Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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Hey guys,
So here is a bit of background. I am currently a graduate student getting my masters in Computer Science. I have been dealing with computers since I was 6 years old. I absolutely LOVE...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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Just out of curiosity, what do you plan on charging the person with the $200 computer that you spent 4 hours fixing software problems? $10? $50? $200? You will lose your ass doing repairs, there is...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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You have no farking clue what you are talking about. People will gladly bring their 5yo system with XP on it to get it repaired for $100. Maybe YOU won't, but there are plenty of people that will....
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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sounds awesome! have you considered the best use of your larger space? perhaps it could be more than just a storefront. you could also have a few workstations setup for tutorials for people new to...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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To answer your question about the display case/countertop situation... you can pick up something very similar to what you want from an Ikea in Conn. or Mass. They are cheap and look very nice. They...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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you need lots of foot traffic,most game sales are now online,and soon will be only tablets
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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Have you ever made your own cables? It takes quite a bit of time (the company I used to work at made custom cables for some of our devices). If you value your time at all, I would recommend buying...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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My point is the OP isn't going to survive "building computers" when that just isn't going to happen anymore. What are the margins on installing RAM and SDD because that is all that will be left? ...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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I agree. With so many computing devices going phone/tablet and laptop its going to be tough. Even if someone brings in a pc you have to deal with various hardware models for repair parts.
The most...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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63 Replies
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delete
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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63 Replies
6,434 Views
Your margins and volume on custom builds and other hardware are going to be small so you need steady revenue through other forms. My suggestion would be to specialize in affordable data recovery and...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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Intel actually recently commented (to MaximumPC) that they would NOT be switching over to BGA only. The leaked roadmaps that started that rumor were for Mobile Devices, which are already soldered...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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Those kinds of people never wanted the "PC" as it sells today. That is why tablets are selling. Grandma isn't going to buy that i7 desktop anymore when she can get a tablet for half the price. ...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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One more suggestion that could actually bring in a few dollars: repairing iPhone/iPad/iPod screens. You can buy the tool kit once and the replacement screens for $20-$30 online. Then you can easily...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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FYI: Many states require a master electrician to bless low-voltage wiring. Some states require a special electrical license to install low-voltage wiring. You need to be knowledgeable about your...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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7 years in the business. Money comes from data recovery, onsite, and iphone/ipad repair.
If your looking to succeed stay away from the retail side, anyone who is coming in to buy a hard drive and...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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I had at least 5 private computer related stores go out of business in my 18 years living in California. There is none left in my suburban area since everyone into laptops and tablets and when it...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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reread what you quoted
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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CompUSA failed due to incompetent management.
You don't have to be tech savvy anymore. The days of the PC are over. Take the ease of use of a tablet and apply that to desktops. There is no...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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:eek:
Abort! Abort!
Did you pay taxes on those ebay sales? I'm guessing not.
Now you want to sell on the side while having a legit business? Unless you want to lose your personal assets,...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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It's confirmed that Intel is going BGA (CPU soldered on to the motherboard). What the hell do you envision "building" anymore? You are basically going to be buying a tiny 100% BGA or SoC Intel or...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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PCs are far from dead.
Sure, tablets and phablets are the current "big thing", but they aren't a computer replacement yet, and won't be for the near future. Sure, many people might be fine using a...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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Well over an hour on each cable. We were making military grade cables with tons of wires in them, but even making something like an hdmi cable or vga cable would take a lot longer than you think.
...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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Well, I think you could make cables much quicker and cheaper (for just the cable supplies), but you would have to invest a considerable amount of money in equipment to do it well and fast. That's how...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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Or people that just bought a new stereo, or computer, and want the cable right away. I bought a new stereo the other day, and ended up spending $8 on a cable for it that was available for $2 online....
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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You keep ranting about different things, and when you get proven wrong, you ignore that fact and rant about something else which makes even less sense.
You made the statement that Best Buy doesn't...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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oh my...they removed one step -- dropping the cpu into the socket. :whee:
It's amazing how many barebones systems and motherboards has with the CPU built into the motherboard. You sometimes see...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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Huh? Where did I say BB was making money on their service offerings? I don't believe they do. Here is one article that talks about how best buy can save themselves, not once does it even mention...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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If you do decide to go through with this, one product I recommend is cables. Make them yourself if possible. Order cheap wholesale if not. Retail markup on cables is HUGE. Take a smaller cut than...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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Haswell = LGA
Broadwell = BGA
Don't worry. Intel will still release a limited edition, socketed high end for you. Enjoy that really expensive i7 LGA chip.
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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Thanks. It was a long night and I read that as "really".
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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I would not focus on games too much. Gamestop, Amazon, and Steam have that market pretty much locked up. I would look at two different areas, and decide which to focus on. One would be home users,...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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I actually disagree wholeheartedly here, but that's just IMHO of course. Sometimes it is better to be small. CompUSA failed for many reasons and surely one was the internet competition. And OP...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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Craigslist is your friend for stuff like this - there's generally all sorts of display/business items out there & they go for pennies on the dollar because they're hard to get rid of. If you have a...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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This is excellent advice.
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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And replicate the best ideas... There's nothing to steal from op idea but if you believe the entrepreneurs you talking about are doing it for free you are wrong. Nothing is FREE
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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Rent free is good, but there are other costs in running a business. Make sure you take everything into account.... (utilities, INSURANCE, security, goods/supplies in stock). You may need to take...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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Don't do too much at once. That's how most businesses fail. It sounds like you're trying to be CompUSA, Dell, GameStop, and Geek Squad all at once and without an established customer base.
If...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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If I were you, the next thing I would do is take your written business plan to a counselor at SCORE and have them review it and give you feedback for free. The counselors are retired entrepreneurs...
Starting up a computer / gaming shop - I have a ton of questions
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Thread created 01-03-2013 by ragingazn628
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Why not try teaching basic/intro to computers in the space. use it as a class room. teach basic computer repair. That is a lost art.. charge people for classes? or use them for free labor...
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