The Arizona Business Owner's
Guide to Choosing an MSP
How to Avoid Costly Mistakes and Find the Right IT Partner
Not a sales pitch - a framework for evaluating ANY MSP
Inside you'll find:
- The 7 red flags of a bad MSP (with real examples)
- Industry pricing benchmarks (actual numbers, not ranges)
- Questions to ask before you sign anything
- How to calculate the true cost of "cheap" IT
Arizona Computer Guru
7437 E. 22nd St, Tucson, AZ 85710
520.304.8300 | azcomputerguru.com
Protecting Tucson Businesses Since 2001
Is This Guide For You?
You should read this guide if:
- You're comparing MSP quotes and the prices vary wildly
- You've been burned by an IT company that over-promised and under-delivered
- Your current IT provider keeps hitting you with surprise charges
- You're tired of calling your IT company only to get voicemail or offshore support
- You need cyber insurance but your IT setup doesn't meet the requirements
- You've been quoted "unlimited support" and wonder what the catch is
- You're stuck in a long contract with an MSP you'd like to fire
- You don't know what you should be paying for IT services
If you checked ANY of these boxes, keep reading.
What You'll Learn
How to spot a bad MSP - The 7 warning signs that separate professional IT companies from the cowboys. These apply whether you're evaluating us or someone else.
What IT services actually cost - Industry benchmarks for endpoint monitoring, support plans, and cloud services. Real numbers from real MSPs.
The right questions to ask - 10 questions that will reveal whether an MSP is proactive or reactive, transparent or hiding fees, local or offshore.
How to calculate ROI - Why the cheapest option often costs you more in downtime, security incidents, and lost productivity.
Our Promise
This isn't a sales pitch.
We're going to give you the tools to evaluate ANY MSP - including our competitors. We'll share our actual pricing, our philosophy, and even the questions you should ask to vet us.
Why? Because we believe transparency wins in the long run. The right fit matters more than the hard sell.
You might not choose us. And that's okay. But you'll make a better decision because you read this guide.
Ready? Let's start with the red flags.
The 7 Red Flags of a Bad MSP
Red Flag 1: "Unlimited Support" Promises
The Problem:
An MSP promises "unlimited support" for a flat monthly fee. It sounds great - until you need them.
Why It Happens:
"Unlimited" is a marketing term designed to win the sale. But in practice, these companies manage costs by making support inconvenient: slow response times, offshore call centers, artificial barriers to service.
What to Look For Instead:
Transparent pricing with clearly defined service levels. A good MSP will tell you exactly what's included, what the response times are, and what happens when you exceed your plan.
GPS Example:
Our Standard Support Plan includes 4 hours of labor per month at $380 ($95/hour effective rate). You know exactly what you're getting. Need more? You can add non-expiring block time at $100-150/hour. No surprises.
Key Question: "What happens when I use all my included hours? What's the overage rate and response time?"
Red Flag 2: Hidden Pricing and "Call for Quote"
The Problem:
The MSP won't publish pricing on their website. Everything is "call for a custom quote." You can't comparison shop because you don't know what anything costs.
Why It Happens:
Sales-driven MSPs use pricing opacity to maximize what they can charge each customer. They're betting you won't shop around if the process is painful enough.
What to Look For Instead:
Published pricing or clear pricing structures. You should be able to ballpark your costs before you ever talk to a salesperson.
GPS Example:
Our pricing is published: $19-39/endpoint depending on the protection tier, $200-850/month for support plans based on hours included. You can calculate your costs before you call us.
Key Question: "Can you send me a rate sheet or pricing guide before we schedule a sales call?"
Red Flag 3: Offshore-Only Support
The Problem:
Your "local MSP" routes all support calls to an offshore call center. You deal with language barriers, time zone issues, and techs who've never seen your office.
What to Look For Instead:
Local or US-based support with actual people you can meet. Ask if the company has a local office and local techs who can come onsite when needed.
GPS Example:
We're based in Tucson (7437 E. 22nd St). Our support team is local. We can be onsite within hours if you need us, and you'll talk to the same techs who know your systems.
Key Question: "Where is your support team located? Can I visit your office? Who responds to after-hours emergencies?"
The 7 Red Flags (Continued)
Red Flag 4: No Proactive Monitoring
The Problem:
The MSP operates on a "break-fix" model. They only help you when something breaks - and they bill you every time you call. There's no monitoring, no maintenance, no prevention.
What to Look For Instead:
24/7 monitoring, automated patch management, proactive alerts. A good MSP fixes problems before you know they exist.
GPS Example:
Every GPS tier includes 24/7 monitoring, automated patching, and monthly health reports. We're alerted to issues before they become outages. Our goal is that you never have to call us because something broke.
Key Question: "Do you monitor my systems 24/7? What happens if you detect a problem at 2am? How do you prevent issues before they cause downtime?"
Red Flag 5: Long Contract Lock-Ins
The Problem:
The MSP requires a 3-year contract with hefty early termination fees. You're locked in even if the service is terrible.
