Computer repair people charge too much

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 11:17 am

Just found out from a friend of mine he got charged $125 to put a video card in for him.

I was like WHAT?

That is a lot of money.

I wasnt around when he did it or I would have done it for free, he was having problems with his other card, so they took it out and put in this one.

I hate to see people ripped off like that.

BaLa · Post by **BaLa** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 11:56 am

how did he get ripped off...

that's a little high, but I don't know how you can claim he got ripped of b/c he paid a bit much..

ace · Post by **ace** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 12:20 pm

Originally posted by BaLa
how did he get ripped off...

that's a little high, but I don't know how you can claim he got ripped of b/c he paid a bit much..

You dont think that charging a 125.00 for the installation of a video card a TAD expensive??? I call that highway robbery. Think about how long and how hard it is to install a video card. Probably took them 10 minutes to do. I call that a rip off.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 12:24 pm

yeah and that was just for install, video card was extra

Ahren · Post by **Ahren** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 12:31 pm

You know how easy it is to change a video card. Your friend doesn't.

Say I don't know squat about cars, If I needed my spark plugs changed, I would no how to do it.
For somebody who rebuilds engines every day...Its a no brainer.

EDIT -> And the car is extra.

Since he knows how and I need it done then I pay for it.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 12:32 pm

I am not saying they should not charge, but cmon $125?

What a ripoff

He had no idea, I told him next time look around or wait for me.

Ahren · Post by **Ahren** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 12:34 pm

I agree though...$125 USD seems a lot.

Shagster · Post by **Shagster** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 12:35 pm

Wow, thats worth the price of a 9600pro. What card did he get put in?

Give me the phone number of the place and I will call them and BITCH.

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 12:36 pm

Now $125 US would be like $1.25 Canadia right?

Not a bad deal....lol

I can see maybe $25 bucks to install a vid card

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 12:45 pm

A lot of overhead in owning/running a business, especially a storefront. If you guys start a business, you will see what I mean.
not only the building, insurance, taxes, vehicles, tools, utilities employees, KNOWLEDGE (It doesn't matter how easy something is, if you don't know how to do it...), too much stuff to list...

I know many people that have tried to go into business for themselves with the idea "Hey, I make $10 per hour working for someone else, if I charge $15 per hour, I will have an instant $5 per hour bonus"! WRONG! You wouldn't last a year...

Sorry guys, however, if you want to understand this, then start a business...

Bought sense is worth it all!

SulacO · Post by **SulacO** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 12:46 pm

While $125.00 for (probably) an hour of labor is higher than what I charge, it really depends on the area. I charge $75.00 per hour for in-house labor. I charge $95.00 per hour for on-site labor for the first hour and $85.00 per hour for each additional hour. I am very competitive in pricing and do not have any complaints.

You mentioned that your friend was having problems with his old card. Can you verify what was done to fix the problem other than replacing the card? If the card itself was failing, it could have easily caused some software related (read drivers) issues as well. If this is the case, you can see where they would have had to do more than just swap the cards.

However, if I touch a computer for any reason, I charge a minimum of $75.00. How could I stay in business otherwise?

Just because you can swap out video cards does not mean you are a qualified (and certified) PC Technician or a Systems Engineer. My MCSE and MCDBA were not cheap. Neither was my college education. Or my A+ and Network+ Certs.

Just to give you an idea of what some other professionals charge, my cousin is a CPA and charges a minimum of $150.00 per hour for his services. He has some of the biggest companies in the state as his clients and has for many years.

You get what you pay for.

Indy · Post by **Indy** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 12:47 pm

I say it all comes down to the consumer. If they are unwilling to compare prices with other stores or services, then they are going to eventually get screwed. If I go to a car repair shop to get something fixed and they tell me it's going to cost $400, then I'm going to get a second opinion before I fork out that kind of money...

SeedOfChaos · Post by **SeedOfChaos** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 12:51 pm

Sorry, but

Yes, he did get ripped of, but he could've asked you at least how much it should cost....

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 12:52 pm

From a techs point of view, and we charge $100.00/hour, US. Head into a city area, and rates go to 125 even 150/hour.

