Need Computer Repair Advice

01/18/11 | Self

[wildbill]

Goto Fryes and get an estimate of what you propose.

[humantech]

Flat rate- $150 unless there are other issues involved that I am not made aware of ( either because you arent aware of the issues or fail to mention) -
this includes all windows updates,updates to the software you mentioned and a lot of love.
Parts extra.
bottom line, a job like this takes up bench space for X amount of time, so it has to be a fee worth taking up a spot. hourly though on something like this, if the person is honest on the amount of hours it sits on their bench or onsite, can be quite costly because updates take a significant amount of time. Installers also take time.
I’ve been self employed doing Mac repair/Consulting for 18 years, and owned two apple specialist retail stores for 10 years. ( also have done lots of windows boxes because well, people have windows and I need an in to help them escape at some point) -
:-)

[wildbill]

For a $150. I’d think long and hard about buying a new computer since the normal lifespan of computers is about 3 years and the pace of new inventions in hardware and software is about half that. Why spend that much on a computer that is probably out of date and nearing more repairs? I think an independent repairman should shoot to keep his repair costs below $100 at a maxium.

Kind of like printers. You can buy one real cheap on sale or with rebates and when the ink runs out, buy a new one with a new warranty. Most printers are sold on the theory that the manufacturer will make their money on the ink refills.

[goldstategop]

Do it yourself. Installing an OS is not that hard. I’ve done it. Are you are a wussie? This is something people are perfectly capable of doing on their computer.

[catnipman]

“BTW, I have a servicable laptop with one problem. The electrical jack where the power cord plugs in is faulty and it need to be replaced. I have been told it’s one of the toughest repairs on a laptop. Can this be true?”

Yep. Anything tougher means it’s cheaper to just buy a new laptop.

Jack is soldered to the MOBO with up to six legs. To access MOBO, it has to be removed, which means the ENTIRE laptop has to be disassembled into its constituent pieces. Then you have to know how to desolder and remove the jack without destroying the MOBO with heat and or static, resolder the new jack, reassemble the whole thing, and then pray that the damn thing works when you get it back together, because there are no intermediate assembly steps that can be tested. Furthermore, how does the tech know the laptop even worked BEFORE the jack went bad? He doesn’t. This is the one repair that I offer no guarantee that the laptop will work when I’m done. No charge of course if it doesn’t, though.

[catnipman]

I charge by the hour. That’s basically the only fair way for myself and my customer, because every job is different. I do, however, have enough experience to make a pretty good estimate, and I usually (but not necessarily always) offer a not-to-exceed charge.

I also charge travel time for house calls. If a customer doesn’t want to pay this and doesn’t want to drop off, then I ask them how much an electrician or plumber charges to roll a truck. If they still don’t get it, then I’m very happy to not have this person as a customer, because they are very likely to be a cheapskate.

I turn down lots of potential clients if they want unreasonable work, such as big-bucks repairs that are likely not to have a good outcome on some home-built or ancient POS PC that they are emotionally wedded to.

I’ve also found out the hard way that it pays to try to weed out people who are OCD, brain-damaged (literally), or who are going to be impossible to please, though this last category is pretty hard to determine in advance.

I guarantee to take care of any problems without charge for a couple of weeks after the work, and I provide free remote access to make tweaks so neither I nor my customer has to travel.

I also offer a free interview and assessment to make sure myself and my customer are on the same page in terms of expectations. You have to remember a PC has “personal” in the name for a reason. A trip to the PC repair person is a cross between going to the doctor and the auto mechanic.

I won’t order parts or PCs without upfront payment for new customers, and except for well-established customers, payment has to be made at the time the repaired PC leaves the shop.

[humantech]

I agree with most of your points with 2 catches
1) budget. If a client has a limited budget, one can get a repair / reinstall for $150- a new computer will run roughly twice that.Additionally, buying new hardware frequently
Leads to unexpected , associated costs .... If budget is an issue, this is the best way to keep that budget.
2) limiting repair prices to keep prices artificially low. In my experience, raising rates allows a repairman to do a better job and cut fewer time corners, thus offering a better job and more after support at no charge ( which comes up almost always) -

Additionally, any reputable independent tech should give a free good faith
Assessment and pledge to stop work and call you if something comes up that will increase job cost-