• expired

Cheap PC Repairs in BRISBANE - $40/Hr (Discounted Hourly Rate)

216

Having computer problems?

Dont worry! I'm here to help with my special introductory offer.

All work performed until End January 2013 is only $40/hr (reduced from our $60/hr normal rate)!! Plus, if you book in before December 31st I will give you a FREE 4GB USB STICK! This applies to all your family and friends as well! So go on, get your PC fixed today!

Don't have time to come to us, not a worry! WE WILL COME TO YOU!

We can service your PC onsite at your location or from the depot. Your choice!

Give me a call today to organise your free personalised quote (obligation free)!

Matthew - 0400 770 002

Mod: Please vote according to voting guidelines. Please refrain from attacking the OP and trolling vote comments. If you think this deal is not good, point us out where we can get this cheaper.

Related Stores

Facebook
Facebook

closed Comments

  • +28

    thanks for your advertisement.

    in north Brisbane I'll fix any computer for a 6pack per hour.

    domestic beer accepted

    • +2

      No free USB sticks?

      • +2

        maybe free sick on a BUS

        I'm serious about the 6pack per hour rate.

    • +3

      How do you feel about setting up SBS with Myob premier for one of my clients, needs the multiple RDP licences setup and tested, Can pay 1 Carton per hour, domestic beer - XXXX or similar. Job must be done next Monday, Bald Hills area…I want the day off, and I can charge it out for much more than you charge. Will pay on successful completion.

      • +1

        tempting but on monday I'm at my real job.

        though, how many remotes?

        • he rests his case!

  • +4

    wow $40 per hour. I'm obviously in the wrong career….

    • +3

      Hmmmmm depends. I feel guilty after spending 4-8 hours doing a fix for people and charging a $50 bottle of booze….. Oh and then returning when they get a virus in the first 3 days and redo half of it again!

      But then again, I'm not a business man.

    • Yeah, those "you can make $100 per hour from home" are where its at.

    • that's when your working don't forget - doesn't include downtime etc, much better jobs out there, IT is flooded.might only work a few hours a day - also travel time etc.

  • And this is a bargain how?
    Oh I see, a free 4gb USB stick. I could save myself anything up to $3.

  • +6

    Blatant spam.

  • +11

    Standard rude Ozbargain response.
    Never gets old.

    • -1

      Makes me cringe and lol simultaneously

  • +15

    ONLY FOR AN UNLIMITED TIME! 4GB USB Sticks at officeworks for only $3.99!! Save $40/h!!!!

  • +2

    you cant even read and understand simple forum rules, how the hell will you ever be able to actually fix a computer?

    • +1

      The photo suggests the technician sees the world in Binary code.

      Don't fool with this man….he knows Kung Fu.

      • If he can do stuff like in the matrix, then i might consider?

  • spam, obviously

  • +15

    I simply do not under stand why people always go stingy on PC repairs.
    We have no problem paying lock smith, electrician, plumer or even Mac repairer 100 bucks an hour but when comes to PC repair we should pay peanuts?? If u want free services, u can always as that friend of your who may do it once or twice for free.LOL
    Just for ur information most computer shop charge $50 to $60 an hour for walk in repair and out call technician is at lease $80 to $90 depends on distance. Min outcall fee of two hours sometimes apply too. So I think this is a bargain.

    • +4

      I think people want a physical place that looks like a computer store…

      It would help if the OP decided to show us more photos of his hardware collection.

      Maybe the ABN as well.

    • +2

      Couldnt agree more syswong. grrrrr that is why I gave up computer support….

    • +3

      i agree with you wholeheartedly.
      i don't think ozbargain is the place for this kind of service though. Ozbaraginers are a bit more tech savvy and are more likely to know how to fix the problems themselves.
      just like some people refuse to have tradespeople over to fix things they could do themselves

  • +8
    • awesome. so the OP is happy to steal stuff to advertise his "business"…… i wonder if he would stop there or if he would steal my private info on my PC, my credit card details or for that matter my whole computer

      once again very reassuring facts about this rep/business

      • -1

        Yeah .. this is a specialist military image .. or very obviously a stock photo (its everywhere http://www.tineye.com/search/b43393fa2c0070b73f4c94f645c39ab…).. now who is to say he has not paid for a royalty free license?

