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Author Topic: Start 1 person ISO in FL howto  (Read 596 times)

DT_Guru

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Start 1 person ISO in FL howto
« on: June 28, 2009, 10:55:03 PM »
Retired CSE would like to become a 1 person ISO in FL. What is the beeline process?

exCSER

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Re: Start 1 person ISO in FL howto
« Reply #1 on: June 29, 2009, 12:41:50 AM »
Beeline process?? Well, first, find some clients. If they are unhappy with their current service provider, you might be able to help them. You will need to have all of the tools necessary to do the job, but you might be able to get them to buy the parts they need so you don't have to purchase a lot of inventory right off the bat. Xerox service is the benchmark, so you are competing with a lot of resources. Be fair, honest, consistent, available within a reasonable time, and supportive of your clients business. I have found it extremely helpful to be supportive to all other ISO's and not compete against them. There is enough business out there for all the little guys. Xerox has the large marketshare and always will, but being a large corporation means they do sometimes drop the ball, and that is where an ISO has it's best opportunities. Good luck to you!!

NYCTech

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Re: Start 1 person ISO in FL howto
« Reply #2 on: June 29, 2009, 02:42:39 AM »
Welcome to the wonderful world of self employment and dissapointment. KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) is the best advice anyone could give you.
Advertise in a local penny pincher, hey you never know what might just happen. When I started off in 2000 a three line advertisment in our local penny pincher was seen by (exactly) one person that worked for a local print shop that had a Xerox 5090. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising and before you know it you will have other unhappy campers on your customer list. Parts for Xerox copiers are quite expensive and customers, for the most part, are looking for the cheapest way out.  No matter what the sale price is for a part they will always think they could have been better off with their cousin Benny from Bayone. What I did was give the customer the phone number of a supplier and let him / her purchase the parts and call you when the parts arrive on site. This way you do not have to lay out the money, stock the parts and worry about the account paying you when you are finished. Can you make more money selling parts? Sure, but remember that most states require that you charge sales tax and submit the tax to them lickity split. More record keeping... More headaches. Bill your customer at the conclusion of a call. This way you will not have to hire a person to do your billing. Most print shops are run by honest hard working people, and some are delinquient in paying their service provider. (thats why you are there servicing the Xerox box in the first place).
Good Luck

DT_Guru

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Re: Start 1 person ISO in FL howto
« Reply #3 on: June 29, 2009, 03:20:17 AM »
Thanks for the good points. I was thinking more along the line of getting a tax number. Would I need some type of contractor license?,  Have'nt seen anything posted on state sites for copier / printer techs. I do know that I need to register a business name.

Thanks

KT6135

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Re: Start 1 person ISO in FL howto
« Reply #4 on: June 29, 2009, 09:46:58 AM »
Come up with the name and go under office machine repair.

xeroxpws

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Re: Start 1 person ISO in FL howto
« Reply #5 on: June 29, 2009, 03:49:04 PM »
Yeh - you need a basic self employed business license (DBA) and a tax I'd .  Also, follow nytechs advice , stay small and don't spread your self too thin , don't buy a lot of parts yet . Try to find a few parts machines (5090's) etc...
And associate yourself with other ISO's because most of them are willing to help when you have issues you can't solve .

The best place to purchase parts and supplies (I found) is canam . 
D@R is ok but the prices vary to much and they are looking for the big spending customers and will raise the prices on smaller customers .  Comdoc/oem has some good prices on pr belts ..

And remember, you don't have the support and parts from Xerox anymore , no more pws updates , software etc..
" If there's a new way
  I'll be first in line
  But it better work this time"