“Did you try restarting?”

“that didn’t work huh?”

“do you have virus software, spyware, adware?”

“No? install that”

“didn’t work? I have no clue”

But really I could probably figure it out but it’s not worth either of our time… or at least that’s my theory.

Nice work fixing those Bob.

It may be my area I guess, but the amount people are willing to pay you to fix their computer, just doesn’t make it worth the effort.

- Learn to say no

http://www.canadaone.com/ezine/dec01/entrepreneurial_success7.html

Might seem easy but if your someone nice you always feel guilty doing it , don’t its for your own good.

- Manage your time better :

Only work on computer on Sunday on the week-end. Why ? Because there is always tons of computer who need fixing on the week-end and you want at least one - two day to relax from your work week.

Friday night , plus all of Saturday. is your time.

- Learn the value of your time.

I used to be the *FREE* guys amongst my *friends* everyone seek me first because they knew I was going to do it same day and for free most of the time.

Or they would trade Free services like you did. The problem is your giving them a 1000$ service for a 50$ one. Not really fair is it , so learn to get a better deal.

example :

a really good *new* sweeper is 250$ retail , probably 80$ - 90$ cost , the repair guy time is worth 20$/hour , your’s is around 100$.

he spend 2 hour on the problem. equal 40$

You spend 2 hour. equal 200$

In other words don’t agree to any deal prior to doing the work , calculate your time and expanse fully and then work out a deal to your advantage. Its a question of respect of yourself.

- Upgrade path.

Part of your business is selling computer parts. Talk upgrade and price people can afford.

Ram ( maximizing them to the max of the MB )
CPU ( see if it can be upgraded cheaply )
etc …

Draw them a clear map of upgrade path for your friends/client. Tell them you can give them a *deal*.

Always have a profitable/cheap computer , already built/bought , for them to play on will you do repair , its amazing the number of sale you can make when they hear the price and compare it to there systems.

The key thing to remember is that your giving Free Service on your professional job. Your not giving a Gift.

You cant re-negotiate a bad deal that you fully agreed to , but you can learn from it and even call in some more favors like :

Having them post poster of your websites with a quote like the place where they work like to visit your sites , for free … driving trafic to your sites.

BTW , they don’t have names and website your friends that you can sale / trade /deal publicity directly to them on your sites and blogs ?

I see a lot of missed opportunity there

Just some food for thought. Don’t take it personally , it reminded me of a time in my life when I had tons of *friends* , and when I was more naive , and I wanted to share some insight upon those days.

Busy is a good thing… for the most part. Make sure you set aside some time for yourself and do something fun!