Building and Selling computers... worth it?

Bboysoda

Bboysoda

New Member
hey everone! this looks like a great forum for my computer questions!

My question now is i am looking for a way to earn money, but part time. I am still on school( i am 15) and wanted to find a wat to get money, but still do school. And i want to do something with computers

So, I was thinking i could make computers from scratch and sell them. I would have to learn more about it, i wouldent mind that, but is it worth the cost? the parts, how do i sell it, am i to young?

What i would like are some personal expirieces, but i would also like opoions, anything you got!

And are there other computer jobs a 15 year old that homeschools can dO?
 
Bboysoda said:
And are there other computer jobs a 15 year old that homeschools can dO?
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Well, fixing computers for neighbors.. friends.. family and asking for a few dollars in return is more practical.

Quantity is what makes building and selling computers profitable. Making a few computers for people wont yield much cash (even if you show them what they will save over a pre built Dell/HP..)

I think the only feasible way it might work is if you go to those same neighbors, family and friends and ask them if they or someone they know are planning on purchasing a new computer then you can ask them to talk to you first and for a small fee, you can save them money on parts... and build it for them....

Also, someone can buy a Dell/HP and have it in a few weeks.... it will take you longer just to get the parts.. let alone first having to research what the best parts are based on what the person wants... and then having to build them...

Not an easy venture... especially at 15.
 
well i will say that many ppl may not trust a 15 yr old to build their computer. but this is something u have no control over. u would have to be very convincing and seem sure of yourself when talking to your to-be customers. the price i would say is not an issue b/c u could have them pay before u order anything and u can have the price already researched, so u wouldnt be putting out money. u would find out how mucha ll the parts would cost u, then up it a bit for ur profit, then get the money from them and then order.
i think u could do it and it is good money. another thing u have to remember is that if something happens to the computer, your fault or not like spyware, broken hd, etc., they will be calling YOU, not dell or gateway. u need to keep this in mind. figure out what u want to do about servicing the comps u build and sell. example being, 1 yr free maintenance, 2 months free maintainence. 40 dollar charge to look/fix it. also, when pricing, you have to make it worth it to them to have u build it compared to dell. i have built comps for ppl, and when something happens to them they call me. i havent built many, so i dont get a phone call a day or anything, but they do call. choose ur customers wisely.
 
Very good point johnnyboy... you will end up spending a lot of time repairing the computers.

Just look at the Dell/hp/Gateway the MAJOR negative has always been customer service.. because that is the most time consuming (and under staffed or under qualified ) division of any COMPANY.

In general, more time is spent fixing the problems of any product than is spent creating the product. (companies need to increase the QA budget.. but that's another topic.... for another day)
 
yea its good money, but at 15, you'll probably want to take the route of going to neighbors and friends..

considering all the problems you'll face as they listed and considering your 15.. you'll probably have a hard time getting the parts also. i assuming you dont drive.. so ur folks will probaby have to take you place to place.. this accumulates to so many miles and that means so many $$$ for gas considering the price of gas these days..

also, for the cheapest best parts, you'll want to opt for online sites like newegg or tigerdirect and that sort of stuff, best buy, compusa, pcclub, and other stores aren't too friendly when it comes to price.. so again, i am assuming you dont have a credit card or anything of that nature to order online, but if you do, you'll have to think about shipping, what if it gets lost, amount it takes to get to you, and if its properly packaged to prevent damages.

so you have many obstacles, so its good to start with neighbors and frieds like SFR said, and then maybe, you can work your way up.. unless, you want to make it like a family business type thing where you share in the profit with your folks because they will probably do the ordering and traveling (assuming in the previous statements)..
 
Well, do you see it going far. What I mean is, do you think that you could carry on building computers for many years to come. I know it can be fun but I sure once you've finished school, you may want to get a more rewarding job (money wise).

So, I was thinking i could make computers from scratch and sell them. I would have to learn more about it, i wouldent mind that, but is it worth the cost? the parts, how do i sell it, am i to young?
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I'm not really sure, you would actually have to advertise the fact that you build computers and that can be a hard task when big organisations advertise their stores in flash commercial on TV. You could put posters up at school or at shopping centres.
You'll have to have some pretty reliable suppliers and youd have to build the first few comp out of you own money before you ask for a deposit. You'll need to collect positive feedback to show your customers. Theres a lot to think about.
 
wow, thats alot more then i thought.. great.

First, the age. I know im young, but my friends and familys knows im good with computers. Thats a bit of an advantage. And i was thinking if i could later on, maybe when im still young, build computers for a local computer store. Seeing that by then i wil be able to build computes from ground up, they might hire me.

Second, calles, this is going to be tough. If i learn to build computers, im going to have to learn to fix computers.

Third price and money. I was thinking to buy the parts online, i want to build a computer for my self first, and then if people want to buy what i made, ( they can look at it maybe, the one i made) and then i can build one for them. How much does it cost to make a computer, not to advanced, nothing fancy, something parents use, and not kids. How much would it cost to build and how much to sell?

