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Brandon
Posts: 431
Joined: 7/13/2004
From: Indiana, US
Status: offline
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Looking for advice - 7/12/2005 17:35:25
Hey guys,
I know this is a webdesign forum, but I was wondering if anyone has some advice. Where I work people are always asking me if I fix computers outside of work. Sooo I started thinking, I do it at work might as well do it at home and make some extra cash. Nothing to big maybe one or two a month. What i'm asking is how do these other computer repair shops buy like software and parts? Should I just goto newegg and buy it from stores like that? Also has anyone else done this-- if so how did it go? One more thing some people have also asked me to host there site for them. I know alot of people have done that here-- same question how did it go? pros and cons? Thanks 
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~ Brandon
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dpf
Posts: 7126
Joined: 11/12/2003
From: India-napolis
Status: offline
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RE: Looking for advice - 7/12/2005 17:39:35
i started moving into web design as a new career about 6 years ago - sometimes I wish I had moved instead into computer repar ( nnnnaaaa not really) there is business everywhere!!! generally speaking, the cost of labor is greater that the parts when you factor in the diagnosis portion so I think you shop for the best price you can get but otherwise I dont think parts is your big issue - if you have the skills to diagnose hardware and software problems, go for it!!!
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Dan
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Tailslide
Posts: 6267
Joined: 5/10/2005
From: Out here on the raggedy edge
Status: offline
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RE: Looking for advice - 7/12/2005 17:44:30
On the hosting side of it:
You've really got two choices - setting up your own server or using someone elses (re-selling). The problem with the 100% do-it-yourself route is that if it all goes haywire at 2am on Sunday Morning then you've got to sort it out - you've got all the security issues etc which look like they could be almost a full-time job in themselves.
I do re-selling - I did a lot of research into the hosts I buy space from first - there are lots of on-line surveys etc on host performance and a lot of these hosts have forums where you can gauge the satisfaction of existing customers. The good thing about this route is the tech side is someone else's problem - they've probably got more expensive equipment and experience than the average person. You have to be careful about the security issue here too - make sure the host has a good name and isn't using busted servers etc (security-wise).
Also - be careful what you offer your clients. Never ever guarantee 100% up-time - try to be reassuring whilst keeping it realistic.
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"My strategy is so simple an idiot could have devised it"
Little Blue Plane Web Design | Blood, Sweat & Rust - A Land Rover restoration project
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Brandon
Posts: 431
Joined: 7/13/2004
From: Indiana, US
Status: offline
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RE: Looking for advice - 7/12/2005 20:44:53
Thanks, dpf & Tailslide
Do any of you know of any good sites that talk about starting a business. It doesn't really have to be PC repair-- anything in the computer field. Every site I have found is trying to sell me something or some books about it.
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~ Brandon
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Tailslide
Posts: 6267
Joined: 5/10/2005
From: Out here on the raggedy edge
Status: offline
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RE: Looking for advice - 7/13/2005 4:02:14
I had a quick Google and found this: http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/
In the UK there are govt. funded small business units that advise people starting out about tax, funding etc you know, all the fun stuff you try to ignore! Is there something similar in the US?
My only advice would be to start cautiously (don't know if you're supporting a family or just yourself) and be careful about big advertising expenditures early on. I got my first client almost by accident before I was really "in business". The next 4 clients all came from word of mouth, one to the next. That gave me enough funds to be able to advertise on a small scale and I got a few more clients etc etc. I was wary of spending A LOT of money straight off on advertising that might not have had a good return and may have led to selling one of the children (offers invited).
There's a guy near me doing what you want to do - he advertises on a sandwich-board outside his house (fairly busy road). First time I saw that sitting in a traffic jam outside his house I was a bit sniffy about it - but then one day my pc broke down and guess who was the first person to spring to mind? Obviously this won't work as well if you live 5 miles from the nearest neighbour!
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"My strategy is so simple an idiot could have devised it"
Little Blue Plane Web Design | Blood, Sweat & Rust - A Land Rover restoration project
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