Am I being unwise?

[noob]

I think "PC Guys" have got your market covered.

I prefer to think of them as a minor competitor

Geek Squad, Dell's Presto, and PC World's Tech Guys are more credible with more experience.

Fortunately most people have only heard of PC World, and then they're only really aware of their counter service. Most people don't want to hump a PC all the way to their nearest PC World.

I'm looking to build on people who want someone local who knows what they're talking about and gives them great customer service. I can outperform the average £20k a year PC engineer in pretty much every area.

People have a slight distrust of the bigger players & I reckon they'll take to a friendly local guy.

[Moscow Mule]

People have a slight distrust of the bigger players & I reckon they'll take to a friendly local guy.

I think you're wrong here - were I a novice I'd want the backing of a big player, not the promise of some chap around the corner. YMMV.

[SueEllen]

I think you're wrong here - were I a novice I'd want the backing of a big player, not the promise of some chap around the corner. YMMV.

WHS

Anecdotal evidence from people I know is that they try and find someone in their circle to fix the problem then go to a big player.

The wealthier people I know have a habit of using their company/employers' resources to fix their computer problems.

Your business is really dependent on word of mouth.

[noob]

I think you're wrong here - were I a novice I'd want the backing of a big player, not the promise of some chap around the corner. YMMV.

Depends on the chap around your corner I guess

I think people split into roughly two groups, some prefer a big company, some don't. A lot of the people I speak to (middle to retirement age, the market I'm aiming for) about this kind of thing vastly prefer to have someone recommended and to stick to them in future. The big companies provide a rather impersonal service, and people often want more than that.

If they've been recommended a local person, and have a number sitting in front of them, then they're much more likely to give that person a call than fire up Google to look for a local pc repairer.

[Churchill]

Personally, I think your posts are displaying a certain naivety.

It won't work.

Try another plan b.

[oracleslave]

Depends on the chap around your corner I guess

I think people split into roughly two groups, some prefer a big company, some don't. A lot of the people I speak to (middle to retirement age, the market I'm aiming for) about this kind of thing vastly prefer to have someone recommended and to stick to them in future. The big companies provide a rather impersonal service, and people often want more than that.

If they've been recommended a local person, and have a number sitting in front of them, then they're much more likely to give that person a call than fire up Google to look for a local pc repairer.

So basically you're looking to do a rogue traders impression on technically stupid old people

[Advocate]

they're much more likely to give that person a call than fire up Google to look for a local pc repairer.

With their broken PC...

[noob]

Your business is really dependent on word of mouth.

I shall be making full use of that of course. Have lined up several things which should get that kicked off & will be using the leaflets as well.

I'm not looking to get rich doing this, just get a very modest amount of money out of it to keep the wolf from the door while I try to get a contract.

There's a low investment required to get going as I have all the kit I need, and all the knowledge etc, so mainly it's the cost of a bit of marketing plus my time in putting my face about & building goodwill etc. And while I'm stuck at home not earning anyway, I might as well be giving this a go.

[noob]

So basically you're looking to do a rogue traders impression on technically stupid old people

[Churchill]

I'm not looking to get rich doing this, just get a very modest amount of money out of it to keep the wolf from the door while I try to get a contract.

There's a low investment required to get going as I have all the kit I need, and all the knowledge etc, so mainly it's the cost of a bit of marketing plus my time in putting my face about & building goodwill etc. And while I'm stuck at home not earning anyway, I might as well be giving this a go.

So, let me get this right, as soon as you get a contract you're going to ditch all of your loyal customers?

Amateur!