Can I get some advice?

[Hashiyan]

So please, this might sound really really stupid and childish but I came to this forum because this forum can give great feedback and not try to tell me down. 

Being 16 I do not really have a job. I can not drive yet (until soon) and I go to school. Yet I have a a great fascination about computers. I have many dreams and wishes in the future about a career with computers.

But i'm 16. but If I were to build computers for people (I know how much people say its really bad and not worth doing) and ship them computers with trusted parts, good looks, and great prices would you think people would by them. I do need to earn money, and with this computer fascination I would love to make people computers. But would anyone honestly buy from me? Even if I do provide great information about what they are buying, not rip them off. Give them what they just need? 

Mind this, it would be for the average non computer knowledgeable person out there (From grandma to gammer to Video makers) 

 

Do you think it would work? Please no hate comments, I would really like some support on this and ideas. Thanks

[Coombzy]

try it if it works and the customers are happy you will begin to build a reputation and more customers will come if you think its a good investment go ahead

[sonarctica]

No, there is no money in hardware, it's a sad fact. Why would people buy from you when they could instead buy a computer from a trusted shop, average consumer won't care about the aesthetics and if one did care about the aesthetics, they would probably build the PC themselves. It wouldn't be worth it.

 

In my opinion, keep building computers as a hobby and finish school, you're still so young so you have many years ahead of you to think what you want to do.

[helping]

People probably wouldn't because factoring in shipping makes it somewhat difficult to produce a profit, there is very little if zero profit in building when you factor in what your return is for your effort. You would usually end up being undercut by low end hardware or other boutiques. Think about it from their perspective, why would they buy from you? 

 

A computer that breaks on it's way to a customer would also be hell, if you're going to even attempt to do this you have to start local. Do not attempt in any scale beyond local.

 

Also this should be in OT.

[BlackOutCrisis]

There just isn't a market for custom built computers right now, people would rather just go to best buy or walmart and get the cheapest thing they can find. If you have family members that you can start with and get a portfolio going then that is a good place to start but you can't really do it full time. Best you can hope for is to do it on the side while doing something else for money.

[Hashiyan]

try it if it works and the customers are happy you will begin to build a reputation and more customers will come if you think its a good investment go ahead

Thanks man! Will look into it, but any idea how to get people to know im out there?

[Stephie_Girl]

So please, this might sound really really stupid and childish but I came to this forum because this forum can give great feedback and not try to tell me down. 

Being 16 I do not really have a job. I can not drive yet (until soon) and I go to school. Yet I have a a great fascination about computers. I have many dreams and wishes in the future about a career with computers.

But i'm 16. but If I were to build computers for people (I know how much people say its really bad and not worth doing) and ship them computers with trusted parts, good looks, and great prices would you think people would by them. I do need to earn money, and with this computer fascination I would love to make people computers. But would anyone honestly buy from me? Even if I do provide great information about what they are buying, not rip them off. Give them what they just need? 

Mind this, it would be for the average non computer knowledgeable person out there (From grandma to gammer to Video makers) 

 

Do you think it would work? Please no hate comments, I would really like some support on this and ideas. Thanks

No probably not.  Here is a bit of history of how I came to building PC's.  I build several dozen a year.

 

First of all you need money to do this.  You need to build/sell online through craigslist and eBay to get some experience and cash flow.  The problem is, markup is maybe 100-200 (if your very lucky) and avenues like eBay and Amazon charge outrageous fee's.  I started off doing it with my dad (reputable local PC guy) and over the past few years I've vastly superseded his knowledge in most area's.  I live in a well populated city (1.5 million people) so with my dads 10 year rep and his friends referring me to others I get a ton of business (but only about 30% is building PC's).

 

I've had to open up to doing all sorts of work such as setting up networks, installing and setting up devices, trouble shooting some of the strange issues etc.  Often times, if it's easy and they come to me I don't even charge (customer for life and unlimited referrals).  But JUST building PC's, no one is gonna buy from someone who is young, doesn't have a long track record or anything of the sort.  As for doing online orders, BE CAREFUL WITH DAMAGED PRODUCTS.  I've had 2 instances, 1 I had to eat like 300 bucks and the other was a friend and very patient.

 

What you're looking to do is not realistic.  Start small, help friends/family/class mates with minor issues and build up your reputation first.

[Hashiyan]

People probably wouldn't because factoring in shipping makes it somewhat difficult to produce a profit, there is very little if zero profit in building when you factor in what your return is for your effort.

 

A computer that breaks on it's way to a customer would also be hell, if you're going to even attempt to do this you have to start local.

 

Also this should be in OT.

Sorry Dx I was trying to decide here or OT but couldn't kinda place to topic on a single one and just went for here. Dx my bad man! And alright, thanks for the advice. starting local.Got it!