      • +1

        You negged him for using a stock image that he paid to use. I hope you realise that people like you are the reason the oz bargain community is starting to suck.

        • Can he provide a receipt? :D

        • You negged him for using a stock image

          if you were referring to me, keep reading. the reason i negged was because the "rep" seems to be lying about many aspects of his business and i seem to have caught him out.

          dodgy trader = no deal here

        • You busted him for stating he had been doing this for 3 year, but his linkedin profile said he has only been doing it for 3 months. I guess 3 months ago, he probably just decided to fix computers after never having used one before.

          As I said, ASIO will be calling you soon about the position they have created especially for someone with your level of detective skills.

        • lol
          he state he has been running his BUSINESS for 3 years. if he said he has been fixing peoples computers in the back room for 3 years then you would have a valid point.

          his ABN seems to have come about because he subcontracted for another company 5 years ago NOT so he could start up his own business. not that there is anything wrong with that.

          ill break it down for you, again…

          ABN 5 years old (from the abn search)

          business seems to be under 2 months old (going by 2 different sources, linkedin and his facebook page)

          "rep" claims he has been RUNNING HIS "BUSINESS" for 3 years.

          something dosnt seem to add up there, but its fair enough that not everyone can see it themselves and/or dont know how things work (ie subcontracting for a company your employed by), thats why i added my comments (and neg) to this "deal"

        • BlackV8SS user profile
          Last Seen 33 min 59 sec

          "rep" has also been online since i posted earlier and not bothered to respond.

          i guess he is taking the Lance Armstrong defence…. "if i dont counter the claims then i cant be proven to be lying again."

        • +2

          Sorry for not replying to you earlier. I'm sure you are capable of seeing my activity within other threads today also.

          Forgive my inappropriate terminology. If it helps you to understand better I have been fixing PC's for clients for 3years, but not under this business title. It was done under my name, still registered against my ABN.

          I have recently aquired this trading name (Govt are still registering my business name), hence why I've created Facebook and LinkedIn profiles with the correct date.

          If something else seems amiss, please let me know, so I can explain it to you again.

        • You have allowed 6 negs which don't stand up to your own guidelines. Maybe you should be examining whether or not your own moderation is pointless.

  • I don't really think OzBargain is the greatest place to advertise pc repairs…

  • +27

    Give the kid half a chance geez. But OP, if your going to start a PC Repair business, you can't just dive in headfirst and start advertising on OzBargain, or as you can see, they will tear you to shreds. You need your own website first, facebook is good as a secondary point of contact to advertise special deals and informal communications, but you need your own website as a first point of contact. This doesn't need to cost much money and you don't need technical programming experience, there's plenty of cheap but professional looking solutions. Once you have a website, and an ABN (this is easy and not too expensive to get, but very important for looking credible) then you can start looking at advertising your skills. Remember people want a professional, not someone who looks like hes doing it as a hobby to make some money to move out of his mum's house. I'm not saying this is you, but image is everything. So, once you look professional, and ur facebook page has some likes and comments (ask your mates) then start advertising. BUT TAKE BABY STEPS. Maybe an Ad in the local paper, or Get some business cards (vistaprint is cheap), design ur own simple logo, and print up some flyers, do a mailbox drop in your area, if you help out friends and family ask them to recommend you to their friends and family. And then when you start to get a reputation and a name for yourself, then you can try your luck on places like ozbargain, and maybe then they wont tear your deal to shreds. I think i may be in the same boat as you, I just started up a little side business onselling cheap laptops so I hope the advice is helpful. If you want anymore tips or advice, ask for my contact details or google me.
    Riczter Inc.

    • +1

      An extremely helpful post, Riczter.

      I don't know why people have a tendency to default to acting like pricks. Clearly this chap is just starting off and has been an Ozb'er for some time. So thoughtful advice would be a lot more helpful than asinine jabs at his fledgling business.

