Wanting to build PC's so you can mod is like wanting to build planes so you can fly... if modding is what you enjoy, you can probably make more money doing custom mods than building computers. :thumb:
Selling Computers - How do you do it?
- Thread starter silent1mezzo
- Start date
Wanting to build PC's so you can mod is like wanting to build planes so you can fly... if modding is what you enjoy, you can probably make more money doing custom mods than building computers. :thumb:
If you like building PCs, then don't turn your hobbie into business.
Business is about milking your customers, not about making great computers.
Bit off topic but since I was plannin on doing the very thing of handing out flyers and advertising in my neighbourhood a computer building/cleaning service, how can you guarantee a person won't back out of an order after you've ordered and what kind of waivers would you want to get them to sign? I was thinking collateral or a downpayment but thats not that convenient or safe either way.
Bingo!
You can't sell computers unless you rip off people.
Pay a percentage up front.
Usually 50% as a deposit.
They don't do it, you decline their business.
I ran a few stores in the past, +owned a few, and somehow I still like to build systems for people and myself..:biggrin:
I just hate the hassle of running a full blown business..
so when someone asks, I will fix the computer I charge a flat rate of $100 plus parts. or maybe nothing if its something really quick and doesn't eat up too much time.
the $100 keeps people from bugging you every 10 seconds with stupid questions.
so if im really bored they might get the job for free, if im busy or they are being excessively annoying then its $100..
if they want a new one ill find out how much they have to spend, what they are using it for etc, source the parts, then either Ill order the parts or ill have them order the parts from Direct Canada, NCIX whatever. if I order the parts I give them THE BILL from the vendor and they pay exactly that plus my build fee of $100
makes everything real simple and I get to build systems, have fun, and make a bit of $$$ even tho its really not much.
I just hate the hassle of running a full blown business..
so when someone asks, I will fix the computer I charge a flat rate of $100 plus parts. or maybe nothing if its something really quick and doesn't eat up too much time.
the $100 keeps people from bugging you every 10 seconds with stupid questions.
so if im really bored they might get the job for free, if im busy or they are being excessively annoying then its $100..
if they want a new one ill find out how much they have to spend, what they are using it for etc, source the parts, then either Ill order the parts or ill have them order the parts from Direct Canada, NCIX whatever. if I order the parts I give them THE BILL from the vendor and they pay exactly that plus my build fee of $100
makes everything real simple and I get to build systems, have fun, and make a bit of $$$ even tho its really not much.
I do much the same as fefox, but I have a minimum budget for folks/friends/neighbors. If they are looking to spend $800 or less, I'll suggest a prebuilt HP, Dell or Acer system they can get at Best Buy in their budget. Over that, then I can probably save them some money, and make myself a bit too. And if I mention a custom built WC system, faster than anything you can buy from a chain, and his eyes light up, then I've got a convert, and someone willing to spend enough money that I can make a bit more. But setting up and testing a WC system is a full day's work, and is more a hobby for me than anything else.
To be honest, I made more today setting up a NAS and shared printer for a supplier of mine than I made on the last 3 systems I've built. It's a no brainer. The money is in the service end.
To be honest, I made more today setting up a NAS and shared printer for a supplier of mine than I made on the last 3 systems I've built. It's a no brainer. The money is in the service end.
its kinda hard
i build systems for family n freinds and the worst thing is if a part dies i gotta deal with it
i just gave a free board to a freind and the worst of it is i didnt make a dime buildin it lol
i got my inlaws pc and the whole system is fried just cause they didnt use a powerbar
now i'm out another 250$ lol
best thing is to charge an hourly rate to build it or a fixed price
if you gonna sell whole systems you gotta make $$$$ so you can offer a warranty even if you gonna rma a board or somethin they will expect it fixed fast and will not wait for rma return
you would be surprised how many parts die @ stock
n mine rockin overclocked lol
i build systems for family n freinds and the worst thing is if a part dies i gotta deal with it
i just gave a free board to a freind and the worst of it is i didnt make a dime buildin it lol
i got my inlaws pc and the whole system is fried just cause they didnt use a powerbar
now i'm out another 250$ lol
best thing is to charge an hourly rate to build it or a fixed price
if you gonna sell whole systems you gotta make $$$$ so you can offer a warranty even if you gonna rma a board or somethin they will expect it fixed fast and will not wait for rma return
you would be surprised how many parts die @ stock
n mine rockin overclocked lol
I've built hundreds of machines, and I've done under 10 RMAs.
