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More On Computer Geeks Who Will Make House Calls
from the sustainable-business-model? dept
For many many years, I've seen plenty of companies come and go that promised to offer "house calls" for computer repairs. The idea seems to make sense, but most companies that get into this business don't last. The economics just aren't there. It's a labor intensive business, with customers who really aren't willing to pay that much for the service. However, every time another company pops up with this plan, someone out there writes about it as if it's something new. Here's an article about yet another such geeks-on-wheels company. This one is based on a franchise model, where the franchisee has to buy a $37,000 franchise and needs to buy (or lease) their very own bright yellow PT Cruiser to drive around it. My bet is that the only people making any money on this deal are the ones selling the franchises (and Chrysler for the PT Cruisers).
Reader Comments
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Works on a small scale
The Geeks-On-Wheels idea actually does survive in a small scale environment. There is a business located in Lawrence, KS who's name actually used to be Geeks-On-Wheels and is still affectionately (if that's the right word) called that. The business is actually part of the local cable provider, which may be the reason that they've been able to survive for so long.
Their technicians arn't the best in the world...ok, so they're a joke. But for $65/hour for on site work, people don't really seem to care that they suck.
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Geeks on Call
I know a few of the Geeks on Call franchise owners including one that just bought several new territories after being a franchisee for the past year. I think they are doing well and I don't think someone would by more territories if they weren't making money.
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Re: Geeks on Call
I too know of a Geeks on Call franchise owner and they are doing well. I think the idea that it is a labor intensive business is why they survive. No bricks and mortar, little inventory and a focus on labor make this idea work. Plus, with many of the franchisors like Geeks on Call they are able to provide back office support for a percentage of what it would cost for each support provider to develop.
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Re: Geeks on Call
My experience with G-O-C is much different! One of their franchises in Maryland actually came into our computer store and asked if we could design and setup a network for THEIR business, as they didn't have such skills. Further, our customers have reported absolutely horrific experiences all resulting from lack of experience and them messing up the systems they work on. Further, currently their rates are 99$ for a site visit and $100/hr in 15 minute increments.
No offense intended, but at those rates, they are no different than a reputable 18 year-old brick-and-mortar computer store...and their skills are suspect, at best.
Hmmmmmm.
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Re: Geeks on Call
I had a similar experience as "anonymous coward" here in Chevy Chase MD. A Geeks on call employee entered my law business offernig free computer checkups in an effort to get new business. We allowed the free checkups and he offered up many ways he thought our systems could be improved. We decided to have him install a server where we could keep cetralized files and connect 2 printers that everyone in the office could connect and print to.
We wanted to go with a reputable company for the hardware such as dell or compaq, but were talked into purchasing a custom built pc server from geeks on call. The server was cobbled together from acer parts (which I have since learned are lower quality components) and the operating system was installed by geeks on call. The printing never worked properly from the get go and the file shares would dissappear on some users machines. We tried repetedly to get this fixed, but the geeks on call employee was unable to get it fixed and was even trying to charge us more money for work that was never done correctly from the beginning. To make matters worse the main board in the server failed and while it was replaced without cost it took geeks on call 8 days to complete the repair leaving us without the use of the server.
We have since had one of our lawyers sons home from college look at our problems and he was able to fix them all in about an hour. He stated that the printer problems were due to an incorrect driver being installed for our model printer (correct driver easily accessible on hp's website) and that no persistent drive mappings were done. Apparently the geeks on call employee mapped the drives from the client and not done properly by mapping them on the server.
I would not use them again! also rate was $100 per hour in 15 min increments. We have since found quality support for 2/3 the cost.
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Re: Geeks on Call
Don't "throw the baby out with the bathwater". One bad tech. or franchise owner does not make a company.
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Re: Re: Geeks on Call
What is wrong with asking for help when you need it. Typically, but not always, franchise owners in this business are just that Owners, they have the money to start the business, they are not techs. So in this case a new start up wants a network installed, so what, might as well do it right instead of guessing. As a start up he/she probably has not hired any techs yet. As you work for a brick and mortar store and is an employee, you do not have the capital and expertise in starting your own business anyway. Business owners are just normal people, one in Kansas City was a formal Chiefs football player, he had some minor tech knowledge, but he would have hired someone to install a structured network for him to.
I do not think it is wrong or bad to ask for help when you don't know.
As far as the rates being high, yes I would say they are higher that most mom and pop, small time computer stores for on-site labor, but with GOC the rates are set by corp, and good thing too, they charge so much in royalties and advertising fees, that unless you are doing really well, you are loosing money or at best, breaking nearly even.
Cost to the local franchise owner: Tech's salary, car, car insurance, gas, inventory, office space for business use, Corp royalties (10-13% of every $, parts & labor), Corp advertising fees ($250 per week, per territory). If MUST have 1 tech/car per territory. Geez look at the startup/overhead cost.
1 Franchise (includes territory) 30-60K
1 tech salary 35-45K (you get what you pay for)
1 car 13K
1 yr of advertising fees 13K (250 x 52)
So without one customer, royalties, insurance, or even an office, etc. The start up cost are nearing 91K-131K for only one territory! (each additional territories are 15-30K + 13k per yr advertising, plus you are required to have another tech and car) All techs must be at least A+, many are N+, MCP's and some are MCSE's.
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Re: Geeks on Call
I had a similar experience as "anonymous coward" here in Chevy Chase MD. A Geeks on call employee entered my law business offernig free computer checkups in an effort to get new business. We allowed the free checkups and he offered up many ways he thought our systems could be improved. We decided to have him install a server where we could keep cetralized files and connect 2 printers that everyone in the office could connect and print to.
We wanted to go with a reputable company for the hardware such as dell or compaq, but were talked into purchasing a custom built pc server from geeks on call. The server was cobbled together from acer parts (which I have since learned are lower quality components) and the operating system was installed by geeks on call. The printing never worked properly from the get go and the file shares would dissappear on some users machines. We tried repetedly to get this fixed, but the geeks on call employee was unable to get it fixed and was even trying to charge us more money for work that was never done correctly from the beginning. To make matters worse the main board in the server failed and while it was replaced without cost it took geeks on call 8 days to complete the repair leaving us without the use of the server.
We have since had one of our lawyers sons home from college look at our problems and he was able to fix them all in about an hour. He stated that the printer problems were due to an incorrect driver being installed for our model printer (correct driver easily accessible on hp's website) and that no persistent drive mappings were done. Apparently the geeks on call employee mapped the drives from the client and not done properly by mapping them on the server.
I would not use them again! also rate was $100 per hour in 15 min increments. We have since found quality support for 2/3 the cost.
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Re: Geeks on Call
I have excellent PC support and Server skills. I thought about buying a G-O-C territory because I need help with marketing and advertising. It's a thought.
Me
MCSE NT4, MCSE 2000, CNE, CCNA
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Re: Geeks on Call
Have you made a decision? On the franchise?
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Contributed by Mike on Monday, June 9th, 2003 @ 1
Any other information on the Geeks? Looks like they are bigger then ever!
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Geeks on Call
You are right, all the big money in the Geeks on Call is in the franchising fees. I would not recommend buying into this crap, there is no "out". Once you are in it is nearly impossible to get out. If you really want in, your best bet it to purchase franchise territories that another owner is selling (at a greatly reduced rate) and then transfer them to your location. If you want to try this, contact an owner and ask for info on someone who is selling. I would not recommend contacting the HQ because they want full price and will not help you make the needed contact. I am a goc tech and I do a good job with my customers.
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