You can't order the parts retail and expect to make money.
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You can't order the parts retail and expect to make money.
Let me set a few things straight :)
-I'm not opening up a shop, and I'm not planning on doing this full time
-2nd about making money from newegg, let me pose this to you:
A computer under 500 dollars that is a little better than the one in my sig... wouldn't you think that I could sell that? I see dell selling comprable computers for 1k+.
Once again, thanks for the help
-Khaleb
I agree with you that building customs rigs is (can be) a good second income. When comparing your builds to Dells, though, you must realize their rigs usually come with monitors and also with the OS on disc (XP, etc). Those two items alone can add a quick $300 or more to the cost of your build.Quote:
Originally posted by Khaleb
A computer under 500 dollars that is a little better than the one in my sig... wouldn't you think that I could sell that? I see dell selling comprable computers for 1k+.
The easiest sell in this category is to bring an older computer up to speed for someone. Sometimes just a new mobo/CPU/memory is worthwhile upgrade for your customer and a few extra dollars in your pocket.
Based on your sig, I'm sure you'll provide solid rigs for your customers. Good luck.
If you build a computer a little better than the one in your sig, you would have to sell it for about $800.00 - $900.00 just to make a pay from it. There is to much compition in that price range. If you want to use win xp for a decent rig, that will cost you. How about the case? Dell has the name and they thro in software for free. Strangers will not believe your rig is better even if it was. Are you going to be around 24x7 for tech support? Short story, my friend was building and selling rigs until someone squealed that he was using pirated OS's. Microsoft sent their lawyers here to my little town and buried him. House and all! Not that your going to do that. Its just a story i wanted to pass along.
My advice is to start a business legaly and sell locally and then ebay. Best of luck!
i want to build computers for a living and do repais and stuff like that 2 but 1 prob im only 14 hers a thig u may use if u want. get like an old computer thats some1 is throwing out or pay 50 0r 60 bucks for it get pics of it tear it all apart get some pics f it and spice it up for only 100 bucks put some ram in it get a better video card ect. and then use that as a display for people that want to buy.Do stuff like that start out small like do a pc for a famly member that has an older pc and give them that spiced up 1 or make them a new 1 and ask them if thats any beter then that slow turtle . like i have a 4 year old pc that my parents bought for us 1 cristmas and bopy did i spice it up and when my uncle came down that fixes his own pcs he notcied how much faster it was then it useto be i put only 125 bucks in it and its better then the brand new compaq i have. so tell me wich is better a spiced up 1 or a custom built or a brand name?
tech support sucks!
i mean its cool to lounge around on sharkyforums and help out the random guy every once in a while but when you have your own busness and a client base.... and have to start spending hours on the phone helping people install AOL and connect to a network... you will want alot more incentive to continue doing so
Computer shops seem to be popping up everywhere, if you want to make some money at it, you need to focus on a specific group of people. People with 400-500 bucks to spend aren't worth the time. If you want to make some money at it, get into some real high end custom computer. I worked for Voodoo computers back when they were starting up, it was hard but look at them now, a computer from them is easily 6000-10000 bucks. I personally wouldn't deal with newegg if you are building computers. You need to get hooked up with a local supplier who will cut you some good deals so you dont need to keep everything in stock. Also dealing with rma and warrantys is a little easier.
Thats just my 2 cents.
Solid advice. I have built computers for friends and family for quite a while now, and this is the most important factor you must decide beforehand. Your target customer will dictate the rest of your operation.Quote:
Originally posted by Ra\/eN
1) decide your client base priority
Before starting a project with one of my 'customers', I go through a checklist based (generally) on two principles:
1. What are you going to do with this computer? (i.e. games, taxes, word processing, net surfing)
2. What is your budget?
Once these questions are answered, and the uses prioritized, you can put together a machine that suits them and their budget.
There are also times that you will see that your 'custom' machines aren't what the person needs. A cookie-cutter Dell may be the answer. But if you help them through the process, they will remember. I walked my cousin through a Dell purchase and his in-laws came to me for a machine through his word-of-mouth.
Do some machines with no (or very little) profit. This a great word-of-mouth way of getting your skill recognized.
As for tech support, suck it up. You gotta help 'em out, even with all the annoying software issues that have nothing to do with the hardware. I always tell the folks I help to call me BEFORE they install that shareware program or bargain basement game.
Also, whoever said flyers is a good idea is right. Putting out a bunch of flyers in your own neighborhood is a great idea. There is an entire section of the market that remains untapped due to the embarassment of ignorance. Joe Shmoe down the street wants to get a computer, but knows nothing about them and the guy at the retail electronics superstore dazzled him with a bunch of terminology that he did not understand. So he goes home embarassed and still ignorant.....with the wrong machine or no machine at all. You offer to come to his house and give him a free 'consultation'. You take the info I described at the top and go put together a couple of different optioned machines for him to mull over. Anyways, you get the idea.
Best of luck to you.