      Also, like some sensible guys have posted earlier, why would people pay sh*tloads for plumbers, carpenters, electricians etc but not for computer techs? How is $40/hr unfair?

      • I wasn't directing my comment at the OP. Was just saying that probably 80-90% of people on OzBargain most likely do their own pc work, after all, it's a forum dedicated to people who don't like paying other people to do stuff.

        • Jumpo, my comment wasnt directed at you. :) I was referring to some of the more acerbic remarks made.

        • No worries :)

      • +2

        Re: "Why would people pay sh*tloads for plumbers, carpenters, electricians etc but not for computer techs?"

        I think it has a lot to do with perception. there are three aspects to this:

        • when you hire a tradie, they arrive with a van full of specialist tools and lots of "bits", so it is obvious they have been in the business for quite a while and presumably know what they are doing. When you hire a computer tech, they arrive with a few USB sticks and maybe a few installation DVDs, things which we probably all have, so it is very hard to judge their experience.

        • with a tradie, it is easy to see when a job has been finished, and you can probably form an opinion as to how well the job has been done. With computer techs, most people have no way to judge their level of expertise, knowledge or thoroughness.

        • a lot of people probably still think they could ask a high-school kid they know, and the high-school kid would be able to fix their computer problems.

        Sadly, only a computer tech can judge how good another computer tech is.

        • +1

          Fair answer Russ. It's all a matter of perception, especially among the non-tech minded folk.

          Moreover, I think part of the problem also lies in the fact that a lot of people try to get their friends and relatives who are in IT to do support-work for free. They think of it as more of a hobby rather than an actual service that they'd pay for. Effort and potential knowledge required is almost the same for a tradie vs a computer tech (perhaps more for the tech; as you said, perception works against them).

        • +1

          I think it would be harder for the computer tech. A new operating system every few years, multiple versions of popular applications like MS office, the ever-present "war" being waged by virus writers, and then there's the issue of millions (at least in the IBM-PC-compatible world) of different hardware mixtures and combinations and their drivers.

          I don't think the average tradie, after their apprenticeship, will have to do continuous learning nearly as much as a computer tech.

      • +1

        cough I know people who charge $120/hr for this type of work. $40 isn't at all unfair.

    • +1

      Thank you for your kind advise. I currently use vistaprint to ship all my business cards, flyers, magnets and business clothing. My ads are posted through 4x Brisbane papers.

      Good luck with your business also. :)

  • Please vote according to voting guidelines. Please refrain from attacking the OP and trolling vote comments. If you think this deal is not good, point us out where we can get this cheaper.

    • +3

      Hey Neil, if there's no ABN (like required for ebay posts) would it still be considered a deal?

    • +1

      If we can do it cheaper, can we comment or post our own deals? :p

    • +3

      What? No beer? Unbelievable! ;)

      • -4

        I'll also do it for free on the Brisbane southside?

        No beer, since i don't drink… :S

    • Actually, i'm having trouble with my DNS/MX stuff…
      Do you know anything about that? :p

  • +4

    Without any sort of credentials mentioned, it is hard to argue that this service is either cheaper or more expensive elsewhere. Somehow I do not expect many people will bite.

    • +2

      Yep, that's it exactly.

      It's also impossible to lump products and services in the same category, especially when it's something by the hour. Products are pretty easy to compare as they're more or less the same (although the retailers may differ).

      But for a service like this, if we suggest other places that are cheaper and they take twice as long to do the job, it's not a real comparison (or a bargain) at all.

      The other issue is that how do we know $60 is the usual rate for the service? There's no way to verify this. It's not even listed on the Facebook page.

      Please OzBargain, don't allow these sort of 'grey area' blatant advertising posts to slip through the cracks. We know people use OzBargain to advertise, but as a trade off, whatever is being advertised has to be verifiably cheaper than elsewhere. It's impossible to verify this, so I say no bargain.

  • $40 an hour!!!!

