Computer Restoration - Real Business Opportunity

[CrunchBug]

Some of you know that over the past 3 years I've successfully launched and ran www.crunchbug.com, www.electronicbytes.com, www.gigapal.com, and www.softwarelot.com.

When I originally grew CrunchBug into a successful business, I drafted complete guides to everything I did, including marketing strategies, proprietary restoration service techniques, growth techniques, etc. because I was planning on growing CrunchBug into a national franchise. I've decided that running a national franchise conflicts with my personal life goals in the arts industry, so I've decided to put everything I have into a toolkit available for sale on eBay.

My "Computer Restoration ToolKit" is a complete, paint-by-the-numbers guide to starting your own home-based computer restoration company guaranteed to take the guesswork out of systematically repairing computers, marketing your business, attracting new clients, and hiring and managing employees.

This is not academic marketing fluff. The materials contained in this program are real, field-tested, proven business and marketing strategies that I have used for over 2-years in my own business with a shoe-string budget.

Plus, I offer an Iron-Clad "100% Money Back" Double Guarantee:

Guarantee #1: 90 Day Trial, 100% Money-Back Guarantee:

I'll give you 90 days to look over this system and see for yourself just how powerful and amazing it is. Read the manuals, download the ads, learn my proprietary restoration services. Put it to work for YOU. Use it to start your own computer restoration business, generate new clients, more referrals, and higher profit margins. If you are not completely head-over-heals thrilled with the content and the results, I insist that you return it to me for a full, prompt, no-questions asked refund. No hassle, No problems, No payment.

Guarantee #2: Ten Times Your Investment One Year Guarantee:

If you decide to keep the kit past the first 90 days, you STILL have a full year to use the materials, strategies, templates, and service systems. If after one year you can show me that you have implemented just 3 out of the dozens of strategies, ideas, and tactics included and didn’t make back 10 times your investment – that’s over $10,000 in new sales you wouldn’t have made otherwise – you can return the kit and I’ll issue you a full and complete refund. After all, if the kit doesn’t deliver the results I’m promising, I don’t deserve to keep your money. I will buy it back from you and refund every penny you paid for it.

I've tried to eliminate as much risk as possible for potential buyers because there are so many sleazy ebayers offering "get-rich-quick" scams on ebay. There's a lot more to this program so take a look at my auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7566235482

[GriZzly]

Sounds a lot like someone selling an ebook than a 'Business Opportunity'

[CrunchBug]

You could call the 50 some pages of "how-to" guides I include in the toolkit an ebook, but I don't know too many ebooks that have 150MB+ of digital content.

[Sarafina]

Im sorry but I fail to see the link. How does your proven success in the software sales business translate to you being a viable source for information pertaining to computer restoration? They are two totally different areas as far as i'm concerned.

[jdoc]

It sounds like an interesting product, but I have two main concerns:

1) Market need: Brand new computers can cost less than $300 nowadays. As a result, computers are a disposable commodity that people replace when there's a problem rather than fix (since the cost of fixing is nearly as much, if not more than the replacement cost). There was an article in Forbes about this a few months ago and I've noticed people doing it too.

2) Competitive advantage: There are a lot of franchise-based firms out there now (eg. Geek Squad: http://www.geeksquad.com/) that can offer better support collectively than one or two person operations could ever hope to. How do you beat out these established brands when you're working as yourself?

[GriZzly]

You could call the 50 some pages of "how-to" guides I include in the toolkit an ebook, but I don't know too many ebooks that have 150MB+ of digital content.

That surprises me, because I would have expected someone with all your experience to have used the internet before, you can't have seen many ebooks before.

[CrunchBug]

In response to Sarafina's question, I did not create this product out of my experience with software sales online. I created this product with the experience I acquired in my first business, CrunchBug, which was a computer restoration company that I ran for 2 years in Butler, Pa. The last year of the business I ran CrunchBug in addition to running and growing my software websites.

I know that some people who are interested may be skeptical with my product, and that's why I offer two guarantee's which include a 90-day 100% money back guarantee and a 1 year 100% money back guarantee if you don't receive at least 10 times the investment you pay for the package back in profits from the service.

