Fremont Sting Snares 24 Unlicensed Technicians

Two-dozen Bay Area repair technicians found out this week they have been working without state-mandated registration and licensing.

[concerned computer tech]

I've been working with a company who works with brokers and allows me to service work orders without a license and registration. after watching the news and hearing about the sting operations... I eager to know the right way to go about this. ~

[Newman]

When I can find the info for the registration? NBC didn't provide the info; Google gave pages of unrelated info, clearly, the state web site doesn't do a good job on SEO.

[Spare Time Tech]

This is extra income for me to help make ends meet. The news story left out the most important tidbit of info - how do you get the registration? Gads. Reporters today ;-)

[Sergei Blokhin]

hello guys here is some information: http://www.bear.ca.gov/
and you have to go to each city and ask them if you need to have an additional license to do the business even if you are located in that city. This is very rediculous and it does not help small businesses at all.

[Sergei Blokhin]

even if youre not located in that city I meant.

[Batfang]

It is interesting in this article - Sergei Blokhin is trying to run an honest business and now, suddenly, there is some "sting" operation that includes this Russian guy's company. Why? He didn't know that he must register, and I totally agree with Sergey that the State of California only had to send him a letter explaining the law to him. I too repair computers and I have never heard about this law at all. Further, if one goes to the "State of California" website, we can do a search for "license" and "Computer Tech" and nothing in the search at all shows any type of link and/or information that someone who repairs computers must be licensed and/or registered by the State of California. And by the way, since the State of California has a negative cash flow problem, how much money do they want for this registration or license? It is unfortunate that the politicians tax and spend, and then find new ways to extract money from honest, hard working people trying to help people and repair their computers. Meanwhile, illegal immigrants come to our country and even have the audacity to protest that they don't receive benefits. Who pays for their medical care? You and I do.

My wife is from St. Petersburg, and we had our marriage in her beautiful city in Russia. With respect to our country, the USA, we wanted to do everything legal and not "sneak" in under the radar (border) to try and deceive the US Government. We completed all documents, sent all requested fees, copies, etc. to US Immigration. My wife and I waited almost three years to be together again after our wedding. Why? Because we respect the law, and the Government of this beautiful and free country, the United States Of America.

I know it is not "politically correct" to say anything against specific races, because attorneys for Immigration "rights" groups will go crazy, but why should I feel bad for illegal Mexican immigrants who come to this country and complain about their rights (or lack, thereof). We saw on TV that when there was an immigration "sting", meaning that these officers are doing their jobs, the illegal immigrants had more "free" services (meaning that US citizens pay for it) and so many attorneys waited all day - and into the night according to the TV news, just standing around waiting for the illegal immigrants to come out from jail so they can help these illegal immigrants to find a way to stay in this country. In waiting for my wife to come to this country for almost three years apart from each other, forget about waiting all night outside a US Immigration building, do you know how many "immigration rights" attorneys helped us? Zero. We did it ourselves based on love and marriage and not wanting to burden the USA Government

Sergey - When you see this post, please feel free to write to me in Russian or English!!! Spacibo!!!

[Sergei Blokhin]

Thanks for your support, I totally agree with you. All I wanted to do is to run my business as honest and legal as possible to the American law and then you get this, it kills every incentive in me to run a business. I didn't try to run from the law. I wasn't trying to evade the law. They told me "that is the way we educate businesses and public". What? Anyway the burocracy here is even bigger than in the former USSR.
Oh well its ok everything is in the past now. With Gods help I'll continue to run a business and help people which I enjoy the most.

P.S. It would not be correct to write in Russian here cause majority of the people reading these comments would not understand a thing, so if you want you can send me and email in Russian. [e-mail]
I wish everyone a blessing in your business!!!! God Bless!!!

[Donna]

Getting little visits from various bureaucrats about various little licenses and workman's compensation documentation and posters and handbooks, as well as notes and audits of the many, many documents and payments required to run a business is a big, time consuming pain that we all go through, sir, not just you. On the other hand, some of these proceedures protect people from all sorts of things like dangerous chemical mishandling and water supply or air contamination, etc. C'est la vie.

[James]

There is NO GOVERNMENT mandated licensing or registration for computer Repair other than a business license, I don't know who is out of line here but someone needs to get their facts straight, this article is nothing more than a series of rumors. If it was on the level, then the so-called "officials" would have been willing to submit their names and agencies for the article. This is another case of abuse of power by the police.

[Sergei Blokhin]

I understand about the dangerous chemical mishandling etc. but I just dont know how can this computer license can protect people. All I know is they want the money from me.

[State of california]

www.bear.ca.gov/
and register a ficition business name for you
or DBA doing business as

[RAS]

I agree that anyone that is working on or repairing some ones personal computer. I have been in business and licensed thru the state for almost 20 years and I have had to repair and complete jobs done by others that did no know what they were doing or they over charged for there service. I have been bonded with the state and federal government for the work I have done. I am the owner of Hangtown Video productions & Day Media Group. I do work for the sheriff's department and many county and state agencies and I agree that to many are out to scam people or steal there personal information. I have relocated back to the bay area and I am applying for licenses to cover more state's. I also do work internationally and I hope that the laws will catch up and protect us that have done our work by the laws that are in effect. With today's economy and so many out of work and money being tight for all. there are more people out there that will steal and try to scam people out of there hard earned money. Also with these people having access to personal information every person needs to make sure of the businesses that will have access to this information be monitored to protect every persons personal information. I think more should be done to inform people to be careful of these people that are out there and looking to steal personal information from people unaware of the scams and damage that can be done.

Thank you
Richard S.

