Career question

XRX225 · 10-06-2006, 04:10 AM

Can anyone provide me with some insight on how lucrative a computer repair business can be, and if it is a good career choice with all of the competition that is out there these days? I'm about to purchase a computer repair franchise, and I'm just curious to hear some opinions on whether or not it is a good choice. If some of you could share what the average billable hours per day is for your business, that may give me an idea of what to expect. I would be running an on-site repair business, not a retail store. Thank you in advance for your input

yustr · 10-06-2006, 06:18 AM

I can't answer your questions about how much $ folks are making in the business today but I can give you my thoughts on where it's going: How many TV,stereo or microwave repair shops do you see? Not many. Why? The machines work really well and if they do break we just replace them. That's where I see the PC repair business heading. Store most of your data on secure servers off-site and access it from a simple interface. PC = appliance.

I do see a continuing need for network knowledgable people who can service the small business customer.

And remember: Free advice is worth every dime you paid for it.

VincentWong · 10-06-2006, 06:28 AM

I just read an article in Smart Money about the PC Repair industry. They did a review on the big ones like Best Buy's Geek Squad, Geeks On Call and a couple others. Overall, most of them scored poorly. Recently, a colleague of mine reported that one company reformatted her entire computer to fix a “slow computer” problem. Having said that, I think there is still good opportunities for businesses that want to differentiate themselves with quality services.

**Cellus** · 10-06-2006, 06:58 AM

CompTIA A+ Authorized Centers themselves can be little iffy sometimes. Did you know only half or more of the employees need to be A+ certified, not all? Even then, as you know, an A+ certification only goes so far, which is unfortunately not all that much.

Dirkpitt289 · 10-06-2006, 07:27 PM

With the amount of people with computers out there how can it not be lucrative? As someone pointed out with the TV repair shops I agree. There are few if any and they are always empty (IMO that is). There is also a small computer repair shop in my town and I've NEVER seen anyone there. Keep in mind unlike computers, TVs never get viruses so they need to be maintained throughout their life unlike a TV that just about never has to be touched. So I have to ask myself this question. Where does everyone get their PCs fixed?

As for me I'm in the business of computer repair. I couldn't see staying in business long if I had a store front. Way too much over head. I have a full time job and do my repair business after 5 and then on the weekends. I don't plan or strive to have this business ever replace my full time gig. Granted it would be nice but I think in order to be successful I have to be realistic. My hope and goal is to get large enough to hire my own employees to do the work for me.

The Geek Squad is big in my area and I believe it helps me. With their prices so high people are always looking for an alternative and that's me. The Geek Squad hires kid’s right out of school and or no experience. Then send them out to people’s homes charging the customers as if they just hired a guy with 12 years experience.

If you are buying a business the two things you are buying are the name which is going to be associated with some kind or reputation. The other thing should be their customer list. If his reputation is any good those clients will be calling you BACK. A large percentage of my clients (And I mean close to 98%) either call me back and/ or refer me to their friends. I'm small now but my reputation in this arena is growing...

So all that said I would take the chance but start it as a part time venture. Once you find your nitch you can expand on it and succeed.

I hope this helps, Good Luck!

**Cellus** · 10-06-2006, 08:01 PM

You will find if you have a good reputation your clients will come to you before you know it due to word-of-mouth.

Zazula · 10-06-2006, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRX225

I'm about to purchase a computer repair franchise, and I'm just curious to hear some opinions on whether or not it is a good choice.

[CAUTION!]
Buying a franchise involves a lot more compared to establishing your own business or buying out an existing stand-alone business. Buying a franchise demands your paying entry fees, royalties, etc. You will have to pay big time upfront and recurringly. You will need to conform to rigidly-set, overhead-boosting requirements, which might mean having staff you wouldn't employ otherwise or maintaing a shop of such 'n such sq.ft. at a such 'n such area. Buying a franchise has its own peculiarities which can sink you big time in no time, is definitely a very nice and profitable option in some specific cases, and requires an extremely knowledgeable, educated, and scrutinized decision.
[/CAUTION!]

EDIT: My point is, if I've read and understood your question right, then your concerns should not be titled "Career question", but rather "Entrepreneurial question".

Dirkpitt289 · 10-07-2006, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zazula

[CAUTION!]
Buying a franchise involves a lot more compared to establishing your own business or buying out an existing stand-alone business. Buying a franchise demands your paying entry fees, royalties, etc. You will have to pay big time upfront and recurringly. You will need to conform to rigidly-set, overhead-boosting requirements, which might mean having staff you wouldn't employ otherwise or maintaing a shop of such 'n such sq.ft. at a such 'n such area. Buying a franchise has its own peculiarities which can sink you big time in no time, is definitely a very nice and profitable option in some specific cases, and requires an extremely knowledgeable, educated, and scrutinized decision.
[/CAUTION!]

