Computer Business

[Mitternacht]

I've been giving it thought, and I might as well give it a shot.

Me and my friend have been wanting to start a computer business, and I just want to start it now. At the place I work now, my boss is ****ing crazy. I don't know how much more I can take. I've been looking on Monster.com for computer building jobs, but got nada.

I'm excellent with hardware, and my friend is excellent with software. I just got done typing up a flyer, and was thinking about hanging it up in places like Giant Eagle, Wal-Mart, etc.

When we do get a customer, that would want a from-the-ground-up computer build, I'm kinda worried about if they'll back out. I don't have a credit card, so the customer would have to pay for the parts and labor first, before the parts are ordered.

Also, I was gonna compare custom computers to manufactured computers, stating that I can build 'em for about 1/2 the cost of buying it, and that a custom computer does not have trial software, which could be really annoying, and slow down your computer with trial software that runs upon startup.

Where are some places you would advertise?
If you were buying a computer from me, and you had no computer knowledge, would you pay up first, or would you tell the person to build it, then you'll pay for it?
Do you think that a custom computer built to the customer's needs, without trial software, would sound convincing enough?

[Aero]

Good idea, but would you also offer tech support. I know it sounds like a pain, but I've found that most people who order from companies do so because they like to have someone to back them up if they have a problem.

as for where to advertise I would agree with the laces like Walmart and chain stores, but try to look around for some more local stores. Even a local bar. You'll want to get as many local to hear about you first, so any place they can see a sign and then tell others by word of mouth. Someone who goes to that bar may not want a custom PC, but their friend may be in the market and they can tell them, "I saw an ad for ______", they might then buy from you.

[Mitternacht]

Good idea, but would you also offer tech support. I know it sounds like a pain, but I've found that most people who order from companies do so because they like to have someone to back them up if they have a problem.

as for where to advertise I would agree with the laces like Walmart and chain stores, but try to look around for some more local stores. Even a local bar. You'll want to get as many local to hear about you first, so any place they can see a sign and then tell others by word of mouth. Someone who goes to that bar may not want a custom PC, but their friend may be in the market and they can tell them, "I saw an ad for ______", they might then buy from you.

I see tech support as fixing a computer for free, which I wouldn't do; that's pretty much ripping off the hand that's feeding you.

I particularly want to advertise in West Mifflin and Monroeville, which are kinda ritzy areas. Maybe not West Mifflin, but there is a lot of people there. I was also thinking about ads in the paper, but I don't have any idea how much that'd cost. But I gotta face it; it takes money to make money.

[progbuddy]

Have your own warrantee setup. Also, hosting a page from a server will pull in quite a few people.

[Mitternacht]

Have your own warrantee setup. Also, hosting a page from a server will pull in quite a few people.

Definitely. I planned on having those stickers that stretch if they pull off the side cover, for warranty purposes. And hosting? I rather not pay monthly for something not started yet. But it's a future possibility. Me and my friend Jesse have HTML experience.

[xRyokenx]

This sounds like a good idea to me, say someone wants a good gaming pc and they don't know how to build themselves, voila, they have you. How much were you thinking of charging for labor? Like 10-20%?

[Silenced_Coyote]

Paying up front would turn a lot of people off, especially since you will be a new company "feeding off the scraps" of companies like Dell and Apple. I know I wouldn't give $1000+ in cash to get something that I will hopefully get a week later (a thought that might go through the skeptic's mind).

Advertising in ritzy areas makes better sense than Wal-Mart. But those flyers better not look cheap for starters. I walk around college and I'm pretty much oblivious to flyers now. Nothing catches my eye.

Oh, this is what I think about when I am playing your scenario:
Since I don't have any computer knowledge, I wouldn't want a custom computer because I don't know what is a good part or a better part. I don't even know what the heck is in a PC. Because of this, it makes it easier to buy from Dell because of their product "info". But lets say I give you a shot. I would want to see it first and see that it runs stable.

Maybe you can do some homework into this before you spend some money. Figure out if people even want to buy a PC. Who would they buy from? Of course, you can't interview everyone, but you could use statistics to help you figure out the estimate of potential customers. Well, you could just jump right in and figure everything out as they come along. I guess either way is fine.

By the way, my friend kind of started his own business. He fixes computers. From viruses to hardware upgrading. I'm not sure how he started, but I can ask if you want. But I would guess that he started with people he knew, which built up his credability and then it slowly spread through word of mouth.

Well, my post may have sounded more negative... But I really do wish you luck!

[Mitternacht]

Yeah, nothing personal. I know those are the hurdles I'll have to overcome. That's a reason I inspire to make Wiedergeboren and my Xbox as custom as I can; they'll do the advertising for me, once I showcase 'em somewhere. That way, people will know I'm serious.

[Omega]

While I hope that you succeed, I'm going to have to be pessimistic.

First off, it appears as if you don't have a name established yet. I'm 16 (Turning very soon, anyways) and I've established myself as the "computer guy" at my school. I do freelance computer repair, anything from hardware to software, on anything from dells to the custom systems most people at my school have (We have a geeky school for the most part). Over the past two years, I've done quite a few jobs (Only made about 300$ total, though, but that's not the point), and most of my friends and their families would much rather have me deal with the problem than Geek Squad or whatnot. They know that I'm a competent person who will try their best to get their computer running as fast as possible, to their satisfaction. Hell, one time I reformatted a guy's computer then installed all his drivers, and his favorite poker game because I knew he'd want it.

So before you try to start a business, start within your circle of friends, fixing and building rigs. If you can earn more trust with your buddies, they'll spread your name out there and eventually, you'll take off.


Okay, so maybe I'm not that much of a pessimist.



Yeah, nothing personal. I know those are the hurdles I'll have to overcome. That's a reason I inspire to make Wiedergeboren and my Xbox as custom as I can; they'll do the advertising for me, once I showcase 'em somewhere. That way, people will know I'm serious.


Uh, you mean "aspire", not "inspire".


Anywho, English lessons aside...

Some people might not take a modded computer and Xbox as seriously as you'd like. I know plenty of people who think it's preposterous to be concerned about the aesthetics of a computer or game console. I'd say, maybe, get a bunch of your buddies around then disassemble your computer, then reassemble it to show them you know what you're doing.

Oh, and I think that if you advertise with posters and whatnot, make them look nice, and I doubt that people shopping at Best Buy or Wal-mart are going to know what the balls custom computers even are. Best Buy and Wal-mart is ignorant people shoppin' places.

[Bucko]

Is there a smaller computer store in your area that ONLY sells parts? (ie doesn't build systems).
Perhaps you could approach them if there is, show them your work and suggest selling through them.
They supply parts at a cheaper rate, you build and then the customer goes through the store.

Just a thought. It would need nutting out.