I've done my best to eliminate as much risk as I can so my credentials aren't an issue. I'm confident in my product and the insight I've received from CrunchBug, and that's why I can afford to take a risk on anyone who buys my product with my money back guarantees.

[CrunchBug]

In response to jdoc's question:

I would explain to customer's that paying $200 with me on a total restoration would save them $200-$300 on buying a new computer, and with my restoration there computer will be restored to brand new condition, plus they would get the added benefits of having all their personal files restored, all there hardware components installed (printers, scanners, fax machines, etc.), their internet and email set-up and running, and all of their personal settings restored to how they like them.

I competed with national franchises by offering In-Home service at no additional charge, plus I charged flat rates. Most of the national franchises charge hourly rates for a large portion of their services. My customer's liked knowing that with me their was no confusion as to exactly how much they were going to be billed for. Plus, it is cheaper to go with me.

To get Geek Squad to perform all of the tasks of a "Total Restoration" it would cost a customer $458 ($229 for an "Operating System Service" and $229 for a "Data Migration"). That's more than twice as much as what I charged for my Total Restoration.

I think the fact that Geek Squad is doing so well AND they are charging outrageous prices shows that the consumer market is not moving towards disposable computer's and that people are willing to pay for these types of services.

The computer repair industry brought in over $20 billion dollars in 2004, and Geek Squad only profited $112 million dollars in 2004. That's a .6 percent market share. There's plenty of room for everyone.

To start a franchise with "Friendly Computers" it will cost you an estimated total investment of "$22,000 - $180,000". I'm only asking for $900 and you can work for yourself and call your own shots.

I hope this answers your questions.

[jdoc]

Hi Crunchbag:

Thanks for your detailed reply. It sounds like you have a way to have your customers differentiate themselves in a crowded market, although in Canada there are several smaller franchises that offer in-home computers services for flat rates (most of which have vans running around town draped in their logo).

Do you offer ongoing support after purchase? It sounds like customers will get a decent start with your product, but I think if most people are trying to make a living (ie. full time job) out of this that they'd be willing to pay more (higher initial cost and/or a royaltee fee) to ensure that their new venture was successful for many years.

All in all, with your strong guarantees (although I can see there being issues with proving lack of sales in guarantee #2) I think you should generate interest from people looking for secondary income, and if you were so inclined you could probably make a more comprehensive franchising system out of it. That said, it's still a tough market, fragmented or not, and one that is hard for your customers to scale easily to grow their business (as is any service-based firm).

Good luck!

[CrunchBug]

Thank you for your positive response. I offer 3 hours of free support with the package and am available for consulting after that. I have a "menu of services" section in my toolkit that lists out the marketing and business development consulting I offer my clients.

[jdoc]

Sounds reasonable. I suggest you consider offering a larger package (ie. 5-20X the initial investment) that provides ongoing support and developing a national brand. Both you and your customers will likely see higher returns. Assuming, of course, that you're interested in developing a more franchise-like model (very time consuming). If you're essentially interested in passing along your expertise and then moving onto another venture, then what you already have seems to be a good product.

[Sleek Media]

Hmm...sounds similar to something I'm baking up right now.

I've been experiementing with adsense, ebooks, and such. As a result, I've gained a good amount of information about writing and selling them. If you want, I can help you make a very convincing sales page. Just send me a message.

Joe

[CrunchBug]

I've thought about going the franchise route, but that involves more time and commitment than I am looking to make right now.

Earlier today I've decided to go completely in the opposite direction and offer my package for $97 with no money-back guarantee and no tech support. I think there are a lot more people on ebay who are willing to risk $97 with no guarantee than there are people who are willing to risk $450 with a guarantee for my package. I can't afford to offer tech support for $97, but I have available support packages in the members section of my website that serious buyers can purchase if they want the one-on-one support I was going to offer for $450.

I have also revised my ebay auction to cater more specifically to the type of person who is looking on ebay for a business opportunity like mine. Here's a link to the auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7566235482

[jdoc]

You're probably right that you're tuning your product to what the E-Bay crowd wants. I wish you all the best with it.