EDIT: My point is, if I've read and understood your question right, then your concerns should not be titled "Carrer question", but rather "Entrepreneurial question".

I didn't catch the "Franchise" part. I thought it was a stand alone business. My bad. Sorry

VincentWong · 10-10-2006, 08:30 AM

Hey Dirk,

Did you get my last email?

thanks!

Dirkpitt289 · 10-13-2006, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VincentWong

Hey Dirk,

Did you get my last email?

thanks!

Nope. Last thing I got from you was an email to Stephen

10-06-2006, 04:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
XRX225 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 6 OS: XP	Career question Can anyone provide me with some insight on how lucrative a computer repair business can be, and if it is a good career choice with all of the competition that is out there these days? I'm about to purchase a computer repair franchise, and I'm just curious to hear some opinions on whether or not it is a good choice. If some of you could share what the average billable hours per day is for your business, that may give me an idea of what to expect. I would be running an on-site repair business, not a retail store. Thank you in advance for your input

10-06-2006, 06:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
yustr Asst. Manager, The Conversation Pit Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Connecticut shore/California Desert Posts: 4,857 OS: PCLinuxOS, XP Pro My System	I can't answer your questions about how much $ folks are making in the business today but I can give you my thoughts on where it's going: How many TV,stereo or microwave repair shops do you see? Not many. Why? The machines work really well and if they do break we just replace them. That's where I see the PC repair business heading. Store most of your data on secure servers off-site and access it from a simple interface. PC = appliance. I do see a continuing need for network knowledgable people who can service the small business customer. And remember: Free advice is worth every dime you paid for it. __________________ I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said. J. McMurtry In Vino Veritas

10-06-2006, 06:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,633 OS: Windows Vista Business SP1, Windows XP Professional SP3 My System	CompTIA A+ Authorized Centers themselves can be little iffy sometimes. Did you know only half or more of the employees need to be A+ certified, not all? Even then, as you know, an A+ certification only goes so far, which is unfortunately not all that much. __________________ TSF Networking Team HijackThis 5 Step Process Donate!

10-06-2006, 07:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dirkpitt289 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: East Coast Posts: 27 OS: XP Pro	With the amount of people with computers out there how can it not be lucrative? As someone pointed out with the TV repair shops I agree. There are few if any and they are always empty (IMO that is). There is also a small computer repair shop in my town and I've NEVER seen anyone there. Keep in mind unlike computers, TVs never get viruses so they need to be maintained throughout their life unlike a TV that just about never has to be touched. So I have to ask myself this question. Where does everyone get their PCs fixed? As for me I'm in the business of computer repair. I couldn't see staying in business long if I had a store front. Way too much over head. I have a full time job and do my repair business after 5 and then on the weekends. I don't plan or strive to have this business ever replace my full time gig. Granted it would be nice but I think in order to be successful I have to be realistic. My hope and goal is to get large enough to hire my own employees to do the work for me. The Geek Squad is big in my area and I believe it helps me. With their prices so high people are always looking for an alternative and that's me. The Geek Squad hires kid’s right out of school and or no experience. Then send them out to people’s homes charging the customers as if they just hired a guy with 12 years experience. If you are buying a business the two things you are buying are the name which is going to be associated with some kind or reputation. The other thing should be their customer list. If his reputation is any good those clients will be calling you BACK. A large percentage of my clients (And I mean close to 98%) either call me back and/ or refer me to their friends. I'm small now but my reputation in this arena is growing... So all that said I would take the chance but start it as a part time venture. Once you find your nitch you can expand on it and succeed. I hope this helps, Good Luck! __________________ Dirkpitt289

10-06-2006, 08:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,633 OS: Windows Vista Business SP1, Windows XP Professional SP3 My System	You will find if you have a good reputation your clients will come to you before you know it due to word-of-mouth. __________________ TSF Networking Team HijackThis 5 Step Process Donate!

10-06-2006, 06:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
VincentWong Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 39 OS: xp	I just read an article in Smart Money about the PC Repair industry. They did a review on the big ones like Best Buy's Geek Squad, Geeks On Call and a couple others. Overall, most of them scored poorly. Recently, a colleague of mine reported that one company reformatted her entire computer to fix a “slow computer” problem. Having said that, I think there is still good opportunities for businesses that want to differentiate themselves with quality services.

10-10-2006, 08:30 AM	#9 (permalink)
VincentWong Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 39 OS: xp	Hey Dirk, Did you get my last email? thanks!