There is one image for computer users that is the worst scene you can get: the blue screen of death.
Computers are complicated machines, running on even more complicated code. There are a lot of failure points, so it’s impossible to use one without running into some sort of error. While some problems go away after a simple diagnosis, computer repair services near me are the only ones able to fix the more serious ones.
Before you choose a computer repair service, there are some things to consider. Not all computer repair companies can handle your specific issue.
Keep reading for how to find the best computer repair service.
With Computer Repair Services Near Me, Take Note of Experience and Credentials
Good computer technicians should either have an official license or previous experience. They may have simply tinkered with computers all their life. Or, they have a history working with tech support and other highly-skilled professions.
Some organizations such as CompTIA offer in-depth courses and certifications. Getting a tech who took one of these courses guarantees that you’re working with a professional.
Experience is the best teacher, especially in the world of computers. Someone who can’t figure out how to make NTFS for Mac work is not someone you should trust your computer with.
Some techs specialize in Windows and Mac. Others can only do a specific subset of devices. If they’re working with Mac, check to make sure they are authorized to repair those devices.
Check Out the Reviews
These days, one of the easiest ways to see if a business is a good one is with aggregate reviews. The best computer repair service should have at least four stars out of five. Anything less and you’re risking some serious problems.
However, do keep in mind that review bombing can occur. This is when people bombard a company with false reviews to ruin the score. Reading the reviews often reveals which ones are false.
Be wary of one-star reviews. These ones may make you think the company is the devil incarnate. But upon closer inspection, you may notice that these are just an angry minority.
Also, don’t take too much stock in five-star reviews across the board. Companies can buy fake reviews. Or, these individual customers got a specific service that’s easy to do.
Lastly, look at reviews across multiple sites. Check them out on Facebook, Yelp, and Google. Reviews will vary from each service and help to get the bigger picture.
Prioritize Services With Warranties and Guarantees
The best services are those that ensure your computer will work. They promise to fix the problem, no matter what it is. If they can’t fix it, they may not charge you anything.
More importantly, they take responsibility for their actions. You don’t want a service that accidentally breaks a hard drive, but doesn’t compensate you for it.
Further, you want a guarantee that you can come back if new issues arise. If they claim to have fixed it but the problem occurs again, you should be able to go back. They shouldn’t charge you again if they failed to fix the issue in the first place.
A good computer repair service may even have insurance to protect against this sort of thing. They may give you a warranty for a limited period in case it breaks again long after the repair date.
Find At-Home Support
Suppose you have a problem with your desktop computer. The only way to get it looked at is to take it to town. That means you have to unplug everything and cart that bulky computer to the shop.
That’s a lot of hassle and deprives you of your desktop if they need to take it in for repairs. So why not have someone who comes straight to your home?
At-home services are awesome because you can leave your devices where they are and not ruin cable management. Usually, a technician can fix the issue in a matter of minutes. If not, you just need to give them the room long enough to get it taken care of.
If you hire a computer repair service that provides this, they may even bring the parts, too. Sometimes they may have a spare fan or hard drive on hand for an unexpected issue.
Service Costs
Of course, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. But do try to find a nice balance between affordability and quality of service. You get what you pay for, so getting a dirt-cheap repair may not always be the best idea.
It’s not just that you want someone that’s competent. You want someone you can trust. Data privacy is a very real issue here.
Many technicians may need access to your computer to fix the issue. They may stumble onto things they shouldn’t see, such as sensitive messages or photos. Good technicians will look the other way.
But pay someone untrustworthy and they may not act morally when they happen upon these things. There is no shortage of stories of computer techs stealing that sensitive info.
Paying more may also ensure the job is done faster and right. Cheap services may blaze through the repairs with no guarantees, and without fixing the problem.
Find a Computer Repair Service
Computer repair services near me can help you to solve those issues you’re not capable of solving alone. However, don’t trust the first person who appears on your Yellowpages. Check reviews and experience, and find quality service at a reasonable price.
Follow our blog for more fascinating topics.
