Are You Saving Money With Your Computer Support Plan?

As a computer troubleshooter and repair person, I see all kinds of problems and possibilities. From the quick fix or answer to the complicated repair, from the problem computer to the occasional tweak another computer needs – it pays to know a good and reliable technician to help you.

Lately there have been programs in which online support is offered. This can be good or bad. The good is there are various programs you can choose from, and the bad is you might choose poorly and get stuck with a worthless plan – which in the long run will cost you more in time and money. Sometimes online support is a more economical choice in getting help and support – because you can avoid an up-front service charge from a hands-on repair shop and often get enough information to fix something yourself. It won’t work in all cases, but perhaps it will save you some money in many cases.

There are also the online support companies, where people can ask a question and if it can be answered fairly quickly, there is no fee – this can include support via email, or chat, or phone. By chat or email, you can assess the technician’s capability before you end up requesting help from him/her. You will have the opportunity to fund your support account – and then use it any time you need – no monthly requirements or outlay. There are many technicians knowledgeable in nearly any capacity dealing with computers, the Internet, peripherals, etc.

I question the concept of monthly fees for support – because there are normally many months in which no support is needed. Yes, some will use their accounts to ask frivolous questions they would never pay to ask, but only to use up their monthly credits. Still others will just let the monthly credits go to waste – like so many other plans that get forgotten but are still paid into monthly. If you have a computer that routinely has problems – a monthly assurance may be what you need.

If you truly have a problem computer that acts up on a regular basis, then a monthly paid plan might be effective – depending on the type of problem and whether the monthly allotment will be enough. If you are still paying for extra support, it might make more sense to purchase an account that has credits you can use at any time, and can add funds to at anytime.

This is a similar concept to service plans on appliances – do you really get your money’s worth on those plans? If the appliance isn’t well made, you are better off with a service plan. If it is well made, a service plan isn’t necessary. A little assurance by having some funds in a service account for when needed makes more sense.

Figure out how reliable or unreliable your computer is, and you will figure out the best plan you should have. Don’t jump on the bandwagon of anything which, with hype, promises you riches and gives you services and such that you really don’t need. If you have to pay for something you don’t need, rethink your game plan. There are other options out there. A monthly outlay of money may very well just be going to waste. Would you rather spend $30/month or more for a plan that gives you the same service as a $30 account you can use anytime you want, and fund into it for extra services if needed? Think about it. For your particular computer – which type of plan makes more sense?

About the author.

Pauliina Roe is a hands-on computer troubleshooter/repairperson in the Denver area, and also troubleshoots online and over the phone. If you need computer support, either online or in person in the Denver area – go to http://doubleii.com/troubleshootcomputer.htm

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