Should I start making custom computers?

[gmaesplayer]

Should I start a small time business making and selling custom build computers? Has anyone here done this before, and if so what is some advice you can give on the subject?

[Sam Z Man]

No it won't work, if you want to make cash do tech support.

[nicholician]

Yes, you can. But you know how many people love building computers, so now just imagine how many people have already thought of this and tried it. You need something special to succeed at this.

 

I'd suggest working at a boutique PC building business for a while to earn some cash and learn the business if you really think that you're into this.

 

 

 

Don't take my word as gospel though, who knows if what I said will actually work.

[Nonco]

Should I start a small time business making and selling custom build computers? Has anyone here done this before, and if so what is some advice you can give on the subject?

 

 

Is there a market for this near you? Will people actually buy your computers near you?

Are there any competing businesses youd be going up against?

Are you financially able to start a buisness? If not are you comfortable to get a loan?

 

Gotta think about it all carefully

Usually its probably not a safe buisness venture, you could maybe start up a little technology shop selling stuff and doing tech repairs ect (phones, pcs, tablets ect..). But usually most places already have something like this and it would be hard to compete in most cases.

[Gale]

Whoa, hold on; baby steps first. Start out as a self-employed, offering your services to family, friends, and acquaintances. If that takes off, then you should start considering opening up a business.

[Jerakl]

The market is over saturated ATM. I would say no.

[Oshino Shinobu]

"Has anyone done this before"

 

You can do it as a hobby, maybe to make some money on the side, but it is not a viable business unless you have something unique to offer clients. If you're wanting to charge a lot of money, you're going to need a portfolio of your work, ideally custom work, modifications and things that are hard or intimidating to do (like hardline watercooling). 

[gmaesplayer]

Is there a market for this near you? Will people actually buy your computers near you?

Are there any competing businesses youd be going up against?

Are you financially able to start a buisness? If not are you comfortable to get a loan?

 

Gotta think about it all carefully

Usually its probably not a safe buisness venture, you could maybe start up a little technology shop selling stuff and doing tech repairs ect (phones, pcs, tablets ect..). But usually most places already have something like this and it would be hard to compete in most cases.

I'll put it like this, I'm not old enough to start a brick and mortar business. I was hoping that I could put out ads and as there are no really good PC places that at least a few people looking for a computer built to their specifications would come to me.

It would be one a computer by computer basis, so no need for loans.

[gmaesplayer]

"Has anyone done this before"

 

You can do it as a hobby, maybe to make some money on the side, but it is not a viable business unless you have something unique to offer clients. If you're wanting to charge a lot of money, you're going to need a portfolio of your work, ideally custom work, modifications and things that are hard or intimidating to do (like hardline watercooling). 

I was just aiming to get money on the side, not go big time.

[TheKDub]

Depending on how many other companies doing the same are near you, it may work or it may not.

 

For myself I'd love to start doing the same along with doing some IT work as well, but just looking at google maps there are at least 8 different businesses doing the same near me, although only like two of them have any reviews or information, and one of them is full of mainly pretty shit reviews. (But I've done some work for various different people, so word of me has spread some.)

 

(I'm only 16 )

[Oshino Shinobu]

I was just aiming to get money on the side, not go big time.

Then you can try doing it locally by posting some ads up. Try to get some pictures of your previous builds so that people can see that you know what you're doing. 

 

Also, bear in mind people will probably come to you if anything goes wrong with the PC (even software related), so you'd need to be specific that you are not responsible for any software malfunctions. You also need to look into how you get warranties registered for the client, rather than yourself if you're going to be buying the parts, building, then giving it to a client. 

[LogicalDrm]

I usually answer to these threads (no, you aren't first to ask) that building for consumers isn't worth it. You aren't going to just build that stuff. You need to buy parts, assemble PC, buy and install OS + other software and then act as tech support for 2-3 years or however long each part has warranty and how long tech support you sell along the build.

 

Selling bigger stuff to small business can be more profitable. You can get longer service contracts, they buy more stuff at once and they don't need PCs to be super high-end. Just cheap and working usually does it.

[RuffRuffmcgruff]

I was just aiming to get money on the side, not go big time.

 

Just, as suggested before, start your own small time business helping out friends, family and a few people. Make some business cards and advertise in your local shops etc. Get a neighbourhood name for yourself, once that's done people will trust you with their stuff. Just snowball from there mate. Good Luck !!!

[gmaesplayer]

Thabks for the help mates I think I'm going to just do it around the neighborhood

[as96]

I wouldn't do that but...

You have two options: physical shop and online.

Both of them are most likely going to crash within the year so go with the cheaper option: online.

 

You need to get the needed legal authorizations since this will be a proper commercial activity. Then you can start to setup a website.

You will need to provide warranty and refunds within the legal minimum. You will also need enough money to support this and a good marketing and advertisement campaign.

 

 

 

If you still haven't change your mind remember that this is a saturated market so unless you can manage to provide a service with a quality somewhat equal to the "big guys" you will fail.

[GrimNeo]

Should I start a small time business making and selling custom build computers? Has anyone here done this before, and if so what is some advice you can give on the subject?

Be prepared for all the money your going to lose at first. Plus you will become a tech support rep. I suggest you get a small busniess loan of at least $10000. If you can make it past the first two years then you should be ok. Also prepare for lawsuits if you live in Merica. Good luck.