Forum Home
Press F1
Thread ID: 49287	2004-09-15 02:56:00	what would you charge?	robsonde (120)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
272543	2004-09-16 02:57:00	I can't believe the sheer arrogance and artificial self worth being promoted by some of the posters here . A company's computer system is usually repaired by the firm that installed them in the first place, and if they've got any brains they will ensure they have a repair contract made out when the system was first installed . The person/s in that company that arranged for whichever firm to install/repair the system is not spending his own money, but that of the company he/she works for . Company directors etc usually have little knowledge of computers and are at the mercy of those who do, or think they do . You are "fleecing" them and trying to justify your actions by talking of your value . What a joke . Do not look down or criticise the worth of those who do not charge your over-blown rates . Money is not the only criteria in judging worth . A job done well merits worth and respect, and will ensure more customers . The difference in the amount you charge merely differentiates the sharks from the realists . I don't give a damn who this offends . I, like those companies you deal with, should not have to put up with this just because we are not computer literate enough to solve our problems . If I had a company which required a complex computer system I would employ on my staff a technnician who could do the job you do and be in control of what he/she earns to keep it in good repair . Marg .	pulling hair out (4493)
272544	2004-09-16 03:04:00	> You can't get word of mouth untill you have a stable > of satisfied customers,nor-can you get customers by > being the most expensive in town with no established > word-of-mouth . . . . ,especially when the doors have just > been opened so to speak . > > How did you aproach it when you first started in your > line of business? Agreed, which is why the first grouping I mentioned qualified it for new entrants . I started off just below the asking rate of my peers, but that was still well above many in the industry who have no qual's and/or can't gain entry into the right organisation(s) or choose not to . There are much fewer qualified (and able) people in my line of business than in yours Metla although there are many who work in and around it and almost as many who claim to be experts (I don't necessarily mean qualified as in pieces of paper, although it helps it's not proof of skill, experience or applicable knowledge) . Which is why I don't need to advertise as actively as you perhaps, people come to me usually in a state of frustration and desperation and this happened almost immediately on setting up the business and securing the right associations . Essentially I investigate and map out ways to remediate stuff ups (or rip offs) others have made, much like what you do when you diagnose a poorly made PC except that I don't actively fix things in a physical sense but, also add in the chance of mediation or litigation for the client, if they so wish . I also give advice before the fact, but sadly, this is a small part of my business and when given is not always taken . As you can see, there are many similarities in the fix it business whatever the industry . Cheers Murray P	Murray P (44)
272545	2004-09-16 03:07:00	Marg, What do you have to pay for a "good" systems Administrator, with hardware skills, and accountig experience. If you can find one. Living in any major center. $PA?. D.	drb1 (4492)
272546	2004-09-16 03:20:00	Many valid point in you post Marg but, > A job done well merits worth and respect, and will ensure more customers . > The difference in the amount you charge merely differentiates the sharks > from the realists . Many small businesses just cannot turn over enough small jobs to make a decent living, there are not enough chargeable hours in a week . If you are worth it you should charge accordingly and your customers will be happy to pay, most times ;) > I don't give a damn who this offends . I, like those companies you deal > with, should not have to put up with this just because we are not > computer literate enough to solve our problems . No offence taken, it's not an offensive remark, to this non IT person anyway . As for the rest of the statement: That's is the very basis of most exchanges for goods and services, someone has something you want or need and visa versa . > If I had a company which > required a complex computer system I would employ on my staff a > technnician who could do the job you do and be in control of what he/she > earns to keep it in good repair . I would expect any corporte to do as you suggest and most do but, only for basic work . The majority now outsource the big stuff and many even outsource the small stuff too . Go figure, I guess the accountants make the model work . Cheers Murray P	Murray P (44)
