Comments on: Find Local Computer Repair

By: Peter Brown

Peter Brown — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:00:29 +0000

Hi Chris, I came across this thread doing some googling and I have to disagree with the overall tone of your opinion… I’m a local technician for Portland computer repair, and I know for a fact that you can leave your computer alone with a technician. We’ve grown by being ethical, honest and professional, and frankly we’ve heard horror stories by Best Buy and other big box stores.

By: ComputerDoc

ComputerDoc — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:27:03 +0000

I ran across this posting by accident, and while I usually enjoy your stuff, I have to take exception with general tone of this article/video Chris. You all but recommended the “Big Boys” by implying that local techs are sneaky and dishonest and out to take advantage of every unwary customer. When did big box stores become the safe place?

As one of those “small local repairmen”, I live and die by reputation and customer referrals. I’m not working for $10/hr and a Best Buy discount until a “real job” comes along. My business is how I feed my family. As such, I care for and protect my customers interests to a fault. I’m looking for a long-term relationship (because it is mutually beneficial), and glowing referrals to friends and associates, not just a chance to take their money once. I ALWAYS go the extra mile.

Unlike a couple of the previous response posts, I don’t mind the small talk and being watched while I work on a computer – in fact, that’s how I get to know my customer in order to bring things to the table that he/she can use. However, If a system cannot be repaired within an hour or two onsite, I will take it with me for repairs. According to your implications, this is only so I can steal someone’s components. How insulting and utterly ridiculous!

As far as prices, I have the same rate structure as when I started back in 1995. The big box stores certainly provide a massive contrast in pricing. Yes, I have a minimum charge to make a trip to your home or office, but for the most part, my charges are typically 1/3 of what similar services are at the “Nerd Herd”. Besides, I find and fix ALL the problems while I’m there, not just the finite discrete one the customer identified from a price list or a google search.

Lastly… EVERYONE has a nephew, neighbor, or friend that is a “computer genius”. Do you have any idea how much money could be saved if people DON’T let that guy touch their computer first? Would you let the neighbors’ kid dig up your back yard to fix your plumbing? Then why would you let him near what has become the center of your communication, finance, and entertainment?

Don’t gamble. Hire a professional: someone that makes his living solving the kind of problem you are having. You can go to a big box store if spending the extra money there makes you feel safe. Or… you can find a local tech that lives in, works in, and serves the community where you live. Obviously I can’t speak to every situation, but you will most likely be thrilled you did.

If you can’t find someone in YOUR neighborhood, you can always find me at http://www.IowaComputerRepair.com.

By: TREBLINKA007

TREBLINKA007 — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:44:20 +0000

Pirillo youre ridiculous and not tech smart.

By: Cjaiceman

Cjaiceman — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 06:41:32 +0000

I love gateway, but I haven’t purchased a desktop in over 10 years, but I like their laptops.

By: Hithere99999

Hithere99999 — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:14:59 +0000

i found four USB ports on the back of my computer that i didnt know i had. that makes a total of 8

By: wslonger

wslonger — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 02:46:19 +0000

I do computer repair mostly for friends. Anytime a part is faulty I always give them the old part back. You should always request the old parts from them.

By: dsterry

dsterry — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:36:20 +0000

USB keys fit in ethernet ports. Try it. (please dont….but they do, seriously)

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:40:39 +0000

I have to take exception with a couple of points of this article. I haven’t watched the video. The whole article in general seems to be slanted in the favor of the big boys. The first bullet… why would you need to check references for a local shop, but not the big boys? The second bullet… The local guy works almost totally on word of mouth and reference. If the local guy is stealing/swapping components, he’ll loose his job as well b\c of a lack of work. The fifth bullet… leaving the local tech alone with your computer. As if a big box tech is more trustworthy? I always spend time discussing the problem with the client and then the solution afterwards. I find that if I have to hold a conversation with a client while troubleshooting, the repair takes twice as long. I always answer all questions and etc. but prefer to do it before or after the repair is complete.

The printed article seems to point to the local guy as a thief and a cheat. Most will find a reputable, local tech to be more skilled, cheaper, more accommodating, and more thorough. You have to remember that the local tech doesn’t use big advertisements to get customers, but word of mouth.

By: zeldadevideos

zeldadevideos — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:22:20 +0000

why is your date on 2008

By: wiihome

wiihome — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 13:49:54 +0000

adding ram at best buy will cost $45.99 :O, its just like putting a memory card in a ps2…

By: wiihome

wiihome — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 13:45:31 +0000

w00t Gateway yeah!

By: SwingSwingKid

SwingSwingKid — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 00:35:38 +0000

I’ll only buy from gateway

By: Ken Maxwell

Ken Maxwell — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 23:13:51 +0000

Good blog Chris, but being a local tech I take exception with the statement,”most techs would sacrifice their job for a component”.
I would never remove anything from a customers machine for my own use, I was taught at a very young age that this behavior was called Theft.
I run a small tech service, and do make house calls, and enjoy talking to the customers about the capabilities of their machines that they are not using. I don’t think you get that kind of service from commercial computer stores.

By: Paranj

Paranj — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 16:07:07 +0000

I have had some of the worst experiences with Best Buy. I had bought warranty on my computer and everything! And they said that it didn’t count for my screen which was really cracked because. My brother was coming back from college and he had taken my computer since his just didn’t work! And when he was getting his luggage from the plain the guy who was taking it out for him had accidentally dropped it and it totally ruined the screen and keyboard. So I just got that fixed and my brother gave me this computer and went and convinced my dad to buy him a mac. It cost me like 900$ only to end up having my motherboard also damaged. :(

By: KDS

KDS — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:22:13 +0000

As an up and coming tech myself I would have to both agree and disagree with your post and the comments that have been left by your readers. Generally you are going to get your best service from local independent techs. Often these local techs are professional IT people who are employed with local companies and do repair work on the side (at least the ones without storefronts). However I would also say that if your computer is under warranty you should at least have it looked at by the authorized repair site defined by your warranty. If the problem is covered by the warranty then you have a repaired computer at no charge. But always remember to shop around and compare prices and customer reviews whenever possible.

Also, it has been my experience with the big box stores that the persons at the counters in the stores generally are not required to have any repair skills in order to receive their positions. Some are qualified repair persons and some aren’t, welcome to the crap shoot.