PC Repair Flier

Thresh · 10-01-2006, 04:57 AM

What's everyones opinion? Should I add / take out etc...?

HAVOC · 10-01-2006, 06:10 AM

I'd get rid of the ex-geek squad thing. Believe it or not "ex" is a negative and regardless of what terms you left under. It's just doesn't look good. I'd just say, "Experienced Technician." Plain and simple.

Othe then that, it looks ok. Kinda cheesy... but, it grabs the eye...

Keyboard Cowboy · 10-01-2006, 06:41 AM

Ummmm..... yeah......... I guess it would be good for a backyard techie. Sorry if I sound blunt in this post, however the people I am normally dealing rather deal with a professional as appose to some one that thinks that they an extradinare with computers.

Are you trying market yourself as a IT Professional, or as some kid that knows all about computer that just wants a little more pocket money.
Ditch the south park character. It really looks non professional. Mind you, this is not as bad as the computer store that was using pictures from Dragon Ball Z on their website a few years back.

Ditch Computer Fixer Extradinare. It sounds like you are big noting yourself.

Ditch the Experienced PC Repair Specialist Offering Services as it make you sound like you are desperate for business. It's nearly as appealing as a homeless bum with a cardboard sign saying "Will Fix PC For Food".

Ex-Geek Squad Agent..... you want to know what is currently going through my mind when I read that..... "Why did you leave your job at Geek Squad? Did you Quit? Or did you get Fired?"
You are also riding on the reputation of Geek Squad.
Also, If I was Geek Squad, then I would be having world with my lawyer about using my company name for your advertising. I will seeing about what I can do about sueing your @$$ for using my company name in your advertising with out my permission.
For your sake, I hope you left your company on good terms.

Computer Optimisation...... could you just put yourself into an Joe End User's Shoes that really has no idea about computer for a second. These people are normally happy with there computer running as it, and unless there is a problem, they don't want some one "Optimising" it.

Remove the rate all together. At most have your base rates.

Quote:

Hardware install $30
(installation of any PC based hardware, includes office machines)

BIG MISTAKE! Especially that office machines part.
Like if it was not for the fact that I live in australia, I would out source you for some of my hardware install on my CCTV DVR cards and PC Based Point Of Sales hardware. Because paying you $30 just to install those PC based hardware of those office machines would be alot cheaper that me spending 2 hours of my time to install and configure them.
After all, you do "any PC based hardware".
However if that is your rates, tell you this, I might just call you out for some of my CCTV and Point Of Sales Hardware installations.
Tell you what, give me your number and I will call you out right now as I have 2 DVR Cards and 1 POS hardware install that I need to this week. I will give you $90 for the lot because it going to save me a lot of hassling around with those PC hardware.

Over all, I think you might want to just leave it as your base rates because I feel that not only are your undercutting competators. You are under cutting yourself.
Like Onsite Virus Removal for $60..... You might want to re-evaluate how much your time is worth to YOU because I have had some virus and spyware removal take about 3 hours of my time. And there is NO way that I am going to give up 3 hours of my time just for $60.

over all you might want to lift up the image that you are trying to promote yourself as. Instead of promting yourself as the expreince PC Repair Specialist / Computer Fix Extraordinare that no longer has a job as Geek Squad and that is willing to work for peanuts, you might what to promote yourself as a IT Professional.

Start the heading with some thign like
"Computer Repair" or "Computer Services" or some thing like that.

Then have a breaf outine on what you actually do.
Eg. Virus / Spyware / Adware Removal
Computer Hardware and Peripheral Installation
PC Troubleshooting
Networking, Internet Sharing, Wireless.
Windows 98, Me, 2000, Xp Support

Just have your base hourly rate if you feel the that you must advertise your rate.
Eg. $60 per hour. No Fix, No Pay.
(sorry, I really don't know how much you value your time at)
Don't advertise your call out fee. Tell them that when they call you.

I don't list my rates at all. Reason being is that some jobs are bigger than others. Like there is no way that I am going to touch a Client Server Enviroment for my base rate.
Secondly, I like being flexible. Like if i got some little old granny that just want a small job done, I will drop my rates. Meanwhile, if I got some business owner the better end of town, they can afford to pay the little extra.

If feel the need to big note yourself on your computer skills, then why not list your qualifications? Eg. MCSE, MCSA, MYOB Professional Partner, Acer VAR, Intel GID, Dip. Level 4 IT : PC and Network Support.
Like log onto AMD.com some time and sit the exam for the AMD Professional Partner qualification. Just about any one can sit for that one. (or at least the base one. The Silver and Gold do have various requirements which your company has to meet)

Over all, I am not having a shot at you. I am just saying that your advertising need a lot of work.

molsen · 10-01-2006, 10:21 AM

make it look professional man. south park character's gotta go, for sure. the ex thing, gotta go. and everything else mentioned above...

