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Phoenix
Computing Systems Service Policies |
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Response time for a technician on-site
Mission critical needs receive same-day response. Being a small
operation, I cannot guarantee a specific response time; however,
I offer three levels of urgency. Normal service requests will be
scheduled as time is available. “Mission critical” is defined as
an operation you or your company absolutely needs to operate
your business. “Same day” response is defined as having a
technician on-site by 5pm if your initial request is made before
noon, else by noon the next business day if your initial request
is made after noon. Even if an issue cannot be resolved by
normal end-of-business, in many cases items can be addressed
remotely or by after-hours entry if you provide that access.
Same-day requests carry one-half hour additional billing to
cover travel costs.
When you need service as quickly as possible
I carry two cell phones. The emergency phone
is to be used only in the event of an urgent request. Typically
you issue as part of your initial phone call an “extremely
urgent request.” I suggest sending a text message along with
using the urgent phone number to be certain your request is
processed immediately. If I successfully arrive within two hours
of your initial request, you will pay an additional one hour
of labor for this quicker response. Upon your request, if at all possible, I will drop whatever
current appointment is in progress and come to you immediately.
My arrival will depend on my proximity to you of course.
A two-hour additional charge applies when you request that I
drop what I am doing and come immediately to you. If I am unavailable or for any reason and I
cannot meet the two-hour request, there will be no extra charge. Obviously, your request would still receive top priority
as I
would come to you as quickly as possible, but you would only be
charged the additional hour(s) in the event that both you requested
it and I actually arrived within two hours of your initial call.
Note that your need does not have to actually be extremely
urgent. For those with cash to burn, if you would simply like to
see me ASAP, let me know that you are willing to pay the extra
hour, and I’ll still drop what I’m doing and come immediately,
regardless of the real urgency of your request.
After-hours work
Currently there is no additional labor charge premium for
after-hours or weekend work. Some customers take advantage of
this by scheduling maintenance, backups and other non-critical
work after-hours so that their daytime productivity is not
impeded! Sundays are generally not available. Requested and
approved work on Sunday is billed at 1.5X.
Reduced rates
Normal rate for all billable labor is $75/hour. If you pre-pay
for 10 or more hours, that rate is reduced to $65/hour, so long
as you have a positive pre-paid balance. Also, home users can
request a special evening rate of $50/hour when using two hours
at a time, as scheduling allows. Many use this discounted rate
for one-on-one training, which can be very beneficial to those
learning. Pre-paid time never expires. You may use it as you
need. If the event arises that you no longer need PCS services,
any unused pre-paid time will be refunded.
Phone and remote access
Most of the time short questions and many “quick fix remotely”
service calls are so short that is just isn’t worth the trouble
to attempt to document and bill for these, so I consider short
phone calls to be just part of your standard customer service.
Recently, some customers are finding that they use me this way
often enough that I have set up a special program for them. If you would
like, I can set up a similar account for you where phone minutes
are billed. The rate is a very reasonable $1/minute, which is
actually less than $75/hour on-site service time.
Travel time
For normal scheduled appointments, I do not bill for travel
time! You only pay for the actual time I spend at your home or
office. Extremely far distances (for example Sun City, Anthem,
Gold Canyon) also have an additional one-half hour billing for
each appointment.
Minimum labor charge and "billable time"
The minimum on-site labor charge is one hour. Billable time
begins when the technician arrives on-site and ends when the
customer has stopped using the technician’s time.
Minimum remote assistance charge is 0.25 hours.
By the job or by the hour?
If you desire, you may request an estimate for labor on a
particular job. I will provide an estimate for that particular
job and complete the labor for the estimated price. If
unforeseen conditions arise using additional time or if
additional projects are given which are beyond the scope of the
original estimate, those items or projects will be billed
separately. Normally I will bill by the hour for the amount of
time used from start to finish. If, however, you pre-pay the
invoice estimate, I will honor the estimate and complete the job
at no additional cost, even if the job takes longer than
expected.
Additional Policies ________________________________________
Backup and data loss
Every effort will be made by PCS to not endanger your data in
any way. Your data, the backing up thereof, and the verification
of that backup, is 100% your responsibility. By allowing a PCS
technician access to your data, it is understood that you agree
that you cannot hold PCS or its employees to any liability for
any data loss. Please make backups of your data regularly and
prior to any service.
Downtime or loss of productivity
PCS guarantees no specific time frame of response to or repair
of any particular problem. Software or equipment failure
resulting in downtime or productivity loss on your part, is not
the responsibility of PCS or its employees. We make every effort
to encourage regular data backup and recommend redundant
hardware where downtime would be costly. We have programs in
place to get a technician to you and begin working on your
systems quickly. We employ only the most competent technicians.
We recommend the highest grade equipment. However, problems do
happen. Neither PCS or its employees can be held liable for your
data loss or productivity loss. By purchasing equipment from PCS
or allowing a PCS technician to work on your systems, it is
understood that you agree to these terms.
Labor warranty policy
There is no warranty, real or implied, for labor provided by
PCS. However, I am very interested in your long term patronage
and will attempt in good faith to resolve any concerns you may
have if you feel you have not received a complete solution. I
will make every effort to see that you are satisfied with the
service you receive.
Hardware warranty policy
New systems sales carry a one-year limited warranty on parts and
labor (the construction of hardware and installation of original
software). Extended warranties are available on request. This
warranty covers only complete system purchases from PCS. The
warranty does not cover installation of software by the customer
or installation of any hardware by the customer. Variations from
this policy are solely at the discretion of PCS. Other
individual hardware purchased from PCS or installed by PCS also
carries a limited warranty, typically one-year. Some components
individually carry extended warranty of two or three years. I
will often be available to assist you in returning these
products to their manufacturer.
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