I wanted to share that yesterday ELC Innovations wrapped up another job for a client. This time, I was not doing design work, building a website, or helping with marketing plans. This time, I was getting my hands dirty inside a laptop, replacing the optical drive (DVD drive). The client came to me with a drive that would more often than not, refuse to read any disk put into it. My suggestion was to replace the drive.

This was a system that had passed its warranty life, so getting the work done was going to cost money. Originally, the client took the system to the Apple Store, who – and this is not a knock on them, they do great work, and I take my systems there when they are still under warranty – quoted my client more than $400 to get the job done. She came to me, and asked what I suggested. I did a little research, found a replacement part, figured out how much time it would take to do the work, and gave her a quote half-that of the Apple Store. Why so inexpensive? Well for starters, I am not running a retail business. I don’t have the overhead associated with the brick-and-mortar guys. Second, I already knew what was wrong, I had helped her previously – SOP for most tech repair places is to charge an upfront diagnostic fee, usually equal to their hourly rate, no matter how easily the issue can be diagnosed. And if that’s not enough, Apple replacement parts, like any major manufacturer’s parts, are more expensive than what can be had from a third-party.

So why should you care about all this? First, Woo hoo! another client. Second, this is just another example of what ELC Innovations can do for you, your friends and your business. Sure we like to work with Macs, but we are not to shy to get elbow-deep with your PCs either.

Finally, sometimes going to the big-guys is not always the best option. Frequently, there are smaller shops like us that can help you just a quickly, and with a little bit more personalized service than they can offer. In this case, I was able to set this client up with an automated backup system so make sure all their important photos were being backed up, and in the coming weeks, I will work with them again, offering one-on-one software training. Because I have gotten to know this client, I can be more effective at teaching them. Sure, there are some shady repair shops out there, that’s why I suggest you go with someone you know.

If you know someone who may be in need of what ELC Innovations offers, don’t be shy, point them our way.