Look at what we techs have to compete with.

[mikehende]

Here locally in NY: http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/cps/5509305856.html

 

Any wonder why I and other techs who provide quality work can only get one, maybe two jobs per month on average? How can we compete with this?

[Mykes-Bytes]

Surely this has to be a come-on? No one can possibly do a malware cleaning for 20 bucks. Reloading windows operating system for 20 bucks? Come on now. They tell them 20 just to get them in the door right?

[mikehende]

Unfortunately not. I charge $50 for reload and 60 for virus, the lowest ad I have comes across was for 25 but this is the lowest. Thing is here in NY especially in the heart of the city, there is at least one tech savvy person on every block who can repair their own pc and you can find multiple pc techs in every neighborhood so it's a dog eat dog world here as the customers have many techs to choose from.

[Tony D]

Once you build your customer base with trust you'll be OK. But it's still tough with so many other techs out there.

[DSTM]

I agree with Tony. Building up the customer base takes time.

If they are happy with your work they will always come back.

[allheart55 Cindy E]

I think the blanket price of $20.00 for anything is beyond ridiculous.

I think it may be difficult to build a customer base when you see prices like this.

You have to "get" the customer first in order to be able to "keep" the customer.

 

I sympathize with you, Mike.

[mikehende]

When I fix someone's pc the intent is not from them to have to come back to me again so I do the best job I can, yes I have repeat customers but it is usually every one, 2 or more years. The whole point is frequency of getting new customers is not like it used to be due to these techs under-pricing each other.

[allheart55 Cindy E]

I agree, when you do a good job, you don't really expect to see that particular customer for a while.

[mikehende]

So 'my' take on this is not to depend on repeat customs but how to get 'new' customers when facing techs whose pricing is so ridiculously low, that is my predicament. Any ideas how to battle the problems I am facing here anyone?

[Bill M.]

Although some techs take a pretty proactive approach to staying in touch with customers.

 

This was written while you were posting Mike.

[mikehende]

Isn't that soliciting?

[Bill M.]

I think that's not a bad thing. Actually I see it as supporting your customers. How about some kind of incentive to refer new customers?

[allheart55 Cindy E]

I used to use incentive's for referring new customers.

I did this for the first six months.

I would give the person who referred someone to me, $20.00 off their next computer issue.

[mikehende]

Yes, great idea if you are getting a decent or worthwhile price to begin with, for techs like myself who charge only 50-60 bucks here, giving 20 off won't really be feasible I think so incentives won't work for us. Also following up with customers may not sit too well with all of them around these parts. I think everything has to do with location, if you're in a smaller town where everyone is more tight knit then that should be fine but here in the heart of NY where people usually don't want to be bothered it's a different scene.

[Tony D]

Join this group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2567967

Association of Computer Repair Business Owners

 

Others have posted the same question.

[allheart55 Cindy E]

That's a good idea, Tony.

 

Most of the people that I deal with have more than one computer so my repeat business works well for me.

I have a lot of large families and extended family members and their friends.

Word of mouth has always been my best advertisement.

[Tony D]

Same here. I had a new customer yesterday. 3 computers.

Earlier this week - a customer with 3 computers. Then another with 2 computers.

[IceMan37]

Once they find out you really know what you're doing, and you give them professional service they tend to spread the word about you.

[mikehende]

Most people here don't care for quality repairs, their main objective is pricing that is why the under-pricing works for those techs.

[Tony D]

I think customers will go to those they trust.

[IceMan37]

Of course they care about quality repairs. This is what keeps them coming back to you, and sending out good words about your service.

[mikehende]

some but not many here, they just want their pc working and will go where the lowest price is.

[IceMan37]

Well, when you want the lowest price in most cases you will also get low skilled techs.

[allheart55 Cindy E]

That's what I am thinking.

[mikehende]

Most people here don't care, they just want to get there pc's working.