Computer repair business Craigslist Saturation

[dontwalkhand]

I really don't know where to begin...

A few years ago, our business was doing great. I was able to do everything, I bought my new iMac, every generation of iPhone, right up to the iPhone 4, got a very nice place to live, and so on. It was every entrepreneur's dream.

It started with something very simple... Mac or PC computer setups and service, that we just advertised twice a week on Craigslist, and got about 10 or 11 calls A DAY.

Fast forward to today, it's 2011, we have tried everything from Google AdWords, to walking around and placing fliers on doors (we spent about $300 in flyers alone). All while still putting up the same ads on Craigslist. Even joined a few business groups, and The Chamber of Commerce.

Nothing is working, calls have stopped. Not hearing that wonderful Marimba iPhone ringtone with a potential new client. We call back our existing clients, some need work, but most don't, everything just works and won't break! The one off repeat clients we do get, are for very small things that we make a total of oh say $20-30 on at most.

Needless to say, I sold my iPad, and my iMac to make ends meet, and it wasn't always this way, but there are times when I feel like I've tried everything, and there aren't many options left. Is the market just too saturated? Or am I missing something? Am I not doing enough??

 

[maflynn]

Possibly the market is saturated with unemployed people trying to makevends meet and potential customers deferring any type of work because of the economy,I.,e no money

 

[R94N]

Sorry to hear Maybe it is time for something new.

 

[dontwalkhand]

Possibly the market is saturated with unemployed people trying to makevends meet and potential customers deferring any type of work because of the economy,I.,e no money

I don't know, but the people who are doing it as a side job are killing us full-timers. The doctors need to stick to being doctors, etc. Not everyone needs to crowd my field!

 

[Apple OC]

This is like an Auto Mechanic who was once busy, complaining about new mechanics moving to his area ... it happens in lots of fields, not just yours

 

[ucfgrad93]

With the crappy economy people are either not buying new things that require your setup or doing the setup themselves.

 

[Macky-Mac]

I don't know, but the people who are doing it as a side job are killing us full-timers. The doctors need to stick to being doctors, etc. Not everyone needs to crowd my field!

I wouldn't worry about doctors poaching your business......it's more likely to be a vast swarm of teenagers who figure doing the same thing you do is a good way to pick up a little cash

 

[KnightWRX]

Let's face it, "Computer repair" ain't exactly rocket science. I use to be able to build PCs and install OSes when I was... hum... 10. At 12, I had was running a Renegade based BBS off of my home phone line and personal computer.

Really. Computer Repair is just that accessible.

Maybe you should develop a more specialised IT skillset and get a real job doing real IT service. No matter how much people try to improvise being SAN admins or Unix admins, only the real ones can get any kind of work done reliably.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

I wouldn't worry about doctors poaching your business......it's more likely to be a vast swarm of teenagers who figure doing the same thing you do is a good way to pick up a little cash

My mom called me not 3 hours ago to tell me that teen unemployment is around 75% this summer, and ask if I had a job for the summer!

 

[Bonch]

Time to get a real job I guess.

 

[840quadra]

It is truly a hard field to be in, casual home computer setup / repair. Almost everyone knows of an IT guy that will work for a 6-Pack, or a nice meal out. Now may be a time to look into other things you like, and how to make money doing it.

Have you thought about training in on small businesses? They can be more demanding, may require that you have full on business credentials, but could be a cost effective path for them, and a profitable one for yourself.