The Computer Guy

Question and answer

• Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

  A. #1 - Virus Removals
  #2 - Hard Drive Replacement
  #3 - Memory Updgrades
  #4 - On Site Networking
  #5 - Backup Solutions
  #6 - Remote Repair

• Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  A. There are several litmus tests for hiring a computer repair technician.
  
  First, Can that person speak in a language you can understand? If that person is talking their own "tech talk" they certainly may understand what THEY are saying, but can they relate that to the customer?
  
  Second, Are the products they offer GENUINE from the companies they represent? If that computer tech can get you a copy Windows 7 for $20 or a copy of Office 2010 for $50 and you get no disk or codes with the product, then it's time to look elsewhere.
  
  Third, Get several estimates. If your computer has a virus and the first words out of the tech's mouth are, "I'll reformat that." with no other explanation on how to make sure your data is safe or any discussion of removal of a virus, it's time to look elsewhere.
  
  Fourth, Get references. Ask the local Chamber of Commerce or people who have done business with this tech before. Ask the other techs you contact about other techs. Usually, the respected techs get good referrals from other technicians in the area.
  
  A final tip after the tech has your machine, make sure NO work is done until you know exactly what IS going to be done, and the price.
  

• Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

  A. The biggest trade secret I have is that other techs out there think that virus removal means reformatting the computer and that just isn't true. Sure, it costs less, takes less effort and is the easy way to go -- BUT, isn't your data worth something to make sure it is saved and your programs aren't lost? We do everything in our power to not reformat, but to solve the problem.

• Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

  A. I would ask for references and a list of qualifications. Granted, there are those who have done computer repair for a long time, who have no licenses or certifications. Pay special attention to those who are quick to dismiss the competion to make themselves look good. These are the ones to say away from. A good service provider will promote themselves to you in what they have done. Don't shop based on price, it will fail you about 99% of the time. Shop based on value and quality of work.

• Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

  A. Really, most people call and ask about our hours, if we make housecalls and rates. Just because a rate is cheap, doesn't make the work good. The Computer Guy has been the Globe Gazette's Readers' Choice Award Winner for 2 years running. That speaks volumes in customer satisfaction.

• Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

  A. Our work stands out from the rest because we have dedicated ourselves to training, customer service and a quality product. The Computer Guy is a CompTIA A+ Certified shop and we pride ourselves on customer satisfaction at an affordable price.

• Q. What do you like most about your job?

  A. I like service to others, no matter if it is a personal, professional or civic manner. I volunteer and give back to the communities in which I serve. I love the challege of going to work everyday and solving the computer problems of other people.

• Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

  A. How did I get that virus? My answer is that with even the BEST anti-virus program on your computer, there's no control over the person sitting in the chair. Click every link, go to 'questionable sites', download illegal material and you will be getting a virus for sure.

• Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

  A. Most stories have to do with personal, private information so I really don't like to share those. However, I like it when people have that "lightbulb" moment when I can help them learn something new that their computer can do that they didn't understand before. That gives me great satisfaction.

• Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

  A. I wish customers would understand the amount of training and testing we have gone through at "The Computer Guy" and that every fix is neither a 15 minute job or a $20 job. We do our best to provide a quality product at a resonable price.

• Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

  A. I like solving people's problems and got tired of punching a time clock. I felt that my time (lots of it) and talent (a fair amount) would be better served to put into my own bank account than someone else's.

• Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

  A. Going to work everyday, having my employee work for me rather than a wage and serving the customer are the things I'm the most proud of. Other than that, getting someone's business network up and running and meeting deadlines would be a few things that are satisfying.

• Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

  A. YES!! Not only on the technical side but on the entrepreneurial side as well. I go to two major entrepreneur conferences a year. This keeps me up to date on changes in not only taxes and government requirements, but to network with others who run small businesses.

• Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

  A. Cloud Computing seems to be gaining momentum. We offer 2 different Cloud antivirus systems. The shift from Windows XP to 7 is going to cause some havoc when IE-9 won't work with Windows XP. The others in my area who insist on installing "bootleg" copies of Windows XP Professional are going to be in for a wake up when IE-9 won't work on XP.

• Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

  A. The newest project will be working with a local car dealer to inventory all of their network devices and tag them wish IP Tags. They have several locations in town and doing that will be a challenge.

• Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

  A. Our pricing structure is pretty straight forward. It is on a giant price sheet in our store for all to see as they walk in. Basically, it is $40 per hour, but we do have a list of services at set prices.

• Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

  A. In Northern Iowa, I would advise them not to compete against me. There are over 70 competitors in a 45 mile radius of Hampton, Iowa. To start a computer repair business in this economy now without a backup plan would be foolish. It's tough to compete against those who claim they can fix it cheaper and who list themselves on Craig's List, while not going through the amount of training that The Computer Guy and his staff have done. We may be out advertised, BUT we won't be outworked.

• Q. Write your own question and answer it.

  A. What makes you the BEST Computer Repair choice of Northern Iowa?
  
  Service to the customer, computer repair done RIGHT the first time and service after the sale. People respect me and trust me. That's something you don't just read a book about or go to college for. I appreciate every customer I have, from the 92 year old 'young lady' at the care center, to the high school student who just got their new laptop. They are all important to me -- and it shows.

• Q. Write your own question and answer it.

  A. Why shouldn't I just hire the tech who lists his services on Craig's List for $30 and who fixes everything?
  
  Well, while some techs who list on Craig's List are reputable, many aren't. Ask those techs if they are certified, qualified, or insured. Ask for references or someone who can vouch for their work. Ask how many times they've just given up and reformatted a hard drive to remove viruses or solved other problems. Keep in mind that a REPAIR isn't just reformatting, it's SOLVING the problem.