How much should I charge?

[MAME]

2 co-workers asked for assitance with their computers. Really basic stuff like installing programs, a floppy (maybe ram) and giving the computer a tune up. I'm pretty bad with negotiating money so I was wondering what you guys thought. I can't really do it for free as other people would request my services and I simply do not have time to do it all for free (not to mention they both asked for me to come up with a price before I said anything about it).
Anyhow, what do you think?

 

[waitman]

charge them what your time is worth, then a whole lot more. they will be bugging you for ever, every time some little thing goes wrong. not worth it.

 

[cheapgoose]

when my co-workers asks me for stuff like that, I direct them to FRys.

I refuse to build or fix anyone's computer, you'd be their techb1tch for life.

 

[MaxDSP]

Originally posted by: cheapgoose
when my co-workers asks me for stuff like that, I direct them to FRys.

I refuse to build or fix anyone's computer, you'd be their techb1tch for life.

not to mention that if something goes wrong with the PC later on, theyll prolly blame you for it

 

[notfred]

$50/hour

 

[MAME]

$50 an hour? At that rate they could just buy a new computer all together.

I've worked on quite a few computers in the past, never had someone need tech support. I'm not worried about that and I have no problems talking to them about it if they have questions.

I make about $9.75 an hour before taxes at my job right now. Should I charge around the same? (BTW, I'm a college student who makes about $70 a month in spending cash...rent is expensive!)

 

[styrafoam]

Just do it for favors, or swap for whatever they have that you might want. I have a couple friend who work in garages, I have gotten 2 brake jobs and an alignment in exchange for upgrades/virus removal/windows installs. Also got a pioneer 12 disk changer, toshiba dvd player, and a PS2 for builds. If they insist on paying you just call to some local place you would trust and see what they would charge for the service, factor in the fact that you don't want to offer a guarantee or warranty of any sort and it should be simple to come up with a number.

 

[MAME]

Well local stores install hardware and software but they usually don't sit down with you and show you how to use a program. I was planning on talking with them about various things and it might take an hour or so but requires little effort. It's hard to price match that And I'd rather have money than favors (I don't think they can offer me much in the way of favors actually)

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Atleast $20 an hour... I wouldn't get involved though, thats my opinion though

 

[Rapidskies]

Originally posted by: styrafoam
Just do it for favors, or swap for whatever they have that you might want. I have a couple friend who work in garages, I have gotten 2 brake jobs and an alignment in exchange for upgrades/virus removal/windows installs. Also got a pioneer 12 disk changer, toshiba dvd player, and a PS2 for builds. If they insist on paying you just call to some local place you would trust and see what they would charge for the service, factor in the fact that you don't want to offer a guarantee or warranty of any sort and it should be simple to come up with a number.

Best advice right here.

 

[SgtZulu]

If they went to CompUSSR the bill would be at least $100, I would charge accordingly

 

[abracadabra1]

Send them to a local comp store unless you want to be their slave for the life of the computer.

 

[poopaskoopa]

Give them money to leave you alone.

 

[Cal166]

I used to do this for my supervisor's friends. I charged $40 for the first hour and $20 after. One of them used to bug me all the time and never paid me for a job i did. Do the job for them, avoid giving them your direct telephone #, that way they cant bug you all the time.

 

[axelfox]

Pandora's Box...

 

[MAME]

Ok, well thanks for the advice. I'll charge a flat rate of $40 or so I guess. I doubt there will be any probelms.

 

[CrazyPerson]

$20 an hour... oh.. put in a keylog

 

[MAME]

what's a keylog?

 

[CrazyPerson]

whats your email... i will send it to you...

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: MAME
what's a keylog?

Something that will make it easy to bill their CC once they start making regular tech support calls to you.