Computer shop.

[Chaser]

I have wanted to start up my own business for a long time now, im only 22 and already tired of working for the man, but who isnt?

Anyway, the only thing i can really think of that I would be qualified to run would be a computer repair shop / parts retailer.

I know what i'm doing when it comes to most repairs and replacements, but my concern is that quite a bit of my clientelle at the moment involves replacing and troubleshooting bad parts.

My question and hopefully something you more experienced folks could help me with, is would it be worth the initial investment to stock up on basic parts such as the different pins of ram, the different types of video cards and ect, just to ensure that I will more than likely have these parts to test in computers that people will bring me?

I hate thinking that I might not be able to tell which part or parts went out off the bat and then trying to get clients to buy / have me order these things just to have it turn out not to be something it sounds like.

If stocking up on basic parts will ensure that I can be of more assisstance and quickly diagnose a problem which parts would everyone recommend?

I fix computers now as a side job, but i stay away from completely dead machines as I don't like having to order parts just to test the machine with the basics.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Also, my dad ran quite a few businesses so I feel i'd have a good grasp on how to manage these things but any tips in business management you guys can throw at me will only help in the long run.


Thanks guys and gals!

*edit*

Does anyone know of wholesalers for computer parts / whole built laptops? Id like to offer a decent selection in my store so the cheaper I can find these things the better.

I dont like to put laptops together so maybe a decent wholeseller where I could purchase them and sell in my own shop...?

[[Jett]-RB]

I would stay away from the resale of computers and/or laptops due to pricing and warranty support. Stocking up parts (for resale) is not a good idea either. Technology changes so quickly that you will be stuck with most of the parts that you buy unless you fill a huge need somewhere. I would have a couple sets of each video card architect (AGP, PCIe,etc), generic power supplies, several different speeds of RAM (some motherboards will take slower or faster RAM than what might be currently in them, so even if you dont have every speed of RAM, you might have one that will work--just check the manufacturer board specs), an IDE and SATA hard drive, etc. for emergencies. You could also offer to do upgrades and could get some test bench parts that way. It would not take a lot of money or parts to get started, but you do need to have enough to be able to troubleshoot correctly. Be sure to get a good copy of all the OS that you intend to support. You may want to get you some test equipment at some point to help you out. I have an ATX power supply tester and a Hard drive to USB converter so that I can move data easily. I am sure there are things that I am missing, but that should be a good start. Just don't throw anything away that is good for a while until you see what you use or have need of. Sometimes you can find free computers on Craigslist that you might be able to get some parts from. If you replace a computer for someone, see what they are going to do with the old one. A lot of people just want to get rid of them.

Sorry it kinda rambled on there, but hopefully this helps. I might have left something out, but it's a start.

You might want to think about offering blocks of service to people and/or businesses for troubleshooting computer problems. You could contract with businesses sometimes for a set amount (little lower than you would normally charge) and have it expire at a certain date (6 months or so). That way if they use you, then they can buy more, if not, you get out of it and can resell it to them at that later date. Maybe not something you want to do, but I know people that do that and it works for them.


RB :)


If you do want to offer resale machines and/or laptops, then you might want to find a place like this close to you http://www.buypcw.com/ . They offer no named machines/notebooks that you could brand and resale.

When I worked for a resale shop, we bought most of our parts from http://www.ingrammicro.com/ or http://www.techdata.com/ I am not sure what it would take to become a VAR with them, but maybe it might help you out.

[Chaser]

I appreciate your help RB.

Im still a long way off on being ready, I plan on picking up some books and reading them to make sure i'm prepared more than I think I am already.

I realize that buying wholesale is not ideal, and I can actually buy parts for desktops and build / sell them myself. But laptops I'd like to just buy and resell, of course if its not worth my time profit wise i'll stay out of that.

Contracting out to businesses is a good way to go, I have thought about it quite a bit, I even know a few I coupld probably snatch up fairly quick so i'll look into that a bit more.

[[Jett]-XgrinderX]

RB gave you most of the things I thought of from when I used to do this. Parts and builds are not very profitable unless you can convince people to pay a little premium for what you are building them. Otherwise they will just go to Dell or Walmart or whatever and get a PC cheaper than you can build and with a 1-3 year warranty as well. Warranty support sucks when you build PCs for people.

Labor is where you will make your money and you will have to price competitively with the Best Buys or whatever that are near you OR you will have to prove that your service is better which shouldn't be hard but will take time. When I was doing this, I made most of my money on in home repairs, but the downside is when you need parts and have to make a trip out to troubleshoot, then go buy parts and make another trip out to actually fix it.

