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Entrepreneurship homework [message #322055] Thu, 13 March 2008 15:19 Go to next message
Muad Dib15 is currently offline  Muad Dib15
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Colonel


If a build your own computer store opened up around you, would you go to it to build your own computer if it had quality parts?[ 37 votes ]
1. Yes 16 / 43%
2. Hell Yeah! I've always wanted one by my house. 10 / 27%
3. Meh, couldn't care less. 3 / 8%
4. No 7 / 19%
5. No Way!! I don't want anyone building no damn computer store. 1 / 3%
6. Huh? Wazzat? 0 / 0%

This is something for my Entrepreneur class. I would like to "open" a computer building store where you could go in and build your own computer or change some parts on your existing one around.

This is for homework, so no spam please.


Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322057 is a reply to message #322055] Thu, 13 March 2008 15:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
BlueThen is currently offline  BlueThen
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Depends on the price and the parts... and the quality/service.
Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322066 is a reply to message #322055] Thu, 13 March 2008 16:29 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jnz is currently offline  jnz
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No, nothing is cheaper than ebay Smile
Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322067 is a reply to message #322057] Thu, 13 March 2008 16:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Caveman is currently offline  Caveman
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I don't understand, why would you want to goto a store to build your computer? Isn't it much easier to order your parts and build it at your home? Im confused.

CarrierII wrote

BLUEHTHEN YOU AR NOT JUST A BIG CHEATAS AND YOU THE BIG HEAD JUST YOU USE FLY H4X FUCK YOU BIG CHEATAS YOUR CHEATZ IS BAD YOU WANT I WRAUGHT THIS YOUR CHEATZ IS BAD HEY IS 1 YEAR YOUR PROMESS A FLY HAX IN MULTIPLAYER AND IS DONT JUST TROOPRM02 I TELL IT ALL WHO REPLYER IN THIS FORUM YOU CHEATZ

Please don't make me type something like that again, not using puntuation is annoying.


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Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322075 is a reply to message #322055] Thu, 13 March 2008 17:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Muad Dib15 is currently offline  Muad Dib15
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Colonel

No, because here you have the benefit of going to the store and building it without having to wait for the parts. It would also have a large stockpile of parts from pretty much every major commponent maker, like Alienwar cases, Intel/AMD processors, Nividia/ATI video cards and so on.

Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322076 is a reply to message #322075] Thu, 13 March 2008 17:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
BlueThen is currently offline  BlueThen
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Service included? ;o
Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322079 is a reply to message #322055] Thu, 13 March 2008 17:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Muad Dib15 is currently offline  Muad Dib15
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Colonel

Yep. For those idiots that don't know how to put anything together but, have loads to spend. I've given this quite a bit of thought as you might be able to tell. Wink IF I could afford it, the service people (in the store) would have like a handheld scanner that allows the service people to show the customers that don't know what is compatible to what, what they could use.

Ie. Some random guy wants a new gaming computer. The inhouse service guy would show him the best case for it. Then he would enter the type of case in the car-scanner size computer. The computer would tell him what motherboards and power supplies in stock are compatible with the case. The guy chooses the motherboard and power supply of his choice, then the service guy enters that in the computer, and so on.


Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322084 is a reply to message #322055] Thu, 13 March 2008 17:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Dave Anderson is currently offline  Dave Anderson
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Quote:

Ie. Some random guy wants a new gaming computer. The inhouse service guy would show him the best case for it. Then he would enter the type of case in the car-scanner size computer. The computer would tell him what motherboards and power supplies in stock are compatible with the case. The guy chooses the motherboard and power supply of his choice, then the service guy enters that in the computer, and so on.


Except that is a little bit backwards of how you should build a computer. You should start with the processor you want, and find a motherboard that houses that processor while suiting all your other requirements for the build. The case should be last, because remember, a computer works without a case, but a case is not a computer. Wink


David Anderson
Founder, Software Consultant
DCOM Productions
Microsoft Partner (MSP)
Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322085 is a reply to message #322055] Thu, 13 March 2008 17:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
light is currently offline  light
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Colonel
I would only see use in such a service where I was unsure how to do something and I got a warranty on the work done. If there was no warranty I'd just do it myself.

i.e. Installing a water cooling system. I pay one of your people to do it, but if it leaks you pay for my replacement PC.


