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Computer Repair: Key Features to Look for in a Repair Shop

published 5/22/2021

Is your computer being slow? Do you keep seeing weird popups every time you try to get online? If so, it's probably time to take it to a computer repair shop.

The question is: which one? And even further, how do you find a good PC repair shop? Generally speaking, it's as simple as looking out for the following characteristics.

A Good History

The best indicator of future performance is past performance. If a repair shop performed good work in the past, it's bound to perform good work in the future as well. For this reason, you need to find a computer repair shop with a good history.

The question is: how do you determine what type of history a specific repair shop has had? The key is to browse through reviews from past customers. You can find these on Facebook, Yelp, Google, and other such sites.

When reading through these reviews, try to get a feel for what the prevailing opinion is. Are most of the reviews positive? Are most of the reviews negative? Are there any serious concerns that are voiced by more than one person?

You've never done business with the companies you're considering. But others have, and their reviews can go a long way in helping you make an informed decision.

Experience With Your Technology

Not only should the company you choose have general experience but experience with your technology as well. In other words, if you need to have a Macbook repaired, for instance, the company should have some experience repairing Macbooks. Or, if you need to have a Windows computer repaired, for example, the company should have some experience repairing problems with Windows operating systems.

The last thing you want is for your computer to be a guinea pig. And if you bring it to someone unfamiliar with its technology, that's exactly what it will be.

Insurance

Though it's not common, repair shops do sometimes make mistakes while fixing computers. This can result in the damaging of parts, some of which are quite expensive.

Obviously, you don't want to be responsible for replacing damaged parts in someone else's care. Instead, you want that one responsible for the damage to handle it.

This is why, when choosing a computer repair shop, you need to ensure that it has insurance. Insurance will cover all damages that occur to your computer while in the shop's care, preventing you from having to file any lawsuits or front any money yourself.

Before signing any contracts, make sure that your chosen company has general liability insurance. Ask for proof of this insurance before handing your computer over.

Customer Service

Computer problems are usually ongoing. Even when they're solved, there are usually still lingering effects. As such, when choosing a computer repair company, you need to make sure that it provides quality customer service.

Give a call to the companies you're interested in and speak to the people who answer the phone. Ask a few questions and see if you're satisfied with the answers. You might even consider inquiring about the level of customer service that you can expect to receive in the future.

In any case, make sure that you're valued. Make sure that you feel comfortable with the way the company's representatives are treating you.

Nearby Location

Another thing you'll want to think about is location. You don't want to have to drive hours to get your computer fixed, even if you're dealing with a very reputable shop.

There are bound to be several good shops within 30 minutes of you. So, locate them on a map and choose one.

Remember: you're not just going to be driving here once. You'll have to both drop your computer off and pick your computer up. That's a minimum of two trips.

In short, don't waste time in traffic. Find a shop in your near vicinity and make it your go-to location.

Warranty

When you have your computer repaired by a professional, you expect it to be repaired for the foreseeable future. After all, you're putting a decent amount of money toward this repair.

Unfortunately, this isn't always the way things go. In fact, even the best computer repair companies make mistakes.

For this reason, when choosing a computer repair company, you need to make sure that it provides a warranty. A warranty will cover the repair for a good deal of the time after it was performed, ensuring that you don't have to pay extra money for a mistake that wasn't your fault.

Most computer repair companies provide warranties for their work. Just be sure to get the specifics before signing any contracts.

Reasonable Prices

There's no regulation on how much computer repair shops can charge for their services. As such, prices can vary wildly.

So, to ensure that you're not hit with any surprisingly large bills, you'll want to obtain estimates from several companies in your area. Give them a call and tell them what kind of problem you're facing, asking how much it will cost to have it fixed.

Once you have the estimates in your hand, compare them against one another. Be a little leery of exceedingly low estimates, as they can sometimes indicate a lack of quality or experience. Generally speaking, it's wise to choose an estimate that's around the average.

Looking for a Computer Repair Shop in Phoenix?

And there it is; that's what to look for in a PC or laptop repair shop. Are you searching for a computer repair shop in Phoenix, specifically? If so, look no further than Data Doctors Computer Services.

We can fix any computer problems. Whether your computer is slow, dealing with a virus, or otherwise, our team can help.

Contact us today to discuss your issue!