When I quit I was almost to the point where based off the initial report, I wanted to just go to Frys or whatever and buy a few parts just in case I needed them. If it turned out I didn't need them for the repair, just take them back.

[Chaser]

I live in a fairly small town, the closest wal mart is about 35 miles from me and te closest bust buy / circuit citys ect are about 50.

I have done enough to realize the budget machines at wal mart are too cheap for me to compare with. I cant make a system with OS and moniter for $400 and provide warranty with it.

However, when you get into the about $700+ builds you can make a decent profit per machine.

I have a small building that my dad will let me lease from him, he will also cover any start up costs as long as my business plan and ideas are in order. My main goal would be to fix machines more than sell new ones but i'd like to be able to offer that option.

One concern I do have in all of this though is I don't have a provider of computer parts within about 70 miles here that would have anything beyond basic selections, and those parts at best buy / wal mart are usually ridiculously overpriced compared to sites like newegg.

Thats why I want to have the basic parts here so I can test when a machine needs then order a part the customer wants / needs with a little markup + labor.

Between the surrounding towns im only working with about 20,000 people in population, but i have no immediate competition beyond walmart with 50 miles like stated.


If i do make a go at this, what would you guys recommend in to help bring in new customers? Or maybe someone can think of some sort of service I can provide beyond repair / custom building.

Also as a side note, I will be doing this alone; if i run an actual store I feel like the "in home repairs" might be out of the question. What did you guys do?

[[Jett]-Willow]

Didn't you have all kinds of problems with a PC you bought from DSRU? Not being a dick, just saying. You really need to know your shit to get in this business, or else you'll just crash and burn like the other 99% of PC Tech's that are nothing but hacks.

[[Jett-R]-MeDiuMRaRe]

Don't take on any unnecessary expenses. Do you need a space to lease? why? I recommend being the mobile guy who can go onsite where the machines are. You might have travel expense, but you can bill people for that.

Print some cards, get an advert in the paper and do it on the cheap. And Willow is 100% right you need to be the Wizard of F-in Oz. People will pay for that.

[Chaser]

-Willow;9752']Didn't you have all kinds of problems with a PC you bought from DSRU? Not being a dick, just saying. You really need to know your shit to get in this business, or else you'll just crash and burn like the other 99% of PC Tech's that are nothing but hacks.


When i bought the PC from dsru it arrived damaged, the video card wasn't working, the sound wasnt working.

When he replaced the video card it was overheating within a matter of minutes and completely shutting down the pc.

Due to respect for him I didn't rip it apart and work on it without talking to him because if I ended up needing it returned I didn't want the blame placed on me. (which it was anyway).

If you bought a machine for $600 and it arrived not working would you rip it apart and try and fix it or would you call the person that you bought it from and want to know why?

I'm not saying it was his fault, when I got the machine the case was bent and he complained about that when he got it back so it apperantly had been damaged in the shipping process.

My point is I didn't have issues that I couldn't have fixed but that I had issues I felt like I shouldn't have to fix when purchasing a machine that should arrive working.


The sound problem was easy enough to fix, the drivers just needed to be reinstalled. And replacing a video card is a cake walk, but im not spending my time and money to replace it all when I don't have to.

[[Jett]-RB]

You might want to study up and then take the A+ exam from CompTIA. It shouldn't be too difficult to pass if you know your stuff, and it is something you can use in a resume as well as on your business. If you are the only one servicing the computers, then you could get CompTIA A+ certified repair shop status. That is where I would start before buying anything. Just my $.02

RB :)

When I took mine they were asking Win95 questions still.....lol

[Chaser]

I am interested in some extra courses, as well as any books that I can pick up and read ect.

I have almost a full year before any of this can even come to reality and actually longer if you count the time i'll spend remodeling the building.

Do you know where I can find more information on these exams and certificates that may help? Or somewhere I can learn what I'll need to know on these exams so I can study up?

[Chaser]

I did find info on the exam, i'd like a book that would cover all 4 of the tests, since i'd like to take at least 3 of the 4 that are offered in the A+ exam list.

Do you know of a good self teach book?

[[Jett]-Willow]

Sorry for coming off as a jerk, just want you to be ready for the BS you're steering your ship right into. I used to do the whole IT thing out here, luckily the ol' lady and myself opened a care home and I no longer work in it. Customers can be the most dirty, cheating, vengeful pieces of crap you'll meet. Make sure you cover your ass in all respects.

[[Jett]-Dsru]

When i bought the PC from dsru it arrived damaged, the video card wasn't working, the sound wasnt working.

When he replaced the video card it was overheating within a matter of minutes and completely shutting down the pc.