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Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322088 is a reply to message #322085] Thu, 13 March 2008 18:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
horqwer is currently offline  horqwer
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Recruit
well yes i would realy want to try
and just wanted to tell u are rule for the vote system
u first start up with the MOST positive selection and and the end the MOST negative selection
i'm back and fresh like an apple


her efor helping n00bs
Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322089 is a reply to message #322088] Thu, 13 March 2008 18:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
BlueThen is currently offline  BlueThen
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HORQWER is unbanned?!
Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322090 is a reply to message #322055] Thu, 13 March 2008 18:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Muad Dib15 is currently offline  Muad Dib15
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Colonel

maybe he learned something from his ban...

And if you knew what you wanted, obviuously you wouldn't need some guy helping you. It would be somewhat like best buy in that regard. And thanks for the info. I didn't know that you built it processor first. Thanks.


Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322098 is a reply to message #322090] Thu, 13 March 2008 19:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Starbuzz is currently offline  Starbuzz
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Well, you got to find the best spot to set up your shop. It has to attract business. Then you got to hire some technicians and pay them too. And to build a PC is a walk in the park...pretty straight forward.

I agree with RoShamBo.


buzzsigfinal
Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322108 is a reply to message #322055] Thu, 13 March 2008 21:38 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Viking is currently offline  Viking
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I just go to frys.


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Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322109 is a reply to message #322055] Thu, 13 March 2008 21:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
NukeIt15 is currently offline  NukeIt15
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Colonel
It would be very useful to be able to actually look at components before you've bought them; when ordering online it is entirely possible for the schmuck on the other end to put the wrong part in the mail or something. If you could actually look at the parts and compare them to your existing/planned rig's specs before putting it together, that'd be absolutely amazing. Plus, $90 says that whoever worked in that store would be more helpful than any other tech support in existence by virtue of knowing what the hell they're talking about. You wouldn't have to worry about components being untested because you could sit there and watch as an employee tested them for you and exposed any defects or compatibility issues before anything truly catastrophic could happen.

In short: Hell yes. My inner geek would love to go and assemble a dreambox in the company of fellow geeks doing likewise.


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Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322119 is a reply to message #322055] Thu, 13 March 2008 22:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
nikki6ixx is currently offline  nikki6ixx
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You'll be charging markup, so you can count out people who'll be looking for value, and you can also count out gamers who like to put their stuff together.

The gamers that don't want to put anything together will likely head to a company like Dell, or others that build systems already. Those companies will do it cheaper because of economies of scale, and dealing directly with suppliers.

Casual computer users will just go to a BestBuy, or Costco and buy whatever system is cheap.

After all that, you'll have to then contend with companies like BestBuy, or Circuit City that may provide installation services; they are already established, and have name recognition, and may be able to offer better warranties, and guarantees.

Hate to say this, but if you use a 'buffet type' model in that customers would be able to buy many different brands, and parts, you wouldn't be able to sustain a decent profit margin.

It's not all bad though. You might be able to find a niche. One idea might be to create 'Media Center' computers that are small, not overly powerful, and are able to plug in to TV's, record shows, play music, and DVD's on a home theater system, and market them within your city.


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Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322121 is a reply to message #322055] Thu, 13 March 2008 22:56 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Dover is currently offline  Dover
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It'd be nice to have one around, although I doubt I'd actually buy anything there. But I'd love to work at one.

DarkDemin wrote on Thu, 03 August 2006 19:19

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Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322125 is a reply to message #322121] Thu, 13 March 2008 23:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
CarrierII is currently offline  CarrierII
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Dover wrote on Fri, 14 March 2008 05:56

It'd be nice to have one around, although I doubt I'd actually buy anything there. But I'd love to work at one.


I wouldn't mind helping at one, yeah. lol

It's a good idea, but nikki has most of the pitfalls listed.


