How much would you charge for "Mac help"?

[sjjordan]

I know a friend of a friend who just bought a MBP and needs help learning OS X. I've been a mac user for about 15 years and can definitely help him get on his feet but have no idea what to charge him. Any advise? I was thinking of just meeting him at Starbucks once/twice a week and charging him about $15-20/hour.

[Abstract]

Nothing. :confused:

[raggedjimmi]

Same as PC help.
I showed some neighbours how to use their computers. I didn't expect a penny but they gave me £10 for an hours worth of lessons.

If it was a friend or family member I wouldn't charge at all. And if some random neighbour asked and didn't mention a fee I wouldn't ask.

[Pixellated]

Nothing. :confused:
My thoughts exactly...

[GimmeSlack12]

What goes around come's around. Don't charge him.

[Mord]

If he's a friend don't charge anything, the pleasure of his company should be enough.

[synth3tik]

I would honestly say if he buys the coffee he has more then paid up.

[tefleming]

What goes around come's around. Don't charge him.

I'll be the token Capitalist and say that you should charge. $30-$40 an hour for on-site service if you are good/know what you're doing. You can charge less, but you should consider what your time is worth. $20 for service at Starbucks I guess is okay.

I've found people are more comfortable calling you again if you treat it as a business relationship instead of a favor.

Think of it as the geek's equivalent of babysitting.

[iShater]

Since this person is not YOUR friend, and you will be spending valuable time with him/her, I think what you are asking for is not bad.

You could also have him/her buy you the coffee and not charge if you enjoy it and the commitment is not a big deal to you.

[Abstract]

I would honestly say if he buys the coffee he has more then paid up.

Exactly. This is a friend of a friend. Even if he's not your friend, I'd expect no more than a coffee out of this. Make it a double-mocha vanilla creme brulee monstrosity, and it's like you're getting paid more. ;) If he didn't offer to buy me a coffee, then I'd be surprised. If I'm doing this for a friend (and his friend), then being bought a free drink is just plain manners. I certainly wouldn't expect to buy my own while I'm sitting there helping him. It may sound like my help really isn't a "selfless" act, since I'd expect a coffee. But it's just a matter of manners in this case, not business.

I would honestly be surprised if a friend asked his Mac using friend to help me, and that friend of his/hers charged me. I would probably take it as a joke at first. If he didn't laugh, I'd pull out my wallet. It would be awkward though, I can tell you...

[iShater]

OP, did they approach you to spend a couple of sessions? or to actually make regular "classes".

If the later, then charge $$, if the first, go for the coffee. I would probably do that.

[Consultant]

Apple has free workshops at apple store.

Also, bunch of info for newbies:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=7012495#2

[yg17]

If it's a friend, the most I'd ask for is that his fridge is stocked with beer when I came over.

[MegaMillions]

$25 or $30 an hour.

I help people with Macs for $30 an hour, and all my clients have felt it was a very reasonable price. Granted, I know almost every piece of macintosh hardware and software inside out, but if you are really good, you should charge at least $30 an hour.

[Sesshi]

I say "See, there's this place called the Apple Store, you buy this card and they teach you there. Don't ask me again."

[dejo]

I would honestly say if he buys the coffee he has more then paid up.
Except that it's Starbucks coffee. ;)

[dvdhsu]

I say "See, there's this place called the Apple Store, you buy this card and they teach you there. Don't ask me again."
Yeah.
And charge $10 for providing him with the information.:D

But seriously, he should just buy you a coffee. However, if you're don't really like him, you should charge some money. Probably around $20 an hour.

[K3mp]

If he's a friend don't charge anything, the pleasure of his company should be enough.
I fix a lot of computers/ setups for my friends and most of the time I do is just so I can go to their house for a couple of hours. I don't ask for money but they always pay me like $20 anyway. If you have a lot of free time don't ask for money, but if your time is really tight I guess it would be ok to charge. They should at least cover the coffee.

[Zombie Acorn]

I help train quite a few people on PC (clients, not friends), and its 40 dollars an hour. For a mac I would probably only charge 20-30, I need mac to go main stream (more market share) so we start getting more programs like zbrush and mudbox (autodesk recently ported if I heard right).