Forth- Friends and family. I my familys likes computers, we have like 3 in our house right now, so i could maybe i could make each member in out house to one, maybe. And i know some friends and there familers that know nothing about computers, so maybe insted of building, i could just repair, like someone said. I could install HD, graphics cards. Programs, fix up there computer, but il need to learn more too.

Does anyone have suggstes about the forth?

Where i want to go with this... not really sure. i want to work at a good computer compony later, just an idea. Microsoft, i know i neeed to be good with computers, but im still young and an advantage with homeschooling is that i can study what i want and get ahead with computers, which i think ill like alot. another invalving computers that i like programing, i really want to try that.

Thanks! i would like to know all i can befor making or starting anything!
 
You should probably stick to people you know or parents know since your only 15 (not saying your incompotent and know nothing about computers at that age) but like previously said people will seem alittle sketchy about having a "kid" work on their computer. I think its a great idea it will get you experience in building computers and maintaining them for clients. I myself put out an ad in local paper charging less than local companies to do house calls and repair their computers and i let them know that i also build computers that way when they want to get a new computer for cheaper than pre made dells/hp they can come to me for better product plus cheaper price. If you do a good job with people you know or your parents know they will spread the word to their friends that you know what your doing and your alot cheaper
 
it really isn't an age thing but a qualification aspect. most people probably won't trust some 20 year old coming up to their door and asking for 600$ to build a computer. you need some sort of credential to prove that you are reliable ie. a degree in computers.
 
If you are already good with repairing computers, start branching out to friends and relatives, just like others have mentioned. Once the word gets around that you know what you are doing, you will start to get referrals. Word of mouth is one of the best advertising you can do especially since it is free :D

One word of advice-dont call them customers, call them clients. Many people interchange these terms, but I look at them a little different. Customers are people who go to stores to do business, and clients are people who go to PEOPLE to do business.

Ask your parents first, see if you can print up some business cards. Do them yourself, but keep it simple and use decent cardstock found at Kinkos. Feel the paper and make sure that it is thick because this is the first thing a client will see about you.

Lastly, be patient. Something like this will not happen overnight.
 
and for ur own sake, if u do venture out into the repair world, do not do free work, u know, because they are a friend. this will come back to haunt u as ur friend who u charged talks to ur friend who u worked on for free, and wants to know why they were charged.
 
thakns guys!

first, learn as much about the computer i can. Is ther a book, or something so see how much i know about the computer? maybe like a quix? :D

then ask friends if i can fix there computer for a fee. Can someone give me an example about how much to charge? For a small repair, or a large one?

And what are something ppl ask for? like a repar.

And i think what will help is to build my own computer first. So i can get a hang of the internal hardware about the computer.

and is there place i could work? like maybe at a computer store, places like best buy, somewhere can a youg kid could work on computers? im just looking for ways to get money and im young :(
 
ppl will pay to have their computer cleaned of malware, spyware, viruses, etc. a lot of ppl dont know how to get rid of these things. it isnt too difficult to do either.
 
i know how to get rid of it, but with a program you install. Would i have to install it?

And how much sould i charge?
 
Bboysoda said:
i know how to get rid of it, but with a program you install. Would i have to install it?

And how much sould i charge?
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If you want to be fair.. for software, take the amount it costs + shipping + a few dollars... a lot of antivirus and spyware software is freeware.. so it will only take you a few minutes to dl and install them..
 
what i really need is how much i should charge... i still havent gotten an awesner, srry.

If its free, i guess it shouldesnt cost to much... what are some Freeware i could use?
 
Bboysoda said:
what i really need is how much i should charge... i still havent gotten an awesner, srry.

If its free, i guess it shouldesnt cost to much... what are some Freeware i could use?
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Umm... how would we know what to charge? Have you researched prices??? Or are we going to help you with that as well?... You need to spend some time researching all of this...

check out www.download.com they have a lot of freeware and shareware....
 
well, i thought it was an easy awnser, like it its freeware that i use, how much for that? a couple dollers, 10? 20? i dont know... sorry for being a noob...
 
Bboysoda said:
well, i thought it was an easy awnser, like it its freeware that i use, how much for that? a couple dollers, 10? 20? i dont know... sorry for being a noob...
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noo.. if its freeware dont charge them a thing.... it didnt cost you anything.. only a few minutes to dl and install it...

I think before you worry about what you are going to charge for your service.. you need to find out what your friends and neighbors need from their computers... and start researching the hardware side of things.
 
yea, as sfr said, u dont know what ur going to run into. a computer may have one virus on it and u can clean it in about 5 minutes. another comp may be so loaded with viruses, ur gonna need some skill and a day or two to clean it. different situations, different prices. see what u have and then price it. ur time is worth money too, not just software.
 
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