Repairs Rant - posted vs actual prices.

scottmaggie

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Donor 4 years: 2011-2013, 2024
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I don't want to call anyone specific out but you will all know who I am talking about. Just need to vent...

I am so tired of a certain site with posted prices for board exchange/repairs that NEVER line up with the final cost.

They are taking longer and longer to repair and then emailing with "It needs more work and will cost more". It's also never just a few bucks. It's like double or triple the posted price.

Somehow it always, ALWAYS costs more then what is posted. WTF.

Oh and they also "Have already put in x hours so it's $$$ so far". Not like you can even just cancel without it costing you besides shipping. Again WTF.

*sigh*
 
And thats why I have learned to work on my own stuff. ;)
 
repairs

I do repair most of my own stuff. Some things though I know are beyond my scope or I just don't have time for. Those I send out.
 
They tried that with one of my 720 video boards. Since it was actually a 3rd one that I had picked up for $40, I told them to just keep it. I already have 2 fully working boardsets.
 
This is one of the reasons why I do not do repairs for a living anymore.

The problem with the fix price system in general. Some people get over charged for the work that is done. A simple repair that takes 10 minutes compared to a problematic PCB board that takes days to figure out what is going on. While both get paid the same amount, The person with the simple fix pays more and the owner of the problematic pcb get off cheap.
 
...
The problem with the fix price system in general. Some people get over charged for the work that is done. A simple repair that takes 10 minutes compared to a problematic PCB board that takes days to figure out what is going on. While both get paid the same amount, The person with the simple fix pays more and the owner of the problematic pcb get off cheap.

I don't see that as a problem at all. If its broke and you can't fix it yourself it doesn't really matter how long it takes you to repair it. The idea is that it averages out to be a reasonable rate for all involved.

cheers
/Tim
 
Odd sense of fair, so for you it is ok that those with simple repairs should foot the bill for those customers who have problematic repairs.

I have never been a fan of shifting the costs to other customers.
 
Odd sense of fair, so for you it is ok that those with simple repairs should foot the bill for those customers who have problematic repairs.

I have never been a fan of shifting the costs to other customers.

As long as you are up front with it, I am absolutely ok with it. If I need a board fixed and I know up front exactly what it will cost, I can decide for myself if its worth it.

What this thread is really about would piss me off too tho... If you say its a fixed price job, then its a fixed price job!

/Tim
 
it's a mix

If you are going to post a flat rate then it's a flat rate. Someone needing more work has made out ahead and someone needing little work is behind. But in either case it's really nil since they couldn't fix their own board. They are just happy it works.

That said, someone shouldn't put up a flat rate and not honor it. At least note that it could be more and if they do that they should also charge less for the easier ones - you know they wont!

Anyway, if they can't stick with a posted price they should switch to an hourly rate plus parts. Solves all scenarios.
 
If your a business and advertise a fix rate, you should stick with the fix rate personally but that is just me.
It always been my policy if I can not fix something I never charge for it or if the value of a working pcb board is cheap. You should give the customer a heads up and give him or her the option to buy a working one instead of doing the repair route.
 
They should charge a reasonable flat rate for analysis.. Then quote you based on their assessment. Like going to a mechanic for a rattle under the hood..
 
plus keep my spare board as i think you may think that is a bonus amd give a discount!!
no discount!
its like car repairs,,, oh i found this and ohhh this will be expensive..oh wait these are not cars ( outrun may count)
Talon do you work on midway MC3 boards buy chance?
 
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update

3 months later and my 3 boards are still not working, they don't know when they will look at them again and they expect me to pay when I ask for them back. Sheesh.
 
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