Are you apprehensive you will pick a computer repair company that will do a regrettable job?
Do you wish to make sure you are obtaining the best bang for your buck for your computer service?
Did you ever have a tech come out to repair your system just to tell you that you needed to buy a new computer without even really trying to repair yours?
Getting your computer repaired quickly and at an frugal price is important and making the right choice when choosing your service provider is the first measure in meeting this goal.
The sad fact is, that all too often, a person goes through a few hard experiences before they get a good technician or company.
Usually, after a person goes through a few uncomfortable experiences, they realize that the one they eventually were comfortable with is the supplier that has had the most experience in computer repair service.
Hello, my name is Bill Arnoldi. I am the proprietor of FireBall Tech in Aliso Viejo, California, a tech support company, and a former CTO of 16 years for a multi-million dollar tech company.
I want to part with you some info to help you in picking the proper company and technician to provide you with your computer support Here is why.
Early in my over 16 year vocation as a C.T.O. and proprietor of different tech companies, I found that when I employed new employees, I would invariably get the best employees from those prospects that had a resume of long-term hands-on experience in the tech skill for which I was recruiting. All too frequently, and nearly without fail, after hiring candidates that were fresh or recently out of school with all their certifications and degrees, the employees would come either to myself or one of the senior I.T. managers to solve even the most elementary of problems.
The reason this occurred? The employees’ lacked knowledge of the fundamental processes and relationships active in computer engineering that enable a person to draw educated conclusions to resolve problems. Put simply, they did not understand how things work. And how could they? They had plenty of book and lab knowledge, enough of theory, but no real-world working knowledge. This knowledge can only come from years of experience.
Now, I am not suggesting that this is the rule. There were definitely the rare gems that hung in so hard to solve a trouble, never giving up, exploring, making repetitive tries, and finally resolving the problem whilst gleaming that knowledge they needed along the way. But in general, the best results we ever measured came from those with a lot of hands-on and subject experience.
You might be saying: “Sure, Bill, that’s all great, but how does that help me choose a good computer support company or technician for my needs?”
Well, in essence, when you, the consumer, pick out a company to supply you with computer support service, you are employing them just as you would an employee for yourself. And with that in mind, you want to make sure you engage someone with experience to get the job done proper and economically.
Something that I have experienced over the many years I have been in the technology industry is the vendor or supplier, and sometimes the employee that routinely rushes to the decision that the only solution to the technical trouble is to upgrade or buy new equipment. That’s a red flag to me. Not only does that lead me to believe that this person has little or no competence in their technical field, but also that they have an agenda, and that is to get me to purchase stuff from them, to part with my hard-earned money, and furthermore, that they do not have my best interest in mind… financially speaking. Sure, sometimes it does make good sense to invest in upgraded equipment, but I want to know that doing so is necessary and/or beneficial to me in some way. To rapidly form such a conclusion that cannot generally be arrived at without first putting forth an attempt to properly diagnose and troubleshoot the trouble is irresponsible. When that effort is not evident to me, I am highly suspect of a recommendation to drop money on new equipment, as should any wise person.
This correlates to experiences I have been told of by many of my own customers wherein the technician appears to speed to suggest the purchase of new computers and equipment. All too often, it turned out, the technician was likewise being remunerated either by commissions or other inducements from their company, that incite them to sell, sell, sell… oftentimes when not necessary.
Try to find a service provider that practices frugality and works to avoid unnecessary expense and waste. Often all a company can afford is barely what they require to get by on. The service provider you pick out should work with you and your budget.
The personality of the technician you select is significant as well.. A company’s service personnel should be very approachable and sincere and exhibit professional and responsible conduct. If you have ever had an encounter with some companies, especially the big chain ones, then you may have been exposed to a tech that made you feel uneducated or unknowledgeable, or was intimidating to you. Thats unfortunate. Service people are there to provide you with great service, not to inflate their own self-worth by demonstrating some form of superiority complex about their accomplished expertise. Look for experienced and knowledgeable technicians doing their best to help you out and explain things in everyday words to help you understand what’s going on. Stuff happens to computers, its simply a fact of life. It even happens to the greatest technicians in the business and even to me personally. So don’t feel bad when it does, and avoid those self-important ego-driven tech people.
Beware of guarantees that in effect say, “If we can’t fix it, you don’t pay.” Here is why. From the consumer’s stand point, this sounds like a great way to feel assured that they won’t risk paying money for a failed tech call, and for the company, it is a great marketing instrument, but truth be stated, if it were implemented at face value, it could mean economic self-destruction for the company. So, then, you may question why, do you see those types of guarantees being extended? First of all, I advise you read the small print. You will have to sign a service agreement and there may be something in there that spells out exactly how that “guarantee” applies. Broadly speaking, such a guarantee means that the customer must accept any solution extended, regardless of the cost, to fix the problem. This may include full replacement of the equipment. If the customer rejects the resolution offered, then the guarantee may not apply. That is the loophole for the “fix”. The guarantee looks great on the surface, but it is an unrealistic outlook for the client and of the technician. Let’s get real here. The company cannot afford to run the risk of lost revenues, particularly in a market where competition is high and profits are marginal. If a tech comes out on-site or supplies any form of service at all, expect to pay something, no matter what the outcome. It just shouldn’t be an excessive amount.
Not every problem can be fixed as expected. The technician really never knows what the extent of the problem is until they are able to get into the equipment and investigate the problem. Sometimes the cost of a repair can be more than it is worth to the customer. And sometimes, it costs to arrive at that decision. You will probably need to pay a diagnosis charge under these conditions.. After all, you were still rendered with service to determine what is needed to be done to repair the trouble. When selecting a computer repair service provider, make sure to know the fee schedule under these circumstances. Numerous companies will even credit a portion or all of the diagnostic fees towards succeeding business or the purchase of new equipment from them if so determined by the client. If they do not extend any sort of fee credit, then the fee should be minimal, usually an amount enough to address the PC repair company’s expense of dispatching a tech out to the client.
There are most always mileage or travel fees for on-site servicing..To put it bluntly, time is money and the company needs to collect for not only fuel and vehicle wear and tear, but for the time that the technician is sitting around in traffic. Whether they are being productive or not, in common a company still has to pay their techs based on time. Thus, there are travel or mileage fees. Factor in the mileage or travel fees into the other fees to see what kind of deal you are getting.
Finally, I want to communicate to you, that you should select a computer support company or technician that will empower you with the ability to help keep the problem from taking place once more. If the reason can be learned, the technician should explain what steps, if any, that can be taken to possibly preclude recurrence. Sure, they could take your money for another on-site call for the same trouble at a subsequent date when it recurs, and do that over and over, but that would be unethical and downright reprobate in my judgment. Look for a company or technician happy to help you with an ounce of prevention through some hints so you can save the pound of cure in expense later.
The bottom line is this. When choosing a computer repair company or technician, do a little research. Ask them questions, how long have they been around? What is their background? Google them on the Internet. Look up the names of the principles of the company. Get recommendations from acquaintances or associates. However you do it, just do it before deciding on whom to hire.
In closing, I hope you heard this information useful in helping you to pick out a reliable computer repair company or technician. You can likewise find other associated useable computer technology hints at our website at FireBallTech.com. Thanks for reading, Bill Arnoldi