I run a start up pc repair business.
I just had a customer give me their laptop for repair. Did a windows full reset and upgrade the hdd to an ssd. Customer is happy.
Comes back with second separate laptop complaint screen doesn’t work after dog sat on it. Now after a good old power cycle it boots up through bios screen. Display is fine and then goes black. I hook it up to an external monitor. All is fine. I then notice I very dark and vague image on the laptops screen.
Low and behold the brightness is just turned down.
Question is do I still charge him my flat fee or do I just let him have it back free of charge as a good will.
I recognise the pros of both options. At the end of the day he came to me as an expected professional expert and I charge my time but then I can’t shake the feeling I’m taking advantage though that might be my anxiety talking.
Or do I just let him have it back free of charge and hope he spreads good word around.
Bill the customer for your time, make it as cheap as possible, explain to the customer why.
They will (probably) be please that you habe not taking advantage of them and you might get one of your first recurring customers, they already showed up twice.
Bro just charge him. Your work is repairing it no matter how big or small problem , just like others suggested you charge him less give him a discount. Next time when he have to repair something he will come to you as you have given him discount.
And more likely customers don’t go to shop where they receive discount, they go where you make him understand his money is well expend.