Author Topic: Starting a local computer repair company..  (Read 11206 times)

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Offline Krazed

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Re: Starting a local computer repair company..
« Reply #30 on: April 27, 2009, 10:59:15 am »
Yeah, I'm working on getting the domain/putting up a site but eh. And yeah, Inc and LLC are reserved for special corporations with shareholders and shit.

I would consider changing your email to be something like steven@acs.net or something along those lines as well.

It's a good thing that you didn't stick with ", Inc." at the end of your name.  A lot of states' corporation commissions have very specific laws about naming conventions; LLCs and Corporations are required to have suffixes, so that people understand the kinds of risks they assume when they engage in business (for example, a sole proprietorship could allow its owner's assets to be at risk when the business is sued, whereas a LLC or LLP limits its principals from liability, hence its name).
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Offline warz

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Re: Starting a local computer repair company..
« Reply #31 on: April 27, 2009, 01:41:03 pm »
Yeah, I'm working on getting the domain/putting up a site but eh. And yeah, Inc and LLC are reserved for special corporations with shareholders and shit.

Not necesarilly. It's actually really easy to register your company as a limited liability company. You just want to make sure it benefits you and your company. (it does in a lot of scenarios)
« Last Edit: April 27, 2009, 01:43:29 pm by warz »
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Offline Blaze

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Re: Starting a local computer repair company..
« Reply #32 on: April 27, 2009, 01:58:28 pm »
Yeah, I'm working on getting the domain/putting up a site but eh. And yeah, Inc and LLC are reserved for special corporations with shareholders and shit.

Not necesarilly. It's actually really easy to register your company as a limited liability company. You just want to make sure it benefits you and your company. (it does in a lot of scenarios)

Agreed.
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Offline truste1

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Re: Starting a local computer repair company..
« Reply #33 on: April 27, 2009, 02:33:26 pm »
http://krazed.javaop.com/public/cards.jpg
No offense, but as a potential customer, I would not look at that business card and go "Oh Archon Computer Solutions.. these guys seem really knowledgeable!" You should consider having a design-oriented person make your business card, if you're very serious about this. It's a worthwhile investment, because appearance is a *LOT* in how people view your business before becoming a customer.

Somehow I looked over this last night...this is really good advice. If you're serious you shouldn't skimp on the business cards. Everybody uses the free card services, so you're not going to differentiate yourself. I'd suggest investing in a more unique business card.
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Offline AntiVirus

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Re: Starting a local computer repair company..
« Reply #34 on: April 29, 2009, 12:03:02 am »
http://krazed.javaop.com/public/cards.jpg
No offense, but as a potential customer, I would not look at that business card and go "Oh Archon Computer Solutions.. these guys seem really knowledgeable!" You should consider having a design-oriented person make your business card, if you're very serious about this. It's a worthwhile investment, because appearance is a *LOT* in how people view your business before becoming a customer.

Somehow I looked over this last night...this is really good advice. If you're serious you shouldn't skimp on the business cards. Everybody uses the free card services, so you're not going to differentiate yourself. I'd suggest investing in a more unique business card.
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Offline Blaze

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Re: Starting a local computer repair company..
« Reply #35 on: April 29, 2009, 12:04:35 am »
Needs more Pokemon.  Can't ever get enough. :)

Wait... what?
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Offline leet_muffin

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Re: Starting a local computer repair company..
« Reply #36 on: April 29, 2009, 01:46:01 am »
LLC is pretty easy to set up, but I don't think the cost would be worth the benefit in this case. The co-owner of my cajon company decided to go LLC against my wish, but he's picking up the yearly cost of that, so eh... dumb move on his part, doesn't effect me.
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Offline warz

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Re: Starting a local computer repair company..
« Reply #37 on: April 29, 2009, 02:26:15 am »
LLC is pretty easy to set up, but I don't think the cost would be worth the benefit in this case. The co-owner of my cajon company decided to go LLC against my wish, but he's picking up the yearly cost of that, so eh... dumb move on his part, doesn't effect me.

I don't know if the cost for this is different in every state - I'm guessing it is. Forming an LLC is pretty cheap in Texas. There's like a $300 filing fee, and then you're subject to a franchise tax. Not too bad.

Edit: I've also heard that our filing fee is higher than most states. I think the average might be somewhere around $125, or something. We talked about this in one of my classes a few years ago, so I don't really know if this is all still true.
« Last Edit: April 29, 2009, 02:28:44 am by warz »
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Offline AntiVirus

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The once grove of splendor,
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Offline truste1

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Re: Starting a local computer repair company..
« Reply #39 on: April 29, 2009, 02:43:24 pm »
If you want to do this legit I can put together a marketing/advertising plan for you.

Obviously I don't think this would be something you could really do now, but after you've gotten a couple of customers and have money to advertise. Right now you'd pretty much just start doing jobs for neighbors, get referrals, family friends, etc.
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Offline Krazed

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Re: Starting a local computer repair company..
« Reply #40 on: April 29, 2009, 03:10:06 pm »
If you want to do this legit I can put together a marketing/advertising plan for you.

Obviously I don't think this would be something you could really do now, but after you've gotten a couple of customers and have money to advertise. Right now you'd pretty much just start doing jobs for neighbors, get referrals, family friends, etc.

Exactly. And, I have to decide how marketable this really is. Basically, why come to me instead of bestbuy or some other in-home service guys.
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Offline truste1

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Re: Starting a local computer repair company..
« Reply #41 on: April 29, 2009, 04:27:50 pm »
If you want to do this legit I can put together a marketing/advertising plan for you.

Obviously I don't think this would be something you could really do now, but after you've gotten a couple of customers and have money to advertise. Right now you'd pretty much just start doing jobs for neighbors, get referrals, family friends, etc.

Exactly. And, I have to decide how marketable this really is. Basically, why come to me instead of bestbuy or some other in-home service guys.

Your comparative advantage over Best Buy is that you're small, more customer-focused. This will be a huge asset in building customer relations. Maintain strong contact with customers, handwritten follow up post cards or Christmas cards or something. Be flexible with pricing to some extent (a dynamic pricing model) and for stronger customers throw in a part for free or at cost. The computer repair guy my mom uses for her work is just a small family business but they stick with him because "he takes care of her."

As for in home service people those are your biggest competition. People that are going to use Best Buy are going to use Best Buy anyway. You really have to rely on building a referral base, and getting your card into as many hands as possible. Do an exceptional job where you don't cut corners, put in the extra 5% to customer relations and being very personable, and you'll eventually build a following.

In any industry there are barriers to entry, and most companies have to deal with older competition at some point in their lifespan. If you can provide a comparable, (but ideally superior) service, and are just as if not more knowledgeable than your competition then you should be fine. Cut deals to your first few clients so you can actually get hired.

With each client leave 5 business cards to hand out to friends. Tell them that for each client they refer they'll get, say, 3-5% off their next service fee. (So they can get 15-25% off if they a) refer their friends and b) come to you again). By doing that you'll make client A a repeat customer, and gain 5 more. Do the same, Now you've got 6 repeat customers and potentially 25 new customers. Rinse and repeat. Now you're ready to hire another employee. A few more referrals down the line and you're ready to hire a marketing agency.  *wink* *wink*

And with that I must stress how important it is to provide top quality service, turn around time, etc. to your customers. It pays you back 5-fold in referrals.
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Offline iago

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Re: Starting a local computer repair company..
« Reply #42 on: April 29, 2009, 05:15:03 pm »
I've noticed that it's really easy to find customers whose computers need fixing, as long as you're honest, nice, and do a good job.