The method that I have used to build my business was to rent a booth at a Flea Market. I started a year ago this last Feb. All I had was my business cards and about 3 refurbished laptops. It took me about 3 months before I really started to get work on a regular basis. The main reason was I had to prove that I was legitimate and could and would do quality work. I guarantee all work that I do.

I started out doing free diagnostic's to pull in the work. When I have a customer come to me, I am very attentive to their needs. I do not at anytime try to razzle/dazzle them with what I know about computer's. Most of my customer don't really understand their computer and how it works, they just know that there is a problem with it. I listen to their description of the problem or problems. I write down notes on the work order that I fill out when they leave it with me. If I am reasonably sure that the problem is Virus/Malware related, I give them a price for my service at that time and write it down on the work order. I then inform them that if I discover anything that would change the price to a higher figure than I quoted to them at the time of drop off, they will get a phone call from me before proceeding further.

98% of the work I do on computers is done in my home, not at the Flea Market. To many interruptions and chances of mistakes being made. I promise them that their computer will be ready for pickup the following weekend, unless I call and advise them otherwise. If my customer needs their computer quicker, especially if they use it in their business, I can get it to them in 2 days. I tell them upfront that the 2 day turnaround is $20.00 more. I charge a flat fee of $60.00 for virus removal/optimization, $80.00 for the same service with a 2 day turnaround. I inform them at the time that the extra $20.00 moves them to the front of the work line. If by chance doing that causes me to not be able to get another customers computer to them at the time I promised, I give that customer a $20.00 discount. As I mentioned earlier, I guarantee my work. When they pickup their computer from me the next weekend I stress to them that if they are not happy with it to immediately call me or bring it back and it will be made right for no extra charge, and it will be done with a smile.

I have built my business from nothing to a thriving and still growing business by this method. I do not advertise other than handing out my business cards as they come through the Flea Market, and by customer word of mouth. I always tell my customers to make sure they are happy with their computer when they get it back, and if they are to spread the word about my business. I can proudly say that I am covered up with work most weeks.

This is the method that worked and is still working for me. The main thing I think that makes it work is I treat my customers the way I expect to be treated and give them the best customer service they have ever had when having their computer repaired. Quality and customer service is always #1 and that will keep your business growing.

I hope this might help some of you that are just starting out, and are wondering how to go about getting started. Keep coming to this forum and reading the posts new and old and ask questions when you need help and you will do fine. The mods and other people here will really help you out.

OldMan

Oldman that is just awesome. Thanks for coming back and letting us know how things are working out for you. And passing on your experience to would be computer repair members looking to get started with their own businesses You rock!

I would never have thought of that! Thanks for putting your business method out there and sharing. Going into my fourth week of business and while I'm still getting some work, it's not the footfall that's gonna make me rich.

I think just about every community has a flea market or a car boot sale venue, and I've not seen a computer repair service offered in my area at these kind of places - this is certainly worthy of further investigation.

Awesome idea old man. We have flea markets around here as well. I wonder though instead of renting a booth since I have no refurbished computers to display, what about passing out fliers while I am walking around?

Sandra, my uncle talks about car boot sales all the time. What exactly is that? We have garage sales here in America. It's where people set up in their driveway and others drive around looking for them. Is that a car boot sale, or is it more of an outside flea market?

Originally Posted by fredjclaus

Awesome idea old man. We have flea markets around here as well. I wonder though instead of renting a booth since I have no refurbished computers to display, what about passing out fliers while I am walking around?

Sandra, my uncle talks about car boot sales all the time. What exactly is that? We have garage sales here in America. It's where people set up in their driveway and others drive around looking for them. Is that a car boot sale, or is it more of an outside flea market?

A car boot sale is a designated area - be it brownfield site in urban areas, or indeed a farmers field in the countryside - people pay for a pitch, and open up the boot of their car and display the goods they have on offer - (for boot, read trunk). A lot of them are held on Sundays - you could say, religiously, between April and October - too cold in other months, although some farmers market auction rings are getting used all year round now for car booties on a Sunday... Car Boot Sales - Home

Glasgow has a marvelous market in the East End - The Barras - also known as Barrowland - and they say you can find anything from a needle to an anchor....that and the police raiding traders of fake goods and smuggled ciggies! lol!
Barras Market Homepage

Thanks for the story Oldman. I'd never think of doing it that way. I'd think you'd need a nice shiny store to grab peoples attention. Prolly cause I got bad service from the others, though I must say I shouldn't judge all based on that, but most things here go like that. It makes it hard for the honest ones really.


