Need advice.
Probably a horrible place to ask for it, but I'm looking for advice in pursuing a career in hardware retail and custom computer building.
Is there anything anyone can offer towards me in advice as to starting the business and maintaining a steady customer base?
Is there anything anyone can offer towards me in advice as to starting the business and maintaining a steady customer base?
Comments
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The forum is really a wrong place to look for "Useful tips" about the career that you are going towards.
Try searching through the Internet, I'm sure there are plenty of people with more experience out there that are willing to support you. I doubt anyone on the forum has the experience to give you proper tips on how to begin your career.
GL
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Emotionaly wrote: »You really shouldn't be asking BR's and 10 year old kids for career advice. There are people IRL who can help you, and very helpful websites.
I've worked 8 months in a company called "inTouch" on an exclusive traineeship and the first half of those months we learnt about marketing. -
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If you're gonna start building custom PCs for a living, you'll know word of mouth advertisement is your strongest weapon.
Maintain a great relationship with customers and potential customers alike, and be as helpful as possible, even go out of your own way to ensure the people you're helping are happy.
If you give a great service to one gaming enthusiast, they'll pass that on to their friends and other gamers, and so on and so forth.
Check out your local competition, and find a way of delivering the best prices. Usually, the most resourceful way of doing this is to set up a deal with suppliers, who can get you top of the range goods, for factory prices (usually (60% cheaper than store prices), that's not always an easy thing to do however, since some are held to contractual agreements with other stores/suppliers.
It's a shame you don't like in England, we coulda gone into business together -
Heh, If you can hook me up with a place to live in a couple of years I'd be more than happy to save up a few G's and move there. EU has a better gaming scene anyway. U.S. BlowsCookieMunzta wrote: »If you're gonna start building custom PCs for a living, you'll know word of mouth advertisement is your strongest weapon.
Maintain a great relationship with customers and potential customers alike, and be as helpful as possible, even go out of your own way to ensure the people you're helping are happy.
If you give a great service to one gaming enthusiast, they'll pass that on to their friends and other gamers, and so on and so forth.
Check out your local competition, and find a way of delivering the best prices. Usually, the most resourceful way of doing this is to set up a deal with suppliers, who can get you top of the range goods, for factory prices (usually (60% cheaper than store prices), that's not always an easy thing to do however, since some are held to contractual agreements with other stores/suppliers.
It's a shame you don't like in England, we coulda gone into business together -
CookieMunzta wrote: »If you're gonna start building custom PCs for a living, you'll know word of mouth advertisement is your strongest weapon.
Maintain a great relationship with customers and potential customers alike, and be as helpful as possible, even go out of your own way to ensure the people you're helping are happy.
If you give a great service to one gaming enthusiast, they'll pass that on to their friends and other gamers, and so on and so forth.
Check out your local competition, and find a way of delivering the best prices. Usually, the most resourceful way of doing this is to set up a deal with suppliers, who can get you top of the range goods, for factory prices (usually (60% cheaper than store prices), that's not always an easy thing to do however, since some are held to contractual agreements with other stores/suppliers.
It's a shame you don't like in England, we coulda gone into business together
1st part is right but 2nd isn't. When your advertising you want to target customers that relate to you so you can have business that you'll enjoy running. Because if you just have simple advertising, you will just have randoms.
If you went into a random PC shop. You would most likely have people not caring in your interests and just giving you the "IDGAF" feeling.
You need to target customers that are people like you and you should watch videos on youtube about "target marketing" or your business will die. -
Crystallyz wrote: »1st part is right but 2nd isn't. When your advertising you want to target customers that relate to you so you can have business that you'll enjoy running. Because if you just have simple advertising, you will just have randoms.
If you went into a random PC shop. You would most likely have people not caring in your interests and just giving you the "IDGAF" feeling.
You need to target customers that are people like you and you should watch videos on youtube about "target marketing" or your business will die.
So what your saying is, (and I'm making a guess based on the name) That it is better to target people based on what they enjoy? Can you give a relevant example? -
aTastymuphin wrote: »So what your saying is, (and I'm making a guess based on the name) That it is better to target people based on what they enjoy? Can you give a relevant example?
...Like what would be the certain type of customer you would like to sell your product to.
Say if I'm an fps gamer only (which I am) and someone asks me about a RPG, I would have no clue into how influence him to buy the game. Because you want customers that you know you would be comfortable talking with which will lead to a profitable business. -
Crystallyz wrote: »...Like what would be the certain type of customer you would like to sell your product to.
Say if I'm an fps gamer only (which I am) and someone asks me about a RPG, I would have no clue into how influence him to buy the game. Because you want customers that you know you would be comfortable talking with which will lead to a profitable business.
So you should be versed enough in all of the general aspects of your business to converse comfortably with any customers that come in?
Someone begins discussing WoW's newest expansion and you need to be able to discuss it with them, and the next customer be able to discuss racing. ETC? -
aTastymuphin wrote: »So you should be versed enough in all of the general aspects of your business to converse comfortably with any customers that come in?
Someone begins discussing WoW's newest expansion and you need to be able to discuss it with them, and the next customer be able to discuss racing. ETC?
Target customers that have your same gaming interests.
EDIT: I'm out. Late here, will talk to you around same time if you like.
pc -
Crystallyz wrote: »1st part is right but 2nd isn't. When your advertising you want to target customers that relate to you so you can have business that you'll enjoy running. Because if you just have simple advertising, you will just have randoms.
If you went into a random PC shop. You would most likely have people not caring in your interests and just giving you the "IDGAF" feeling.
You need to target customers that are people like you and you should watch videos on youtube about "target marketing" or your business will die.
