I have a business!

[Loquisimo]

http://www.bytebustermcr.com/

I'm also the third listing in the paper AT&T Yellow Pages that came out on Tuesday in my area. I didn't buy a listing on yp.com because if your PC is down you WON'T be searching the internet for computer repair. But I do need a website, even though I won't be getting very many calls from it. I had AT&T put in the listing as "AAA Byte Buster Computer Repair", so I'm just behind A-1 Pete's and A2Z Computers. I'm thinking of posting on Craigslist, problem is it has sort of a bad rep in my area, lots of scams on there in the business section, people advertising $40 repairs, then they steal your data. I don't know how to write ad copy that emphasizes that I'm honest and trustworthy without either turning people off or making them suspicious. But at least I'm in the phone book.

[house06]

that is great, you know there are some people here who might be willing to help your write your ads... check over on the books forum I believe seems like there is a writer's thread there. pretty sure there is someone who might like to take on some freelance work.

Best of Luck to you!

[oregon woodsmok]

Good for you!

Get bonded and insured and put that in your ads. Crooks always insist they are honest, so you can't say that you are honest and expect anyone to believe you. But if you are bonded and insured, then you are safe to do business with.

[Loquisimo]

Originally Posted by oregon woodsmok

Good for you!

Get bonded and insured and put that in your ads. Crooks always insist they are honest, so you can't say that you are honest and expect anyone to believe you. But if you are bonded and insured, then you are safe to do business with.

There is no bonding process for computer repairmen, unlike auto mechanics, unfortunately. And the insurance products I looked at seem geared for big shops with employees that work for businesses, I only do residential since I'm not experienced enough for corporate work. I do have the state license that is required of "electronics repairmen", which is more than most guys out there have, and I have my municipal tax license paid. I know some guys are claiming state licenses that are obviously fictitious, mine is real.

The lack of standards for my profession is a big problem, one that's talked about on the technician boards often. There's a certification test, but it's meaningless. Most guys who pass it simply cram. California is about the only state that licenses computer repairmen, and they do enforce it, but anybody can apply, it's mainly a revenue generator for the state. I have been trained at what used to be the top private vocational school for techs in town-before they eliminated most of their programs and became a cosmetology school, now everybody hates them. Computer repair came and went before any standards could be instituted-CA's license was intended for radio and TV repairmen back in the days of the dinos, they simply expanded it.