Need Opinions

Hi

I'm a geek in highschool. I do some programming here and there, and I have a question I need help with. My town is about 15-20 miles from the nearest Computer store that will fix/ cleanup any viruses and malware on your computer. Lately people have come to me with the FBI Anti piracy virus, and I have been cleaning it off, running hijack this, installing malware-bytes, and running piriform's "defraggler" and "Ccleaner". My parents suggest that I charge for these services. I never thought to do it because they are opensource or easily found free programs. I can charge an upwards of $25 an hour for this and still be cheaper than the computer store, should I charge for this?

 

It's really up to you. I would check about local laws but I doubt there would be any to stop you.

My personal advice would be something "token" like $5/problem. This will not only give you a bit of cash, it will get you return customers as people will feel good that you aren't charging a lot. Also, it looks more like a hobby rather than a business if you get into trouble for "doing something wrong", whether or not you do anything.

 

Hello Leonoth,

Congratulations on attempting to strike out on your own.

Are you familiar with the MG Malware section?
Do you have computer savvy to follow the threads there, with the same correct answers the MG Malware team gives?

 

What I do at home working on vehicles since I don't have insurance that covers automotive work is tell people to donate to me what they feel is fair. If I would flat charge them it would make me a business and the rules change. The only other thing you need to think about is once you work on something you become responsible for that vehicle/computer. I had this happen with a older Honda Accord, I put back brakes on it then a week later her timing belt breaks taking out 6 valves. She thought I should pay to get her head rebuild plus volunteer my labor to R&R the head. I told her to call 10 shops and ask them if doing back brakes is in anyway related to a timing belt. I think when the Honda dealer in town laughed at her she figured out she was a ID10T. Just an example of a worse case scenario.

 

The problem with that is I am working with Idiots. You say back up up your files, they save a couple word documents to a flashdrive. I usually create a system checkpoint to roll back to if I screw something up.

 

I'm self-employed and run a small computer shop. Depending on the severity of the virus/malware infection, I charge $60 and up. In comparison, most of the "big box" stores in Houston such as Best Buy and Staples charge upwards of $150 plus the cost of data backup/recovery if a factory system reformat of the drive is required.

With all due respect to collinsl, $5 is way too cheap. You are providing a valuable service/skill and should be making a minimum of $20 per hour, even as a hobby.

One thing you should consider is typing up a work order form. On it, you should include a statement to the effect of "We are not responsible for the loss of data or software during the repair process" and have the customer sign it before you start work on the PC.

Good luck on your new business venture. I'm sure you'll do very well.

 

That fails at the worst times. Nothing like breaking a registry when trying a fix and finding out the restore point and included hives are broken.

You are better off making a restore point, AND backing up the hive files.

 

He should probably consider a business license as well, especially if he takes checks. Unless IRS audits are desirable.

 

I would think as a High School student, they would be OK for small amounts of $. Of course, you should report all income to the gubment, and pay your fair share. :-D

One thing I liked back when I did more computer repair was to have a large enough external hard drive to clone the problem computer's hard drive. It is a bit of an initial expense, but I liked having that backup when I worked on some essential work computers.

Good luck with it! Oh, and at least $20 per job as a donation. For the FBI virus thing, I would have no problem charging $50 per hour. For some extra cash, maybe check out the computer you are working on and see if it needs a larger hard drive, more RAM, video card upgrade and offer them an upgrade package. Parts plus a %, they get a better machine for a lot cheaper than a new one.

 

Thank you all for the suggestions, this really does help! I can see that my initial idea for a little extra cash could turn into a wallet filled with more than the cartoon style moths. I'll be sure to check out the malware section and see how I can help :-D

 

This is really funny because ever since I found this site to fix my own computers, I've had neighbors, family, etc. that by word of mouth heard I'm good at "fixing" computers. I guess I'm just really good at reading directions. But I've fixed at least 10 other people's computers using the site, posting logs, etc. and installing the programs to keep them from being re-infected again. I thought about perhaps taking some classes up to learn more about what I'm doing. I've installed a few memory cards, drives, etc. too. But in the end, I always do it for free. This is good info for perhaps looking into starting a small repair business.

 

I've been watching this post for a couple of days, and as usual the advice that's being given is spot on. I've been helping people out with their machines, when I'm offered money I always refuse and usually end up with a bottle of something, usually a reasonable red wine a bottle of Scotch or something, this on top of the pleasure I get from helping is more than enough, listen to the GEEKS and don't get greedy.

 

Been A Director of a few small Co.'s since the Eighties, one of them concerns I.T. work, (not quite as grand as it sounds, but anyway). One thing people should realize, is that there is a world of difference between knowing how to kill a few virus', installing O.S.'s, etc., and knowing how to solve any intricate Networking problems in a commercial environment, or whatever it is.
You can have an either 'fixed or free policy', or a standard fee to 'look at' a computer.
With the lost data issues, an "all care, but no responsibility" policy is best, i.m.o. After all, if someone has kept all their photos, documents, letters, Tax Returns, etc. on one HDD and never bothered to back up and something has screwed up the software on the drive, it's not my fault.
Another stoopid thing people bother me about is "can you fix my Flash-drive". Well, if you've been pulling it in and out of the computer before it has completely finished and the RAM chips are blown, then "Yeah, buy a new Thumb-drive and kiss the data goodbye" is the answer. rolleyes.
'Unofficial' repair work becomes a P.I.T.A. after a while, and you'll have to decide whether it's worth spending a day, or at least a good few hours sorting out laziness, ignorance and stupidity for people who basically just want to jump on the band wagon and have their stupidity and laziness repaired on the cheap or free, until next time. Not everyone is like that - but many are. Why make any effort when good old "so-and-so" will sort it for free, or twenty bucks, or something, is the thought process. And yep, 'friends' are the worst offenders.rolleyes
Like a few of the guys said, you'll have to decide when it becomes from a "bit on the side" type of income and a 'business'.
~ Good luck with that, anyway.

