How to Pick a Computer Service Repair Company
With 20 yrs experience in the IT field, I’ve learned that choosing the right service provider can be confusing. In fact, people have so many misconceptions about computer services that I decided to offer this consumer information message, so when you need to select a computer service provider, you can make an informed, intelligent decision.
Mistake #1: You pick IT Service Providers based only on price.
The old adage is true. “You get what you pay for.” This is especially true when choosing IT Service Providers. If you want the best services you should decide to deal with an IT Service Provider because of the overall value you receive, NOT because they are the lowest price.
Here’s why
Value = Quality + Service + Price
It is impossible for any business in any industry to offer the cheapest price, have the highest quality, and provide the best service all at the same time.
You can get high quality and super service, but you can’t get both and still get the lowest price.
IT Service Businesses have a lot of overhead, employees, products, leases, continuing education, etc. If their prices are “too good to be true” then they are cutting costs somewhere. Whether it’s in the quality of their services and products, or the customer service they provide, something has to suffer to give you those low, low prices.
Total value is all three: Quality, Service, and Price.
The three most common problems you will have when you pick IT Service Providers based on low prices are:
1. The first problem is that cheap IT Service Businesses don’t usually stand behind their work if there is a mistake. Sure, those IT Service Businesses might charge you less, but how will they treat you when you are not happy? To give the cheapest price they usually have low-wage, inexperienced employees, but little or no real-world skills. They also cut costs by installing inferior components. The end result is “you get half of what you pay for.” And the little bit of money you save ends up costing you more in the long run, especially if you have to miss work, or a big sale because you’re computer or computer systems are down. Believe me, there is a saying I always tell my clients “the bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten …
2. The second problem with It Service Providers who offers the lowest prices is that they often have to compensate for being cheap with quantity. Not quality. Your IT Service Business experience is anything but relaxing when you are being herded like a cattle through a long line waiting for your turn for someone to listen to your concerns, only then to be sent on your way. Many times these IT Service Businesses don’t even clean the interior of your computer. They just work around the dirt, grime and pet hair that collects inside. And when they’re through they usually send you out with the same problems you came in with, because they didn’t do a through analysis and testing of the system after any repairs were made.
3. And the third reason why picking the cheapest IT Service Business is a problem relates back to the low-wage. inexperienced technicians that are usually employed at these types of IT Service Businesses. Anyone can go through the schooling and learn enough to be ‘certified’, but it’s the real pro’s that take the time to really learn how complex computer systems work, and spend the time and money on further education and developing talent that really makes a master ‘technician’. They understand not just one part of the computer business but how all aspects work together to provide you years of trouble free operation.
If you really care about keeping your computer systems in optimum health. Whether you want to avoid down time, or viruses and spy-ware, or hackers trying to steal your personal data. Whether you are interested in 100% uptime of your systems, or just avoiding identity theft from some hacker, And, if you want top notch service, and to be treated with respect and fast service, and learn computer “secrets” from experienced experts, then don’t choose IT Service Providers based on price.