Thresh · 10-01-2006, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Harper
Ummmm..... yeah......... I guess it would be good for a backyard techie. Sorry if I sound blunt in this post, however the people I am normally dealing rather deal with a professional as appose to some one that thinks that they an extradinare with computers.

No, it's perfectly fine - thanks. I asked for it :-) It actually is a backyard techie sort of thing, I don't intend on going beyond my town / city here. Thing is, I don't want to take it "too" far with the professionalism because it's not exactly a business.

Quote:

Originally posted by Harper
Are you trying market yourself as a IT Professional, or as some kid that knows all about computer that just wants a little more pocket money.

Neither. Somewhere in between though.

Quote:

Originally posted by Harper
Ditch the south park character. It really looks non professional. Mind you, this is not as bad as the computer store that was using pictures from Dragon Ball Z on their website a few years back.

Hey, it's promoting. Atleast it has something to do with what I'm offering. I think it grabs peoples attention. Without it, it looks like trash and I might as well write the text on there with a crayon.

Quote:

Originally posted by Harper
Ditch Computer Fixer Extradinare. It sounds like you are big noting yourself.

Ditch the Experienced PC Repair Specialist Offering Services as it make you sound like you are desperate for business. It's nearly as appealing as a homeless bum with a cardboard sign saying "Will Fix PC For Food".

Let's not overly criticise :-) Believe it or not, people will probably crap their pants where I live to see someone willing to fix there computer for a few bucks. I picked the title, again, so it doesn't sound too professional, while hinting it's 1 guy offering his services on the side, but still qualified.

Quote:

Originally posted by Harper
Ex-Geek Squad Agent..... you want to know what is currently going through my mind when I read that..... "Why did you leave your job at Geek Squad? Did you Quit? Or did you get Fired?"
You are also riding on the reputation of Geek Squad.
Also, If I was Geek Squad, then I would be having world with my lawyer about using my company name for your advertising. I will seeing about what I can do about sueing your @$$ for using my company name in your advertising with out my permission.
For your sake, I hope you left your company on good terms.

Just for the record, I left for the military, but need to raise a little more cash before I ship out. This flier won't go beyond 4 or 5 grocery stores and my local gym, and I'm not an official business, so I don't see how or why someone would want to pursue putting someone down like that just for mentioning I use to work there.

I had actually planned to put more on there, reputation wise. I'm A+ certified among others, have won PC Repair awards, Computer Systems college graduate, experience with working on site, and have references on request.

Quote:

Originally posted by Harper
Computer Optimisation...... could you just put yourself into an Joe End User's Shoes that really has no idea about computer for a second. These people are normally happy with there computer running as it, and unless there is a problem, they don't want some one "Optimising" it.

Remove the rate all together. At most have your base rates.

That's probably the most important rate on the list. 90% of PC's that I've worked while on the job have all been slow due to Viruses and/or adware, and that's where Geek Squad makes their money. They clean PC's of viruses, sell and set up security software. I definitly won't be removing it, I may re-word it if someone suggests an appropriate alternative.

Quote:

Originally posted by Harper
BIG MISTAKE! Especially that office machines part.
Like if it was not for the fact that I live in australia, I would out source you for some of my hardware install on my CCTV DVR cards and PC Based Point Of Sales hardware. Because paying you $30 just to install those PC based hardware of those office machines would be alot cheaper that me spending 2 hours of my time to install and configure them.
After all, you do "any PC based hardware".
However if that is your rates, tell you this, I might just call you out for some of my CCTV and Point Of Sales Hardware installations.
Tell you what, give me your number and I will call you out right now as I have 2 DVR Cards and 1 POS hardware install that I need to this week. I will give you $90 for the lot because it going to save me a lot of hassling around with those PC hardware.

This isn't a PC Repair business per se, and it's only 1 guy. If you called me up with those requests I would simply decline. This flier points to home users who may need a video card, network card, scanner, printer, or speakers hooked up. I'm not going to get involved in doing "side work" for other businesses.

Quote:

Originally posted by Harper
Over all, I think you might want to just leave it as your base rates because I feel that not only are your undercutting competators. You are under cutting yourself.
Like Onsite Virus Removal for $60..... You might want to re-evaluate how much your time is worth to YOU because I have had some virus and spyware removal take about 3 hours of my time. And there is NO way that I am going to give up 3 hours of my time just for $60.