    • +1

      There's a lot of background work for each hour charged for. Plus travel each way (often two return trips if you take the computer home to do).

      I charge $100 for the first hour, then $50 per hour. That first hour include up to 30 mins travel each way, for two return trips so that's 3 hours. I rarely charge the actual time I spend working on a computer. It often takes a good day or so to do a computer what with all the updates and scans you have to do. True you don't have to sit in front of it the whole time.

      Quite a bit of kit needed for this job too.

  • +6

    Since when is advertising for an unregistered business a bargain… is the OP paying tax? Does he have all the appropriate insurances? What warranties does he provide on his work? Looking at Facebook doesn't look like it's been running more than a month.

    What next?? Habib Concrete Pumping, pay cash = 50% off. Bargain..

    • +2

      Plus, no where I can see does it specify whether its incall or outcall, what types of repairs and services. Stuff most people would rather not call up just to find out.

  • +3

    You can get $40 for one off repair, not $40 an hour, that's like a hired sys admin configuring a small office network workstation price.

    Or you can go on Whirlpool and post a thread if you have PC issues, many tech heads there can assist you…. at no costs.

    • +1

      Yes and you can also post on a motor vehicle forum "what is wrong with my car" and you can find out there; or you can take it to a mechanic. Same rules apply.

  • +7

    No ABN and no location. One assumes no qualifiations and no insurance. Neg.

  • +3

    First off I agree that this is not really a bargain in the sense of what the trolls on here look for, But you have to admire people for having a go. So +1 for that, and yeah its cheaper than super geek or any other place you will find in a basic yellow pages scoop. So technically it is a bargain, As for the quality, its kinda hard to judge until you have had the service. (the same goes for any of the major companies providing a similar level of service, as most are franchisees and there is no requirement for licencing or qualifications to be proven to customers in the so called glitzy world of domestic IT support)

    The trouble is that most trolls on ozbargin live/work don't live in a realistic world and see that a computer tech trying to make a living at $40 an hour is really trying to rip people off…Try running a car, paying public liability, work cover, tax, phone etc etc and tell me how much an hour you are actually making? Bottom line it isn't cheap to run a small business in Australia, and certainly not as a computer technician.

    As other people above have made comparisons to plumbers, electricians etc at $100+ per hour, and lets not forget washing machine repairers and the like at $$$ again - so why can't computer techs charge a reasonable rate? Just have a look at what wages unskilled construction labour get paid in this country, circa $38 an hour, plus travel and h/s allowances depending on their eba and site, so $40 for a dude to come out to my and fix my pc, I call it a bargain. Trouble is I am already qualified, so its not for me.

    • +3

      paying public liability, work cover, tax,

      There is no evidence the OP is paying any of these, so how can you say that this is a bargain compared to properly established businesses like Super Geek?

      • +1

        He has neither confirmed or denied he any of those qualifications. So my comment is conjecture at this point, as is yours. But if we want to get finical about it then see below.

        Oh and when was the last time you booked supergeek or any other trade and asked to see their certificates of currency before they entered your house?

        Definition of bargain
        noun
        1. an agreement between two or more parties as to what each party will do for the other:
        the extraconstitutional bargain between the northern elite and the southern planters.
        2. a thing bought or offered for sale more cheaply than is usual or expected:
        the secondhand table was a real bargain.

      • Do you know how places like SuperGeek get staff? They advertise on Seek or the like and employ somebody like the OP. pay them a fraction of what they charge and sit back in their Sydney cafe drinking lattes on the difference.

    • +2

      it's not just a car he's running it's a Black V8 SS, you wouldn't cover the fuel bill to the neighbours for $40/hr.

      It's very cheap, but as mentioned above does the Op have an ABN, Liability insurance, etc? I suspect not (I don't have FB so I can't see). If not, then sorry it's spam.

    • +1000

      You sire, win the Interwebz. Well said. I swear allegiance to you.

      EDIT: This was in response to Pony's post.

      • +1

        Oh, Shucks. Where do I collect this Interwebz you speak of? Thanks :)

  • +6

    Just so there is no confusion, I have been running this business for 3 years and pay royalties to use this image due to its high recognisability.

