molsen said:
Do you think that's a big issue? I can tell customers "I can't make it this afternoon, but I can come by first thing tomorrow morning. If you need the problem fixed now, I can refer you to a company but you will be at the mercy of their prices."
A lot of the time, time is an issue. The simple proof is that I can still get a way charging AU$80+GST on site when there is plenty of uni student that will do it for half that.
Especially with repair work when some thing goes wrong. From time to time, i need to take a computer back to the office for work. No if I say that I am going to have a computer back by a certain date, I mean it.
I had some one call me up trying to price match my services once
Customer :- What are your rates?
Me :- AU$80 + GST per hour. First hour chargable.
Customer :- I can get some out out for AU$30
Me :- Then why are you calling me then?
Customer :- He can not make it out until tomorrow evening? Can you do any better
Me :- AU$80 + GST per hour. First hour chargable. I come out now.
With a lot of people, it not when can you make it over. It's a case of what time is suitable for them. It their computer downtime they are more conserned about. Not your inabiliity to show up when they need you.
Also, insurance? Do you have any public liability insurance? I get asked that a lot. It normally translate to me of "Can I sue if you screw up". I am normally very careful about these people.
Dealing with people home computers are one thing.
But dealing with people that are running a business from there is another. However don't think for a minute that a home user might not try to sue.
I have had people try to sue me over the following :-
1x Virus Corupting Data. The guy wanted some excuse to cover up the fact that he did not back up it accounting details.
1x Virus Still Being on the system after I install a virus scanner (the cure was not out 24 hours after the system got infected. And the jerk did not pay me for the last job.)
1x Data Mysteriously going missing (LONG STORY, YOU DON'T NEED TO KNOW)
2x Pirated Windows Xp Pro being installed the computer. (Turns out that both of them were trying to make a quick $5000 via miscroft.)
There are a lot of pricks with computer out there.
Also suppliers? Do you know any wholesales? Do do that the time to deal with them? More importantly, do they have the time to deal with you? Can you afford to give up a half day waiting for their courier.
People are not going to buy a computer price if you suppliers happen to be the computer store down the road that happens be giving you the same price as very one else.
When it comes down to service rates, if you charge too cheap, then it's not going to be worth your time either.
And if you advertise prices too cheap, then people will know that you are a back yard job.