Anyways, checking in a computer, the business is paying someone at the front desk to check the computer into the service department, then the service department, you pay a tech to put it up on the bench, hope it boots up without errors or viruses, etc. Download the latest drivers for the new video card. Then uninstall the old card properly (hopefully), then power down, remove old card. Install new card, install new drivers, hopefully install latest direct X and chipset drivers to make sure new video card works correctly. Probably update the BIOS on the motherboard to correct any possible compatibility issues. Run a few apps to make sure card is working correctly. If done correctly, should not be just a 10 minute job. Also we always run the latest Windows Updates for the computers we service.

So paying a front desk person, a tech, internet access, electrical to run the system, and the front desk person again for ringing it out. That's two employees and two utilities.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 1:05 pm

everyone is saying an hour

heck if they get paid $125 an hour that is fine

but only if they worked the entire hour

For 10 minutes of wokr it should only be a fraction of that cost

ARS · Post by **ARS** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 1:07 pm

Down here they charge 100$/hr. So that means if they show up and it takes 5 minutes to fix, it is still 100$.

I am sure it is the same everywhere else.

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 1:08 pm

whew, go figure I dont charge nearly those amounts for consulting work, and I still cant get any.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 1:09 pm

what is funny that is more then the labor rate for mechanics

scary thing is people who charge this much evenutally people will get fed up not go back and learn it on their own, and it will put them out of business

while you might be able to work on your own car, you need a lot more tools, more know how, and a lot harder work if you dont know what you are doing

while computers for most part all you need is a screwdriver and a site like speedguide

ace · Post by **ace** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 1:15 pm

What I wanna know is how much was spent on the video card???

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 1:18 pm

Originally posted by Ghosthunter
what is funny that is more then the labor rate for mechanics

Well, your average IT guys makes more than the average mechanic. Note that I said average.....because I know there are some high end mechanics who work on high end cars that make a lot...IE some specialized BMW mechanics, or some other European higher end cars.

"while computers for most part all you need is a screwdriver and a site like speedguide"

Same thing with just about everything out there. Leaky faucet? Why pay a plumber a couple of hundred bucks to come out...you can most likely do it with less than 20 bucks material, most plumbing is now tool free plastic that you spin and tighten with your bare hands.

Clothes dryer have a noisy belt? 7 dollar part and 30 minutes of your time, but most will call the local appliance place and pay to have a guy come out.

Brakes on the car shot? Need an oil change? Most will pay a garage to do it, instead of taking 30 minutes to do themselves.

Etc etc etc. Everythings expensive unless you work in the field and/or know how to do it.

The facts are today, if you will have to pay some person to do something for you, it is usually at least 45 bucks an hour...to be profitable for that person.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 1:28 pm

Originally posted by YeOldeStonecat
Well, your average IT guys makes more than the average mechanic. Note that I said average.....because I know there are some high end mechanics who work on high end cars that make a lot...IE some specialized BMW mechanics, or some other European higher end cars.

"while computers for most part all you need is a screwdriver and a site like speedguide"

Same thing with just about everything out there. Leaky faucet? Why pay a plumber a couple of hundred bucks to come out...you can most likely do it with less than 20 bucks material, most plumbing is now tool free plastic that you spin and tighten with your bare hands.

Clothes dryer have a noisy belt? 7 dollar part and 30 minutes of your time, but most will call the local appliance place and pay to have a guy come out.

Brakes on the car shot? Need an oil change? Most will pay a garage to do it, instead of taking 30 minutes to do themselves.

Etc etc etc. Everythings expensive unless you work in the field and/or know how to do it.

The facts are today, if you will have to pay some person to do something for you, it is usually at least 45 bucks an hour...to be profitable for that person.

Yeah but your average IT person does not just install video cards, he does troubleshooting, network related, servers, switches, routers

Installing a video card for the most is relatively easy compared to installing a new switch in a network

For the most part I think installing a computer and having problems on one is ten times eaiser then working on lets say a car engine?

Can you teach me how to fix a car engine over the internet?

While can you teach me how to install a video card over the internet?

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 1:30 pm

Originally posted by Ghosthunter

Can you teach me how to fix a car engine over the internet?

