Computers and Technology

What on earth did we do before the invention of computers? Unfortunately, it just takes one small thing to go wrong with your prized information-storing, entertainment-providing magical electronic device to force you to face this question head on. But before you start wondering how you're going to survive the time it will take to fix the computer, it's a smart move to get the ball rolling on the repairs first. If you're reading this on a computer, you're on the right track-at least you're pro-active enough to look for repair companies ahead of time...or maybe you frantically found a working computer that you could stay on long enough to figure out how to fix your own. Either way, you're headed in the right direction. So, in the absence of a live-in computer geek (if you have one, hold on to them for dear life), how do you find the best repair company for your needs? Here are a few points of reference by which to compare computer repair companies. Sit tight, help is on the way.

1. Price - It seems like an obvious question, but in the frenzy to get a computer fixed, you'd be surprised at how many people drop-off their computer to be fixed, don't ask about the charges, and pick up their computer...along with a bill that almost sends them into cardiac arrest. No, asking the price won't make the bill any cheaper, but it will prepare you for the damage, as well as keep you from getting ripped off. The average going rate for computer repair services is in the range of $40 to $60 per hour; any lower usually indicates a scam and any higher is most-likely unjustified. In addition, if you're asking for in-home or in-business repairs, make sure to ask about extra fees associated with this service. While you should count on a 10-20% hourly fee increase or a $10-$20 one time fee, if a company tries to double your rates because of in-home or in-business service, move on.

2. Estimated Hours - It is expected that no one will be able to give you an exact time in which they can fix your computer, but they should be able to give you a close to accurate range. This will be another way for you to gauge your final bill as well as check companies against each other. If you ask five companies for quotes and one company quotes significantly out of range in comparison to the others, that's a clear sign that you can count them out.

3. Service Guarantees - Again, no aspect of computer service can be completely guaranteed, but if a company claims to have gotten rid of an error message causing problems with your computer, you'd be pretty disappointed to see the same error message show up one week later. Most companies, upon an assessment of the problem, should be able to guarantee their service 30-90 days. Less than that is undesirable, and if the guarantee is for longer than 90 days, make sure you clarify what types of problems are covered for that amount of time.

Given the nature of computer problems, repair quotes will always be relatively subjective. However, if you know what questions to ask, you'll be much closer to finding the right repair company for your needs. So relax, and remember...your great grandma lived her whole life without a computer, so you'll get through the next few days; technology-deprived survival is in your genes.

Comparing Computer Repair Companies

What on earth did we do before the invention of computers? Unfortunately, it just takes one small thing to go wrong with your prized information-storing, entertainment-providing magical electronic device to force you to face this question head on. But before you start wondering how you're going to survive the time it will take to fix the computer, it's a smart move to get the ball rolling on the repairs first. If you're reading this on a computer, you're on the right track-at least you're pro-active enough to look for repair companies ahead of time... or maybe you frantically found a working computer that you could stay on long enough to figure out how to fix your own. Either way, you're headed in the right direction. So, in the absence of a live-in computer geek (if you have one, hold on to them for dear life), how do you find the best repair company for your needs? Here are a few points of reference by which to compare computer repair companies. Sit tight, help is on the way.

1. Price - It seems like an obvious question, but in the frenzy to get a computer fixed, you'd be surprised at how many people drop-off their computer to be fixed, don't ask about the charges, and pick up their computer...along with a bill that almost sends them into cardiac arrest. No, asking the price won't make the bill any cheaper, but it will prepare you for the damage, as well as keep you from getting ripped off. The average going rate for computer repair services is in the range of $40 to $60 per hour; any lower usually indicates a scam and any higher is most-likely unjustified. In addition, if you're asking for in-home or in-business repairs, make sure to ask about extra fees associated with this service. While you should count on a 10-20% hourly fee increase or a $10-$20 one time fee, if a company tries to double your rates because of in-home or in-business service, move on.

2. Estimated Hours - It is expected that no one will be able to give you an exact time in which they can fix your computer, but they should be able to give you a close to accurate range. This will be another way for you to gauge your final bill as well as check companies against each other. If you ask five companies for quotes and one company quotes significantly out of range in comparison to the others, that's a clear sign that you can count them out.

3. Service Guarantees - Again, no aspect of computer service can be completely guaranteed, but if a company claims to have gotten rid of an error message causing problems with your computer, you'd be pretty disappointed to see the same error message show up one week later. Most companies, upon an assessment of the problem, should be able to guarantee their service 30-90 days. Less than that is undesirable, and if the guarantee is for longer than 90 days, make sure you clarify what types of problems are covered for that amount of time.

Given the nature of computer problems, repair quotes will always be relatively subjective. However, if you know what questions to ask, you'll be much closer to finding the right repair company for your needs. So relax, and remember... your great grandma lived her whole life without a computer, so you'll get through the next few days; technology-deprived survival is in your genes.