Fix My 2009 iMac

What is it you would like me to do?

A call came in today from a gentleman asking me to go onsite and fix his 2009 iMac. I’m not sure how many of you remember these machines, they had an Intel Core CPU, (which still lives on 12 iterations later), 2GB of RAM, and a 300GB spinning hard disk.

My question is simple: What would you like me to do?

This particular Mac model is 15 years old, was declared obsolete by Apple 12 years ago, has no readily available hardware parts for replacement, and is running a version of MacOS, (before it was called MacOS), called Snow Leopard.

You can still find them on e-Bay and other auction sites for about $50. So you can imagine my disappointment when the caller suggested my motives were suspect.

I worked at Apple for 8 years, (badge #13902), I’m writing this post on a MacBook Air, and have a half dozen or so other Macs in my lab and workshop.

My best advice is to purchase a new system, and we don’t sell products, so there isn’t any “upsell” incentive on our part. Other than trying to help save you from the inevitable scammer who will ‘fix’ it for a nominal fee.

On calls like these, I’m reminded of the cliche, “No good deed goes unpunished.”


The Magic Wand

What Is Our Value To You?

Let’s flip the script regarding computer repair costs by asking a simple question.

I have a magic wand in my backpack. When I wave that wand, it fixes all of your computer problems and prevents them from happening again.

How much are you willing to pay for us to wave the wand?

Lowest Cost Bid

We Own A Million Dollar Home But You Aren’t The Cheapest

A classic line we hear from folks in the ‘shopping around’ phase: “I can get it cheaper from Company X.”

Our respectful response: “Then get it cheaper from Company X.”

In a market as competitive as IT services, (where no federal or state license is required), a race to the bottom usually leads to bad behavior — but smart customer know this. The US Navy doesn’t award submarine construction contracts to the lowest bidder. Every great and successful brand is known for something other than lowest cost.

Henry Ford achieved initial success with mass production, interchangeable parts, and efficient manufacturing processes resulting in the lowest cost vehicles on the market. Quickly, Ford realized that people didn’t actually want the cheapest car. They wanted, and still want, a car to be proud of, a bit safer, a bit more stylish, and in the current world we inhabit, maybe a bit more eco friendly.

Everyone wants quality products built by people who care. Not coincidentally, people who care are usually paid a living wage. Their vocation allows them to be productive company contributors, but also productively contribute to their communities.

In the long run, ‘I can get it cheaper’ is a refuge for folks possessing short term, transactional thinking. Ultimately they realize ‘you get what you pay for’ is not just a cliche.

This post is adapted from https://seths.blog/2014/05/the-tyranny-of-lowest-price/ and thank you Seth for the inspiration!