What to Look For Instead:
Month-to-month agreements or short-term contracts (1 year maximum). A confident MSP doesn't need to lock you in - they earn your business every month.
GPS Example:
We offer month-to-month agreements. If we're not delivering value, you can walk away. We keep clients because they choose to stay, not because they're trapped.
Key Question: "What's your contract term? What are the early termination fees? Why should I commit to a multi-year agreement?"
Red Flag 6: One-Size-Fits-All Packages
The Problem:
The MSP has rigid packages: Small, Medium, Large. If you have 12 computers but their "Small" plan covers 10, you're forced into the "Medium" plan and overpay.
What to Look For Instead:
Per-endpoint or per-user pricing that scales with your actual needs. You should pay for what you use, not what fits their pricing tiers.
GPS Example:
We charge per endpoint: $19-39/endpoint depending on the protection level you choose. 10 computers? 22 computers? 42 computers? You pay for exactly what you have.
Red Flag 7: No Local Presence
The Problem:
The MSP is a national chain or a remote-only operation. There's no local office, no local techs, no way to meet them face-to-face.
GPS Example:
We've been in Tucson since 2001. Our office is at 7437 E. 22nd St. We're not a national chain - we're your neighbors. We know the local business landscape, we understand Arizona compliance requirements, and we can be at your office within the hour if needed.
What Should You Actually Pay for IT?
Industry benchmarks and real-world pricing
Endpoint Monitoring (per computer/server per month)
| Protection Level | Industry Range | GPS Pricing |
|---|
| Basic monitoring | $15-25/endpoint | GPS-Basic: $19 |
| Business-grade protection | $25-40/endpoint | GPS-Pro: $26 (MOST POPULAR) |
| Advanced security (EDR, compliance) | $35-50/endpoint | GPS-Advanced: $39 |
Support Plans (monthly labor included)
| Plan | Monthly Fee | Hours Included | Effective Rate |
|---|
| Essential | $200 | 2 hours | $100/hour |
| Standard | $380 | 4 hours | $95/hour |
| Premium | $540 | 6 hours | $90/hour |
| Priority | $850 | 10 hours | $85/hour |
Real-World Pricing Scenarios
GPS-Pro Monitoring (10 × $26)$260
Equipment Pack (router, printer)$25
Standard Support (4 hrs/month)$380
TOTAL:$665/month ($66.50 per computer)
GPS-Pro Monitoring (22 × $26)$572
Premium Support (6 hrs/month)$540
TOTAL:$1,112/month ($50.55 per computer)
GPS-Pro Monitoring (42 × $26)$1,092
Priority Support (10 hrs/month)$850
TOTAL:$1,942/month ($46.24 per computer)
Notice how the per-computer cost DECREASES as you scale? That's how per-endpoint pricing should work.
The True Cost of "Cheap" IT
Scenario: The $500/month Break-Fix Shop
You hire a local tech who charges $65/hour and promises to "only charge when you call." Here's what actually happens:
- Month 4: Server crashes. No monitoring = no warning. Tech bills 12 hours ($780) for emergency recovery. You lost 2 days of productivity (value: $5,000+)
- Month 7: Ransomware hits because patches weren't applied. Recovery: $8,500. Lost productivity: $15,000. Insurance deductible: $10,000. Total: $33,500
- Annual Real Cost: $43,300 (vs. $7,980/year for GPS-Pro that would have prevented both incidents)
The True Cost of Downtime
| Business Size | Cost Per Hour of Downtime |
|---|
| Small (10-50 employees) | $8,000 - $15,000 |
| Medium (50-100 employees) | $50,000 - $100,000 |
| Large (100+ employees) | $100,000 - $500,000 |
Source: Gartner, IBM
A single 4-hour outage can cost a small business $32,000-60,000. Proactive monitoring that prevents that outage is worth 10x the monthly fee.
Why We Built GPS the Way We Did
Transparent Per-Endpoint Pricing
Our Choice: $19-39/endpoint based on protection tier.
Why: You should know what you're paying before you call us. No games, no "call for quote," no hidden fees.
Client with 17 computers wanted business-grade protection. Competitor quoted: $1,200/month (forced into 25-seat package tier). GPS-Pro pricing: 17 × $26 = $442/month. Savings: $758/month ($9,096/year)
The client paid for 17 computers, not 25. That's how it should work.
Local Tucson Presence
Our Choice: Physical office at 7437 E. 22nd St since 2001.
Why: When your server dies at 3pm, you don't want a ticket system - you want someone at your door by 3:45pm.
A medical office's network went down during patient hours. We were onsite in 45 minutes. Diagnosed failed switch, installed replacement from our local inventory. Back online in 90 minutes total.
A remote MSP would have taken 2-3 days to ship hardware and schedule a contractor.
Proactive Monitoring vs. Reactive Break-Fix
Our Choice: 24/7 monitoring, automated patching, proactive alerts on every GPS tier.
Why: We make more money if your stuff doesn't break. That's the right incentive.