Due to respect for him I didn't rip it apart and work on it without talking to him because if I ended up needing it returned I didn't want the blame placed on me. (which it was anyway).

If you bought a machine for $600 and it arrived not working would you rip it apart and try and fix it or would you call the person that you bought it from and want to know why?

I'm not saying it was his fault, when I got the machine the case was bent and he complained about that when he got it back so it apperantly had been damaged in the shipping process.

My point is I didn't have issues that I couldn't have fixed but that I had issues I felt like I shouldn't have to fix when purchasing a machine that should arrive working.


The sound problem was easy enough to fix, the drivers just needed to be reinstalled. And replacing a video card is a cake walk, but im not spending my time and money to replace it all when I don't have to.

OK, I didnt say a word about this ever, figured it was dead. I re-embursed you OVER and above for the deal just to get out of it.

When I received the computer back I went through it. Jumpers in wrong places, stand offs missing, pins bent, and a few things else. I spend more than a few hours with you on the phone. Within one hour of debugging the box sent back to me I had it up and running fine and sold the next day, oh and still running to this very day with the EXACT same components.

I kept my mouth shut till now. I wouldnt let you touch a computer of mine in a million years. While you have basic knowledge, and I mean basic, you are NOT a computer technician. Not going to call you names or trash you at all Chaser, but if you think you can make money "fixing" and selling computers, good luck with that.

[Chaser]

Dsru-

There is a reason I called you, the only thing that I took out of your computer was the paper you put in there for shipping, and the video card. i by no means removed your mobo so I have no idea where your getting the idea that I somehow misplaced all your stand offs.

Congrats getting it running with the same parts, the only reason i said anything was willow brought it up. I wasnt about to do shit without you holding my hand because i didnt want to get blamed for anything which happened anyway.

as for the bent pins and ect, the only thing I even touched was your video card, and I did that with you on the phone just so you would know I was doing it.

If the computer was damaged it was nothing of my fault, you can blame UPS for that one because it never worked for me, not properly.

[[Jett]-Liqdfire]

Dsru-

There is a reason I called you, the only thing that I took out of your computer was the paper you put in there for shipping, and the video card. i by no means removed your mobo so I have no idea where your getting the idea that I somehow misplaced all your stand offs.

Congrats getting it running with the same parts, the only reason i said anything was willow brought it up. I wasnt about to do shit without you holding my hand because i didnt want to get blamed for anything which happened anyway.

as for the bent pins and ect, the only thing I even touched was your video card, and I did that with you on the phone just so you would know I was doing it.

If the computer was damaged it was nothing of my fault, you can blame UPS for that one because it never worked for me, not properly.

< fanning the flames >
I dunno, but I heard from a reliable source that there is an employee at UPS that likes to take computers being shipped, and open then. He then re-arranges jumpers and unseats parts. The whole time muttering something about kids trying to steal his box of lucky charms.
< /fan off >

j/k j/k just trying to east the tension.

But on the serious, if you are asking about exams to take, to get certified for PC repair, no offense you are not qualified or prepared to enter the field. I say this for two reasons; first anyone that has been doing that type of work for any length of time already knows about the relevant exams and what they offer. Secondly, reading a book and taking an exam is not indicative of the ability to actually preform in the field. The second point is exemplified by the sheer number of non field employed MCSE certified individuals. In the late 90's a lot of cookie cutter schools started turning out MCSE certified people in mass, and a majority of those individuals could not perform in the field. It got so bad, that it almost completely devalued Microsoft's certification.

Nothing can replace experience, no amount of book education. It has taken me almost 12 years to get enough experience to actually say I am in the top tier of individuals in my profession, and like Medium said if you are not the F-In Wizard of OZ then you are going to have a really rough time. I work full time for a corporation, and have a side business I run. I have the side business not because I enjoy spending my free time working, but because there are a decent number of people I have done work for in the past that absolutely refuse to go to anyone else, and for that I get paid well. When I first started programming, I would take small jobs and charge a really discounted rate, sometimes doing the work for free just for the experience. That obviously does not pay the bills, so I had to keep my day job, but getting the experience was well worth it. It has paid off in the long run; in Feb 08 when the company I was working for went out of business, was the first time I had to look for a job in almost 8 years. The first day my resume was on Monster I spend 6hrs on the phone doing phone interviews, of which only 2 were head hunters. Two days later when I did my first interview with the company I am currently employed by, less than 2 hours after the interview I had a full offer letter in my email, offering me more than I was originally asking. The funny part, I have a total of 0 certifications and 0 college degrees, high school diploma baby; though I am currently working on my degree in mechanical engineering, more as a hobby and less of an employment requirement.

