Craigslist Caper

[RetiredGuy1000]

So I placed a $5 ad on Craigslist today(https://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cps/d/saint-petersburg-computer-repair/6872692996.html) and got a call just now. Nice.

Too bad the gentleman was a man of meager means. He is sporting a 7 to 10 yr old Acer Aspire laptop. He proceeded to tell me that his USB mouse lights up when he plugs her in but it wont work. He tried to explain that he used to have a Ethernet/USB setup and he thought maybe that he had some electrical shorting or what not. But he did not know for sure.

He is running Windows 7. He does not have the Windows disk or key.

He has tried to do some things with a Windows Vista CD that he had but it was not successful. Thats right, he was using a Vista disc on a 7 computer.

Long story short is that this is his newest computer (He has a 15 yr old desktop running Vista). He wants to get it working but if he cant he cant. He doesn't want to throw a lot of money at it.

I suggested that he try buying a Windows 10 license and try installing 10 after formatitng, etc. His concern is that the fee for windows 10 plus my fee (maybe $100 for installing OS) may just confirm that his USB ports ARE IN FACT broken due to some unexplained trauma. And without those ports, he has no PC in his mind.

He can't get a copy of 7 anywhere. Although some tech in Tampa said he would install 7 for $80 and if it worked, customer owes him $80. If it didn't work, owed him nothing.

So, the guy clearly has no money. Is there life left in this Acer laptop? What should I do?

 

[JoelM]

Try a different mouse.
Try to boot from a linux live CD and try the mouse there.

 

[RetiredGuy1000]

i think he has tried different mice. His OS doesnt seem to be playing nice either. I expect lots of corruption and conflicts.

I have never worked with Linux. I suppose i can make such a 'live CD' somewhere?

 

[GreyWolf]

The key if it's a aspire laptop he should have a sticker on the computer either a vista logo or Windows 7 if they have not been removed if there is a vista sticker and he's got 7 well you can assume it's a pirated copy. Only way to check the installed key and if Mr client has a genuine 7 key you can do a clean install following theses steps to get to 10. https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials...10-directly-without-having-upgrade-first.html

But without actually seeing the machine yourself it's all smoke and mirrors.

 

[JoelM]

Download Linux Mint and burn it to cd.

https://linuxmint.com/download.php

It will boot into a live version you can play with.

 

[RetiredGuy1000]

Yeah I think it is pirated. Which is partly why I suggested buying 10 and doing a fresh install after backing up.

Greywolf, whats your opinion of trying a Linux install? Would anything work(drivers, etc)?

 

[RetiredGuy1000]

downloading linuxmint now...thank you

 

[GreyWolf]

linux mint works on a acer aspire one and will find the drivers for it however if the laptop is only 1gb it will be slow as hell as for windows 7 if it ain't the starter version it's all bloatware .. the only linux I was able to say that had performance on it was Q4OS but I'll be honest someone shows up with a aspire one and I have some donator laptops on hand from previous jobs I'll sell them a HDD caddy setup a donator laptop and just change my time and send the rest of the laptop parts to the recycling plant heck I even make them a keychain out of that 1gb ram as a conversation piece with a sticker with my infos on the backside. Let's just say that on thoses aspire ones the plastic rots so easy that things break way too easy when trying to upgrade.

You could always ask the client to see when pressing Windows - Break if the os shows up as genuine or charge a flat rate to inspect the machine like a mechanic would do. A shame the tool from "Belarc Advisor" cannot be used in our line of business out of the box else wise I'd get clients to send me reports via email.

 

[RetiredGuy1000]

sounds like an opportunity to start a software company! I see a real need for that. I own Belarc, so you are telling me that i cant get a customer to install on their system as a trial? So that they can show me what all is there.

 

[GreyWolf]

Q: Can I purchase a license to run the Belarc Advisor on my corporate network, or my customer’s network?

We do not permit use of the Belarc Advisor for commercial purposes, however we suggest that you take a look at our products, which we do license for commercial use.

