You may think that it's ok just to invite someone in to your home to fix your PC, without really checking them out. After all, it's not gas we're talking about is it? Well, there are several important things to consider which you might not have thought about.
The majority of viruses on a PC arise due to the user and if your engineer isn't qualified they could end up doing more harm than good. Even more worrying is that someone with the right equipment could download some of your most personal information in a few seconds, for their own use, and you would never know.
CompTIA, the UK's best known computer engineer training organisation, provide the training necessary to ensure that all engineers who possess the A+ qualification are bound by the Data Protection Act and, of course, have the technical skills to do the job correctly. In addition to qualifications, you need to be aware of insurance, of which there are two types: public liability and professional indemnity.
Public liability insures against any damage to you or your property caused by the engineer. Some engineers may not be covered at all or only be insured for domestic premises and not business premises, which carries a higher risk and cost. Professional indemnity is there to insure against negligence on the part of the engineer, obviously important when someone is working on your PC, especially if you are a business customer and your company relies on the use of the PC and associated data! This insurance is quite expensive and so some engineers may not be covered for this either.
PC PAL only use fully qualified and fully insured engineers with the experience and knowledge to solve all your PC problems, giving you peace of mind. We all know about pirate software, and this is rife amongst the industry. If your engineer is telling you they can provide you with an up-to-date installation at a very cheap price, be sure to check and ask for the product registration key, as well as the original software discs, to be provided to you.
A recommendation is obviously the best way to find a new engineer so ask for testimonials or references from previously satisfied customers. A professional website is also useful to find out more. So, the next time you reach for the telephone, make sure you ask plenty of questions of the engineer before they arrive on your doorstep! If you would like any help with your PC, contact PC PAL on our 7-day helpline on: 0121 705 0010 or see our website at http://www.pcpal.co.uk for full details of services and to view our customer testimonials.
Jat Mann is the owner of PC PAL, the PC repair specialists. PC PAL currently operate in the Solihull area, offering customers a fully qualified, experienced and insured engineer to fix their computer in their own home or office. More information, tips and resources, as well as information about our services, can be found at http://www.pcpal.co.uk