Custom Built PC's

[USSEnterprise]

Tgunner and I are starting a business building and selling custom computers. You tell us exactly what you want, we build it, and you get it. We will require full payment up front for the first few, because we don't really have enough starting capital right now. But we'll build anything, within reason. For example, I had a guy asking me to build him a system with two terabytes of RAM. We can't do that ;)
Send either one of us a message and describe what you want. Wait time is 1 to 3 weeks.

[tgunner]

Thats Right! Our price to quailty ratio, and customer satisfaction can't be beat! We specialize in higher-end systems, such as; monster gaming machines, workstations, and servers. A website for the business is currently in development. A more realistic build time is about 1 - 1.5 weeks after payment. Pickup is available, with Joe handling from New York, and North Jersey, and me with Philly and South Jersey. We both have AIM screen-names, so if you have any questions... well, you know what to do! :D

[atari2600a]

(What kind of idiot asks for 2 terabytes of RAM!?) Anywho, not that I'm interested, but side component cost, how much would this cost?

[USSEnterprise]

it all depends on the computer requested. If you want an economy gaming system, $650 to $700 (We don't skimp using Celeron Procesors)

[atari2600a]

Yes, but I mean besides component cost, as in what would be your profit from each machine sold?

[USSEnterprise]

We don't make too much off of each machine. For the economy system above, probably around $75-$100

[tgunner]

Sometimes even free shipping, so that is factored into the profit.

[atari2600a]

Wow, so is this a garage-run business like the beginning of Apple & Microsoft? Or is this a business w/ a small building & 1 or 2 (Other) employees, like those computer shops you see at shopping centers (or at least in CA)?

[USSEnterprise]

garage run, but in 2 different locations 70 miles apart

[tgunner]

More like a basement business for me!

[alexkerhead]

Yeah, it makes ok business. I've been doing it for five years. Not a money tree, but it works. You need todo home computer repairs to make money.
When conducting business, try and remember that you can get a P4 dell with good ram and good vid card with monitor for $499. The only thing that sells my PCs if customer friendliness. I can only sell to customers who know i'll be there if they have a problem. Believe me, do NOT take business you can't drive to, because customers will need you sooner or later. And most people don't understand anything over the phone.
I see you both are 16, I hope ya'll got cars, because you're going to need them.
You can't make a business shipping computers that cost twice as much as a dell and offer 0 support.
Anyone who wants a gaming machine is just easier off getting the lower end alien ware for $600.
The only thing that is going to sell you a computer is customer trust.
Also, you might want a bank account or something with good cash in it, not many people like paying up front for a computer from younger people, trust me, I know.
Also, only use parts that carry a 1 or 2 year warrante, because if you don't give a customer a warrante, you won't sell. Dell offers a basic 1 year, so you need to have a one year as well at least. But dont offer any ridiculous warrantes like three years, you will lose a lot of money.
Another thing to a starting business like yours, don't ever diss a brand, because most people want stuff that they see on television.
Use ASUS, OCZ, etc. No generics. That includes CPUs, hardly anyone outside of the computer world(your only customers) knows what AMD is, stear clear of amd rigs for people who dont know what it is.
Your best choices for systems are celeron D(not the crappy basic celeron) and Pentiums, people love celeron d and pentiums, because dells uses them..lol
Anyway, I know it seems like a lot, but take it from someone who learned the hard way, I wish I had been given this advice.

A couple of typical rigs I offer.
Basic System:
Celeron D 2.8GHz
1GB Corsair value ram
asus p4p800s mainboard
80GB seagate HDD
DVD-RWDVD-rom
Geforce 6200 256MB
19" acer LCD monitor
2.1 altec lansing speakers
wireless kb/mouse
All in a good case with 400watt psu.
$850

Extreme rig:
Pentium D 840(soon to be conroe)
2GB Performance ram
asus p5ps -deluxe
400GB seagate HDD
DVD-RW
DVD-ROM
7800gt
23" sony widescreen lcd
5.1 altec lansing speakers
all in a cool case with a 600watt psu.
$1650


Anywhere in between there is what I sell.
AND remember, charge them for an OS, dont put pirated software on there, that will get you put in jail. Add the OS price on the final value after you ask them what they want(windows xp usually).
Dont put linux or a pirated copy of windows on it..

Remember, anyone at a computer forum can build their own machine, you need to find normal people locally to sell to. And give them confidence, let them know you know what you are doing by using computer jargon around them, unless ythey ask you to explain something, then be general.
If I can think of anything else useful to tell you, I will edit this post.

[atari2600a]

What's the resolution on that Sony (Or as I like to call them, Nintendo's b!4tch) widescreen monitor? I'm very picky about resolution. Also, do you buy your parts wholesale or retail? (Hopefully not retail!!!)

[mbbrutman]

I misunderstood your statement. Did you mean 'Don't try to cheap out by using Linux instead of Windows', or 'I won't put Linux on, even if requested' ? I suspect it is the former, not the later.


Mike

[USSEnterprise]

If requested, we will use Linux.

[DOS-Master]

Tgunner and I are starting a business building and selling custom computers. You tell us exactly what you want, we build it, and you get it. We will require full payment up front for the first few, because we don't really have enough starting capital right now. But we'll build anything, within reason. For example, I had a guy asking me to build him a system with two terabytes of RAM. We can't do that ;)
Send either one of us a message and describe what you want. Wait time is 1 to 3 weeks.

I have custom made (by me) spiderman pcs

[Terry Yager]

At the risk of sounding terribly uninformed...what's a SpiderMan PCS???

--T

[Chris2005]

Yeah, I'd like to know also. Probably means he's a comic buff and paints em up to look spidery. I don't know. Not a bad idea actually. I have a brand new soho case sitting in the box still (common brand name that escapes me at the moment). I'm not sure what color I'm going to paint it yet though. Any suggestions? I did pick up 2 small cans of flourescent red Krylon latex from the bargain bin at Walwart. Maybe I'll do em up ala the BeeBox!

[carlsson]

How about UV translucent, so the computer is invisble (preferrably not taking up any desk/floor space) until you shine it with a special lamp? ;-)

[tgunner]

We could do a custom clear case, with UV reactive pieces! Anywho, stay tuned, we're about to launch a website within a week.

[DOS-Master]

At the risk of sounding terribly uninformed...what's a SpiderMan PCS???

--T

it's a computer with a custom shop spiderman case

[DOS-Master]

At the risk of sounding terribly uninformed...what's a SpiderMan PCS???

--T

it's a computer with a custom shop spiderman case

(also upgraded grafix card, no biggie)

basically just a regular computer meant for gaming with a cool case