Hello

z06vette · #1 04-28-2003, 09:39 PM

Is there anyone out there who does pc repair on their own as a full-time job or for a little extra income on the side? I'm sort of the 'computer guy' at the butcher shop I work at. From time to time I give people advice on what to do/what to buy for their systems, and if they crash their machine they can bring it to my house and I fix it. Tonight a coworker/friend paid me $50 for fixing a nasty prob on his Gateway machine. Sooo I get to thinking I might want to do this on the side for a little more income.

I've tried for months and months to get a job at a pc repair place, I have an A+, Network+ and CCNA, but since I don't have a degree or any real world experience no one will hire me on. If someone else does this kind of thing on their own I would appreciate any advice/suggestions you may have before going down this road.

Sorry, guess that got a little long-winded..
Thanx!

curtybob · #2 04-28-2003, 10:47 PM

start with your friends and family, do it for free with the understanding that they spread the word. do it in the evening, and don't quit the dayjob. once you break the friends and family barrier, charge a reasonable rate, do a great job, and don't quit the dayjob. continue doing a great job at a reasonable rate, and when you hit the first million, then you can give the boss a 2 week notice. IMPORTANT!!! Leave on good terms, you just may be back.

hope this helps.

longleggedblond · #3 04-30-2003, 12:21 AM

Hi.
I think that's great that you made an extra $50.00 on the side fixing a friend's computer.
My boyfriend and I were thinking about building PC's and selling them. The first couple that we build we will probably give away to our kids, just to make sure. Would hate to have any disappointed customers....

Anyway, I used to have a boyfriend that did and still does the warranty work for alot of big name computer stores. In fact, I met him while he was at my house working on my computer (before the divorce). At the time, I didn't know that he was hurting for money, but knew that he did a good job on my computer, so I asked my ex to recomend him to his boss regarding networking all of their computers together. As the result of such, he went and talked to Jeff's boss and got the job. He was able to pay off all of his bills, and still had his other job, as the networking job was a side job.
Sorry this is so long, but the money is really in networking, or so I've been told, at least as a sde job.
Also, just met a man that started his own computer store, and is making a killing. He doesn't even do the work on the computers.
If you want names and addressess, please let me know and I will happily supply them to you.
Good Luck......

z06vette · #4 04-30-2003, 12:22 PM

wow, thanx to both of ya for the info, longleggedblond (great name

), about your ex that does the warranty jobs, did he have to have a Computer Science degree or anything like that to get on with their repair dept?

longleggedblond · #5 04-30-2003, 03:00 PM

Hi Back At Ya...

TY for the compliment on the name. Actually I'm not a dumb blonde, lol, but they only let me type in so many characters.
My ex boyfriend took a 6 wk course (after his day job). Then set out on his own. Don't get me wrong, he does have his bad weeks, but I just think it's because he's lazy...

The main thing is that he gets alot of referral business so he can charge what he wants, which is usually around $60.00 - $100.00 an hour. Depending on the prob....
If you decide to do it, I wish you all the Luck in the World!!!

curtybob · #6 04-30-2003, 06:20 PM

me too. good luck. I was just being an arse.

longleggedblond · #7 05-01-2003, 04:33 AM

Actually you were just being practical......

From what all I've heard computer techs are a dime a dozen, and will try and undercut you to get your customer's business.
Bottom line: You get what you pay for if you get my drift...

davog · #8 05-01-2003, 08:00 PM

As a very busy high school senior, I know that cash can be hard to come by because I have no time for a job. I'm fixing someone's computer for a little extra green almost every other weekend. I had to start with the advice, then help people out for free, and now people call periodically and offer to hire my services. I don't get much, but it's all I need. I'm from a small town, and there aren't many computer techs here. Plus that, the ones that are here charge rediculous fees, which puts me in good position to steal their business

. Now if only I could do some advertising to compete with them!

-Davo

longleggedblond · #9 05-02-2003, 04:41 AM

I do understand where you are coming from. Been there, done that. Even thought of doing the same thing, but my common sense got the better of me. I am just getting out of a marriage that the so and so took everything I had and split. I learned a Very Valuable lesson, but I still believe that there are better ways of making money.
Honestly, I do wish you the best of luck, but Please look for something else. You won't be sorry. Trust me.......

z06vette · #10 05-02-2003, 08:32 AM

heh, sounds exactly like me davog, except I live in a major metro area. I'm gonna put ads in the local newsletter, the two major city papers and maybe an ad in a couple of the small surrounding towns. I'm using the 'tell your friends' thing with work and family, so I guess I'll just have to see what comes of it.

curtybob · #11 05-02-2003, 03:53 PM

Good luck to both of you, Heck, all 3 of you. I live in S.E. Missouri, and people around here are the type to learn how to do it themselves. I hate farmers. One of my neighbors, before he died, was a 69 year old great guy. I think he said he quit school in the 6th grade. He bought a computer because he hated paying to have his taxes done. The very first time he had a problem, he asked me for help. This sparked his interest. 3 months later he built his first computer, and played around trying to install windows for a week. But would never ask for help, just give me blow by blow of what he had done. This is about the norm for the area I live in, and hope it goes better for you guys.

davog · #12 05-02-2003, 04:50 PM

Yeah, here in NE Mississippi technology is starting to catch on

Here lately i've spent most of my time repairing my girlfriend's computer because her family messes it up on a regular basis. Nothing severe, usually just a configuration with Windows they didn't want.
Graduation is in 3 weeks and i'm ready! I'm considering computer engineering, and thus have been accepted to a few engineering schools, it's just a matter of what I can afford