There are many factors that influence the turn around time in a computer repair shop.  Each one is variable and can shorten or lengthen the time to get your equipment back to you in a timely manner.  We strive to keep these factors minimized to shorten the stay of your computer in our shop.

Backlog: Panther Computers prices, quality of service, and ethical standards are becoming a high demand item both in store and on site. Since Hurricane Dennis we have averaged a constant 35 computers in store. Customers love the work we do and bring them in two, three, and even four at a time. This means that there is a line and it takes time to work through each PC. As you can see in the rest of the factors, this backlog can grow or diminish as we work through the line.

Problem Resolution Time: Oh how our technicians would love it if we had that magical wand that we could touch a PC and it be fully restored to health, but alas this isn't the case. Computers that we recognize only take a few minutes to fix, never get checked into the backlog. A quick check of a power supply and replacement while you wait is done daily. All others take time to diagnose, test, fix, verify, and sometimes research. New problems crop up that have to be researched, spyware and viruses especially. New variants that even our tools haven't discovered are found by mere observation. We take the needed steps to ensure your system comes back trouble free and do so at no added cost to you. We find the research gives us the expertise to make the next PC go faster that has a similar problem.

Workstation Availability: Every technician workstation at Panther Computers has at least 4 spaces for up to 4 computers to be worked on simultaneously. We multitask and take copious notes - running one scan on one PC then getting the next one going, etc. With 4 technicians that means 16 or more PCs can be in work at one time barring other factors like system conflicts. Older PCs can cause our switching system to stop working correctly requiring more manual steps that may reduce that capacity. We strive to resolve these issues and keep as many systems as possible going at any given time. We have even been known to use part of our Internet Cafe as workstations to squeeze out a few extra PCs.

Prioritization: This is a constant policy at Panther Computers. First in first out. We only change the first in first out rule in these cases: Businesses and students take a jump to the front. Businesses lose money when they can't operate due to their computers being down. The best example is if your accountant's computers are down your taxes are late, penalties accrue, and your payroll isn't done. If this happens you lose money, you lose employees, or your employees become disgruntled diminishing their efficiency. An accountant handles many businesses and payrolls. If payrolls aren't done people aren't paid, they can't pay bills or buy your products...it ripples out. If a business can't operate it may go under. If you can't play Pogo....you'll survive. Students, all are important, but college courses are expensive, college professors aren't very understanding or forgiving on classwork, many classes are only available once a year, and books seem to change quarterly. If a student can't get projects done or attend the online meetings they fail. This can push a career back a whole year, lose a grant, have to purchase different books, etc. Very costly, and can even end up discouraging someone from finishing. A career opportunity lost, an education opportunity lost, even possibly a different life than one might have had. Students get prioritized! There are other case by case situations, for example we had a recent laptop that needed priority. A soldier was redeploying to Iraq in a few days, so time was limited and we met his needs. Thank you for fighting for our freedom! Anyone determined taking advantage of this policy falsely will be denied prioritization for all future work.

Interruption Rate: Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Please realize that we don't get paid until you pick up your equipment, therefore we are endeavoring to get to everyone's PC as quickly as possible without sacrificing the quality of work. It is very rare that your PC is done and we haven't attempted to contact you. This doesn't mean you can't call, but those of you who are calling constantly know who you are and the "are we there yet" analogy is accurate. Realize that if you call it will take a minimum of 5 minutes and sometimes up to 10 to discuss your PC with you. Calculate if 6 people call once a day that's potentially an hour gone from troubleshooting PCs. This doesn't factor the loss of concentration that also takes time to refocus on where you were at in your thought process. We are having some people call several times a day and this is frankly annoying and counter productive. Also realize we are different from the other computer repair shops, we are a full retail location. Shoppers have questions and must be rung up. Even other repairs must be checked out and paid for. This takes time away from PC repair process, but is a normal part of our type of business.

Panther Computers is the only shop I know of anywhere that has PC's set up in an Internet Cafe that allows you free access while your computer is in the shop. We also have the longest hours in NW Florida and work after closing to keep your systems moving. With our store open 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, and with us often working till 3 or more hours after close. The manager personally even works often on Sunday. While our competitors sleep, we're working. We are giving you our best effort, the best hours, the best values, and the best quality in the region. We don't make thick hamburgers and try to convince you 20 minutes in a drive through is reasonable, but our results are definitely worth the wait!