GEEKNOTE: Today's GEEKNOTE topic was originally going to be about computer support, but I suspect the support issue is far broader than just computer support. My company exists to provide IT support to individuals and businesses. I don't believe that we are unique in our desire to take care of our clients. Here are a few examples:
Roger Jordan, over at PBSS American, spends his days helping folks deal with locks and how to secure their homes and businesses.
John "Johnny Cool" Steinmetz lives to keep his customers cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Jim Smetzer runs Pasco Camera and is the "go to guy" for anything involving photography.
Dionne Blaesing has been helping folks sort out legal issues for years. ( I would have used Rich Williams, another great local lawyer, as this example, but he already thinks I get my inspiration for these articles from him.)
Michelle Filippou (Mezzalunas), Joe Nordon (Boulevard Beef & Ale), Steve Shurdell (WJQB)... the list goes on and on... We have a huge number of local business owners who are excellent at what they do and I hate to stop listing them, because there are so many deserving of recognition.
What do these folks have in common? They are invested in our community and when we spend our money with them, we are supporting our community. They are also much more accessible when we need help than some faceless mega-corporation. Calling an 800 number and speaking to someone who may or may not speak English as their native tongue is all well and good, but when it comes time to replace my Silverado, I'm going to call Tom Castriota. I know that I will get straight answers to my questions.
Without exception, every single person I've named in this article is readily available by phone. If they can't take your call, they will return your call. You can go see them and speak to them face to face. They aren't simply a distant voice on the phone and you aren't simply a number. You are a real person with real problems that these folks are going to do their dead level best to solve. That is what I like about spending my money with local businesses.
A lot has been said about the reasons why our downtown has so many vacant storefronts. We can help turn things around in our downtown and our community at large by supporting our independent business owners.
Do you need a computer? Come see me instead of buying something in a big box store or mail order from Dell. We won't over or under sell you and you will likely be surprised at how competitive we are. We frequently beat Dell's pricing and we can still sell you a Windows 7 machine if you would rather not learn Windows 8.
Are you going out to dinner? You can go to a chain or you can visit one of our local restaurants. Michelle talked us into getting dessert last night. Unbelieveably, the desserts came out of the kitchen looking like pieces of art! Even I didn't expect something quite so fancy in New Port Richey.
I've been faced with fixing locks and doors. I could have gone to Home Depot and fumbled through the repairs myself. Not a chance. Unlike me, Roger knows what he is doing and the hardware he installs will be a better grade than what I might have purchased on my own.
We keep business cards from quite a few local businesses in our store. I'm happy to make recommendations based on my personal experience with these folks and feedback we've received from our customers.
If you value having local support like I do, then spend your hard earned money with local businesses. Ultimately the choice is ours. If we want a vibrant community, we can shop local. If we don't care, then we can buy from the big box stores and online.
As always, feel free to drop me a note or give me a call (847-2424) if you have any questions about your computer or the Internet.
