We have our own (Orlando, Cape Coral: how much, homes, unemployment rate)

[wishingawaysnow]

we own a retail pc repair business here and also do onsite services in homes and businesses for hourly fees, just wondering if anyone knows how much competition is in the area for these services? We know it would take years to build the business as we have here in Ohio, I am aware there is a best buy/geek squad in this area but they are also much higher priced than what we offer...just wondering if people know this area if they think this would be a good business to have down there? I was thinking in FL it could be real good due to a lot of retired folk, but also tourists would likely not make good customers....just looking for thoughts....

[hiknapster]

There are a lot. A google search will show you what you are dealing with. The unemployment rate is sky-high so everyone and their brother had to think outside the box, plus the market has always been saturated even though there are a lot of retirees that use the services.

Cape Coral Computer Repair in Cape Coral FL Yellow Pages by SuperPages

[wishingawaysnow]

there are a lot here too, but we are the best! LOL!!

[wishingawaysnow]

a lot of people who want to offer remote support, not the same as a onsite technician and I am sure if we eventually started a retail location that will put us a cut above many of these who do not have a drop off location. I think having the retail location does legitimitize the business a lot, but we would want to get the area known a lot better before we decided on a good spot for that and now that we have 2 kids under 2 starting in August we may wait for them to become a little older before opening a storefront again.

I plan on calling a lot of the places and finding out their rates for on-site support too, from what my husband has already researched the rates are similar to what we get here, there are also an abundance of retired people in florida so there very well may be more need there as well then here, as here a lot of people can call a grandson over, well if you don't have one in the area, it's a lot harder....

[hiknapster]

There are a lot of techs in the area. Sony had its tech support based in Fort Myers. I use to work there. So did my cousin - one of the best techs that exist - but after living in Fort Myers most of his life he finally had to move to Orlando about a year ago. I just don't think there is enough work but I could be wrong.

Research the heck out of it. I use to live down there and now run a business up here and I know that even though you can plan the unknown can blindside you.

The biggest warning I can give you is the area is very transient. I can't stress that enough. Even for the retirees. So many people come and go. It leads to very little loyalty when it comes to business relationships. Also, the folks that live there are known for squeezing their nickels. That was the case even when the economy was booming. That can easily be said about a lot of places but swFlorida retirees give a whole new meaning to the word "tight."

[wishingawaysnow]

Thanks and I take that warning seriously, but if they want their pc worked on by us, they will pay the fair rate or go someplace else, never have been afraid of turning down bad jobs in favor of good ones, adding that we would not be just doing this at first so not like we need it to support our fam (always been our extra fun... income), my husband has a lead on a decent full time job in the area that he can most likely get without a hitch....