On Spot Techs

By Eric Geier (Our Founder & Owner)

Originally published by Cox Media Group on 2/10/20

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For computer and tech support, you have three main ways to get service: go to a local computer shop, call for remote help, and have an onsite tech come to your home or business. Typically, you get the best experience when you have a tech come onsite, but there are pros and cons for each support method.

Many people believe you save money by taking a computer into a shop or by getting remote support, and that on-site service would cost the most. But that’s certainly not always true. Many computer shops use menu-based pricing with fixed prices for what you need or want to be done. However, most on-site services are hourly-based and could definitely end up costing less than a shop’s fixed price for everything you’re getting.

For instance, a shop might charge a percomputer fee for a general checkup, while an on-site tech can work on both at the same time.

To take a desktop computer to the shop, you’d have to be able to properly disconnect everything and connect it back up afterward, so there’s a chance of messing something up if you aren’t sure what you’re doing. But the shop might be best for someone who doesn’t want a tech to come inside the home or has a work schedule that makes it difficult to be home for a tech to come out.

Having an on-site tech come out gives you a chance to know them as a person and build trust.

The personal setting and full one-on-one attention at your place also allow you a better way to ask (and answer) questions than the limited time you have inside a store or over the phone. You can usually learn and retain a lot more of what the tech is trying to show you as well. A computer tech could have access to a lot of your personal information, so it’s crucial you trust that person and are able to fully communicate with him or her.

I never suggest using national or international remote computer or tech support companies.

Even legit remote support companies, you don’t really know where the techs are located and don’t know their level of experience. If you want remote help, I strongly suggest using a local small business.

Never trust anyone that calls you out of the blue and says there’s a problem with your computers or gadgets, or if your computer tells you to call someone. They can sound very convincing and they might say they are from Microsoft, Apple, and other big companies. But those companies never call you or put up alerts on your computer telling you to call them.

If you take your computer into a shop or have a remote tech connect to your computer, they are limited in the help they can provide. They can’t get their hands on your all physical components, like your printer, keyboard, mouse, monitor and other gadgets like a tablet or phone. Sometimes these things are to blame for issues, and it’s much harder to figure that out if the tech isn’t there in person. This can cost more time, money and frustration.

Eric Geier owns On Spot Techs, which provides onsite support for computers, mobile devices, TVs and other gadgets at homes and businesses in the Dayton and Springfield areas. Visit the website at www.onspottechs. com or call 937-315-0286.

Many people believe you save money by taking a computer into a shop or by getting remote support, and that on-site service would cost the most.

But that’s certainly not always true.

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