. penny saver and other newspaper ads is worthwhile, but do your own homework with that one and find out what works for you. i am ok with a potential customer being afraid of my hourly rates. that way it is a little more of a business visit with them wanting me in and out asap. when you're comfortable with how much business you're getting, change that $75 max flat rate to $150 and see where that brings you. just tell them how qualified you are. no need to cut other people up. good luck bro!
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KTHXBai2YoU
Horse_Meister
Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans.
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