When your PC suddenly stops working, one of the first things that comes to most people’s mind is that it’s probably time to get some way overdue servicing done on it. But with so many options nowadays, especially in larger cities like Sydney and Melbourne, how do you make up your mind about where you want to take it? Do you go for the “family” computer shop or do you visit a well known Australian repair service chain?
To help you make the best decision, I highly recommend you do a couple of things first, which can save you hundreds of dollars. First and foremost, have you tried googling your problems? Seems like a no-brainer, but a lot of people often times skip this step, and end up paying money for something that they could have easily fixed themselves.
If it’s not something you can fix, then you’re best off looking for a local computer service store. If you’re based in Melbourne, for instance, you can easily find a reliable computer repair Melbourne store by looking online, or better yet, getting a referral from a friend or colleague. But with a city as big as Melbourne, it’s never that simple, and you’re unlikely to get more than one or two referrals to the same repair store.
However, you can easily turn to the internet again, and see a couple of computer repair Melbourne stores and read the reviews left on their pages. You can get some directions by ads, but remember that ads are not referrals. Companies pay for them, so of course they’ll say positive things about them. If you have the time, visit a couple and ask a few questions, or make a few phone calls.
When you walk into a store, you’ll typically see other people picking up or dropping off stuff. Are those people satisfied? Make some basic observations about how other customers are treated and how employees respond to their needs. Do the employees seem knowledgeable, helpful and professional? They definitely should. If they don’t, just go elsewhere.
Once you pick your preferred service shop, go there and ask the following questions:
- How much do you charge per hour? / How much does the fix cost?
- If you charge by the hour, how much hours will the fix take?
- Do you have a minimum charge?
- Are there any extra charges?
- Do you charge extra for a business or in-home service?
- Do you guarantee your service?
- When can I pick up my computer?
Once all is said and done, all you have to do is wait. When you get you computer back, if you aren’t completely, and I mean 100% satisfied with your service, don’t go back to that place. There is no reason why you should reward failure. There will always be other, better options to pick from!