@Sandra
That's one of the craziest things I've seen.

The flea market that I have setup my business in has both indoor and outdoor tables. I have rented an indoor booth which is 12ft x 12ft and includes electrical outlets. My booth rent is $140.00 per month rent. Being that I deal in electronic products I need all weather protection. Having an indoor booth allows me to be there reguardless of rain or shine and time of year.

To be honest, the success did not happen overnight. The first 3 months I actually went in the hole. No one knew me and most assumed that I was probably fly-by-night. All I could do was be present and hand out my business cards offering computer repair and virus removal. The laptops that I had on display were refurbished Dell's. I had purchased these units when they came off from lease to business's. I made sure that I thoroughly checked them out and that they worked flawlessly. I offered a 30 day warranty against defects. I basically used the laptop display's to help draw attention to my service.

Most times even to this day, potential customers come into my booth to look at the laptops I have for sale. When I ask them if I can help them or answer any questions I get the standard answer of "Oh I'm just looking!" I then smile and say "That's fine I appreciate you looking!" At that moment I ask them if they have a computer at home. 9 out of 10 reply that they do own a desktop or laptop or both. I then offer them a business card and explain that my main business is computer repair and virus removal. This often leads to a discussion about a computer they have that is giving them problems.

When I first started out I offered free diagnosis just to try and land the opportunity of doing a repair or virus removal. I get their contact information on my work order. If I suspect virus/malware problems I give them my price quote for that and tell them it will be ready for pick-up the next weekend. If the computer is needing a physical repair, I inform them that I will be calling them with-in 1 to 2 days with a total cost quote of the needed repair. I make sure to let them know that there will be no repairs made without their prior approval and that all repairs are guaranteed for the price quoted.

You must make sure to do 1st rate work and most importantly live up to your word. I treat every customer like gold because in effect they are. You want to treat them right so they will come back to you in the future if they run into new problems. By setting up in a flea market I have kept my overhead low and thereby I can keep my prices for my service lower. When they come back to pick-up their computer I usually will power it up for them and let them check it out, and assure them if they should find a problem when they get home, I want to hear about it and that I will rectify it. At this time I also hand them a few extra business cards and tell them if they are happy with my service and prices. I would appreciate them helping me spread the word about my repair services to their friends and family.

This has worked for me very well and may work for you as well. The most important thing to remember is, do top notch work and be very very honest and attentive to your customers. It will pay off. You will stand-out from your competition and will develope a customer base that will be loyal to you, and they will willingly help you build your business. Remember to always thank them for their business and let them know how much you appreciate them spreading the word. Most of my customers are very pleased when I tell them that they have helped make my business a success. Most people love to spread the word about a business or service that has impressed them. So always be humble and honest in your business dealings with your customers and they will help you become successful. Live by the motto "Quality and Customer Service is Job 1!"

I hope this helps you in getting started, and that you become wildly successful in the future. Oh and one more thing. I am 60 years old and have made this happen for me, so I have to believe that you young folks out there can go farther than I will ever be able to go with the years I have left. "You Can Do It!" "You gotta believe to receive!"

OldMan

Thanks Oldman for the post. If there was a like and rep button I'd be clicking both. But for now all i can say is Thanks for this post and story.

Oldman, I'm running with your idea and have a stall at a local indoor car bootie. Today I sold one of the refurbished towers (and made a small profit), and have two jobs booked in for next week.

Had you not shared your Flea Market strategy with us, I would never have thought of it as a do-er. Thank you.

If you look at some of my older posts you will see that I also ran a booth at a flea market.

Only problem I had with the flea market was the one I worked at was open on Saturday and Sunday only every week. I got tired of all my weekends being taken up. I started fighting for my kids and had to have my weekends open.

But to start out a business, if you have the right flea market, it works. now some flea markets like the one in Nashville, it's only there once a month for Fri-Sun. I tried that one but you are just not there enough for people to build up that trust.

Now in Bowling Green my rent was $65 a weekend so it was quite a bit higher than OldMan's. The first 4-5 months was hard. I was barely making enough to pay rent. Then when people started to know me, it started working great.