A few years ago, we built a computer system for a local customer who
wanted to use it for desktop publishing and to "surf" the Internet. As always,
we encouraged the fellow to include a surge protector, or UPS (uninterruptible
power supply) with his system purchase, in order to protect his investment.

He declined to do so.

A few weeks later, and the night after a major storm passed through the area,
we got a call. It seems that the nearly new p.c. had suddenly begun acting
erratically. The computer would no longer connect to the Internet, and would shut
down intermittently, for no apparent reason.

That afternoon, I drove out to the customer's home office, and duplicated the
errors, and a couple more that had escaped his attention. I pointed out the
likelihood that this may have been caused by the recent storm.

He said, "I know, I know...I should have bought a surge protector. I had been meaning to do that, but never got around to it. Do those things really work?"
I bit my tongue to keep from saying... 'Only when you use them...'

We ended up replacing the motherboard and the modem. Well over $200 worth of repairs, for not buying the $15 worth of insurance that would, most likely, have prevented the loss.

Needless to say, at the customer's insistence, we included a new surge protector
in his repair bill.

As is often the case in our small businesses, we tend to try to cut corners on equipment in order to keep our operating costs down. Sometimes it pays to spend a few dollars more to get the "complete package".

What we tend to overlook, is the complete cost of downtime, as a result of equipment failure. Not only is there the cost of hardware (and sometimes software) repairs, but when you factor in the expense of lost production, and in some cases lost business, the total "repair bill" can be overwhelming!

It pays to 'go the extra mile' and buy the best equipment to support the efforts of your business.

Ralph Moore is the editor of the FREE Eagle Flyer Newsletter, which offers "How To Technology and Tips That Can Multiply Your Business Online". To subscribe to the Eagle Flyer and receive a FREE report, visit: Eagle Flyer