We offer some charitable organizations a license to use the Belarc Advisor at no cost, under certain conditions. Please send us information about your charity, a URL and the number of PCs and servers. Email: info@belarc.com

I guess if the client gets recommended as a tool to view what they have as personal use and in your part only get the report information that might be a loophole but I am not a lawyer and belarc directly would be the better source of information on that part.

I'm sure there are other similar software's that do the same thing without the restrictions but a belarc result is definitely a solid report on what's on a system.

 

[RetiredGuy1000]

It was nice getting my first call today though!

 

[nerd2u]

What should you do? Get better customers these are not the customers you want.

How much time did you throw into this to get nothing out of it. Focus on finding customers who have the money to pay.

Sent from my SM-G870W using Tapatalk

 

[RetiredGuy1000]

I bet I can get $100 from him. But, you are right of course. Got to start somewhere...

 

[mraikes]

What should you do? Get better customers these are not the customers you WANT. ..

This ^ - But also recognize WHO your customers are going to be. The guy that called? HE is your residential repair customer. Nothing unusual about him at all.

They will have old computers. They will NOT have recovery disks. (BTW, You need to realize that computers haven't come with disks for a LONG time.) They will not have/know/remember any license key or password. They will be price sensitive, but you can't care about that - as long as you're priced appropriately for your market. They will have ideas about what is causing their problem and they'll usually be wrong (listen to them carefully but don't put too much stock in what they say.)

In your scenario above, you have made far too many assumptions about his computer, his operating system, his ability to pay, his technical abilities, etc.

Stop doing that. When someone calls, ask appropriate follow up questions without attempting to diagnose the problem on the phone. The phone call is for you to understand the problem (not diagnose), assure the caller of your ability to solve the their problem, and book the job.

Have a BRIEF discussion to reasonably ensure you understand the problem, tell him you appreciate his call and the opportunity to be of assistance, inform him of your rates and ask him how soon he'd like his problem resolved (in that order - a form of presumptive close). If he entertains a scheduling conversation, book the job. If he resists, address his concerns and move on. Typically this whole conversation shouldn't take more than a few minutes.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[frase]

Craiglist eeep!


EDIT:
I had a tyrekicker other day, running win 7. An old Acer laptop, wanted to know cost to "speed up system". his current hard drive seemed to be failing as he explained it, long boot times - errors etc. I stated well due to the age would not be worth upgrading, I could put a new SSD and win 10 but will still run like bollocks due to hardware. He then asked me if I could just install a pirated version of win 10//so sorry sir I dont do that. is there anything else I can assist you with..no - ok BYE!

 

[RetiredGuy1000]

That's good advice, both of you. Thank you.

I've read on here about tire kickers (should I charge a diagnosis fee or not, etc). Was cognizant of that over the phone. But its hard when you are not used to this sort of thing, or haven't been in some time. Phone sales basically. Trying to not 'spill your briefcase' before you have a paying customer.

I'm gong to have to refine my phone technique.

 

[Philippe]

I've given myself a few rules for phone calls. I.e. time of the day when I can return calls, max duration, etc...
Nice discipline to have, I think...

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

I would have started out asking him if other usb devices that aren't mice work correctly plugged into that usb port.

Edit: "Ethernet/USB setup and he thought maybe that he had some electrical shorting or what not" Do you mean he had a usb ethernet adapter and he thinks some kind of surge came in? If so why does he think that? did his modem fry?

 

[nerd2u]

I try to waste as little time as possible simply lead them to if you come in we can diagnose it for x amount.

This will quickly tell you if they are willing to spend money or just looking for free phone advice.

What your looking to learn is how to quickly qualify your customers and determine if you have potential to sell or a tire kickers.

Also watch for people that simply want you to build them a shopping list.

Not trying to put you down or anything just trying to share some info I wish I had when I was starting out

Sent from my SM-G870W using Tapatalk

 

[RetiredGuy1000]

no offense taken! I take all helpful advice/criticism.. Its how we learn.

Yeah, I just got off the phone with this guy. Definite tire kicker. He told me he was able to load vista on top of his Windows 7 and it seems to work although still no USBs. He says he is happy. No money basically. Nice guy though but definitely I need to be aware of these people going forward.