Business offers experience
Operator has been fixing computers for more than 25 years
Paul Burchell didn’t just get into the computer business, he grew up in it.
“I got into computers as a kid, “he said.
“I started buying them out of the Maritime Merchant, taking them apart and seeing what I could do with them.”
Burchell, 42, a computer technician with more than 25 years experience, has opened his business, Island Friendly Computers, at 3397 Plummer Avenue.
“We sell and service computers, laptops, and refurbished computers, keyboards, and accessories,” he said.
“We basically do pretty well anything computer-related.”
Burchell said he ran a computer business in his home for about 13 years, repairing and selling computers and related products.
“I had been thinking about moving to the town area the last few years - it was just finding a good location,” he said.
“I wanted to stay in town as most customers are in this area.”
However, he said he does have a lot of customers in outlying areas as well.
“I do deal with people from Glace Bay, Sydney, Coxheath there’s a lot of people who come from far away for me to service their computers. I wanted a store easy for my customers to find and I have more room here too.”
Burchell, who formerly worked at Simeon’s Restaurant, registered his business in 2003 and was working at doing both. Then seven years ago when his baby Shayla was born, his wife Rose Burchell, had also graduated from school and began working as an RN.
“So I decided to quit the restaurant and do the computer business full time and watch the baby at the same time,” he said.
“It wasn’t always easy but it ended up paying off in the long run.”
He said at the new location, it was slow at first but since he put up a sign, people saw he was there and things have picked up.
“There’s a big difference being here - we are right into the middle of town.”
He has also discovered a big bonus with his location.
“As soon as you come out the Tim Hortons drive through, you can see my sign.”
He said many people are realizing the difference with ‘local service.’ He said a lot of the big computer places have a month warranty on their computers and laptops and after that, a person has to deal with the manufacturer, usually by sending their computer away for repairs.
“We service everything we sell right there,” he said, adding he also employs another computer technician.
He said sometimes a DC jack breaks off inside the computer; they repair them and even do mother board repairs.
He said the new location also offers more room. They now sell basic office supplies as well including paper, pens, elastics, file folders and so forth.
Someone needing assistance in the New Waterford area doesn’t even have to leave their home. The business offers free pickup, delivery and computer hook up in the New Waterford and surrounding areas.
Dist. Coun Lowell Cormier said it’s great to see Island Friendly Computers now on Plummer Avenue. He said there have been a couple of new businesses opening in town.
“The downtown has certainly picked up,” he said.
“Anytime we can have new businesses opening, it’s a plus for the community. It’s nice to keep the downtown vibrant.”
Cormier said with all the upgrades to the town, it’s looking good.
“I think it’s a good place to do business, I really do.”
Anyone who wishes to check out Island Friendly Computers can visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/islandfriendly/