Thoughts on a summer job.

[wfbberzerker]

Well, it's the end of the third week of my summer vacation, and I have yet to get a job. However, I came up with an idea. I like building and fixing computers, so why not build computers for people? I could offer better prices than lots of companies, and I would actually enjoy doing it!

Your thoughts?

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: wfbberzerker
Well, it's the end of the third week of my summer vacation, and I have yet to get a job. However, I came up with an idea. I like building and fixing computers, so why not build computers for people? I could offer better prices than lots of companies, and I would actually enjoy doing it!

Your thoughts?

Are you ready to handle the 24-7 tech support?

 

[wfbberzerker]

well, er, um, i figures since ill be doing this on a local level, i dont think that would be a huge problem...


oh yeah, somebody help me think of a good name!

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: wfbberzerker
well, er, um, i figures since ill be doing this on a local level, i dont think that would be a huge problem...


oh yeah, somebody help me think of a good name!

Just wait. Whenever anything goes wrong you will be called or emailed. Once you build that computer for them, you are responsible in their eyes (tech support wise) until they get a new one.

 

[wfbberzerker]

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: wfbberzerker
well, er, um, i figures since ill be doing this on a local level, i dont think that would be a huge problem...


oh yeah, somebody help me think of a good name!

Just wait. Whenever anything goes wrong you will be called or emailed. Once you build that computer for them, you are responsible in their eyes (tech support wise) until they get a new one.

well, i wont be doing this for a whole lot of people, so the volume of calls/emails shouldnt be a huge problem, and i dont get overwhelmed or annoyed by that kind of thing (my family asks me for help all the time as it is), so i think i can handle it. plus, i figure i will only be building a max of 5 computers this summer, if i do decide to take this path.

 

[minendo]

well, i wont be doing this for a whole lot of people, so the volume of calls/emails shouldnt be a huge problem, and i dont get overwhelmed or annoyed by that kind of thing (my family asks me for help all the time as it is), so i think i can handle it. plus, i figure i will only be building a max of 5 computers this summer, if i do decide to take this path.

Good luck to you. I spend approximately three hours per day on the phone with clients. The worst part is the fact that I get contacted for other tasks too. Software installs, questions, etc.

 

[SWirth86]

Originally posted by: minendo

well, i wont be doing this for a whole lot of people, so the volume of calls/emails shouldnt be a huge problem, and i dont get overwhelmed or annoyed by that kind of thing (my family asks me for help all the time as it is), so i think i can handle it. plus, i figure i will only be building a max of 5 computers this summer, if i do decide to take this path.

Good luck to you. I spend approximately three hours per day on the phone with clients. The worst part is the fact that I get contacted for other tasks too. Software installs, questions, etc.

I was thinking about starting the same thing, but I was worried about the tech support issue. How many computers do you estimate youve built for people?

 

[minendo]

I was thinking about starting the same thing, but I was worried about the tech support issue. How many computers do you estimate youve built for people?

Approximately 50 in the past year. A lot of the contact I have is done through email, but sometimes its phone. Other times I have to make onsite visits.

 

[wfbberzerker]

so, where exactly do i get started?

 

[brtspears2]

Profit margins when building computers, bad. Tech support, worse.

 

[Nefrodite]

i think to become a computer tech u gotta have a degree and experience now

hotdog on a stick 4 u!!

 

[wfbberzerker]

so, the general consensus is that i shouldn't do this?
hmm....

 

[wiredspider]

I sure wouldn't and I would do about anything right now.... First off you would need the money for parts(you could always make them pay first, but that's not the point), you will and have to deal with the slightest thing going wrong with the computers. You might make maybe something like $100 on the computer being built, but the hassles of find parts and providing the tech support eat that right up.

 

[EvilYoda]

yeah, I (along with tons of other AT members, I'm sure) enjoy building comps too, but will only build it for people that know what they're doing, and they realize that I'm not offering any type of tech support. The profit margin that you can squeeze out of them won't be enough to live happily off of, w/o having to deal with stupid questions every 4 minutes.

Maybe you can find some poor sap to do tech support.

 

[silverpig]

A buddy of mine and I did it for a while in university. We had a friend with an account at a computer parts wholesaler. We bought each of us a system for cheap. Then, we listed one in the classified ads section as being for sale. People would call about it, and we'd end up telling them they could get whatever they wanted from us, and that we could basically give them the same price as any local computer store, but without the taxes (14% at the time). We'd recommend a setup, they'd okay it, we'd order the parts, I'd assemble it, they'd pick it up, and we'd cash our cheque for the cost plus our profit (we'd make about $250 on a $2000 computer sale). Then, we'd go blow it all at the bar. It rocked.

The lady at the bank gave us the weirdest look in the world when we said we wanted to open up a joint chequing account though... hehe.