Welcome:
To your definitive resource for all computer related needs. We are here to help.
To your definitive resource for all computer related needs. We are here to help.
With over ten years in the computer repair business I have learned a thing or two about billing. The fact of the matter is in most cases there is a secret cap. What does that mean? Well in most cases computer repair shops have to attach a price, not to the computer but more specifically, what the customer might be willing to pay for the repairs. With replacement costs at an all time low people are willing to pay less and less for computer repairs and businesses are forced to make difficult decisions
Back in the hay days, when new computers were still well over $1500 and little children danced in the streets, I still remember it wasn’t uncommon to bill someone $500 or more for a motherboard replacement. (well maybe the little kids were dancing in my head) In today’s repair world that same repair goes for maybe $150 (if that). Yes the price of the part has gone down, but that’s not really where computer repair places are losing money, it’s in service, people are just willing to pay less for the job. Computer repair isn’t really like anything else, every single job is totally different, and it’s not like the auto business where repairs have a “book time”. In many cases you are forced to charge people different prices for the same work, and just be happy you’re getting the work. I realize that this sounds crazy but let me explain a little more.
Let’s say for example, you get a job in repairing some spyware, a quick look at the pc and you can see it is ten years old. You quickly assess that the computer is worth maybe $50.00 to you and maybe $200.00 to the customer, but it’s not like you want to say no to work. Now you get to work and remove the spyware, it takes you several hours but the alternative is calling the customer and telling them that their computer isn’t worth fixing. It creates a paradox, especially for a smaller computer repair shop and single person operations.
The problem is really caused by computer repair shops still wanting to charge by hour for some reason. The real solution is charging for services ala cart so to speak, having one price for virus removal, one for motherboard replacement and so on. You will still need to charge hourly for onsite work but that is a lot easier to swallow since the customer is sitting right there with you.
If you want to know a little secret I found out too is many computer repair shops have different pricing for different business clients. It is totally wrong, I have always kept everyone the same in my business but many of the places I worked for and many of those friends did would do this routinely. Maybe you have a client that’s a little loose with the check book stick it to them, a little stingy, take it easy. It is totally wrong in fact the whole reason I quit my first job was because of that.
If you are a small business or someone who does a lot of work with any particular computer repair shop it's good to at least once in a while get other estimates, and always remember, don't be afraid to question bills and ask for more explanation. Most of my bills look like small novels, but the customer always understands exactly what I did and rarely asks questions, more importantly they are almost always very satisfied. If someone is telling the truth they have nothing to hide, and I never mind explaining bills or work I have done.
To Our Members
Always be upfront and honest about your billing with all customers both business clients and home users. I urge you to try out an ala cart type billing plan especially for repairs you can do in house. Being honest is the right thing to do and you will certainly earn a lot of goodwill with your customers by being truthful.