anyone do computer consulting on the side

[lesch2k]

does anyone do personal computer consulting - softward and hardware install and maintinence and virus and spyware fixes.

i've worked at a computer help desk so i would be pretty good at fixing the problems people encounter

any ideas about how to get customer, what to charge and whatnot

thanks

 

[PCTweaker5]

Ive thought about doing this but just as a small thing so I dont have to be legal and all that but it sounds fun. You CAN do it! Good luck!

 

[Schadenfroh]

hmmm, i like to con people and i like to insult people, if i combine con and insult, i get consult, yes i like to consult people

 

[OutHouse]

just a word of warning. it can turn in to a total drag and pain in the ass very quickly.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: Citrix
just a word of warning. it can turn in to a total drag and pain in the ass very quickly.

That's why you should never do computer consulting at a gay bar.

 

[Gurck]

I'd go crazy. "Where's the any-key, Gurck?" *draws gun, fires*

 

i do websites and complete systems
i don't fix things or do upgrades for people unless they are friends or family

 

[BillGates]

if you do it, make sure you have up-front policies regarding callbacks, random questions, etc... If you fix a problem, make a customer acknowledge and sign for it - this prevents them from calling you back after they do it again while claiming it was never fixed. Phone support is not free and should be charged for as well.

 

[dudeman007]

My version of computer consulting:
Lady: Well just yesterday I was running Windows Me and...
Me: Buy a new computer. That'll be $200 please. 🙂

 

[gsaldivar]

Originally posted by: Citrix
just a word of warning. it can turn in to a total drag and pain in the ass very quickly.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: gsaldivar

Originally posted by: Citrix
just a word of warning. it can turn in to a total drag and pain in the ass very quickly.

exactly!!!!

i love the ones where they never come back to you with problems.

then yoiu have the other ones
"ugh ... it was fine until you ... " (knowing that I had nothing to do with their incompetence).

 

[IndieSnob]

Consulting for the most part is not worth the pain. I can not tell you the number of ads I've responded to for people looking for help, and all it turns out to be is playing phone tag for 4 days and then it ends up they won't even pay for your help.

 

[badmouse]

the term "computer consulting" covers a lot of ground. as others have pointed out, you open yourself up to a lot of grief if you try to fix computers for the general public.

however, you should pick a specialty, and be very specific about what you do, what you DON'T do, and what you charge for it. for example I know a guy who does nothing but straighten out tangled wires and tidies them up - makes good money for it, too. (lots of people are afraid to touch the wires) it may take some experimenting to find something you can do that way.

then, you hook up with a computer consulting company or 2 (just start calling) and have them recommend you if anyone calls with your specialty.

good luck.