    I am 25yrs old, married, and operating this business as my secondary income. My ABN is: 28 117 678 851

    My insureance is also in line.

    All receipts can be deducted from your tax lodgement (unlike the above commenters 6pack charge.)

    I appologise if my ad appears like spam, however I assure you it's not as my advertising is very minimal 4x papers, social sites, word of mout etc).

    If you don't wish to utilise my services that's fine, however don't attack my business for what it is.

    • -3

      ABN detailshelp Entity name: DALE, MATTHEW DALE
      ABN status: Active from 05 Nov 2007
      Entity type: Individual/Sole Trader
      Goods & Services Tax (GST): Not currently registered for GST
      Main business location: QLD 4068

      lol "your" ABN….. certainly not wrong there. had to register that so you could subcontract somewhere huh?

    • +3

      If you don't wish to utilise my services that's fine, however don't attack my business for what it is.

      Wow, you're demanding people not to question your business when you post an advertisement with zero details of your operation, not even something as basic as an ABN number ??

    • +6

      I have been running this business for 3 years

      taken from http://au.linkedin.com/in/brisbanehomeitrepairs

      Matthew Dale's Experience
      IT Professional
      Brisbane Home It Repairs

      November 2012 – Present (2 months)

      • see above…

      • +3

        I'm guessing he meant he has been doing repairs and what not. But you know, awesome detective work, ASIO will be contacting you soon for your services.

    • To be fair, if I purchased beer and paid a supplier with it, I would claim a deduction for cost of the beer…

    • What's insureance? :S

  • I think most the hate is directed at how these pc repairers do the most basic jobs of like getting rid of viruses/spyware and making it seem like the biggest issue in the world or even connecting wifi. When pretty much all the resource to resolve such problems can be found in a simple google search.

    Overheard old ladies at work talking about how their kids got viruses on their computer and making it seem like a huge deal but listening to this, all I could do is nod inside of my head..

    Also the $40/h..

    • +2

      I am not sure the technicians make it seem like the biggest issue in the world, but customers certainly do, and if they are willing to pay for someone to fix their problems, what's the big deal? It might not be something that all the so called IT experts who lurk on here need, but trust me there is a big market for computer repairs out there.

      I mean I can wash my own car - quite well in fact, its not nuclear physics. But sometimes I would rather pay for it to be done, because my time is more valuable to me. To drive home another point it actually costs about $30 for a standard clean - which takes less than an hour and is dirty again in a day, requires no qualifications, and they use my water. (price is from a mobile car detailing company, so they come to me).

      • Getting a car cleaned professionally is different as there quality is present unlike computer fixes where all problems resolved are all the same. Purchasing the other cleaning equipment can pretty much clutter your area and other cost..

        $40/hr is pretty high cost and supposedly the 'discounted cost too'

        • +1

          Sorry, I am confused by your post. So are you saying there is no way of measuring quality in computer repairs? In my eyes perhaps it is as simple as broken/fixed? is that not the point of a service like this? Much like car cleaning? Dirty/Clean?

          I do think I missed your point of cleaning equipment cluttering your area and other cost - Other cost…hmmm perhaps you mean http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/88144.

          So now with this kit I can clean cars, just need the ABN and Public Liability of course, I can charge $30 P/HR, why fix computers then, I mean there is no quality present, and all problems resolved are the same, so why bother?

        • +1

          So now with this kit I can clean cars, just need the ABN and Public Liability of course, I can charge $30 P/HR, why fix computers then, I mean there is no quality present, and all problems resolved are the same, so why bother?

          Exactly :D, you can start with my car and i'll even offer a generous amount $31.

        • +1

          No problem, but to make it financially viable in the current economic climate, I will have to charge a travel surcharge, $.35 per km + $25 P/HR, so for Adelaide from Brisbane that's about $1250.00 (Plus the $31) oh, my price is exgst as well so…maybe just buy the kit and give the datto a shine yourself.

