Do you fix the old way or teach the customer to fix it themselves?

Three years ago I had a customer bring in a 1978 Canon that needed a new light seal kit. I quoted 60 bucks. He asked me to just show him how to do it instead. I spent 45 minutes walking him through it, he did it at home, and he's sent me three friends since. Last week another guy brought the same camera, same issue, and got annoyed when I offered to teach him. He just wanted to drop it off and pick it up. Two sides of the same coin. I make more money on the drop-off side but the DIY crowd brings in more work over time. Which do you lean toward when someone asks for help instead of a repair? Does teaching ever bite you in the butt when they mess it up and blame you?

2 comments

2 Comments

lee73329d ago

Honestly I used to think teaching was just giving away work for free. But after seeing how the DIY crowd sends people your way over and over, I get it now. That first guy probably cost me 60 bucks but he's brought in way more than that since.

victor75929d ago

Man teaching them is a gamble but when it works they bring in way more work, totally worth it.