Time to open his own computer service shop

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SHOWS APTITUDE IN JOB: Stanley installing spare parts on his customer’s computer.

KUCHING: After 16 years of living abroad, Stanley Chin decided it was time to come home to open a computer service shop along Jalan Sekama in the city.

His father sacrificed half his premises for his youngest son to pursue his business dream in information technology (IT).

Stanley told The Borneo Post over the weekend: “The borderless world is within the touch of a button and I am here to ensure people with the means get to do that. My job is to make sure their tools are operational and I am here to provide that service.”

He completed secondary education at Chung Hua Middle School No. 1, before leaving for Kuala Lumpur to further his studies in IT.

Upon completing his studies, he became a sales assistant in a computer shop in the bustling city.

“I was not computer savvy in the beginning but my lecturer and mentor helped mould me into be what I am today. I fell in love with the IT world and have him to thank for changing my life,” he added.

He moved to Singapore in 1996 with IT experience in sales and technical matters obtained in KL, and his ability to deal with hardware and software.

At that time a computer was a must-have gadget for many Singaporeans.

“My hands-on experiences in KL came in handy when fulfilling demand for computers in Singapore,” recalled Stanley.

“Singaporeans are high income earners so it was easier for them to own computers at equivalent cost to Malaysia,” he added.

According to Stanley, he is not a computer nerd but would spent up to two hours to repair a problematic computer.

He would start by troubleshooting what needed to be done for the computer before identifying the parts to be replaced and order them.

“Customers had a choice of generic or original, according to brand. It was up to their budget,” he added.

To know more about the computer trade and the people in the industry, Stanley acquainted himself with computer vendors and suppliers to know what was best in terms of spare parts.

“Being a service provider, it is important to know where and what are the best spare parts for our customer, without burning a deep hole in their pocket,” he explained.

Stanley is confident he can provide the service in Kuching as he had an established network in the IT industry and spare parts suppliers through his sales and technical connection in Singapore.

“I am in direct contact with vendors who will help me get the spare parts,” he said.

“I believe in customer satisfaction and charging competitive prices,” he added, unfazed by other service centres.

He is honest in telling customers when their computers are beyond repair.

He said for those who want a generic computer or branded ones the hardware must match up.

“There are plenty of choices and for RM1,500, I can give (build) a customer a good computer with a good operating system,” he continued.

Photography enthusiast Stanley also provides digital photo service.