probably an ignorant question...

[burntheland]

This is for you veterans of modding..

I'm assuming you guys that have done 10+ mods don't have a dozen computers sitting around your house. Where do you sell these things? I mean I kind of envisioned eBay, but I don't see how you could make a totally custom PC and try and sell the idea to the masses...I mean as far as the themed cases. Do you typically make your cash back and some extra? What's the turn around like? Do you get asked to commission these jobs? I'm an IT tech and I would love nothing more than to make modding a career. Can someone who's been doing this for a few years fill me in on the methods of the market?

Any info greatly appreciated.

D

[Trace]

You won't make any money modding. It's a fairly proven fact. You eithergive it away or keep it

[Airbozo]

You won't make any money modding. It's a fairly proven fact. You eithergive it away or keep it

Some people do make money at it, but only the very best. Even then, it is hit and miss. I know of one modder on another forum that has made tons of money making custom rigs for people. He has also lost tons of money due to shipping issues (one system was completely destroyed bu UPS and they ended up only paying him $.50 on the dollar saying it was his problem for not packing it good enough), one was lost completely in Canadian customs and the shipper refused to pay for it.

SO money can be made, but usually it is for custom designed systems, not a personal mod.

Mostly people do it for personal enjoyment. I have made a little bit of cash doing things like modding desks to hold computers, or simple customizations like paint jobs and such. In most cases I have contracted out a lot of the work I was not comfortable doing. As the economy picks up I expect to see the custom mod business pick up as well. In fact the company I work for is quoting some custom work for a large Silicon valley company right now. Some cool systems based on the Antec 900 case. More on that when we actually get the contract...

[TheMainMan]

Most of the work I've done, aside from my own machines, has been for friends and family. While most of the time I'm compensated in some way it usually isn't cash payments. The other downside is that this is a limited market base. The truly proficient modders around here often build for a sponsor who then keeps and displays the system but they are relatively few in number.
I think that there are many of us who have this dream but very few who have been able to make it reality.

[burntheland]

ah reality...what a cruel B****.

[Liquid_Scope_99]

ah reality...what a cruel B****.

you said it most people around here aren't into it .
They just don't see the appeal the masses anyway .

[Starlite KNight]

Talk to the guy from http://www.suissacomputers.com/. :)

[burntheland]

Talk to the guy from http://www.suissacomputers.com/. :)


Ok, those are absolutely sick! But starting at three grand? STARTING! Yeah right man. Cause I'm not only a huge nerd/geek I'm a big fan of the arts. And as gorgeous as those are, and no matter how bad I want one...no way in hell I'm spending three grand on it. When I got my taxes back I blew 5k on tools, parts, and beer! w00t!:banana:

[Collinstheclown]

There is some money to be made modding thing people already own. Like game consoles. You could offer to paint someone's case for $20, or toss a window in and some lights for a few bucks.




-CollinstheClown

[Airbozo]

Ok, those are absolutely sick! But starting at three grand? STARTING! Yeah right man. Cause I'm not only a huge nerd/geek I'm a big fan of the arts. And as gorgeous as those are, and no matter how bad I want one...no way in hell I'm spending three grand on it. When I got my taxes back I blew 5k on tools, parts, and beer! w00t!:banana:

$3k is a deal for a custom computer. I know of several people who have paid upwards of $15k for a custom water cooled rig, hand built for them. They had some input on the design, but not on the final outcome.

The $$ is completely dependent upon the customer. Many many years ago I did a simple desk modification for a lawyer and it cost him close to $10k! To be honest though, 80% of that was for hiring a professional wood worker to hack into his custom mahogany desk (that cost him $20k). My wood working skills, while good are, in no way comparable to a professional. We did such a great job, his partner hired us to do the same thing to his desk.

[burntheland]

That's awesome! I'm actually taking on some game console modding jobs here pretty soon. Just a few more things on my materials list need gathered first. I'll probably wind up making a few bucks. But my associate and I specialize in jobs costumed to the exact needs of the customer. So if they want a sick/nasty paint job (specialized air brush) then obviously the paint costs more than a few bucks. In fact, it winds up being most of the material cost....which sucks when you're trying to charge for labor because at bare minimum it's already a pricey mod just for paint :s

[burntheland]

$3k is a deal for a custom computer. I know of several people who have paid upwards of $15k for a custom water cooled rig, hand built for them. They had some input on the design, but not on the final outcome.

The $$ is completely dependent upon the customer. Many many years ago I did a simple desk modification for a lawyer and it cost him close to $10k! To be honest though, 80% of that was for hiring a professional wood worker to hack into his custom mahogany desk (that cost him $20k). My wood working skills, while good are, in no way comparable to a professional. We did such a great job, his partner hired us to do the same thing to his desk.

That's insane! MAD PROPS on the mod job bro! MAKE THAT MONEY! lol unfortunately for me i'm only 24 and don't know any loaded lawyers/doctors or anything of that nature. :facepalm:

But hopefully everyone is really happy with my mods and I get more and more business so I can do something I actually enjoy.:banana:

PS I didn't mean to post twice :facepalm: