Using local computer shops

[gvblake22]

Originally Posted by Capper

I think its just society in general....man, you could make a killing in small business with a good work ethic and some integrity.

That's it man, screw this internet stuff. When does the HardwareLogic brick and mortar shop open?!

[Capper]

I'd fail miserably.......I think I put together very good systems, but I would end up giving most everything away.... thats not a real good business plan.

If my health ever gets better, I'd probably start up some kind of business either tech related, or something that let me work outside.

[Hitman]

Years ago I used to do computer repair house calls on the side. I just posted fliers, ran small news paper adds, and word of mouth. I had quite a bit of business. This was back in the late 90's so most of my parts ordering was by catalog, and local computer stores. I couldn't really make a good living at it, but it was a nice little side job. What really burned me out was friends expecting favors.

[screwballl]

the friends + favors thing can really be a killer... I always told any friends or family that they need to pay for the parts if something needs replacing or I can only spend an hour or so on it. Otherwise I have to take it home to mess with it for a few days in my free time.

One thing that can make or break a small local shop is people bringing in these old Windows 95/98/ME era computers... the shop just has to say "you can either spend $200 to fix it (with no guarantees or warranty) or you can spend $200 buying this newer but used/rebuilt system with a 30-90 day guarantee"

[Gig-O-Ram]

It makes me think of when we recently returned a monitor to Best Buy, and before they would handle the return, we had to show the monitor to the "Geek Squad". We go to the counter, and they ask why we're returning it...we explain that we're having issues with the way some things look, and the "Holier-than-thou-I-know-more-than-you-do" tech guy starts telling me about what resolutions the monitor will handle. I didn't feel like getting into it with him, but I was thinking "I know that. That's not what I'm talking about."

[gvblake22]

Originally Posted by Gig-O-Ram

It makes me think of when we recently returned a monitor to Best Buy, and before they would handle the return, we had to show the monitor to the "Geek Squad". We go to the counter, and they ask why we're returning it...we explain that we're having issues with the way some things look, and the "Holier-than-thou-I-know-more-than-you-do" tech guy starts telling me about what resolutions the monitor will handle. I didn't feel like getting into it with him, but I was thinking "I know that. That's not what I'm talking about."

The problem there is that they don't know what knowledge level you have when you walk in the door and they have to start somewhere. Most people don't know what the native resolution of a 19" widescreen monitor is and have no idea what it even means when you tell them. I'm not saying the Geek Squad is a bunch of geek gods, but they have to establish a baseline from which to start troubleshooting because the majority of people they deal with probably forget to flip the on/off switch on the power supply or don't know which little hole to plug their speakers into.

[screwballl]

heh I love asking real specific technical questions whenever I step in there (BB or CC), stuff that is not on their sales brochure or tags... I love seeing them stumble.
"On this LCD, what is the brightness level, contrast ratio, response time and default timing? Does it use 60Hz or 75Hz? Does it have multiple DSub and HDMI ports?" I love seeing them scramble.

[theburan]

I actually like it when someone really techinical calls in, because it normally either means they already troubleshot the problem themselves, and I just need to fill out the ticket instead of walking them through something, or they're gonna do it themselves anyways, and I just stay on the phone in case it does require a tech to look into the problem further.

What really kills me though, is when you get someone who *thinks their technical, or even if they are technical, completely miss the problem (some people can set up really nice home networks, but they just can't make the connection that if there's a spyware or a torrent on one of the computers then it will ALL run slow. Ugh.)

[Gig-O-Ram]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

The problem there is that they don't know what knowledge level you have when you walk in the door and they have to start somewhere. Most people don't know what the native resolution of a 19" widescreen monitor is and have no idea what it even means when you tell them. I'm not saying the Geek Squad is a bunch of geek gods, but they have to establish a baseline from which to start troubleshooting because the majority of people they deal with probably forget to flip the on/off switch on the power supply or don't know which little hole to plug their speakers into.

This is true. They don't know me from adam, and likely have to assume I don't know anything. I don't profess to know everything from a technical standpoint, but things I've learned from doing builds myself, and from knowledge I've gained from places like HL have given me a slight edge over most people. I've even found myself giving people in places like BB or CC advice, after overhearing them talking to the store reps or hearing them mull over hardware options. Like the one guy in BB who was talking to a rep about his slow computer and what could be done about it. I suggested to him that he look at upgrading his RAM, and told him what to look for as far as types of RAM and speeds and such. He thanked me and we went on with life.