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Is it possible to make money building computers these days?

S

skeedo

Senior member
I would love to just build computers for ppl for a living. I already do it but I would like to get more serious about it, will it be worth my time or am I just going to be stamped out by the big corps?
 
Chances are you can't compete with companies like Dell when it comes to prices and support.

My biggest gripe with selling someone a PC is that I immediately become that person's sole source of support. People feel very entitled to call you whenever they want so you can fix their problems.
 
I think it's perfectly reasonable. Especially if you're in a populated area, have a store front, and sell other computer related parts and services. Maybe even a cyber cafe.
 
It's been unprofitable for quite some time now, the ONLY reason to build even for yourself these days is for the level of control that we geeks demand.

Viper GTS
 
Originally posted by: skeedo
I would love to just build computers for ppl for a living. I already do it but I would like to get more serious about it, will it be worth my time or am I just going to be stamped out by the big corps?
Click to expand...

To make a living of it, you'd have to offer some other kind of service; setting up networks for small businesses, on-site support, etc. Building PCs alone won't bring it much money...

I'm starting up a LAN gaming center and internet cafe, with PC sales and repair on the side. I'm hoping that'll be a decent source of income (after a couple years of getting the name out).
 
Originally posted by: mpitts
My biggest gripe with selling someone a PC is that I immediately become that person's sole source of support
for anything electronic that they, or thier family, or thier friends, might come in contact with. People feel very entitled to call you whenever they want so you can fix their problems.
Click to expand...
Fixed.
 
Originally posted by: Viper GTS
It's been unprofitable for quite some time now, the ONLY reason to build even for yourself these days is for the level of control that we geeks demand.

Viper GTS
Click to expand...

i agree :thumbsup:
 
It depends what sort of profit you are expecting to return.

Since you probably won't be able to get parts wholesale from manufacturers until you are well-established, you'd have to consider that even with 10% markup on the cost of the PCs you build you'd make about $100 at best per PC. What are the odds that you'll have more than a couple a week?


Aside from that, it isn't worth the hassle of idiots bothering you everytime they fvck up their computer. A year down the road when Joe Smith hasn't taken care of his PC and it finally becomes unbearable from all the viruses and spyware he has, he's going to be bitching and moaning that you sold him a piece of junk, expect you to fix it for free, then whether you charge him or not, he's going to be in the same position in a month and come knocking at your door again.


Anytime you want to do anything with computers, you MUST realize that the average person is a moron and can't take care of themselves when it comes to computers. They are too ignorant to take the time to find out what is going on and somehow make it your problem.


If you hadn't figured it out yet... I'm trying to say "don't waste your time and sanity for a measly $100 a week."
 
Not standard PC's no. There is no way to build one cheaper than Dell can sell them for. Specialty PCs may offer a little more room for markup. Something maybe based on an ITX motheboard or unique case materials. There is probably a small demand for that type of stuff. I don't think you could make a living off it but there is certainly some extra money to be made.

Example 1
This place sells a $700 pc for $3400.
 
Originally posted by: Injury
It depends what sort of profit you are expecting to return.

Since you probably won't be able to get parts wholesale from manufacturers until you are well-established, you'd have to consider that even with 10% markup on the cost of the PCs you build you'd make about $100 at best per PC. What are the odds that you'll have more than a couple a week?


Aside from that, it isn't worth the hassle of idiots bothering you everytime they fvck up their computer. A year down the road when Joe Smith hasn't taken care of his PC and it finally becomes unbearable from all the viruses and spyware he has, he's going to be bitching and moaning that you sold him a piece of junk, expect you to fix it for free, then whether you charge him or not, he's going to be in the same position in a month and come knocking at your door again.


Anytime you want to do anything with computers, you MUST realize that the average person is a moron and can't take care of themselves when it comes to computers. They are too ignorant to take the time to find out what is going on and somehow make it your problem.


If you hadn't figured it out yet... I'm trying to say "don't waste your time and sanity for a measly $100 a week."
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:
 
Originally posted by: skeedo
I would love to just build computers for ppl for a living. I already do it but I would like to get more serious about it, will it be worth my time or am I just going to be stamped out by the big corps?
Click to expand...
Does a bear take a sht in the woods and wipe his ass with a fluffy white n00b like you?
 
Originally posted by: Injury
It depends what sort of profit you are expecting to return.

Since you probably won't be able to get parts wholesale from manufacturers until you are well-established, you'd have to consider that even with 10% markup on the cost of the PCs you build you'd make about $100 at best per PC. What are the odds that you'll have more than a couple a week?


Aside from that, it isn't worth the hassle of idiots bothering you everytime they fvck up their computer. A year down the road when Joe Smith hasn't taken care of his PC and it finally becomes unbearable from all the viruses and spyware he has, he's going to be bitching and moaning that you sold him a piece of junk, expect you to fix it for free, then whether you charge him or not, he's going to be in the same position in a month and come knocking at your door again.


Anytime you want to do anything with computers, you MUST realize that the average person is a moron and can't take care of themselves when it comes to computers. They are too ignorant to take the time to find out what is going on and somehow make it your problem.


