Kinda computer help...Help Zenix!

[mrapoc]

Literally on the brink of starting a pc servicing company (repairing hardware/software problems, virus removal, general spring cleans and installations...that kinda stuff basically any problems anyone can have)

We need some T & Cs to put on our contract to safeguard us from data loss etc. (Rik pointed this out to me) so if you would, between you, give me some drafted sentences to include and any I may have missed to protect us from any occurances that may...errr occur


Sam 

[AvengerUK]

We recommend that our customers back-up all data files that may be required, as servicing your PC may corrupt these files. We take every precaution to stop this from happening, however if it does we accept no responsability for the loss of data.

Something along those lines, that needs re-wording however...ive written it quite badly!

On the whole it needs to be to the point and "obvious"

[Inactive]

Sam,

Why not find a similar set up on the web, find their T&C's and then slightly re-word them to avoid any copyright issues.

[Rik]

I like Inactive's method - never re-invent the wheel if you can avoid it Sam.

That said, give me a couple of hours and I'll see what I can knock out...

[mrapoc]

I've got some - yeah ive changed the name again:

Under no circumstances is Zenon Computer Services Ltd responsible for any loss of information, during warranty repair or otherwise. It is the customer's sole responsibility to ensure that a complete working backup exists for any information that is deemed to be important to the customer. The restoration of any backup software is the responsibility of the customer.
The customer is responsible for any expenses incurred for shipping any items back under warranty. Insurance against theft or damage in transit is the sole responsibility of the customer and such arrangements are to be made by the customer.
All repair work is completed promptly except in cases where a part is unavailable, in which case Zenon Computer Services Ltd  has to wait for the respective distributor to dispatch the required part. If the part is obsolete (no fault of vendor), which is quite common especially in the computer industry, the customer will be given the choice to upgrade to an equivalent part or item. No value will be given to the obsolete part, due to a very small or no monetary value associated with the item or part

[Rik]

Too 'chatty', Sam, and a touch of obfuscation to boot

"Zenon Computer Services Ltd (hereinafter referred to as ZCS) accepts no liability for any loss of data. It is the customer's responsibility to ensure that all data has been backed up before a computer is sent for repair. During repair, it may be necessary to re-install the operating system.  ZCS do not, as part of the normal repair process, undertake to re-install the customer's software, although ZCS will be happy to quote for such work. The restoration of data is the responsibility of the customer.

The customer is responsible for any expenses incurred for shipping any items back under warranty. Insurance against theft or damage in transit is the sole responsibility of the customer and such arrangements are to be made by the customer.

All repair work will completed promptly, except in cases where a component is not immediately available, in which case ZCS  will carry out the work as soon as the component, or one of equivalent specification can be obtained. ZCS may, at their sole discretion, substitute components with items of similar or better specification when the original component is obsolete."

[Rik]

Here you go, a more comprehensive draft:

Zenon Computer Services Ltd (hereinafter referred to as ZCS) undertakes to repair or upgrade computers as instructed by the customer. An estimate will be given before work is commenced, but the customer acknowledges and accepts that the final price for the work may be adjusted to take account of changes in the price of components, or the inability to obtain supplies of identical components. ZCS will inform the customer of significant changes to the estimate before carrying out the work.

All repair work will be completed promptly, except in cases where a component is not immediately available, in which case ZCS will advise the customer of the delay and carry out the work as soon as the component, or one of equivalent specification can be obtained. ZCS may, at their sole discretion, substitute components with items of similar or better specification where the original component is obsolete.

ZCS accepts no liability for any loss of data. It is solely the customer's responsibility to ensure that all data has been backed up before a computer is sent for repair. During repair, it may be necessary to re-install the operating system.  ZCS do not, as part of the normal repair process, undertake to re-install the customer's software, although ZCS will be happy to quote for such work. The restoration of data is the responsibility of the customer.

The customer is responsible for any expenses incurred for shipping any items back under warranty. Insurance against theft or damage in transit is the sole responsibility of the customer and such arrangements are to be made by the customer.

ZCS may inspect, adjust, repair or replace the equipment or any part of it as it considers necessary or advisable. The service shall include repair of the equipment in the company's or original manufacturer' s workshops if in the opinion of the ZCS such repair is necessary.

The number of computer viruses, worms, trojans etc in circulation is increasing. These may result in loss of data or damage to the system hardware or software. Issues with systems caused by a virus may incur additional charges.

Force Majeure: Neither party shall be liable for any failure to perform its obligations hereunder as such failure arises from any Act of God, War, Strike, Lockout or other labour dispute, Riot, Civil Commotion, Fire, Flood, Drought, Legislation or other causes (whether of the foregoing classes or not) beyond the control of the party concerned.

Liabilities:  ZCS shall not be liable whether in contract or in tort, including but not limited to negligence, or by reason of breach of statutory duty or otherwise, for any damage or loss whatsoever suffered by the customer arising out of or attributable to such defects. ZCS shall not be liable to the customer for any indirect or consequential loss or damage, loss of profit, loss of use or production or of contracts which the customer may suffer arising out of any breach by ZCS of its obligations under the contract and whether the same be due to the negligence of ZCS or not.

This contract is governed by English law.

[Lance]

Correction, second paragraph...

All repair work will be completed ....

Looks good!

[Rik]

Thanks, Lance, correction made so Sam can cut'n'paste if he wants to.

[mrapoc]

o...m...g that owns

<3 Cheers!! MAJORLY!! lol

Reppers for you my friend

[Rik]

Glad to help, Sam. I'm reasonably sure that would stand up in court, but as you grow, you may want to get it checked by a solicitor.

If you don't have it already, investing in a copy of Acronis True Image, or Ghost would be a sensible move. Then, before you start anything, you can image the system to give you a fallback position.

If things start to grow, think about whether you can do deals with people like Eset to become a re-seller, and gain some extra profit there.

You may also want to think about producing some data sheets on common computer problems, that you can give to customers. I don't think it will take work away from you, but it will impress. Feel free to nick any of my stickies if they are of use. (I suspect broadband advice could be quite lucrative if your clients are with the big ISPs, and I suspect most of them will be!) Supplying and configuring routers could, therefore, become a fringe activity, particularly if they want a wireless network set up.