AlienWare for cheaper than the website!

[MatthewMaes]

Ok, everyone knows about alienware and how good of computers they are. I have a question, it won't apply to most of you, but please give me your response. I am thinking of buying all the parts for the alienware computers and putting it together myself. I will then sell it to people. When I do this, I can build then for several hundred dollars cheaper. Do you think people would buy from me? I am planning on sending 1 computer in to GamePro, or Electronic Gaming Monthly. They will rate it, and if it does good enough, they will publish it. Then I would have lots and lots of people wanting to buy a computer from me. Is this a good idea, or am I wasting my time?

I know that most people on here build their own computers, but if you didn't would you be interested in saving several hundred dollars on a computer?

 

[NTB]

Sounds like a good idea, but the Alienware prices may be dropping soon, too. One of the reasons that they are so high, IMO, is because they don't sell a whole lot. That could change pretty soon though; I seem to remember reading a Best Buy ad (or was it at their website?) that said they were going to start selling Alienware systems. Getting a vendor like that will definately allow them to sell more systems.

Nate

PS: sorry about the no-vote, but I build my own

 

[daweasel]

How are you going to handle the warranty situation. Usually when someone buys from a company or another person, they want a wararanty and support of some sort.

 

[miken]

Would you give a warranty? Tech support?

Manuals? Free software? Mousepad?

I don't think you would make much money, profits are razor thin nowadays.

 

[Gunbuster]

I would only get an Alienware for the 133t color case with matching KB, Mouse, and fan grills

Of course I would only buy an Alienware if I had money coming out of my @ss

 

[NTB]

LOL - nice sig gunbuster, and I agree with you about that money out the @$$ part. I didn't even think about warranties, software and such when I first saw the question - those are all good points too.

Nate

 

[Draco]

I've thought about doing the same thing. I'm sure I could build as good, if not better system then those customer vendors like Falcon-NW, Alienware, and VoodooPC. VoodooPC charges ridiculous amounts for their pc's (Anyone ever priced one out?)! I might not be able to give the cases automotive paint finishes, but I would use those great Lian-LI cases with the see-through windows and all the top notch parts.

I'd leave the warranty coverage up to the manufactuer of the indvidual componets. No tech support, figure it out yourself. You want support and extended warranties, call Dell.

Sounds like it might be profitable, then I realize I'm to lazy to make some pretty website to try and market the thing, and most people who want a cool custom pc like that without a warranty and support are just going to build it themselves not pay to have me do it.

 

[MatthewMaes]

As for warrenty, we would do 1 year tech support phone/email. It would come preloaded with Windows XP home! Thats about all for software!

 

[CraigRT]

Don't use the same freaking parts.. especially the case.. at least use a regular beige SX1030 if you're gonna try and cop their ideas.. It's a good idea and most people do the same thing, I build gaming systems for people and I try and cater to make it look "cool" like the real LAN gamers and computer junkies want, but I don't copy Alienware.. I use even better parts! :Q

 

[Comp625]

NM I'm an idiot.

 

[MatthewMaes]

We are using a different case, but after that, its about the same...and they can't nail me, b/c I just got the idea out of my head, they dont know i copied it off teh webiste.!!!

 

[NTB]

<< We are using a different case, but after that, its about the same...and they can't nail me, b/c I just got the idea out of my head, they dont know i copied it off teh webiste.!!! >>



umm...unless somebody happens to read this particular thread?

Nate

 

[John]

<< NM I'm an idiot. >>



Good thing you said it before I did.

 

[John]

MatthewMaes, how do you think Michael Dell got started?

 

[MatthewMaes]

bump

 

[Gunbuster]

Get your money up front, if not you will be crying when a $600 CPU becomes a $300 in a matter of days

 

[cleverhandle]

There are a lot of hidden costs and time holes here. First of all, you'd have to deal with payment and shipping. Nobody's going to pay $2000+ cash up front for a system from an unproven builder (even a proven one, for that matter). So you'd need to arrange for credit card payment and have a sizable wad of cash to buy parts with until you make some money. Finding the right packaging to ship everything professionally will take a lot of time, and a bit of money as well. Also, as others mentioned, you need a warranty plan - anyone bold enough to take only manufacturers' warranties on a $2000 machine will build the system themselves. You said you would provide 1 year support - OK, so then when a component dies outside the manufacturer warranty but still within 1 year, you eat the cost. That's going to cut into your already thin profit margin. Consider the time spent building the systems as well - if you want cutting edge components (like customers would), you'll need to spend time ironing out problems with crappy drivers, VIA bugs, etc. Sure, most systems would probably build okay, but that 1 in 4 that doesn't will take up a lot of your time. You could get around by offering limited configurations, but then you're much less attractive to customers.

Mostly, this boils down to an "economy of scale" issue. If the business will be your *only* business, you can build enough systems to know all the bugs, get better prices on parts, order packaging in bulk, etc. But if you quit your day job, you're going to want a livable income, which means that your prices will have to be almost as high as Alienware's were in the first place.

So... kind of an all or nothing proposition. And risky one to get off the ground, at that.

 

[cmaMath13]

If you purchase a computer, it is about more than just the same parts. Support is very important.

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< Ok, everyone knows about alienware and how good of computers they are. I have a question, it won't apply to most of you, but please give me your response. I am thinking of buying all the parts for the alienware computers and putting it together myself. I will then sell it to people. When I do this, I can build then for several hundred dollars cheaper. Do you think people would buy from me? I am planning on sending 1 computer in to GamePro, or Electronic Gaming Monthly. They will rate it, and if it does good enough, they will publish it. Then I would have lots and lots of people wanting to buy a computer from me. Is this a good idea, or am I wasting my time?

I know that most people on here build their own computers, but if you didn't would you be interested in saving several hundred dollars on a computer? >>


Bad idea, since Alienware uses the AMD 760 chipset.

 

[nortexoid]

most people check a website, notice that the computer SEEMS overpriced, and think they can build cheaper ones...

most people forget that the OS is included in the cost...along with other software...they also have unique colors, customized manuals, and burn-in tests wiht completely configured drivers, etc. for the software on the system...they also supply free 24hr tech support and have warranty options.

there's not much profit in system building...that's for damn sure.

 

[Daovonnaex]

<<

<< Ok, everyone knows about alienware and how good of computers they are. I have a question, it won't apply to most of you, but please give me your response. I am thinking of buying all the parts for the alienware computers and putting it together myself. I will then sell it to people. When I do this, I can build then for several hundred dollars cheaper. Do you think people would buy from me? I am planning on sending 1 computer in to GamePro, or Electronic Gaming Monthly. They will rate it, and if it does good enough, they will publish it. Then I would have lots and lots of people wanting to buy a computer from me. Is this a good idea, or am I wasting my time?

I know that most people on here build their own computers, but if you didn't would you be interested in saving several hundred dollars on a computer? >>


Bad idea, since Alienware uses the AMD 760 chipset. >>


Nevermind, looks like they switched to the nForce. By all means, go ahead then. If the magazine accepts it, then people will buy. My only comment would be to make sure to write a good, high-quality manual with many pictures. Also, alienware has a warranty and tech support--can you offer that?

 

[Punisher007]

What sort of payment options do you plan on offering? Any sort of financing?

 

[MasterHoss]

It is almost always the case that you can build a computer for cheaper than you can buy a retail computer. There are lots of business reasons why computers "most people" buy are more expensive...some have been covered here...