I applaud your desire to be an entrepreneur, but you need to make sure you do a really honest internal assessment before you embark on any business adventure. Make sure that it is really a line of work that you can personally do well in. Prices bring people in the door, good work and a good reputation keeps them there.

[Chaser]

-Liqdfire;9763']< fanning the flames >
I dunno, but I heard from a reliable source that there is an employee at UPS that likes to take computers being shipped, and open then. He then re-arranges jumpers and unseats parts. The whole time muttering something about kids trying to steal his box of lucky charms.
< /fan off >

j/k j/k just trying to east the tension.

But on the serious, if you are asking about exams to take, to get certified for PC repair, no offense you are not qualified or prepared to enter the field. I say this for two reasons; first anyone that has been doing that type of work for any length of time already knows about the relevant exams and what they offer. Secondly, reading a book and taking an exam is not indicative of the ability to actually preform in the field. The second point is exemplified by the sheer number of non field employed MCSE certified individuals. In the late 90's a lot of cookie cutter schools started turning out MCSE certified people in mass, and a majority of those individuals could not perform in the field. It got so bad, that it almost completely devalued Microsoft's certification.

Nothing can replace experience, no amount of book education. It has taken me almost 12 years to get enough experience to actually say I am in the top tier of individuals in my profession, and like Medium said if you are not the F-In Wizard of OZ then you are going to have a really rough time. I work full time for a corporation, and have a side business I run. I have the side business not because I enjoy spending my free time working, but because there are a decent number of people I have done work for in the past that absolutely refuse to go to anyone else, and for that I get paid well. When I first started programming, I would take small jobs and charge a really discounted rate, sometimes doing the work for free just for the experience. That obviously does not pay the bills, so I had to keep my day job, but getting the experience was well worth it. It has paid off in the long run; in Feb 08 when the company I was working for went out of business, was the first time I had to look for a job in almost 8 years. The first day my resume was on Monster I spend 6hrs on the phone doing phone interviews, of which only 2 were head hunters. Two days later when I did my first interview with the company I am currently employed by, less than 2 hours after the interview I had a full offer letter in my email, offering me more than I was originally asking. The funny part, I have a total of 0 certifications and 0 college degrees, high school diploma baby; though I am currently working on my degree in mechanical engineering, more as a hobby and less of an employment requirement.

I applaud your desire to be an entrepreneur, but you need to make sure you do a really honest internal assessment before you embark on any business adventure. Make sure that it is really a line of work that you can personally do well in. Prices bring people in the door, good work and a good reputation keeps them there.

I can understand where everyone is coming from saying that "im not qualified".

You guys are right that I don't have 15 years of experience, but i do have 6 years in business management under my belt, and a lot of experience building and fixing systems, im not looking to be the biggest IT brain to hit the field in 40 years, im no bill gates.

But on the other hand, I do have this as a side job already, with small newspaper ads and posters/fliers around time it keeps me pretty busy on my nights and weekends; if someone brings me a computer that is just flat out non working I turn them away at the moment because I dont have the parts to do the job correctly for them. However, at least 90% of the calls and business I recieve are from people just like stab having their computer "slow down". It is not by any means hard to diagnose why and fix it from there. Running anti malware then anti spyware followed by a virus scan will catch anything on their computer that might be dragging it down that way. Running a simple clean up followed by defragging will bring it back up to where they want it in no time flat.

If all that fails you can start looking at the next reasons, (old parts, ram, hd, ect..)

Now the clients that bring their systems that are just failing to the BSOD regularly are a bit more trouble, but with a few small programs to record and read the error logs you can find what you need to find in a matter of minutes. Then it ranges on difficulty of actually fixing the problem from there.


The point im trying to make everyone is that it's not hard to do what I want to do, I have only run across one person that I couldn't help out of god knows how many.

Many of the people I use recommend me through word of mouth, more than half the calls I get are from someone who was told to call me specifically...

But you all are right... i'm not qualified to go to a business and tell them I want to work as their IT professional, I'm not qualified to setup large networks. That's why i'm looking at the courses offered, my business venture is still a long time in the future...

If not knowing which certificates I want to achieve means im not someone that can fix computers then I don't know what else to do, with that logic anyone who knows how to snake a toilet and fix a pipe isn't qualified to help people with their plumbing work because he doesn't know the name of the certificate he will need to persue.

Besides guys, im fully aware im not ready to launch this yet, thats why im here in the jett community asking for help. I don't expect to dazzle anyone right now, but I have extremely good work ethic, i'm a fast learner, and i've got an opportunity to better myself and i'm going to take it... with, or without the support of our community...