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Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322132 is a reply to message #322055] Fri, 14 March 2008 00:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Goztow is currently offline  Goztow
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I like the idea. Not all of us are certain on what to do, so we could learn it in this kind of shop.

I'm not sure if you could make profit, though. You'd need a pretty large stock of spare parts, but the problem is that the computer business evolves rapdily. If you buy parts today, they'll be less valuable in a week so if you can't get rid of them, that's pure loss.

So you'd probably only have popular parts and would need to order others. This would mean that there's not that much of an advantage left over Internet ordering, except for "help in case of emergency" Wink.

An idea: you could probably also buy and resell 2nd hand parts from/to people upgrading. Or at least give a x % off on relatively recent parts which u could then resell to people who cannot afford new parts.

Ignore ferkhat, he's gone again.


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Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322137 is a reply to message #322055] Fri, 14 March 2008 01:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
reborn is currently offline  reborn
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You can't install most computer parts or even open the case without totally voiding the warranty, unless you're cat1 certified, or some bullshit like that.
So the shop owner would have to either do all the building himself and let others watch, or he would have to have some huge ass disclaimer saying do this shit at your own risk. Maybe there is some insurance letting him supervise people, but it is a bit of a risk on his part.

I would like a decent computer parts shop near me. The current ones are very lacking. If they sold components that were totally top of the range and offered impartial advise then I would use them. As long as the price was similar to the best deals on the internet.

Could be cool actually, especially if they held LAN parties for kick-ass games and such.

Infact it sounds pretty awesome, someone open one near me. Smile



Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322138 is a reply to message #322055] Fri, 14 March 2008 01:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Goztow is currently offline  Goztow
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Goztoe
You'll never get the same price in a shop as on the net. There's some extra costs to cover. This wouldn't really be a problem, I think. You pay a bit more for service, ...

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Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322162 is a reply to message #322055] Fri, 14 March 2008 06:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
CarrierII is currently offline  CarrierII
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It's cheaper to run a warehouse then it is to run a shop, so shop prices reflect this.


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Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322163 is a reply to message #322055] Fri, 14 March 2008 06:36 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ryu is currently offline  Ryu
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If the parts are cheap and you sold good quality brands, I'd possibly buy from there, but take the stuff home and build it in my house.

Oh and as Dave said, Processor and Mother board first, Certain mother boards only fit in certain cases. Wink


Presence is a curious thing, if you think you need to prove it... you probably never had it in the first place.
Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322166 is a reply to message #322055] Fri, 14 March 2008 07:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
CarrierII is currently offline  CarrierII
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Yeah, pick your processor manufacturer, then family, then model (based on budget and preference) then go from there. That's how I do it.


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Re: Entrepreneurship homework [message #322626 is a reply to message #322055] Mon, 17 March 2008 13:43 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
Crimson is currently offline  Crimson
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This would be a gamble, to be sure. This would take a rather substantial up-front investment for inventory and decorating the store to be impressive and comfortable. The things you have to fear the most is mostly what's been said before in here. There's not much margin in computer parts as far as I'm aware which means you have to make it up in volume. You may also consider using your facility for other things to help pay the bills, such as paying to use your computers to play games online, hosting tournaments, or selling snacks and drinks to the people hanging out in your store. You would also need to pay a decent salary to attract and retain people with excellent knowledge and try to avoid the newbs who think they know computers but should be working at Best Buy.

The good things about your business idea is the two major rules I have for starting a business. First, stay away from a business that's a luxury. Computers use to be a luxury but they are more of a standard appliance these days. This is borderline though because in a bad economy (in general) people would be less likely to upgrade their computers. The second rule is to have repeat business which saves on marketing dollars. Computers do perpetually need upgrades so while it doesn't have the repeat potential of, say, a restaurant, gas station, or grocery store, it's not too bad. A good experience will get them to come back.

You will compete with online sales quite a bit so doing research on pricing would be essential. You would also want to be highly selective with your inventory so you don't get too much crap you can't unload.

Just for reference, I am a bit of an entrepreneur myself as I opened up a poker store a little over 3 months ago.


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