[Another tech]

The only thing that BEAR requires is an annual payment of $165 but they do not require anything else such as training, certification, etc. If someone was licensed, how would this make them a knowledgeable and ethical person since there are no standards or tests officiated to get the license?

We've been in business for over 15 years and this is the FIRST time we have ever heard about this requirement. When we applied for our business license through our city we specifically asked what other requirements there are and we were told none.

Sergei - thank you for speaking to the reporters about your point of view on the entire sting. You were RIGHT ON!!

[Another tech]

concerned computer tech wrote:

I've been working with a company who works with brokers and allows me to service work orders without a license and registration. after watching the news and hearing about the sting operations... I eager to know the right way to go about this.~

I believe that the licensing is only required for technicians entering personal homes, not businesses. If you only do business2business work, I don't believe the license is required, but I could be wrong. I'm still trying to figure this whole thing out myself.

[Computer Dood]

There are Specific Rules that apply in California
The Rules and License information is available on the California State Website http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode...

[Sergei Blokhin]

I just confirmed that you also need a business license almost in every city you're going to go for the service call.

[Newman]

How does Geek Squad do their business then? They provide on-site computer repair services. Are all of their technicians licensed? This is very disappointing. If we need licenses for each cities in bay areas, we need to pay thousands of dollar annually to the CA govt. And how come there was no one mentioned about this in the past? And all the sudden, when the state is running out of money, the officers start to enforce the "rule" and show up on TV like hero? The state hasn't done a good job to promote this requirement to anyone. This is not fair we are treated like a criminal. I remember the night when I watched the news on NBC, before they went into detail, I was guessing they would going to talk about some new ID-stolen spyware or something. Then their tone was like, all tech guys go into you house would stole your personal info. I was pissed off by this. Most of companies have agreements not to access personal data files without permission from the owner. At least my company does.

[Jake]

Newman wrote:

How does Geek Squad do their business then? They provide on-site computer repair services. Are all of their technicians licensed? This is very disappointing. If we need licenses for each cities in bay areas, we need to pay thousands of dollar annually to the CA govt. And how come there was no one mentioned about this in the past? And all the sudden, when the state is running out of money, the officers start to enforce the "rule" and show up on TV like hero? The state hasn't done a good job to promote this requirement to anyone. This is not fair we are treated like a criminal. I remember the night when I watched the news on NBC, before they went into detail, I was guessing they would going to talk about some new ID-stolen spyware or something. Then their tone was like, all tech guys go into you house would stole your personal info. I was pissed off by this. Most of companies have agreements not to access personal data files without permission from the owner. At least my company does.

The Bureau of Electronics and Appliance Repair has been around for 50 yrs. I have my own business for over 16 yrs. and I always comply with the Bureau and pay the yearly dues. I don't blame the service dealers and techs. for not having a CA. regisration/licensed but since you call yourself as computer experts, I think that you can surf the web or maybe the States website where ever your business may be and find out what the requirements for the kind of business you have. It is just annoying to here people cry out for justice since they are part of the problem. I hear service dealers and techs that they haven't heard about BEAR, how come Circuit City, BESTBUY,SEARS,PAULS TV,etc.have the license? So just be thankful that they didn't haul your *** to jail or maybe fine big time for not having a license.
I tip my hat off to technician and service dealers who are honest and have complied with the law of the State.

[Another tech]

Jake wrote:

<quoted text>The Bureau of Electronics and Appliance Repair has been around for 50 yrs. I have my own business for over 16 yrs. and I always comply with the Bureau and pay the yearly dues. I don't blame the service dealers and techs. for not having a CA. regisration/licensed but since you call yourself as computer experts, I think that you can surf the web or maybe the States website where ever your business may be and find out what the requirements for the kind of business you have. It is just annoying to here people cry out for justice since they are part of the problem. I hear service dealers and techs that they haven't heard about BEAR, how come Circuit City, BESTBUY,SEARS,PAULS TV,etc.have the license? So just be thankful that they didn't haul your *** to jail or maybe fine big time for not having a license.
I tip my hat off to technician and service dealers who are honest and have complied with the law of the State.

It's simple - the big businesses you mention have attorneys and business specialists who deal with the nitty gritty of running a business while many of the small tech companies are spin-offs from others firms forced in downsizing; techs who went to schools and decided to work alone. As a contractor and having lived in two different Bay Area cities, I pay my city fees and taxes and have always asked if there are other things I must have (e.g., fictitious business name, specific bank accounts, licenses) and nothing has ever come up about BEAR. I am applying for this license but still waiting for clarification on the services my company runs and whether or not the license is necessary for consultants and software services, since I do not sell parts or service computers. Hope they call before my 15 days is up.

[Eloy]

Dear All,I belong to www.psoca.org and have been a member since 1980. Its an association of Appliance and Electronic Service Dealers here in the state of California. The BEAR regulates our industry as they do yours and you do need to register. The association keeps us abreast on all laws and regulations affecting howe do business in the state. We just had our 53rd annual convention on the Queen Mary 04/30/-05/03/2008. The BEAR was present as they are every year. We had a seminar call "Write it Right" whcih basically covers the do's and don'ts of running your business. WE have worked with the BEAR to try to make them more visible to the industry and the public. Our association is planning a 4 hr. seminar at the end of June 2008 in Sacramento and San Francisco and throughout the state. The seminar will cover "Write it Right", Understanding the value of your service and the Song Beverly Consumer Protection Law. I was always under the assumption you guys in the computer world had an association to belong to. PSOC would be happy to assist all of you in the process. Please go to our website and email our executive director your email address so we can at least get you on our newsletter. If I can help please go the the website and our addresses are under directors. Keep in mind the BEAR is there to protect the consumer and will help us always. Good Luck