[Coombzy]

Thanks man! Will look into it, but any idea how to get people to know im out there?

posters and adverts or ask around in the area see if anybody can help ifs really up to you whether you think its something you want to do as a temporary job its certainly better than say delivering papers.

[amintha1992]

focus on school and finish your education and get a real job that you are good at. does not matter if its repairing computers for the local computer store or working for Google. this way you have a steady foot on the ground. in the mean time keep doing what you like but as a hobby. give people advice, fix there PC and if you are lucky you might make a few bucks here and there. but im sorry there is no money in hardware. but for human skills and labor there is a lot, find you niche and exploit it.

 

get a part time job so you can satisfy your hunger for tech by having some spending money.

 

hope you get the most out of your life.

 

always keep in mind that its real relationships and connections with real people is what it takes to make good money. so go out and meet new people.

[Hashiyan]

No probably not.  Here is a bit of history of how I came to building PC's.  I build several dozen a year.

 

First of all you need money to do this.  You need to build/sell online through craigslist and eBay to get some experience and cash flow.  The problem is, markup is maybe 100-200 (if your very lucky) and avenues like eBay and Amazon charge outrageous fee's.  I started off doing it with my dad (reputable local PC guy) and over the past few years I've vastly superseded his knowledge in most area's.  I live in a well populated city (1.5 million people) so with my dads 10 year rep and his friends referring me to others I get a ton of business (but only about 30% is building PC's).

 

I've had to open up to doing all sorts of work such as setting up networks, installing and setting up devices, trouble shooting some of the strange issues etc.  Often times, if it's easy and they come to me I don't even charge (customer for life and unlimited referrals).  But JUST building PC's, no one is gonna buy from someone who is young, doesn't have a long track record or anything of the sort.  As for doing online orders, BE CAREFUL WITH DAMAGED PRODUCTS.  I've had 2 instances, 1 I had to eat like 300 bucks and the other was a friend and very patient.

 

What you're looking to do is not realistic.  Start small, help friends/family/class mates with minor issues and build up your reputation first.

Thanks so much for the info. Starting local would be a great start, and I understand what you mean by troubleshooting and setting up networks, I could do that too, iv done it before. Should I find someone close by that I could work under to get reputation? (the only bad part is that im 16 with out a car? And I dont really know anyone else near me) 

[Hashiyan]

focus on school and finish your education and get a real job that you are good at. does not matter if its repairing computers for the local computer store or working for Google. this way you have a steady foot on the ground. in the mean time keep doing what you like but as a hobby. give people advice, fix there PC and if you are lucky you might make a few bucks here and there. but im sorry there is no money in hardware. but for human skills and labor there is a lot, find you niche and exploit it.

 

get a part time job so you can satisfy your hunger for tech by having some spending money.

 

hope you get the most out of your life.

 

always keep in mind that its real relationships and connections with real people is what it takes to make good money. so go out and meet new people.

Thanks! Il see what I can do! i'l focas on school work yes but jobs are hard to get 

[Hashiyan]

posters and adverts or ask around in the area see if anybody can help ifs really up to you whether you think its something you want to do as a temporary job its certainly better than say delivering papers.

Alright, well thanks man  

[WoodenMarker]

The margin for profit for making computer systems is very small. Do it as a hobby but not for a job. 

Ask people if they need a system built. Most people never even think of it if you don't bring it up.

[amintha1992]

Thanks so much for the info. Starting local would be a great start, and I understand what you mean by troubleshooting and setting up networks, I could do that too, iv done it before. Should I find someone close by that I could work under to get reputation? (the only bad part is that im 16 with out a car? And I dont really know anyone else near me) 

i was 20 until i got a job, and i just got a car, and i'm almost 22. so i dont think being 16 and not having a car or a job is a big deal.... just get out of your house and apply to any jod that you can find. it does not have to be all glamorous. and why are you so stressed about not having a car and a job? you are 16 years old? dude.. chill out.. enjoy life...

 

like i always said you are not going to get a job by sitting at your desk(specially at 16) 

 

get out there and find a job and don't come back here until you do!!!! naaahh just kidding I'm just trying to prove a point. you need to go out more... take the bus if you don't like to walk.

 

and you are always welcome here

[ausgebombt85]

You're 16, in school, without a car. Doesn't sound like you need money yet. 

 

Try and work for free if you must; it delivers awesome experience and lets you focus on building up confidence in what you are doing.

 

If you need the money, try and get a paying job, but don't rule out helping people out for free; you need to build on your knowledge before getting an actual job...

 

If you are going for hardware, never use your own money to buy the parts.. even if its for a friend, make him a list of the parts and how much they cost and let them decide if they wanna buy them.. then you add a percentage for your services in putting it all together, or just do it for free