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When you fix someones computer, where and how do you draw the line between charging for the job and calling it a freebie? I recently got a job of reclaiming thousands of photos off a hard drive(the computer itself had died), which had taken about an hour or so to transfer to my computer for burning to DVD(actually, 4 DVD's worth). The client happens to be a sister-in-law of my partner. She had been quoted by a computer outlet for retrieving the photos for about $1500. Being family, I thought I would just do it as a freebie. But she was so happy that I succeeded that she asked how much for the job. I said "Just buy me a bottle of Jim Beam". So she was so happy with that that she'll throw in a couple of bottles of coke to go with it. |
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That's your call. I start with an initial consultation, give an estimate of time & cost, then the clock starts ticking after the client agrees to the work & price. Friends & Family discounts are for work outside work hours, as time permits. |
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My Mom: Free My Dad: Free My Extended Family: Pizza and Beer or Money for Pizza and Beer Everyone Else: (Inlcuding friends and friends of friends and family) 20.00 per hour plus travel. |
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I have pretty much the same idea as redsox. That said, If you have to reinstall Windows from scratch or something and it takes 4-5 hours, I probably wouldn't charge that whole time as I feel guilty lol. On the other hand, it's their own fault for not having a Mac :-D |
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Family and close friends free, close friends if it is a time consuming fix, 50 bucks if it is not a close friend depends on the job |
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Family and very close friends are free except for fuel to get there, if its hardware replacement, then I charge what it costs me for the parts - Other friends I have a 'skills-barter' system, I mend their PC and they mend my car engine, panel-beating etc. or whatever skills they have that I need at the time, only parts+fuel are charged for. Neighbours and 'word-of-mouth' clients, I charge according to whether they're working, pensioners or whatever (a sort of 'means-testing'). If the repair involves waiting for long times i.e. re-installing Windows, I only charge for the time I'm sat at the PC, not for watching the install bar creep across the monitor Everyone else pays 'The going rate'. |
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I charge for the initial call -- no matter what. I try to minimize waste. Free estimates are just a waste of time. Diagnosis fee applies. It will always go great if you don't charge for something. We techs have a right to make money. Geek squad doesn't do it for free nor should you. There is a time and place for charitable work. |
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I do not charge for good friends or family, all others though at least £15/hr. £40 for a reinstal, get the idea. Usually i get them to bring the computer to me as it makes life so much better, can work on 2 at once LOL.
This answer is marked "community wiki".
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friends and family free...unless it requires something I do not have then its actual cost.....really not worth losing a friend or pissing off a family member for a few $$$s IMO |
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Normally they ask for silly and stupid things XD so i do free jobs, I think i will only charge if it involves me buying some parts or designing a website layout, but mostly is stupid work for friends and fam XD |
I have to say that most people (friends/associates, especially) expect a "quote". Less than a quote, it is taken as you aren't qualified/confident...Give a quote, let them know that no one "guarantees" recovery~ & go from there.
I'd say $30-50 per hour, minimum. Please consider that YOU care? You will work to find their stuff & get things together quickly. To me, that's worth a lot vs. a stranger who really doesn't care.
T