If you hadn't figured it out yet... I'm trying to say "don't waste your time and sanity for a measly $100 a week."
Click to expand...

Very well said. :thumbsup:

I have built many PCs for my friends/relatives whatever and hated being their tech support man everytime they encounter trouble with their PCs.
 
I do work for friends/acquaintances for a flat $30/hr to provide at-home service, whether it's someone to talk to or computer help. If they want a new computer, I buy a Dell for them.
 
Originally posted by: Injury
It depends what sort of profit you are expecting to return.

Since you probably won't be able to get parts wholesale from manufacturers until you are well-established, you'd have to consider that even with 10% markup on the cost of the PCs you build you'd make about $100 at best per PC. What are the odds that you'll have more than a couple a week?


Aside from that, it isn't worth the hassle of idiots bothering you everytime they fvck up their computer. A year down the road when Joe Smith hasn't taken care of his PC and it finally becomes unbearable from all the viruses and spyware he has, he's going to be bitching and moaning that you sold him a piece of junk, expect you to fix it for free, then whether you charge him or not, he's going to be in the same position in a month and come knocking at your door again.


Anytime you want to do anything with computers, you MUST realize that the average person is a moron and can't take care of themselves when it comes to computers. They are too ignorant to take the time to find out what is going on and somehow make it your problem.


If you hadn't figured it out yet... I'm trying to say "don't waste your time and sanity for a measly $100 a week."
Click to expand...

you said exactly what was on my mind. :thumbsup:

 
Originally posted by: Injury
It depends what sort of profit you are expecting to return.

Since you probably won't be able to get parts wholesale from manufacturers until you are well-established, you'd have to consider that even with 10% markup on the cost of the PCs you build you'd make about $100 at best per PC. What are the odds that you'll have more than a couple a week?


Aside from that, it isn't worth the hassle of idiots bothering you everytime they fvck up their computer. A year down the road when Joe Smith hasn't taken care of his PC and it finally becomes unbearable from all the viruses and spyware he has, he's going to be bitching and moaning that you sold him a piece of junk, expect you to fix it for free, then whether you charge him or not, he's going to be in the same position in a month and come knocking at your door again.


Anytime you want to do anything with computers, you MUST realize that the average person is a moron and can't take care of themselves when it comes to computers. They are too ignorant to take the time to find out what is going on and somehow make it your problem.


If you hadn't figured it out yet... I'm trying to say "don't waste your time and sanity for a measly $100 a week."
Click to expand...

This man speaks the truth.
 
Originally posted by: SP33Demon
Originally posted by: skeedo
I would love to just build computers for ppl for a living. I already do it but I would like to get more serious about it, will it be worth my time or am I just going to be stamped out by the big corps?
Click to expand...
Does a bear take a sht in the woods and wipe his ass with a fluffy white n00b like you?
Click to expand...

OMFG THAT WAS HILARIOUS. 😀


=|
 
I only build for me now. I like to know I can change the vid card, etc when need be. But even for friends and family, I just tell them to get a Dell.
 
Originally posted by: mpitts
Chances are you can't compete with companies like Dell when it comes to prices and support.

My biggest gripe with selling someone a PC is that I immediately become that person's sole source of support. People feel very entitled to call you whenever they want so you can fix their problems.
Click to expand...



WINNAR!!!


Ausm
 
Originally posted by: rudder
Not standard PC's no. There is no way to build one cheaper than Dell can sell them for. Specialty PCs may offer a little more room for markup. Something maybe based on an ITX motheboard or unique case materials. There is probably a small demand for that type of stuff. I don't think you could make a living off it but there is certainly some extra money to be made.

Example 1
This place sells a $700 pc for $3400.
Click to expand...

For $3400 you think they could throw in something better than a Ti200. geesh.
 
Not profitable if solely on that one service.

I average 1 build per month, mainly gaming or vid-editing boxes strictly for: friends, family and coworkers; nobody else.

One niece who wanted a box before going to college, used mainly for word/excel/internet surfing, wanted me to build her one. I ended up having her parents buy a dell for $499 complete with monitor, speakers and printer.
 
Originally posted by: rudder
Not standard PC's no. There is no way to build one cheaper than Dell can sell them for. Specialty PCs may offer a little more room for markup. Something maybe based on an ITX motheboard or unique case materials. There is probably a small demand for that type of stuff. I don't think you could make a living off it but there is certainly some extra money to be made.

Example 1
This place sells a $700 pc for $3400.
Click to expand...


wow...that site just gave me a whole crapload of ideas...and I have access to a cnc, lasercamms...

if I ever ger a free two weeks, I'm making something like that, only with some really crazy inlays, contours....
 
I find that specialty computers is all I make any money from any longer. For instance, last weekend I put together an middle of the road machine to use for ripping and trapping in a graphics department that had and Athlon64, 2 Gigs of Memory, mirrored 80Gig PATA Drives, two different SATA Stripes with Raptors on them and a DL-DVD burner. This was built exactly to fit their needs and there isn't a place like Dell that will go the extra mile to figure out exactly what's in the customer's best interest and then build that for them. Unfortunately, specialty machines aren't being built so often that I could still run a business from them.

Joe
 
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