PC Repair Business - Hints and tips

Browntoa

get the customer to sign something , after you have explained, that says that they have

1) no data that is needed in case of a complete re-install on windows is needed , or the virus removal cause havoc (charge extra to back up to Cd). You don't want a claim for "you lost my important files/photo's" ,the signed form should say you verbally explained that data CAN be lost and that they needed to say BEFORE work commenced that there was important data

2)If some files are infected and removed during the scan, or are damaged by same virus, then some of their software may need re-installing as it will no longer work

Also check before going out that their version of Windows is legit, charge them if you arrive and it's not as you have wasted your time !

www.croosloop.com is a remote access software that is childsplay for a novice to use

motorguy

Browntoa wrote: »

get the customer to sign something , after you have explained, that says that they have

1) no data that is needed in case of a complete re-install on windows is needed , or the virus removal cause havoc (charge extra to back up to Cd). You don't want a claim for "you lost my important files/photo's" ,the signed form should say you verbally explained that data CAN be lost and that they needed to say BEFORE work commenced that there was important data

2)If some files are infected and removed during the scan, or are damaged by same virus, then some of their software may need re-installing as it will no longer work

Also check before going out that their version of Windows is legit, charge them if you arrive and it's not as you have wasted your time !

Yes, i'd forgotten about the data loss thing, good point!

Browntoa

not ever had this yet, but theres always some "chancer" these days...

will happily download via P2P, download anything that pops up as "required" and view !!!!!! till the small hours, wondering why their PC has more pop-ups than a childs book..

but it's YOUR fault they lose the data

motorguy

Browntoa wrote: »

not ever had this yet, but theres always some "chancer" these days...

will happily download via P2P, download anything that pops up as "required" and view !!!!!! till the small hours, wondering why their PC has more pop-ups than a childs book..

but it's YOUR fault they lose the data

LOL. And its YOUR fault they didnt back up important docs & pics to CD or USB stick.

Browntoa

oooh...forgot

check that they have any drivers CD's that come with the Pc to hand !!

Horsham

Some great posts there from pgilc1 and Browntoa.

These were the sort of things I was trying to convey is my previous (very short) post. Friends I have known try who have tried this sort of business have came across most the situations described. To be honest they all got out of it because in the end it wasn't worth the hassle.

As has been pointed out people will happily pay a plumber or car mechanic hundreds of pounds for one defect. Unfortunately because computers are so cheap nowadays (relative to the past), people are reluctant to pay high labour costs without expecting the earth from you.

Savvy_Sue

All the comments about !!!!!! lead me to ask, make sure you know what your responsibility / liability is if you find something illegal on someone's machine! And I'm not talking a dodgy copy of Windows here ...

I would imagine that recent high profile prosecutions might make some users reluctant to take their computer to PC World, and you might be just the person they pick to sort out their problems.

Browntoa

I've got no qualms about saying nothing....at the time, but if it were "gary Glitter" type I would be straight down the local cop shop !!! (and they would get an early morning knock on the door from their local bobbies)

motorguy

Browntoa wrote: »

I've got no qualms about saying nothing....at the time, but if it were "gary Glitter" type I would be straight down the local cop shop !!! (and they would get an early morning knock on the door from their local bobbies)

Do you think all 70's Glam Rock is a criminal offence, or just Gary Glitter?

far

Browntoa wrote: »

I've got no qualms about saying nothing....at the time, but if it were "gary Glitter" type I would be straight down the local cop shop !!! (and they would get an early morning knock on the door from their local bobbies)

If they were caught later and it transpired you had had unfettered access to their machine, could questions not be asked about why you didn't report it?