While can you teach me how to install a video card over the internet?

Fixing a car engine is one thing, that's not unlike someone bringing their computer into a shop and saying it won't boot up. That can occupy a technician for hours.

Honestly I can teach you how to change your oil, change your plugs (including gap), air filter, even change your breaks....probably easier than correctly changing a video card.

What do you do for a living?

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 1:31 pm

Originally posted by YeOldeStonecat
Fixing a car engine is one thing, that's not unlike someone bringing their computer into a shop and saying it won't boot up. That can occupy a technician for hours.

Honestly I can teach you how to change your oil, change your plugs (including gap), air filter, even change your breaks....probably easier than correctly changing a video card.

Cool can you show me? Because my wife love for me to save money and do it myself but i havent got the foggiest clue

You are only about 2 hours away from newburgh, why not come by for a visit I make you lunch and we hang out

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 1:33 pm

I agree Ghosthunter. I suck at carwork.

Norm · Post by **Norm** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 1:37 pm

First let me say if it was brought to me, it's $25/hr, and if I go to it, it's $35/hr (1st hour is $50)

I doubt very much it can be done completely, and correctly in 10 minutes. And the client always pays an hour even if it is ten minutes.

Also, it is a rare occasion to service a PC (even just a vid card install) where there are no other problems to deal with, sometimes must be dealt with first, before attempting any hardware/software installs. Not to mention removing the old, and updating drivers etc.
Then there is overhead as mentioned.

The cost CAN soar.

I usually let my clients know, either they learn the how's and whatnots of PC's, or they will pay out forever as things get more out of hand with viruses, spyware, trojans, exploits etc

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 1:39 pm

Wow NORM you are cheap

that is cheaper then I would expect I was thinking around $50-60 an hour for a vid card

SulacO · Post by **SulacO** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 1:47 pm

Everyone needs to complain about something. I hate paying to have my oil changed because I know I can do it myself (if I wasn't fixing computer's for people like Ghosthunter's friend

The bottom line when it comes to PC Repair, is that most places that can do repair work on PC's do much more than just simple video card replacements. My company will setup an entire network infrastructure for government entities one week (or six) and the next week we may be working on some client's daughter's PC that got a virus at college because she didn't keep her AntiVirus solution up to date. The fact of the matter is that while some things are expensive to some people, those who we cater to, find us reasonably and competitively priced.

Norm · Post by **Norm** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 1:48 pm

Originally posted by Ghosthunter
Wow NORM you are cheap

that is cheaper then I would expect I was thinking around $50-60 an hour for a vid card

I'm after referrals, and long term/repeat clients. My prices will change once I am too busy to keep up with demand.

SulacO · Post by **SulacO** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 1:50 pm

Norm I edited my post so as not to offend. Apparently, we posted at the same time.

Norm · Post by **Norm** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 1:53 pm

Originally posted by SulacO
The companies out there charging $35.00 per hour to fix video cards are usually self taught, non-certified individuals who do not stay in business for long at all. No offense to any of these individuals, but I would not want them working on my equipment. Would you want a LPN performing brain surgery on you?
.

I laugh at that remark.

20 years experience is worth more than a cert earned in a few months of memory cramming. I know a few certified individuals I wouldn't let within 20 ft of my PC.

Norm · Post by **Norm** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 1:54 pm

Originally posted by SulacO
Norm I edited my post so as not to offend. Apparently, we posted at the same time.

No offence taken.

There are good and bad within both communities (certs, and non certs)

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 1:57 pm

Originally posted by SulacO
Everyone needs to complain about something. I hate paying to have my oil changed because I know I can do it myself (if I wasn't fixing computer's for people like Ghosthunter's friend

The bottom line when it comes to PC Repair, is that most places that can do repair work on PC's do much more than just simple video card replacements. My company will setup an entire network infrastructure for government entities one week (or six) and the next week we may be working on some client's daughter's PC that got a virus at college because she didn't keep her AntiVirus solution up to date. The fact of the matter is that while some things are expensive to some people, those who we cater to, find us reasonably and competitively priced.

so you are saying you should charge the same for a video card install as setting up a network infrastructure??

something is wrong with that picture

otherwise I dont understand the point of explaining that you do network infrastructure setups?