I've never had any serious issue's with virus removal. If it was so bad it would take myself 3 hours long, I would recommend a re-format and reload. I cannot recall not being able to fix an infected computer unless the registry or hard drive was severely corrupted, and at that point I asked there permission for a backup / reload.

Quote:

Originally posted by Harper
over all you might want to lift up the image that you are trying to promote yourself as. Instead of promting yourself as the expreince PC Repair Specialist / Computer Fix Extraordinare that no longer has a job as Geek Squad and that is willing to work for peanuts, you might what to promote yourself as a IT Professional.

Start the heading with some thign like
"Computer Repair" or "Computer Services" or some thing like that.

Then have a breaf outine on what you actually do.
Eg. Virus / Spyware / Adware Removal
Computer Hardware and Peripheral Installation
PC Troubleshooting
Networking, Internet Sharing, Wireless.
Windows 98, Me, 2000, Xp Support

Just have your base hourly rate if you feel the that you must advertise your rate.
Eg. $60 per hour. No Fix, No Pay.
(sorry, I really don't know how much you value your time at)
Don't advertise your call out fee. Tell them that when they call you.

I don't list my rates at all. Reason being is that some jobs are bigger than others. Like there is no way that I am going to touch a Client Server Enviroment for my base rate.
Secondly, I like being flexible. Like if i got some little old granny that just want a small job done, I will drop my rates. Meanwhile, if I got some business owner the better end of town, they can afford to pay the little extra.

I think "Computer Repair" is a little too unprofessional. That's the sort of thing that made me think what you mentioned, "Will fix PC for food." MAYBE "Computer Services", but I don't know if it's worth replacing the current title.

I'm also going by sort of how Geek Squad operates. Everything that you wrote is a little too general, and when someone calls I gaurantee you they won't know exactly what's wrong with their PC. I also gaurantee 90% of the people calling will have an issue with one of the rates I've listed. When I diagnose the problem, I'll point to the rate on the ad, perform the service, and collect the rate. Anything not listed, or if I'm not able to compensate somehow, I'll go by an hourly rate as you said. But for the most part I'm shooting for a straight forward ad, so people know what to expect and pay.

Quote:

Originally posted by Harper
If feel the need to big note yourself on your computer skills, then why not list your qualifications? Eg. MCSE, MCSA, MYOB Professional Partner, Acer VAR, Intel GID, Dip. Level 4 IT : PC and Network Support.
Like log onto AMD.com some time and sit the exam for the AMD Professional Partner qualification. Just about any one can sit for that one. (or at least the base one. The Silver and Gold do have various requirements which your company has to meet)

Over all, I am not having a shot at you. I am just saying that your advertising need a lot of work.

I do have certifications, but most won't even know what an A+, Microsoft, or CCNA Certification is. I'd rather not throw jargon out there to confuse them, unless you really think that will persuade them I know what I'm talking about.

Really, I do apreciate the help. Let me know what you think about what I said, and what you believe still needs to be changed. I understand the way you are thinking, but that's not what I'm doing it for, and I'm also thinking about the average person over here and what they may gather from the ad. Pretty much all I wrote makes sense to me, but I've been known to be stubborn before. So if people here insist on certain things (15 year old geeks at home need not suggest anything) then I will definitly change it. Please consider what I said though. Thanks again, everyone.

Nitestick · 10-01-2006, 11:56 AM

Quote:

make it look professional man. south park character's gotta go, for sure. the ex thing, gotta go. and everything else mentioned above...

also if that is a copyrighted image then you shouldn't use it in advertising. chances are of course you would sooner be eaten by a shark riding a unicycle than be caught for it but nonetheless it looks unprofessional and is a liability.

Thresh · 10-01-2006, 11:59 AM

Actually I made about 50% of the picture myself, with some help from the South Park "Create a character" game. It's unique, so it's safe, just has a South Park style to it. I don't think there's a law out there that makes "style" illegal.

But really, does it look that unprofessional? I think it's pretty cool.

By the way, that shark on a unicycle thing didn't make a bit of sense. :-(

Nitestick · 10-01-2006, 12:09 PM

i can't quite put my finger on what it is but it doesn't look very professional. as for the unicycle riding shark there are two explainations to that:
1. i am a very sleep deprived young man and apparently just by averaging 2 or 3 nights in a week where you lose 2 hours of sleep your IQ can drop by about 17 points

which might explain a few things
2. it was a random choice to illustrate my point that the chance of the occurence is virtually non-existent

i agree with Harper on the points i saw while skimming this, you shouldn't put any more than your base rates.