I've primarily used Asus motherboards... no failures. Only MB failures I've had were my own, and they were Abit back in the cap fiasco.
I've bought one Maxtor HD at customer request. It failed. It's replacement failed. They finally got it right on the 3rd go. I used to buy all Quantum HDs. Not one failure. After they disappeared I went over to Seagate and have only had one failure since. The drive was a 500gb and it was part of my RAID here at home.
Most common failure is from RAM. I've RMA'd out maybe 7 sets/sticks. All manufacturers. Most common was Corsair, believe it or not. I bought a lot of the Samsung RAM back in the DDR days and zilch for problems.
I've had a few PSU problems. Most of them seem to be after 4 or 5 years so it's all been fairly acceptable other than an Antec 450 from a Sonata case that took out an entire system.
I never provide warranty on the parts, but I will on the labour. Most computers I build I will never see again for a hardware problem until several years passes. I never redirect to HP or Dell even for the low end systems. I explain that once they buy a good case and PSU (or sometimes other parts like HD/ROM) they can reuse them the next upgrade cycle and lower overall cost.
I've primarily used Asus motherboards... no failures. Only MB failures I've had were my own, and they were Abit back in the cap fiasco.
I've bought one Maxtor HD at customer request. It failed. It's replacement failed. They finally got it right on the 3rd go. I used to buy all Quantum HDs. Not one failure. After they disappeared I went over to Seagate and have only had one failure since. The drive was a 500gb and it was part of my RAID here at home.
Most common failure is from RAM. I've RMA'd out maybe 7 sets/sticks. All manufacturers. Most common was Corsair, believe it or not. I bought a lot of the Samsung RAM back in the DDR days and zilch for problems.
I've had a few PSU problems. Most of them seem to be after 4 or 5 years so it's all been fairly acceptable other than an Antec 450 from a Sonata case that took out an entire system.
I never provide warranty on the parts, but I will on the labour. Most computers I build I will never see again for a hardware problem until several years passes. I never redirect to HP or Dell even for the low end systems. I explain that once they buy a good case and PSU (or sometimes other parts like HD/ROM) they can reuse them the next upgrade cycle and lower overall cost.
Generally i don't like building computers for customers. It's a PITA if the computer runs into some hardware problems within a warranty period you define to the customer. You then have to deal with RMA on your own dime. I don't advertise computers, i just fix them. But if i run in to a very old computer that is not worth fixing, i recommend replacing it.
My main selling points for custom built computers are:
1. They're built with quality non-proprietary components that usually outlast those of OEM's. OEM's tend to nickle, and dime on things such as solid capacitors, higher quality HDD's, etc. If they can save $5 on a computer, they'll save millions on the whole line. With custom systems, you don't mind adding a couple more bucks for something better.
2. You have better support.
3. You can build a computer that fully suits your needs out of thousands of different interchangable parts.
On the other hand, OEM computers such as Dell, and Acer, are cheaper (at least for budget builds), and have warrenty, so it's less of a headache.
As for profits... i sell the computers at cost, and tack on $100 - $150 for setup and data transfer.
My main selling points for custom built computers are:
1. They're built with quality non-proprietary components that usually outlast those of OEM's. OEM's tend to nickle, and dime on things such as solid capacitors, higher quality HDD's, etc. If they can save $5 on a computer, they'll save millions on the whole line. With custom systems, you don't mind adding a couple more bucks for something better.
2. You have better support.
3. You can build a computer that fully suits your needs out of thousands of different interchangable parts.
On the other hand, OEM computers such as Dell, and Acer, are cheaper (at least for budget builds), and have warrenty, so it's less of a headache.
As for profits... i sell the computers at cost, and tack on $100 - $150 for setup and data transfer.
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