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Thread: Is there any money in building PCs?

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    Senior Member Dreaming's Avatar
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    Is there any money in building PCs?

    I would have ot say building computers is one of my big interests, in technology in general, I read 4 tech columns daily (well, I read them more often to see if they've updated, but no ) and basically it's what I like to call my hobby.

    I've been thinking for sometime, I'd like to build computers for people - have it friendly and informal, so I'd go round their house or phone them to talk to them about what they wanted and what they wanted to spend, then suggest a system and see what they thought.

    I wouldn't want to make massive amounts of money because one day I'm going to be an accountant (I'm at university at the moment) - it's just my hobby really. As a student, I don't often have enough money to upgrade my own computer, so I feel I'd enjoy being able to put them together for other people!

    But obviously I can't do it for nothing, because if someone decides they don't want it and I've just built a system for £500 then I'm £500 down. I was thinking 10% commision or so.

    But then I'm competing against Dell and then it just seems like I don't have any chance whatsoever. What do you guys think? Does anyone do it? I know the market is fairly saturated, but it would be for pocket money mainly (like £100 a month income would be lovely), but then again I can't compete on price, and I don't have any qualifications, I'm just an enthusiast.

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    Banned arbitor's Avatar
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    no there is no cash in it what so ever.

    just about anyone can build a pc.

    and the reason you will never compete is beacuse mesh or someone will be able to buy 100 160 gig hdds and get them alot cheaper than you can for buying 5 or 10. dont bother its been done and doesnt work unless your a shop or something.

    And also people trust people who work in pc shops or for a real company, although you may know more than some of them, you have to respect how naive and stupid alot of people are when it comes to pcs

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    Senior Member Dreaming's Avatar
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    That's a shame. What about PC consultancy then when I can tell people what PC to get.

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    The King of Vague Steve B's Avatar
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    if you can build yourself up a client-base, then you can earn quite a turn. I can make about 50 in a good month, nothing in a bad month

    thats for fixing people's PC's, not building them
    i also advise people on how to best upgrade their machines
    Last edited by Steve B; 24-02-2007 at 04:02 PM.

  5. #5
    Mike Fishcake
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    In a word, No.


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    Also think of the support.....can you offer it, and can you offer a warranty? chances are if you're building it for people, they don't really know about PCs.

    It's not really worth it....

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    no

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    Agent of the System ikonia's Avatar
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    simpley - no
    It is Inevitable.....


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    Admin (Ret'd)
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    You can make money from it, but it's not easy to do, requires a special approach/situation and isn't for the mass market.

    In general, I'd agree with the consensus ... you probably can't make enough from it to be worthwhile, and you'll let yourself in for support and product liability issues that can be a nightmare. I wouldn't do it.

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    Pseudo-Mad Scientist Whiternoise's Avatar
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    Join a company that does it and work your way to the top?

  11. #11
    Does he need a reason? Funkstar's Avatar
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    there was bugger all money in it about 8 or 9 years ago when i worked for a local store, so i'm sure there is even less in it now.

    The only exception might be if you find a niche market, something like high performance customised gaming machines. Although again, you will have to support it, and being high value highly complex systems this could get costly very quickly.

    Anyway, i used to think building PCs was great. I loved going it all those years ago. It gets old really quickly though. I always had hands that were scratched to hell, really dry skin from packing boxes and the chemicals they use in producing electronics.

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    You cant compete with the bulk buying power of big companies to get stuff at a price where you can make a profit.
    Fixing them tho, if you can get a cllient base, then you can make pocket money.
    [
    Quote Originally Posted by Blitzen
    When I say go, both walk in the opposite direction for 10 paces, draw handbags, then bitch-slap each other!

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    Senior Amoeba iranu's Avatar
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    Unfortunately no. Even if you build someone a PC the moment they get a virus, slowdown, spyware, unwanted program then the likelyhood is that you will be facing a phone call and bang goes the money/time equation.

    As has been said above, the individual simply cannot complete with the big boys. There is very little market for the specialist high end market and even then your margins would be tiny.

    Many of us have thought about it but have been wise. It's best to use your skills to help family and friends with repairs and upgrades etc.
    "Reality is what it is, not what you want it to be." Frank Zappa. ----------- "The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike." Huang Po.----------- "A drowsy line of wasted time bathes my open mind", - Ride.

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    Banned arbitor's Avatar
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    its best to either start a business doing it i would think, or going into that feidl if your really good

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    lazy student nvening's Avatar
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    Your best bet would be to focus on tech support, the service industry is where its at lol, also word of mouth advertising works really well if you offer a good service, people are always going "my pc isnt working... ...Well i know this guy..."
    (\__/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

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    Senior Member Dreaming's Avatar
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    Yea, wasn't looking at it as a career, more a helpful summer job, as of easter I'm not doing anything until october, and don't wanna be stuck doing a mcjob.

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