Shagster · Post by **Shagster** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 2:34 pm

My dad's services were a good amount when he worked for IBM. But he was a top level programmer and worked in a think tank for them. Genius of a man.

As for techs, if they charge over $50 an hour for their services they should be dragged to street and shot. You need to be at least a high level programmer or something like that. Replacing parts and setting up networks is far from worth $100 an hour.

The whole factor in it is targeting the people who don't know any better and ripping them off.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 2:41 pm

Minimum charge to check in...47.50

So honestly I can say if we do a job that lasts 10 minutes...such as install memory for someone, we do only charge that.

But I seriously don't see how someone would lazily slap a video card install job in 10 minutes.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 2:54 pm

i asked my friend how long they said it took, he said he waited only 10 minutes

so nto sure what they did exactly

so you going to take me up on my offer and come to newburgh?

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 2:56 pm

Originally posted by Shaggy

As for techs, if they charge over $50 an hour for their services they should be dragged to street and shot. You need to be at least a high level programmer or something like that. Replacing parts and setting up networks is far from worth $100 an hour.

The whole factor in it is targeting the people who don't know any better and ripping them off.

And what makes you possibly think you know enough about managing accounts, customer satisfaction, and network design/implementation/maintainance to come up with that laughable statement?

You're still in school, right?

I've taken over many networks that so called techs who charged cheap rates tried to get working. If they got it working, it wasn't for long. My rates are steeper up front, but I know the work to put in up front that is required to get things working right. So once it's setup and done...the customer is happy with a functional network, they're not calling me back every other day when something doesn't work. When they were with cheaper places, sure they nose pickers rates were cheaper....but things either didn't work, or kept giving problems...so they'd pay to have him come back..and come back...and come back. Eventually his repeated charges added up to more than what they pay me for setting it up right in the first place. So I end up cheaper in the long run.

Like everything else in life, you get what you pay for.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 2:59 pm

Originally posted by Ghosthunter
i asked my friend how long they said it took, he said he waited only 10 minutes

so nto sure what they did exactly

so you going to take me up on my offer and come to newburgh?

Well I hope your buddy isn't into gaming or pushing his vid card hard. Or hopefully his vid card was simply dead, and they swapped it out with an identicle card...in which case it should not be a 125 dollar charge, but either warranty, or if out of warranty, I'd say a half hour charge.

I said "I could probably teach you to change oil/plugs/etc just as easy as changing a vid card, or easier"..."COULD"...not "WOULD".

You didn't answer what you did for a living so I can tear apart your job.

Rainbow · Post by **Rainbow** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 3:06 pm

I charge 75 bucks an hour from port to port..so your paying Me while Im driving....and I wish I could get rid of some customers I'm so busy...for techs the norm is about 65 an hour... and if your exceptional you can charge more...there paying for your know how and expertise along with your overhead and the cost of insurances...its not cheep.

Norm · Post by **Norm** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 3:08 pm

YOSC, being an honest person, I won't bullshi.. my clients. Even though I could fix some network problems, I don't even try (for clients)
A person should know their limits, and not go in over their head.

$125 for a ten minute vid card install is too steep a price to pay, especially if the PC is brought to them. Onsite is a different matter, more overhead. (still steep even for onsite)

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 3:12 pm

Originally posted by YeOldeStonecat
Well I hope your buddy isn't into gaming or pushing his vid card hard. Or hopefully his vid card was simply dead, and they swapped it out with an identicle card...in which case it should not be a 125 dollar charge, but either warranty, or if out of warranty, I'd say a half hour charge.

I said "I could probably teach you to change oil/plugs/etc just as easy as changing a vid card, or easier"..."COULD"...not "WOULD".

You didn't answer what you did for a living so I can tear apart your job.

I thought you knew..

my exact title is network engineer

I basically handle everything on a LAN level, from switches, vpn, servers, database management(mostly MS SQL 2K/7.0), and more recent our new SAN, oh and dont forget the big pain of backups (worst I hate it), a lot more but that is the sum of it.