Reasonable markup on custom-built PC hardware?

[morningtrader]

I've been negotiating with a local vendor on a custom built. We had gotten done with the main system and everything was dunky dorey. Then I asked him to add a 18g 10k rpm scsi HD and 29160 controller to the quote. You can get the combo retail on the Net for $500-$550. He comes come with a new quote adding well over $750.

Are some of these guys locked into suppliers that are giving them low prices on common items but high ones for power products?. Or he is just trying to screw me? Labor to stick it in a PCI slot, mount the drive and configure can't be worth much.

(please don't tell me to do it myself <g>)

 

[LuNoTiCK]

Build it yourself, save yourself some money. He probably gets it even cheaper since he sells the stuff.

 

[morningtrader]

Hey dude, told you not to tell me that <g>.

Some of us actually have to use these machines full time. No time to build, no time even for a day off.

 

[Sugadaddy]

Well, if you don't have 2 hours free to build it yourself, at least add the SCSI stuff yourself if the guy is screwing you... resellers all get very similar prices from the suppliers, if he charges too much, you just go buy it somewhere else.

 

[Stealth1024]

he probably goes through more well established retailers, includes taxes and shipping in his prices, and has to make a profit to make it worth it, especially if he is providing any type of warranty

perhaps, provide him with your component list and where you are purchasing from and see what he would charge you just to build the machine

$100 to build the machine, especially if he sets up software, seems reasonable

 

[Mark0999]

Usually the cost of the individual parts plus $100 is fair.

 

[Stealth1024]

heck, most retailers charge more than $100 just to come to your home, take the computer out of the box, and set it up!

 

[yazz]

you have to take into account as well is tech support (if the person you are selling the system to does not know much about computers) and (RMA) if the piece of hardware fails you have to pay shipping back to the vendor and time spent troubleshooting the product if it is broken. you have to move a lot of hardware to make a profit as a local computer dealer. Labor and wasted time means loss of profit on small margins. this dealer is trying to cover his ass in case something goes wrong with your machine. I have a Masters degree, my time is precious to myself, and repairing, building and consultation about computers is not charity work! I have a high level of expertise in this current computer industry and if one wants my services they are going to have to pay some money to me to do research and give them viable/efficient options on computers solutions. building a SCSI system or adding SCSI to a system is not an easy task for many people because they dont have the resources or tools i have. In my case SCSI disk-subsytems are one of my specialities and i would probably add between $100 and $250 in labor depending on the complexity of the project. I am not at all trying to gouge you i am providing a higher level of personal service that DELL and GATEWAY cannot provide. BUT, if you really think this dealer has a high level of understanding about computers than you (or equal) then paying this person is definitely worth it because he/she may become an important resource in the future......

 

[Renob]

BYO it the only way to go and i thought the saying was hunky dorey not dunky dorey

 

[morningtrader]

I am heavily enlightened by the comments here. Also realize my cherry is ripe for popping so I am going to set aside time and roll my own (build my own). Exciting stuff. Free from the boxmaker for all time eternal.

Thanks guys.

Alan

 

[Renob]

Welcome to the land of BYO you will never go back.