Your own Computer Buisness??


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hey all , I've just recently started this little thing about a week ago , basically i made some simple flyers and a really simple site saying i'll repair your computer for 20 bux an hour , now i believe this is all good , but I'm just wondering , like sure i know how to do it and all as far as fixing , but SHOULD i have any certification or sumthin like that? and like what about warrenties and shiz? Also my site is very very much lacking :p Any Suggestions would be appreciated.

The site's http://www.905pc-repair.cjb.net There's a flyer i distribute that looks pretty much exactly like the site :p Any suggestions on what i can do to make this "buisness" thrive or more "legit" in any way would be kewl , thnx

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You should atleast get your A+ cert, and goto school for Business.

Your website is from a template so that won't look good for those who are interested in employing you. You should probably just start off by repairing/upgrading things for friends and family and have them spread the word.

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I used to own a computer store in (af all places) Venezuela. What is going to drive you mad is the people that will say something was working when they gave it to you and now it's not. Also, the people that will call you because they get a GPF and say that it's your fault becuase you touched the computer last.

God forbid, you actually lose some information on their hard drive....

I know it's not positive, but there is little upside in the small computer busines...

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why do you have a link to your site - on your site??

stoopid

plus anyone who is wanting their computer fixed (not able to do it thmeselves) is not going to know or care what visual basic is

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I have been repairing/servicing friend's and family's computers, have been for two years now, every time i fix one of there computers they should i should start charging ppl for it , this is my attempt at doing that :p Also I'm only 18 I'm not sure what certs I can get...my OSSD(High School) is quite screwed as i havent been the most responsible high school student, I'm just finished getting my Grade 11 INTRO to Computers Credit (The Comp Sci. and all the fun stuff isnt offered at this place) so as far as diplomas and degrees im gonna be lacking , which is why i figure I'll just start fixing them anyway , i already know how so y not?

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My advice is this;

Ironman273 is 100% correct. I've been repairing computers and building systems/ networks for people and business's as a side job for years and they always have a complaint.

A person that knows little about computers will complain about everything; Why can't they run high quality games on a cheap 15" monitor? Their computer is broke because they can't open MacIntosh files...it just goes on and on when it comes to people being stupid and cheap. I can't tell you the number of people that want their computer 'fixed' because they can't download files off the internet fast enough. :ermm:

And I gaurantee, if you repair a system for someone and then they break something a month or two later, they think you should fix it for free! ("When I replaced your modem there was no possible way it could have broken your monitor! Maybe you shouldn't have spilled that drink on it...").

So I don't do it anymore. Be prepared for the stupid people, and be prepared to always cover your ass.

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Also, if you're gonna offer web design make sure your own site looks good. Your still young and it's great that your serious about it but take your time.

btw - those gator pop ups are gonna kill your traffic

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You don't need any certification for repairing computers. I have worked at this for several years and never had any cert. I do it as a part time job on the side and last year my sales were $14,000 (US). My net was about $4,000. The important thing is to read-read-read and then read some more. Stay current on what's new and get familiar with what's old.

As far as data loss goes, you simply have the customer sign a work order that has a data loss disclaimer on it. It's been done for years. Another practice I am fond os is to image any drive that I feel has a risk involved. This way I can always get back to the place I started from. I use Power Quest Drive Image. It will image a drive in less than 30 minutes typically.

Your selling yourself short at $20 though. I charge $50, and I'm still cheaper than the Best Buy's and Mom and Pop shops. I will usually exchange labor for parts as well. Then I'll sell them on ebay or sell them used to another customer. I make a tidy profit on those deals and most people have no use for the old stuff . . . so everyone's happy. I also sell used PC's that I put together out of stuff that I have collected over time.

http://eaglepc.netfirms.com/eagle_pc.htm

That's just what I have this week. I have two more at home right now that I plan to list before the week is out. I sell them to folks at my full time job . . . their families . . . friends . . . whatever.

I say "GO FOR IT."

Good luck!

-TR

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You need to improve the site's design...also you may be better off also offering tech support over the phone. The disclaimers on data loss etc. are NECESSARY to cover the legal side of things...

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yea i know the site needs work...and i have had a few ppl suggest I start up a 1-900 # or sumthin and offer tech support , but i dunno , yea I really wanna get some of these Disclaimers/Docs , if anyone could tell me where i could get a good template or one i can copy/use that'd be very cool. I've always thought I'd be good at tech support...i get ppl (relatives and friends , even friends relatives at times :s :p) calling me asking me stuff about computers, Also , now i dont have my high school diploma , is there anything i can get as far as credentials that would look good? I've got a bunch of those MSCE Exams the like VB Ones that you got like 90 min and you click through them and stuff , never gotten around to finishing one thou i bet they'd be a good study aid. but yea I'm gonna do something with that site...not sure what...I think i might put some flash on it...I've gotten a few suggestions/ideas from this thread . good good :D

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