So far we have discussed some of the gimmicks people use to generate business, and we have discussed how you should treat the expierence like you were hiring a new employee.

Now we move onto one of the most important parts of the selection process for most people, the hourly rate. My immediate thought, forget the hourly rate. I keep using cars as an example and I have to do it again.

You are not buying a car, where you can compare apples to apples and all that is left is the color and price. You have to look at the overall value, IT support is one of the most important pieces of your business functionality. If you could select surgeons by hourly rates would you select the cheapest,,,,, if your life depended on it? How about the cheapest lawyer if you were setup for a crime you didn't commit?

I know of businesses who charge over $175 /hour and you still end up with a junior tech. I also know businesses who charge $75 /hour but it takes them 2 or 3 times longer to get basic things completed. You are going to find most of the quality companies somewhere in the middle.

There are way too many variables here to compare apples to apples, so you might as well take it out of the equation right from the get go. You will get your value from lack of downtime, quick service response, friendly geeks (I am sure many have dealt with geeks who talk down to you), and if you select the right company, you will be able to relax and focus on more important things.

Now, when should you look at the money part of it? Look at the travel fees. Here is an area where many companies get you and some questions you should ask.

• Is the hourly rate charged for travel as well?
• When does the travel charge begin
• Is the travel charged for both ways?

Well this concludes Part 3, there are 2 more parts and I hope you are finding them useful so far, more soon.