Does anyone build and sell PC's here?

kazzer

Im just curious about what sort of business it is. Has anyone here done it before and if so what sort of success have they had with it? How can someone building on their own in their spare time compete with Dell and PC World? There seems to be alot of ads and flyers around advertising people building custom PC's, surley there is some part of the market to exploit. I just want peoples opinions on this.(Please move if necessary)

snappieT

Well, I *think* that may just qualify as trading, so that's against the boards charter.

Fionn

i'm sure there's lots of peeps here that can build computers for others, but as is pointed out it's against the rules to advertise without proper authorisation.

Mind you having taken a look at entry level dell desktops i dunno if you could match them..they can produce fairly good spec machines for pretty low prices!!

kazzer

Ok sorry I'll just clear up, Im not advertising. Just want to discuss the market for building PC's.

snappieT

Mind you having taken a look at entry level dell desktops i dunno if you could match them..they can produce fairly good spec machines for pretty low prices!!

Really though, who is going to be comissioning a private builder for a budget PC, in all fairness.

DemonOfTheFall

Its impossible to match Dell on the low end IMO. Take it above 1000 yoyos and you can kick their ass though.

Cyrus

anyone interested in having a custom pc built will normally want to do it themselves thats the fun, plus what happens if something goes wrong 3 months down the line, you gonna offer warranty etc?

snappieT

kazzer wrote:

Ok sorry I'll just clear up, Im not advertising. Just want to discuss the market for building PC's.

In that case, yes, I have built custom PCs for people, made a 10% profit on them, and saved them money. The main reason I achieved this was because they didn't want Windows. There was not a piece of paid-for software on that PC, it was all open-source.

It also allowed them to have a top-quality PC with a CRT monitor, an option not offered with some of the higher-up Dell packages, but they needed it for completely ghostless gaming, and to save a bit of cash also.

In addition to this, I overclocked the graphics card for them, something Dell would never do for you. The market is there, you just have to let yourself be known.

Sparky

ive built PC's mainly for mates but not as a full job or anything, i just do it for fun and i gain experience from every build.

Fionn

good points....

i only build my own!! don't have the money to support building for other peeps.
although sometimes you see advice about it being a cheaper option to build your own!!, really all dependds on what a user wants,
but as far as i can see i certainly couldn't match a lot of the entry to mid level machines by the likes of Dell etc.

RuggieBear

Cyrus wrote:

anyone interested in having a custom pc built will normally want to do it themselves thats the fun, plus what happens if something goes wrong 3 months down the line, you gonna offer warranty etc?

and that's why i wouldn't build pc's...something goes wrong...no matter how small...you have to deal with it.

i find that now i'm the ****ing tech support for my brother and family coz i built him a pc from spare parts....it can be quite frustrating dealing with people who have absolutely no idea....had to help him change the screen resolution once :eek:

(i'm by no means an expert having learned how to build my own pc with help/advice from boardsies)

aphex™

RuggieBear wrote:

and that's why i wouldn't build pc's...something goes wrong...no matter how small...you have to deal with it.
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Yes exactly, my friend installed (didn't even build) a pc like once or twice for some computer shop and the families tried to call him up every time they had a virus or some cable unplugged.

Let this be a warning to you, prepare for years of call backs. I wouldnt consider this an option for cash on the side just because of the after sales hassle you'll get.

snappieT

That's why my service includes only the existing warranty on all parts. If they get a virus, feel free to call me, but I'm going to charge the standard rate that I would give to a new customer.

Syth

If you were doing it, people would expect some kind of service. Hardware support would be easy to do. All you'd have to do is organise the return to the original manufacturer. Software though would be very different and no doubt very time consuming. If I was doing it I'd make it very clear that support was hardware only. Software support would cost more.

Capt'n Midnight

Syth wrote:

If you were doing it, people would expect some kind of service.

Actually if they already know you they'll expect free technical support for life. Taking in the margins it's just not worth it for family or friends , do it as a favor so you can get favors back. At the low end the margins are too low , might ever buy a secondhand one for less and most people who want something special would prob build them selves. There is a higher margin on confectionary and petrol and probably scratch cards. Most small companies do only to get the foot in the door for servicing and valued added stuff.

chrismon

:cool: my uncle used to do it for years,
he said it was not worth the hassle and profit was very poor.
all your friends and family think wahey free support and discount pc.
Would not do it personally

irishshogun

Never ever build or upgrade a PC for friends or family they'll fu**in wreak your head for the rest of your life and then resent you if you're not willing to sort out their simple problems at the drop of a hat. READ A BOOK!! ye lazy sods, most pc probs are SIMPLE, I built a system for a relative, installed the best of programs and games, showed them how to be internet safe, anti-vius, firewalls, adaware etc, quess whos now being ignored cos they werent willin to answer a stupid question at 11:30 at night... JUST DONT DO IT!! Send em to Dell.

Chalk

snappieT wrote:

they didn't want Windows.
they needed it for completely ghostless gaming

pacman emulators and the like?

gre_soul

irishshogun wrote:

Never ever build or upgrade a PC for friends or family they'll fu**in wreak your head for the rest of your life and then resent you if you're not willing to sort out their simple problems at the drop of a hat. READ A BOOK!! ye lazy sods, most pc probs are SIMPLE, I built a system for a relative, installed the best of programs and games, showed them how to be internet safe, anti-vius, firewalls, adaware etc, quess whos now being ignored cos they werent willin to answer a stupid question at 11:30 at night... JUST DONT DO IT!! Send em to Dell.

sound advice, listen and learn friends!