Well for building a new computer I will ask for a 25% to 50% insurance deposit depending on how well i know the person. And however much they pay me before they get the system I'll take it off the end price.
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Well for building a new computer I will ask for a 25% to 50% insurance deposit depending on how well i know the person. And however much they pay me before they get the system I'll take it off the end price.
I know it is a different marketplace, but here are a few general pointers:
1. Don't hold stock (inventory).......try to get reliable next day delivery suppliers for your stuff.
2. You may well be better off selling refurbished/upgraded ex-corporate boxes..........these are usually quite adequate for the average home user, and have a better markup than a new box because more of the added value is your labour. These can usually be obtained quite cheaply, and it would do no harm to have a few (FEW!) of them around awaiting orders...........you generally have to buy several at a time (job lot) anyway.
3. By all means offer a "custom build" service but be careful.........it is very competitive. Make sure the customer specifies AND PAYS FOR the components upfront........get a signed order/approval and just sell your labour/expertise.
4. The main reasons for business failure in this (and many other) areas is a lack of capital (start-up money) and getting caught out by technology changes.
5. As others have said, your main competitive advantage is local service as opposed to "off the shelf" delivery.
Just a few thoughts..........hope they help.
I used to work at a local comp store. To combat the "people not paying" issue people are talking about, you could have them sign a release saying they can't get their comp back till they pay...also one of the things we specified was any computer left there for more than 30 days after it's finished would be resold... (YES, we DID have a problem with that from time to time..)
We did more computer repairs than anything, and the problem we ran into the most was drivers. Someone would bring in some crap Packard Bell from 1995 and want us to reformat it, and then we'd have a heck of a time finding sound drivers or something.
I do the same thing freelance with friends and people they recommend me to. I sure wish I could charge the price u guys do. I normally charge about S$50 that abt US$30 for OS installation including whatever software the user wants to install at the same time as long as they provide me with the software. Wow...100 pnds sterling for installation woudl be great if I could chrge that much. I think i gotta check out what the others are charging here. mayb i am charging too low.
I sure understand the issue with old systems and drivers not being available. Normally I would recommend the user getting a newer OS that would have the drivers built in or tell them it might be cheaper and less of a worry getting a new system. It saves me the trouble and i get another sale and also when they do have problems in the future, it would be less of a headache repairing it again.
U seem to have most of the stuff covered in your ad. the thing about non payment as one of the guys suggest to keep the system until they pay. or if u service it at their home then maybe u can make sure they pay before completing the job. if ur business is really good then u can pick those u know are gonna pay and make sure u note those who have bad rep abt paying up ad avoid these.
if possible try not to keep stock as these depreciate too fast for a small company to justify keeping stock.
Blimey - I'd better not post my work's site then.Quote:
Originally posted here by Negative
I'd never shop at a place like that... their site looks like it's been built by a 5-year old with color-problems...
It is terrible (But I've moaned & moaned & the reply is "well it's making money")
Steve