[Chaser]

When I register to take the compTIA A+ test do you take the standard 200-602 test and only one other?

Does it cost extra to test in all areas?

Im looking at taking the 601, and 602 at least, but id love to get the 603 and 604 as well.

If i do though am I looking at $150 per test? If so i'll need to save a little before its time :P

[[Jett]-RB]

I am not sure how that works. It has changed a lot since I got my A+ cert back in Feb of 1998...lol I am sure that you can find out from either CompTIA's website or Prometric or one of the other testing sites you will have to go to when you take the actual tests.

[[Jett]-Liqdfire]

Please do not take any of this as a discouragement in any way. If you honestly feel this is the right thing for you to do then I know I will, and am pretty sure the community will support you in that decision. However, undertaking a new business is not something to be taken lightly, and a good dose of reality check is always in order.

[[Jett-R]-MeDiuMRaRe]

yep...don't let us old guys discourage you...just digest it and do your best from there.

[EasyTarget]

My computer service company just turned 14 years old yesterday so I'll throw in my two cents. Oh, and a quick hello to everyone...been a long time!

I think everyone that suggested the service side of it has the right idea. Labor for installation and repair services is where you are going to make your money. Your secondary line of profit is going to be on the parts you sell for those services. And, your third but smallest line of profit will come from selling custom systems if you choose to have that as an offering. There is good money to be made in custom systems but you'll have to find the right balance between the warranty you want to provide for the amount of profit you will earn because if you get that wrong then warranty services can quickly burn up any profit you make.

As for parts, personally I don't stock any myself although I have over the years gotten a good supply of connectors, cables, adapters, etc. I do probably have a few power supplies in stock, a couple of floppy drives, but nothing appreciable. There are just too many different components to risk the imminent drop in value if you don't sell them. We are fortunate in that area though as we have several of the authorized distributors here locally in Dallas so going to get parts is not a problem.

Lastly, your service type. We have both on-site and in-shop services available and have over the years added more and more services. As you start out you will want to determine say 4 or 5 areas in the industry you are good at and focus on those. Don't go too broad to fast as you can stretch yourself to thin and easily become a jack of all but master of none. Unless you are wanting the majority of your work to come from people bringing their systems to you then, and I can't remember who suggested it, but it was a good idea to just start off being mobile with no office so you'll save the rent starting out.

If I can ever be of assistance with locating distributors etc., just send me a forum message and I'll respond.

[[Jett]-XgrinderX]

slight hijack....

good to see you around here again ET!!!

/end hijack

[[Jett-R]-MeDiuMRaRe]

Easy, I've seen your new offices but haven't had the chance to drop in on ya.

[Chaser]

-Liqdfire;9770']Please do not take any of this as a discouragement in any way. If you honestly feel this is the right thing for you to do then I know I will, and am pretty sure the community will support you in that decision. However, undertaking a new business is not something to be taken lightly, and a good dose of reality check is always in order.

It's not discouraging, I know going in it's going to be long hours and hard work. Especially until I can establish a decent customer base. Any small business owner should go in expecting 100 hours a week or they will be in for a rude awakening, I know that for sure since iv'e managed several for my father.

Everyone, I appreciate the feedback it's been a big help.

I will keep everyone updated if any more questions pop up!

[Chaser]

I do have one question though maybe you folks can provide a little feedback here.

In your experience / opinions.

If I start out without the shop, and just do in home repairs like many have suggested. Which forms of advertising would you think would be most effective? Newspapers? Billboards? Local (fliers)?

I want it to come across professionally but at the same time I will probably have enough money to get at least one if not several forms. But I want to get the most bang for my buck!

[[Jett]-Einstein]

Truthfully,
When you're starting up, if you want it to be a primary job, you need to whore yourself out in any/every way you can imagine. You need to have a grip of business cards, probably get some vinyls done for your car so that it's visible as you drive around town. Newspaper and billboard not so much, but some of those lawn signs that politicians use that you can stick in the medians around town, etc...

I had one friend that even would just hang outside of best buy/compusa,etc... and as people were going in/coming out he would offer to do the work way cheaper than the store as a way to start building word of mouth.

For own personal side thing, I don't advertise at all, no business cards or nothing. It's all referral, and the first thing I ask a new customer is who referred em or else I won't take them, but I only do it for side money and not as my primary money maker. Even at that I get more people than I really want calling me.

[[Jett]-XgrinderX]

When I was doing mine (also as a side business) most of my business was word of mouth and from a Yellow Pages ad that I placed. It was probably 50-50 between the two as far as where the work came from.