Thank you for considering 1ComputerCare for your computer’s repair and maintenance. My aim is to provide a level of support and service that encourages repeat business and referrals.

1ComputerCare was started in April 2003 by me, Eugene Gardner.  I have over 20 years experience in maintaining and supporting computers and their users, gained since graduating with an honours degree in Computer Science in 1983.  In 1989 I formed VaxMan Ltd., a company that offered independent consultancy and technical support for 13 years until changes to tax laws (IR35), and personal circumstances caused me to close the company and return to England permanently.  I now operate as a sole trader: I do not employ anyone and am not VAT registered.  I choose to operate that way as I enjoy working with computers more than filling in forms.

Qualifications

In May 1990 I gained full membership of the British Computer Society and continue to adhere to and be bound by the BCS Codes of Practice and Conduct for your protection.  I have passed exams to gain credentials as a Microsoft Certified Professional and am also qualified in designing and administering Oracle databases.  Most recently, I have been awarded Chartered I.T. Practitioner status.

Buy With Confidence

I am a member of the County Council Trading Standards Department's Buy With Confidence scheme.  This provides independent inspection of business standards and confirms that my qualifications, accreditations, references, professional memberships, insurance, terms of business and practices have all been extensively audited and found to be in order.  A criminal record background check is also done, and a formal complaints procedure established.  At the end of each job a small pre-paid questionnaire card is given to each client to enable brickbats and bouquets to be sent anonymously to Trading Standards to ensure that the initial standard is being maintained.

So whatever your problem there is a good chance that I have encountered it before.  However there are infinite ways to configure computers, so it can sometimes take a little time to be able to offer a long term, robust remedy; my target turnaround time is 48 hours.  I can not guarantee to resolve every issue, but I can, and do, offer a ‘No Fix, No Fee’ guarantee.  Please read my Terms of Business for complete details of the guarantee and other terms and feel free to ask questions if anything is unclear; this is the legal contract between us so make sure you are happy with it before you sign the Work Order.  When making recommendations, you should know that I am totally independent – I decline kickbacks and gratuities from all potential suppliers except those listed here.

Frequently a problem must be tackled in stages where the research needed for each stage cannot be ascertained until the previous stage has been accomplished.  Usually the fastest and most economical course is for me to remove the computer to my workshop - there's no charge for local collections.  In this situation, I will give you a receipt for your computer and progress updates by phone or e-mail; loan computers are usually available.

 

I can not know the degree of technical competency of each client, nor the frequency or level of detail required in progress updates, so please let me know if I do not judge these items correctly.  Calls or (preferably) e-mails to check on the progress of a job are welcome.

My normal working hours are 9am – 6pm Monday to Saturday.  Appointments are available for late morning (10:30am - 12:30pm) early afternoon (1:00pm - 3:00pm) and late afternoon (3:00pm - 5:00pm).  I am not able to be more specific as I do not know how long the previous job will take, nor the traffic conditions.  However, if you would appreciate a precise arrival time, I can arrange that by blocking out the previous appointment slot.

I am not VAT registered – if you are, please let me know when ordering software or components.  For second and subsequent small jobs, I will often maintain an account and delay sending an invoice until several hours are accrued or the end of the trading year unless asked not to.

All my work comes from repeat business and personal recommendation – I have no paid advertising, so I work hard to offer a quality of service such that clients are happy to recommend 1ComputerCare.  In recognition of your doing this I ask that you have potential new clients mention your name, as I like to send a special thank you to anyone who refers 1ComputerCare.  Many times when I have dealings with a business I think there is something I would do differently were I running the operation.  At the end of each job, please take a minute to let me know how you feel about the work done by visiting my feedback page - testimonials are particularly welcome !