F1-Key Computers joins FixITlocal
F1-Key Computers signs up for nationwide fixITlocal service to offer computer repairs and service. Southampton-based IT solutions supplier has joined the new FixITlocal initiative that highlights the benefits of utilising local experts when it comes to computer maintenance and support for Home and businesses. The scheme is a response to the efforts of big businesses like PC World trying to attract customers with their own service offering. Paul Finney, Proprietor of F1-Key Computers says it’s a great idea. “We have signed up because we believe that we can deliver a much better service to local businesses than multinational companies. The big retailers and service companies are now trying to take what has traditionally been part of our core business away – FixITlocal gives us a way of fighting back.” Finney says that experience really counts when it comes to solving everyday IT problems and it’s important to know that your supplier really cares. “You can’t beat experience”, he says. “We have many loyal customers who will tell you that, when they do have a problem, we will do everything we can to sort it out. The big firms simply can’t and don’t offer the same level of care and attention to local customers.” Evidence that local IT suppliers can deliver better service and support than nationwide chains was provided by Computing Which? magazine a survey published in November last year. It found that independent retailers were able to provide a generally more reliable and cost-effective service for computer repairs than PC World. The survey stated that at one store, after misdiagnosing the simple software problem, researchers were informed a repair would cost £350 and instead staff advised the customer to buy a completely new computer. On six occasions, branches of PC World refused to even look at a PC because the computer wasn’t returned with a boxed copy of Windows or a recovery disk – neither of which were necessary to fix the basic faults which researchers had deliberately created on the machines. The report also noted that the majority of independent repair shops provided good repairs, lower costs and impressive service – some even helped to carry the mended computers to the researchers’ cars. Over 300 firms from all over the UK have already signed up for FixITlocal. Businesses that respond to its advertising and promotional campaigns will be routed through to the local IT services supplier in their area automatically. The FixITlocal service is being strongly backed by the Professional Computing Association (PCA), theindependentPCtradeassociation. Resellers who sign up will need to abide by the PCA’s Professional Code of Conduct to ensure that they meet required standards of customer service. Besides service, local fixITlocal resellers will be able to offer fantastic offers and savings on new Computer hardware, software, printers and services from major IT vendors. For more information contact:Paul Finney Proprietor F1-Key Computers Tel: (023) 8098 8008Email:paul@f1-key.co.ukwww.f1-key.co.uk