Need Help to start a small business.

[superglitch]

ok, I know a bunch about computers, it's been my life since i was 7 years old, by 10 I could build a computer and set it up so it could work. Well now that i'm 15 and looking for some opportunities for an income. I came across my idea that filled my mind many times, the idea of starting a PC Repair/Services business. I have a current computer setup that would fulfil a PC Gamers heart, and it only cost $700, pretty good for a computer that runs like an alienware computer, without a warranty and huge pricetag.

I just can't think of a way to get money, if i conviced my dad enough i could most likely get him to give me enough to get started, but what would i do after i get the money, i can't come up with a name, if i had a name i could most likely come up with a logo. And would i advertise locally or sell over the internet via website or ebay? Would i advertise my age. Also I know i need to start small so i though maybe ebay would be a great start. Selling my old computer that runs like a charm.

If i go with an internet site, i would have the trouble of managing the transactions and setting up a transaction system. I'm not dumb when it comes to internet programming i know a good amount of PHP and a ton of HTML and some Java and I am learning Visual Basic.

K Any suggestions/criticisms welcome.

I'm open for almost anything, i got enough time on my hands to run a business considering i can do all of my homework during school. And I took all of my hard classes this year so i could lay back with free time next year.

Thanks to all of your thoughts.

[waveformpc]

ok, I know a bunch about computers, it's been my life since i was 7 years old, by 10 I could build a computer and set it up so it could work. Well now that i'm 15 and looking for some opportunities for an income. I came across my idea that filled my mind many times, the idea of starting a PC Repair/Services business. I have a current computer setup that would fulfil a PC Gamers heart, and it only cost $700, pretty good for a computer that runs like an alienware computer, without a warranty and huge pricetag.

I just can't think of a way to get money, if i conviced my dad enough i could most likely get him to give me enough to get started, but what would i do after i get the money, i can't come up with a name, if i had a name i could most likely come up with a logo. And would i advertise locally or sell over the internet via website or ebay? Would i advertise my age. Also I know i need to start small so i though maybe ebay would be a great start. Selling my old computer that runs like a charm.

If i go with an internet site, i would have the trouble of managing the transactions and setting up a transaction system. I'm not dumb when it comes to internet programming i know a good amount of PHP and a ton of HTML and some Java and I am learning Visual Basic.

K Any suggestions/criticisms welcome.

I'm open for almost anything, i got enough time on my hands to run a business considering i can do all of my homework during school. And I took all of my hard classes this year so i could lay back with free time next year.

Thanks to all of your thoughts.

When people pay thousands for an Alienware, they are buying the brand and reputation. Most people who pay that high for a system don't have a high amount of care for finding the "lowest price possible". Just look over at Voodoo PC - they sell 500-800 systems per month at nearly $4,500 - a pretty good margin.

I must ask - what's in your gaming system? Most power-users look for the LATEST in technology. Just going over some price quotes on parts, it's hard for me to believe that a $700 machine will perform like an Alienware running an AMD FX-57 or Intel P4 670J with dual nVidia GeForce 7800GTX's. Then again, you could very well mean the low cost Aurora series, which then you would be right.

Finally... I wouldn't suggest starting a business just yet. Try something small - maybe an eBay shop or something. Once you get an idea of how the whole customer/company relationship works, expand to your repair service. You would definitely need to advertise locally, unless you would also take in systems for repairs via FedEx or UPS. Also, remember the legal aspect of things - your dad would most likely have to register the business in his name until you are 18.

[superglitch]

Ok I reconfigured my "gaming machine" into a cheaper video card that can still run bf2. Just you know it includeds a Athlon 64 X2 3700+. I have benchmarked my computer which is running with 3000+ and it runs as an older model of alienware also i upped the price to 33% profit which equal out to about 1000 with the adjustment of the video card, i may look into getting a deal with teh local computer shop. They are a great source of comptuer parts, like newegg they have almost anything, and if they don't they can get it. I think for building and selling PCs i going ot go over eBay. I think that eBay would be better for business considering how the competition is very easy to out price. They sell computers that mostly like cost them 500 to make for about 1500, a huge profit. Also I talked to my dad about putting the business under his name, he said he would have to think about it, he's not the brightest person in the world but he trust me.

Thanks you gave me a lot of confidence and ideas. I will start to try to get the money to build the computers, most likely by selling my old computer, and two year old eMachines with a intel 2.5 ghz cpu, onboard video and sound. Good for school stuff but bad for advanced 3d games, can handle GTA3 with no lag but vice city makes it lag, also sometimes overloads teh memory. Thanks again, anyone else got any other suggestions.
PS At my school i'm going to be taking marketing, which they advertise as entrepreneur class. Want to check it out? go to www.godarts.com and no we don't have a mascot.

[Steve]

Become prop at Liquid Cool Systems and modding computers. Sell mods, with higher margins yet thats where the market is going...

[waveformpc]

I think for building and selling PCs i going ot go over eBay. I think that eBay would be better for business considering how the competition is very easy to out price. They sell computers that mostly like cost them 500 to make for about 1500, a huge profit.

Ouch... I don't know about that. eBay is infamous for competitive pricing - since there are SO many sellers trying to outsell everyone else, naturally the prices are lower. People are offering completely configured Dell XPS desktops for under $2,000, yet when you go to the Dell website, it retails for over $2,500. The most sold systems on eBay aren't the unbranded whitebox (custom) computers, but people reselling brand names like Alienware, Dell, Gateway, HP, Sony, etc..

I suggest you start pricing systems, and then compare it to what's on eBay. Back when I was doing the whole eBay thing, I was making $50-$100 per system on $1,000 systems - not a big profit margin if you ask me. I sold roughly 4-5 systems per week, so it was still a good income for only working 6-8 hours per week.

[superglitch]

Thanks everyone, you guys gave me great ideas/suggestions. I'll reply when i sell my first few computers, I going to start selling my first computer tuesday. I made a setup with modded case and cold cathodes. Went with a top of the line setup 3800+ X2 w/ 7800 GT SLi x2 going to making around a 200 profit on it, found a computer with almost same setup for 200 more then mine so i figure i may get a few sells. Well here i go with my boring life into the riches, lol maybe. Guess thing to do other then waste my time with try to be popular is to get prepared for the rest of my life then relax at age 40 in my huge house. Oh i got a long ways to go. Huh... ok i'm done dreaming.