Area laptop repair firm gets bigger as notebooks get smaller
As the popularity of laptops increase, so can the problems.
What do you do when your laptop doesn't power up, or your coffee has spilled on it, or the screen is cracked?
If the warranty is over, you may go to a major retailer and pay a hefty fee. Or some have gone to Elk Grove Village-based Crescent Technology Inc. (www.crescentcomp.com).
The laptop repair business was started in January 2006 by George Krogul of Chicago and his aunt, Carol Currie of Hoffman Estates. They serve small- and mid-size businesses as well as individuals with fast repairs at competitive fees.
"We realized there was a need to do laptop repairs when they surpassed the use of desktops," Currie said. "And it was hard to get laptops fixed quickly before."
Crescent focuses on various repairs, including warranty and extended warranty work from manufacturers. Crescent also supports several small computer shops around the Midwest.
In addition, it accepts walk-ins from customers and business people.
A flat fee of $185 covers the most common types of repairs that can be done in around three days. But if you need it fixed within three hours, you could pay an additional $85.
A major project by Best Buy, when the chain consolidated its own repair facilities, sent work to Crescent during that transition.
"We rented a truck and went to their facility in Carol Stream and just loaded up (the laptops)," said Krogul, a Palatine High School graduate.
That work soon led to other referrals and Crescent has boosted its work force from three to 12.
As Crescent's clientele increased, it also started renting computers and laptops to business guests staying at area hotels. It also has broadened its base of repair work.
"We've also worked on iPods, TVs, desktops and data recovery," Krogul said.
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