  • +2

    From all this debate I gained something, a new website to keep an eye on, for cheap prices… ;) Link

    • +1

      I still reckon that RAM/Hard Drive/PCI Card Installation, Basic Data Recovery (ie Dead Hard Drive, corrupt files), Internet/Wireless Network Setup is going to be pretty tough via their magical Remote Access Diagnostics Service, unless of course they have this guy working for them http://youtu.be/JMasdjup_JU

      • +1

        Haha now i have to watch Jumper, to see how it all ends…, completely forgot about that movie… :P

        • +1

          Pretty sure its not with him installing a PCI card, but from what I remember its ok :)

    • +1

      Thanks for the link Elijah :) There's not much there at the moment, but as things expand you should see some pretty good deals :) If you want to be kept informed of the latest deals, feel free to 'like' the company's facebook page (like button is at the bottom of the homepage). Thx.

  • Yeh this is definitely not a 'deal' for Ozbargainers.

  • if we are having computer problems we wouldnt be on the PC right now

    you should advertise in the papers where people are spending time OFF the PC

    • I don't read the papers, how about a tv ad? :D

      • i dont watch tv, the ad's are a waste of time and life

  • +1

    You need to remember that What seems simple to you is not necessarily simple to others.

    Anything beyond a modem power cycle is beyond a lot of people, and most of those people couldn't find this service for anywhere near $40 an hour.

    Get your ISP to send out someone to set up your ADSL and tell me how much they quote you. You think that the people who do those tasks hold IT degrees? I have some bad news for you.

    This is a cheap alternative for many people.

    If you think it's easy money, go do it yourself for this amount and let me know how you go.

  • +2

    I'm one of the guys who charges $50+ an hour and if people don't like it they can fix it themselves

    Funny guys offering free computer work, I get called after they F everything up or they give up

    To OP don't bother with residential work, they all think they are techs and just give you headaches

    • +1

      Yep its a mugs game alright, but if you manage it correctly there is no reason why you cant turn over some decent coin. I used to work for these guys servicing the GP www.qk.com.au … was one of the most fun gigs I ever had.

    • I have to agree, the amount of times I would go to fix a botch repair by a family member of friend was pretty huge.

      Plus the amount of people that 'remove' a virus but still leave it there, or the symptoms was a problem for customers.

  • +1

    14 likes on facebook, must have been the same 14 who had like this post.

  • +2

    A company I worked for charged $179 for a fix, we could typically arrive on the same day and we estimated a time to fix it after we arrived, typically 70 mins. I was servicing typically 3-4 people a day. I would also offer to fix other problems they may have on site, for an additional fee.

    I would fix the problem, give a 30 days warranty on the service. Before starting the staff had to have a background in the field of IT, preferably with certificates. We had training in not just the technical aspect but also the interpersonal skills (a lot of techies have poor social skills it seems) and had to pass tests before we could work at the first customers house, even then we had to follow another guy around for 2 weeks. It is a very professional service.

    At $40 an hour this is a really good price, people here who are complaining haven't had a look out on the market.

    If you can do a repair yourself any price can seem expensive, if you can't, then compare their expertise to a mechanic, plumber, brickie or any other trades person.

  • here is a real bargain. it is a lot cheaper to fix your own computer or laptop.
    you just need to do a little bit of research so you get a little bit more knowledge about the operating system on your device, whether it is windows or mac.

    IF the problem is about software, you just need to back up your file and reset the device or uninstall the operating system.
    However, problem with hardware is definitely costly so the solution is just throw away the device and buy a new and better one.

    Hope this information helps

    • +2

      Sure it's cheaper (if you don't include the cost of your time learning and doing it), but easier? For most, no. Also presumes the computer is working well enough to do all that stuff.

      As I say to my clients when they say, "I could never have done that". My response is, "well, you probably could, but is it worth it? For one computer is it worth finding out how it all runs and doing this yourself. It's like a car - you know how to drive it, but is it worth finding out how to fix it and buying all the tools just to do your own car?"

      Having said that - I do fix my own car :-)

Login or Join to leave a comment