Is this PC Maintenence and Repairs advert worded ok?

DJMK4

DJMK4

DJMK4

Soldato
Joined
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S.Wales
Im on the lookout to make abit of cash on the side, was going to trial run a few advert cards in 2 local shop windows, PC maintenence and repairs. Just doing a rough outline of the advert and was wondering what you thought of the wording I had so far.....Would you take anything out/amend something/add something?

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PC Maintenence and Repairs

Experienced and HND Educated IT Support Analyst
Friendly Advice and Consultation
Hardware and Software Installations
Servicing and Upgrades
Healthchecks and Virus Removals
Home Networking Set-up and configuration

Telephone ***** on *****-******
for a free quotation

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brendy said:
You forgot your vat number :D

Looks fine, though I hate the term "healthcheck" with a passion.
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Don't have a VAT number ;) Anyway, I thought you only had to pay tax if you earn over a certain amount? It's hardly going to be big business for me as I have a full time job, just something to pay for a few beers on the weekend.

I used the term heatlhcheck as thats what most users with not much knowledge refer to it as.
 
I would change "Experienced and HND Educated IT Support Analyst" to "Experienced and Qualified IT Professional".
 
[Sniper][Wolf];12217649 said:
Don't have a VAT number ;) Anyway, I thought you only had to pay tax if you earn over a certain amount? It's hardly going to be big business for me as I have a full time job, just something to pay for a few beers on the weekend.

I used the term heatlhcheck as thats what most users with not much knowledge refer to it as.
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You dont have to register for VAT below a certain turnover ( i think its somewhere above 60k but look it up on the gov website ). You have to pay income tax on all earnings and so you will have to register as self employed and file a yearly return. If you do not register within a set period you can be fined.

Of course you can do it all "on the side" and avoid the tax man but you run the risk of a royal roasting if someone were to shop you in or they found out some other way.

edit: and you will need public liability insurance if you are going to work in peoples homes. You can leave it and hope you dont bugger anything up, but should someone take you to court you would have to pay to defend yourself etc.
 
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[Sniper][Wolf];12217649 said:
Don't have a VAT number ;) Anyway, I thought you only had to pay tax if you earn over a certain amount? It's hardly going to be big business for me as I have a full time job, just something to pay for a few beers on the weekend.

I used the term heatlhcheck as thats what most users with not much knowledge refer to it as.
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There is no reason to assume every penny your earn in your second job will not be liable to tax. You won't need a VAT number unless you are making a lot of money more than a few beers at the weekend. You should possibly consider some kind of insurance in case you fall over someone's cat in their front living room while carrying a PC and drop the thing on an ancient valuable family heirloom (or granny).

Your best bet is to keep the whole thing very low key and work on the basis of cash only. Try to get "word of mouth" working for you. Tax inspectors study local newspapers so if you start advertising you may get caught. Don't put any money you make through any bank accounts. Just spend it as cash. Only give a customer a receipt if they ask. Explore possibilities of payment in kind - ie fix a publicans PC and get an evening of free booze.
 
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They are going to be mighty frustrated when they try phoning a bunch of asterisks and fail to reach your office. :o
 
I would stay away from putting "free quotation" as you can't trust what someone says is wrong with their PC. Chances are you'll quote on what they tell you and when you see the PC in the flesh it's something totally different.
 
Subby said:
I would stay away from putting "free quotation" as you can't trust what someone says is wrong with their PC. Chances are you'll quote on what they tell you and when you see the PC in the flesh it's something totally different.
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OK, I will scrap the "Free quotation" and just put my name and telephone number on, do I replace it with anything else? IE callout charge and an hourly rate? or just leave it blank.

My callout charge was £20, Im not sure what to put down for an hourly rate though.
 
I charge £50 for a callout which includes the first hour and then £55 per hour for a business customer or £45 for a non business. Never had any complaints at those prices considering its £65 an hour to take it to purple land.
 
AtreuS said:
I charge £50 for a callout which includes the first hour and then £55 per hour for a business customer or £45 for a non business. Never had any complaints at those prices considering its £65 an hour to take it to purple land.
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OK, gives me a better idea on prices, what about prices on the advert card though, Would say £30 callout charge + £20ph sound ok?
 
You're doing it on the sly then charging proper rates :confused:

also, I doubt very much that any business would go for this, just try and target individual customers.
 
That sounds reasonably cheap, but I'd maybe consider at least 30 per hour. That way you're still miles ahead of the competition. Also I agree with the above, businesses 9 times out of 10 have support contracts and thus will not be looking in newspapers/shop windows for support techies for hire.

Also put on "No fix, no fee". This also weans people in thinking they have nothing to lose.
 
All the local businesses around here only charge £15 for the first hour and then £12 an hour after that for the same service. For a callout it's £20 for the first hour. If you quoted somebody £55-65 an hour here they would laugh in your face and hang up on you. Almost cheaper to buy a new pc!!
 
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