I Want to Start a Small PC Optimization Business

tardcore

Hey guys, I was looking for some advice and any ideas on a business I wanted to start.

I was wanting to make a small PC Optimization business while I attended college. What I would do is I would go to your home or small business and fix up your computers so they perform better. I've been laying out all the services I would offer and wanted to know your opinions on anything else I could do, prices, the legality of everything, liability, etc etc.

PC Optimization Package
- Full System Virus Scan and Removal
- Spyware and Malware Removal
- Hard Drive Defragmentation
- Driver Updates
- Disk Cleanup
- Hard Drive Error Check
- Installation of Protection Package Software (Spybot, AVG, Avast, Hijack This, CCleaner, Revo Unistaller, Process Explorer)

Computer Cleaning
- Thorough Cleaning of the Inside of Your Computer
- Monitor Cleaning: HD, LCD, and CRT

File Conversion
- Covert a file type to another format
- Includes media such as pictures, songs, documents, and videos

MP3 Customization
- Tag and rename your music files so you may easily locate them on your PC and MP3 player

DVD and CD Ripping
- Archive and backup your personal DVDs and CDs

DVD Creation
- Create a DVD of your personal videos or pictures

Obviously, I wouldn't be ripping or copying any CDs or Movies that this person did not own. I was also wondering about any kind of liabilities I would have if, for some reason, something bad happens and the person loses a file. So, your input is greatly appreciated. I'd like to get some business cards, put some signage on my car, and create a website for everything. Thanks.

Taranis

You might want to add a disclaimer that you won't circumvent copy protection in order to rip CD's and DVD's as this is in direct violation of the DMCA. Customizing MP3's can be tedious, you might want to charge per MP3 or man-hour for this one.

You're in Marietta, I'm in Kennesaw, if you're successful hit me up and I'll help out.

Lord Lycan

The only thing I'd be wary of is this bit:

Computer Cleaning
- Thorough Cleaning of the Inside of Your Computer
- Monitor Cleaning: HD, LCD, and CRT

If something later goes wrong with said PC, regardless of cause, you would probably be first on the list of 'oh noes, that PC guy borked it when he took it to bits' claims.

Technicality

Yeah, I'd guess you are going to need some kind of plan for what happens when the inevitable occurs.

If you are a guy who understands computers and you touched it, its always your fault. Even if it happens when you aren't there any more.

AtomBomb

Your target market probably isn't going to know what most of that means, so I would also try to include something they could understand. Something like:

Hard Drive Defragmentation - Reorganizing files so that your computer can perform faster.

Not a great definition, but that's your job

Denada

Technicality wrote: »

Yeah, I'd guess you are going to need some kind of plan for what happens when the inevitable occurs.

If you are a guy who understands computers and you touched it, its always your fault. Even if it happens when you aren't there any more.

Make sure you have a liability waiver, make sure it's legal, and make sure every customer signs it. No matter what you do, if something wrong happens at any time ever after you've touched their computer, they will blame you.

underdonk

This is an excellent example of a time when you should contact someone about the legalities/tax issues involved.

PeregrineFalcon

Denada wrote: »

Technicality wrote: »

Yeah, I'd guess you are going to need some kind of plan for what happens when the inevitable occurs.

If you are a guy who understands computers and you touched it, its always your fault. Even if it happens when you aren't there any more.

Make sure you have a liability waiver, make sure it's legal, and make sure every customer signs it. No matter what you do, if something wrong happens at any time ever after you've touched their computer, they will blame you.

Truer words etc.

Also, be sure that said waiver/service request is perfectly clear with a statement similar to "Computers will not be returned until account is paid in full." I am not a credit bureau and I do not loan money. I gave you a written estimate of "this is how much it will cost to do X, Y, and Z" - if you do not come up with that money, you will not get your computer back.

A coworker actually had a woman try to offer *clears throat pointedly* other services in exchange for his services, after he'd already fixed her computer.

He said he'd just spent enough time cleaning viruses off her computer, he didn't want one for himself as a memento.