 

The thing is that this will never be more than a little extra cash on the side. I already have a whole career in beerbrewing and having my own pub planned out. I don't mind fixing things for free, but having already taken a class in marketing, I know the money I could make off the growing demand for this type of service in our ever "advancing" world of technology. I'm not quite as experienced in the networking, parts installation, and physical repair areas. I dabble with code alittle and might work on a bit of greyhat work to show my school it's internet security issues, but of course all of this isn't really what I want to do, this is just fun.

 

Fair enough on all counts. I started off in a similar way, (my main Profession was/is Research/Industrial Chemist). I started of pretty similar to you, only we were using manila punch cards and P.C's were non-existent....0_o. (Yeah, I'm a 'fossil'). Personally, I would either do a 'freebie' or not touch the job unless there's at least fifty bucks in it. (How much would 'Geek Squad', or some such charge?
If it's mainly hobby/favour type situation, then it's a mainly just learning and growing as you see fit. ~Hope it works out for you/

 

Hey Barry you are not the only fossil on here! http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/angry/angry-old-man-smiley-emoticon.gif

Making some extra cash from a hobby is really rewarding but as has been mentioned by others you really need to protect yourself from mishaps by having your clients sign a disclaimer before you tackle a problem PC.

I was by profession a transport consultant and truck owner but in my spare time built custom PCs for gaming or heavy office use,i always tried to build the best within a given budget and just a modest sum over for me, i possibly could have made a business out of it but that was never my objective as my real job was my passion.

I am now retired and spent the last few years building more PCs but ill health has forced me to curtail that and as some members will have noticed i am not so active on the forum as i was because i no longer feel that i am able to give reliable advice due to my memory lapses but i am an avid reader of all the posts here.

I wish you all the best with your endeavors.

 

I don't charge for repairs, but I also don't do Virus removal. Too much chance of something breaking.

Some people still want me to try, and in that case it's $50 to just look at it and see if I can identify the virus. I can remove, but I warn that I'm going to charge for time and aggravation.

Strangely, I run into 'the computer won't start' a lot. That's also $50 because it's usually from someone who assures me it's a virus, then I get in and find they've got two anti-virus installed.

However, if you have to move the computer away from them, get a receipt with the serial number, and have them sign a form stating that you're not held responsible for any damage or data loss to the computer. If they won't sign it, get as far away, as fast as possible.

 

Alot of good points in this thread.

Before I read everyone's views here, I was like, "You gotta be kidding, let the kid earn a little cash." After reading the views on this, my view tempered alot. I mean what about the times where you fix one and 2 weeks later it's broken again. Inevitably some of those will want you to fix it again for free.

So, in your situation, I think I would say (maybe even on a flier to be clear) to anyone looking for help that I charge $20 to look at a PC AND no promises. If I couldn't fix it, they don't pay, but no promises. If it's a part problem...pay me now and come back with the part if you want me to install it (for free). It's a major commitment even to look one over. After all of this, I would just let my conscience be my guide on bring backs. If the new situation is something different than the original problem, make sure they know you will charge again, etc. Also, make sure they remember they don't have to come back if they don't like the service.

For me, it was all about cutting grass. I don't see the difference, honestly.

 

:confusedrolleyes
is it just me or are there some major inconsistencies in this tale?

 

Maybe he meant hobby. Can't really have a career in something like that without distribution. Of course...he is also under age.

 

...I know a few people who have a career in Brewing and "herb" growing!....LoL! .roflmao

 

Does it ever make it past their own stomach/lungs? :-D

 

Not a lot, I guess....:yum LOL

 

Hey, somebody has to brew the non-alcoholic beers...

:-D

But you can be 18 and work the register at a C-store that sells beer. So I guess you could work at a brewery as well.

 

How can you become a brewmaster without tasting your creations?

So, it is either underage drinking or lying

 

I don't know what the guy is doing. But surely in a decent sized brewery there are other jobs. I know several young kids work at a local winery. I am sure they don't get to sample until they are 21, but someone has to pick the grapes. Just thinking maybe they work at another part of the brewery. Might be a union type job...

 

He's 'prolly got a 'Bucket Brewery' and flogs them to family/friends, I dunno. Actually, I have my own "brewery" in my garage, too.:drool. Except, I just drink 'em. Have to have something to do in those long, hot summers, here.:-D I wouldn't term it a career, though.rolleyes

 

He could also be an apprentice to a brewer. There are a few small breweries here in Michigan.

 

Well, looks like you folks scared him off. We might never know now. :-D

 

Yeah, I seem to remember quite a few so-called 'micro-brewery' companies around Michigan/Wisconsin area.:wine

@ Fred:- Yeah, I think he's long gone, man. Maybe he thinks we talk crap.:innocent .roflmao.

 

Not me, I stay on topic like a laser. Admittedly, like a laser in a maze of mirrors. :-D

 

*looks around* Obviously funhouse mirrors.

 

Eeep! I wasn't scared off, but I also didn't realized my thread would be this debateable! So many valid points and everything points to donations or set pay after a " no touch backup" policy.

As for the beerbrewing, I brew, but don't really taste. And if I do taste it's behind closed doors and under adult supervision. The career bit is what I have planned. There is money in this and homebrewing is "cheap" as hobbies come. Of course mine turned from hobby to carreer plan. My parents said do something you enjoy and I think I found it (^_^)

 

I gotta say this is a fairly nice and friendly forum, much nicer than other tech forums i've been on.

 

Yea, we are a goofy bunch. We pick on each other but it's all in good fun.




(most of the time ) LOL