The Incentive Difference:
- Break-fix shop: Makes $200/hr × 8 hours = $1,600 on emergency recovery
- GPS model: Makes $26/endpoint regardless, so we prevent the emergency
- Who's incentivized to protect your business?
Month-to-Month Contracts
Our Choice: No long-term lock-ins. Month-to-month agreements.
Why: If we're not delivering value, you should be able to leave. We earn your business every single month.
The Alternative (Don't Let This Be You)
A client came to us locked in a 3-year contract with a national MSP. Service was terrible: offshore support, slow response, constant billing disputes. Early termination fee: $18,000. They had to wait 14 months for the contract to expire before switching.
We never want to be the company someone is trapped with.
Support Plans: Predictable Hours at Predictable Rates
Our Choice: Bundled support plans with included labor hours at $85-100/hour effective rates.
Why: You get better support at lower cost, and you know exactly what you'll pay each month.
Client on Standard Support ($380/month) used 3.5 hours in a typical month.
Value at full rate (3.5 × $165)$577.50
They paid$380
Savings:$197.50/month ($2,370/year)
10 Questions to Ask ANY MSP
Use these to evaluate us or our competitors
1. "Can you send me your pricing before we schedule a sales call?"
Good Answer: "Here's our rate sheet. We charge $X per endpoint for monitoring and $Y for support plans."
2. "Where is your support team located?"
Good Answer: "Our support team is based in [City]. Here's our office address. You're welcome to visit."
3. "What's your contract term and early termination penalty?"
Good Answer: "Month-to-month or 1-year agreement. 30 days notice to cancel. No termination fees."
4. "Do you monitor my systems proactively?"
Good Answer: "24/7 monitoring is included. We're alerted to issues before they cause outages. We deploy patches automatically."
5. "What happens if I exceed my included support hours?"
Good Answer: "If you exceed your plan hours, we bill additional time at $X/hour. Or you can purchase prepaid block time at a discounted rate."
6. "How quickly will you respond to an emergency?"
Good Answer: "Here are our response times by plan tier [shows documented SLAs]. Emergency issues are always prioritized."
7. "What security tools and services are included?"
Good Answer: "Our mid-tier plan includes EDR, email security, dark web monitoring, and monthly security awareness training."
8. "Can you help me meet cyber insurance requirements?"
Good Answer: "Yes. We're familiar with common policy requirements. Our [tier] plan covers most of these. We'll provide documentation for your insurance agent."
9. "What happens if my business grows or shrinks?"
Good Answer: "You can add or remove endpoints anytime. Billing adjusts the following month. No penalties for scaling."
10. "Can you provide references from clients similar to my business?"
Good Answer: "We work with several [your industry] businesses in the area. Here are three references you can contact."
What Our Clients Say
"We switched from a national MSP to GPS two years ago. Night and day difference. When we call, we get someone local who knows our systems. Response time went from 24 hours to 2 hours."
- Sarah M., Accounting Firm, 18 employees
"The monthly cost is the same as our old break-fix provider, but now we actually have IT that works. No more surprise bills, no more weekend emergencies."
- David R., Construction Company, 42 employees
"Our cyber insurance required EDR and security training. GPS-Pro included both. Saved us from having to find and vet separate vendors."
- Jennifer L., Medical Practice, 12 employees
Next Steps: Three No-Pressure Options
Tell us about your business:
- How many computers/servers?
- What industries/compliance needs?
- Current IT pain points?
We'll send you a detailed quote with our recommendations. No sales pressure. No follow-up calls unless you ask.
Call: 520.304.8300 | Email: mike@azcomputerguru.com
Web: azcomputerguru.com/quote
We'll scan your network for vulnerabilities:
- Unpatched systems
- Weak passwords and missing MFA
- Phishing susceptibility
- Cyber insurance readiness
You get a detailed report with prioritized fixes. No obligation to use us for remediation.
Schedule: azcomputerguru.com/security-assessment
You don't have to do anything right now. Keep this guide for when you're ready to evaluate MSPs. Use the red flags, the questions, and the pricing benchmarks to vet whoever you're considering.
If you end up choosing us, great. If you choose someone else but make a better decision because of this guide, we're still happy.
New Client Offer (Limited Time)
Sign up for GPS within 30 days of receiving this guide:
- Waived setup fees (normally $500)
- First month 50% off support plans (save $190-425)
- Free security assessment ($500 value)
Total value: $1,000-1,425
Mention code "BUYERS-GUIDE" when you contact us.
Contact Information
Arizona Computer Guru
7437 E. 22nd St, Tucson, AZ 85710
Phone: 520.304.8300
Email: mike@azcomputerguru.com
Web: azcomputerguru.com
Office Hours: Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Emergency Support: 24/7 for Priority Support clients
You've invested 20 minutes reading this guide. That's more research than most business owners do before choosing an MSP. Use this knowledge. Whether you choose us, a competitor, or decide to stick with your current provider - make it an informed decision. Your IT infrastructure is too important to leave to chance.
Thank you for reading.