272547	2004-09-16 05:51:00	Hi drb1 Most firms have their own accountant and have their own style of accounting program to suit that particular firm . So experience would have to be learned on the job anyway . A good knowledge of programming and hardware however is important, I agree . The last company I working for had to have test certificates out to the clients before a specific date each month, sometimes twice a month . It was vital as it not only affected NZ clients and exporters, but also overseas buyers as well and involved a lot of money . Having their own system administrator made sure any repairs etc would be done on the spot, any time night and day . As the tests were being done on a 24hr basis there was no way they could wait for an outside Techie to get around to coming out . My anger is more towards the attitudes of one's worth that was shown in the threads here . Fortunately a lot of people who are now starting up businesses, big and small are those who had the benefit of having computers in the schools and homes so are a lot more computer literate and therefore less likely to be stung by sharks . I acknowledge those who have put the effort into Computer Qualifications, etc . , and the right to make a fair living from it, but to justify the exhorbitant amount they charge as showing the "value" of their services is a joke . In doing so, they automatically devalue and insult the quality of service shown by others, who are able to run a business and keep a good standard of living from it, without crippling others financially . Even if it means they can't pay off their mortgage in 3yrs . My hat goes off to those who do care about their customers, esp . to the one who was lucky enough to get the fruitcake . Is there any left? Marg .	pulling hair out (4493)
272548	2004-09-16 06:03:00	> I can't believe the sheer arrogance and artificial self worth being > promoted by some of the posters here . Ouch!!!!! Since Murray and I are the only two posters (that I have noticed) with $100+ per hour charge-out rates I assume you are referring to us Marg . Forgive me please if I have interpreted your post incorrectly, but let me just say that neither of us appear to work in IT or Consumer related industries, but we have both built viable businesses from scratch and maintain them mostly by word of mouth recommendations . It is an absolute given that you can't develop a successful business through sheer arrogance or artifical self-worth . You have to be selling something that your clients want, and they have to be really happy with the outcomes to actively help grow your business with recommendations . > You are "fleecing" them and trying to justify your actions by talking of > your value . What a joke . In my case, I provide a quote or an estimate, depending on the circumstances, and they say "Yes please," and "how soon can you get here?" That's not fleecing, that's providing a service they are willing to buy at a price they think is good value . > Do not look down or criticise the worth of those who do not charge > your over-blown rates . Money is not the only criteria in judging worth . Nobody has looked down on or criticised the worth of any poster in this thread, but we have encouraged some to charge rates that do more than just recover costs, and will sustain and build a viable business . If someone is self-employed and not first earning a living, second making a profit and third building a saleable asset, they don't have a business, all they have is an average paid job with some side benefits of freedom from bosses and the right to choose when and where they work . And if that is exactly what they want, then more power to them . There are many happy self-employed people out there doing just that . Spence	Spencer (5624)
272549	2004-09-16 08:44:00	> $20-00 buys nothing today . I remember the good old days when you could but 2K * 8 bit memory for about $20 I must go and listen to the radio like the good days, now the TV news has gone .	Earnie Moore (5918)
272550	2004-09-16 09:04:00	Pretty well summed up there Spence . I too can see where you are coming from Marg . I hope I didn't give the impression that people should charge more than what is fair for the services provided . I, for example, do not charge at the top end of what my peers do nor even what I could get away with . I turn down 30-40% of the enquiry that comes my way simply because I can only take on so much . So, I could probably afford to charge more and do less by cherry picking the juicey jobs . You still have to charge appropriately for what you deliver, however . I believe, to do what I do, you must have a strong desire to help people and have an interest in their issues to: a) actually do your job to your best ability (a fanatical desire to right wrongs is also helpful), b) make a living, c) provide a sense of worth and job satisfaction . Nothing unique in that I guess . Maybe pride in what I do comes across as arrogence, I hope not, but if so I'll have to be more carefull of how I express myself in future . Cheers Murray P	Murray P (44)
272551	2004-09-16 10:02:00	I did not intend to be arrogant, but offering thses guys help - they may have gone to tech for qualifications (or not), but they don't teach you about business. I have been to a few seminars regarding costing & profits etc (one of these was for accountants - I was the only one not in a suit & drinking booze). My wife is an accountant - so she tells me a lot. I have clients who are accountants & others biz people - when I can, I ask questions how they do things. Basically if you do your sums, costing, do a cashflow forecast etc, charge more - you can do well. Computer people are well respected - just wait til they ask what you do - they'll say - "Oh really, well that's great. Have you got a card?" That's another expense - biz cards. Have you guys got one? I just had to buy a new mobile phone. Anyway just my $15 worth - time for typing this!! Have fun guys - this is what it's all about & make money having fun. I'm still looking for someone to subcontract / friendly partnership (but income deriving) in Ak Central. Post here? or email ian_at_computerpro_co_nz. Cheers all.	xtraka (1984)
1 2 3 4 5 6