Well, I'm running a custom computer venture of my own right now. Only been up for about three weeks, but I've made over £1500 profit already, most of which through customer recommendations, so I'm pretty sure I'm doing something right. Besides that fact, I studied Business GNVQ at college, so I'm not lacking in experience, if that's what you think.
I don't know how the gaming scene is in Australia, but over here it's having a pretty huge boom in interest, that's why I go out of my own way to ensure my customers are happy, and don't go to some other person down the road.
If you target one specific minority of customer, you're doing it wrong, and you're not making the most of the opportunity. The fact is, many people only buy pre-builts, because they don't know HOW to go about ordering and making their own PC. Many people are also unaware of the difference between pre-builts and custom PCs, you need to show them that difference, social interaction with the customer is key. -
Interesting.CookieMunzta wrote: »Well, I'm running a custom computer venture of my own right now. Only been up for about three weeks, but I've made over £1500 profit already, most of which through customer recommendations, so I'm pretty sure I'm doing something right. Besides that fact, I studied Business GNVQ at college, so I'm not lacking in experience, if that's what you think.
I don't know how the gaming scene is in Australia, but over here it's having a pretty huge boom in interest, that's why I go out of my own way to ensure my customers are happy, and don't go to some other person down the road.
If you target one specific minority of customer, you're doing it wrong, and you're not making the most of the opportunity. The fact is, many people only buy pre-builts, because they don't know HOW to go about ordering and making their own PC. Many people are also unaware of the difference between pre-builts and custom PCs, you need to show them that difference, social interaction with the customer is key.
What was the start up cost? -
Crystallyz wrote: »1st part is right but 2nd isn't. When your advertising you want to target customers that relate to you so you can have business that you'll enjoy running. Because if you just have simple advertising, you will just have randoms.
If you went into a random PC shop. You would most likely have people not caring in your interests and just giving you the "IDGAF" feeling.
You need to target customers that are people like you and you should watch videos on youtube about "target marketing" or your business will die.
WTH are you talking about?
If I were to put in action that principle, my PC shop would be out of business already, it doesn't always work that way. -
WTH are you talking about?
If I were to put in action that principle, my PC shop would be out of business already, it doesn't always work that way.
It seems like targeting one GROUP isn't the goal. It's keeping track of the movements of the hardware/gaming industries and maintaining a good idea of everything that's going on to blanket all of your consumers. -
aTastymuphin wrote: »Interesting.
What was the start up cost?
Literally no start up costs, mainly free advertising from a few friends (in the computer and ICT business, shops, hardware companies, etc) in the local area, and getting my name out there to local enthusiasts.
Obviously I had an initial £1000 set back for the first few rigs, so the customers could pay me upon collection of the PC, rather than before it's finished, to ensure I met all of their wants and needs. A little inconvenient on my side, but even so, it's putting the customer first that counts, plus I still make the money back, and then some. Some customers will agree to pay up front though, in the return for a priority order and build.WTH are you talking about?
If I were to put in action that principle, my PC shop would be out of business already, it doesn't always work that way.
Exactly.
You can't just rely on the niche market to buy your products, especially since PCs are so expensive, it's not like people can buy one every week or so.
Tapping into the mid-range market, the people who want to buy a PC, but are unaware of cheaper more powerful builds, seems to be the key for me. -
aTastymuphin wrote: »It seems like targeting one GROUP isn't the goal. It's keeping track of the movements of the hardware/gaming industries and maintaining a good idea of everything that's going on to blanket all of your consumers.
I would like to deal with every kind of group possible, however I haven't dealt yet with the Gamers Group or the ones who actually know how to build a PC and save some serious $$$, most of the people that buy a PC here in my shop look for something good and really cheap (if you only knew the price of the cheapest PC that I sell)CookieMunzta wrote: »Literally no start up costs, mainly free advertising from a few friends (in the computer and ICT business, shops, hardware companies, etc) in the local area, and getting my name out there to local enthusiasts.
Obviously I had an initial £1000 set back for the first few rigs, so the customers could pay me upon collection of the PC, rather than before it's finished, to ensure I met all of their wants and needs. A little inconvenient on my side, but even so, it's putting the customer first that counts, plus I still make the money back, and then some. Some customers will agree to pay up front though, in the return for a priority order and build.
Exactly.
You can't just rely on the niche market to buy your products, especially since PCs are so expensive, it's not like people can buy one every week or so.
Tapping into the mid-range market, the people who want to buy a PC, but are unaware of cheaper more powerful builds, seems to be the key for me.
Always, and I mean it, always put the customer as your priority, they will notice that intention and they will comeback at you when they need something. -
So basically what I do has a better chance of maintaining profitability? Putting together midrange/generation back gaming pcs for minimal prices?CookieMunzta wrote: »Literally no start up costs, mainly free advertising from a few friends (in the computer and ICT business, shops, hardware companies, etc) in the local area, and getting my name out there to local enthusiasts.
Obviously I had an initial £1000 set back for the first few rigs, so the customers could pay me upon collection of the PC, rather than before it's finished, to ensure I met all of their wants and needs. A little inconvenient on my side, but even so, it's putting the customer first that counts, plus I still make the money back, and then some. Some customers will agree to pay up front though, in the return for a priority order and build.
Exactly.
You can't just rely on the niche market to buy your products, especially since PCs are so expensive, it's not like people can buy one every week or so.
Tapping into the mid-range market, the people who want to buy a PC, but are unaware of cheaper more powerful builds, seems to be the key for me.
Rather than attempting to reach the enthusiasts? Convincing them to get a midrange that's upgradable and having them comeback to get the upgrades done?
So customer service truly is the most IMPORTANT thing you can have in this industry type?I would like to deal with every kind of group possible, however I haven't dealt yet with the Gamers Group or the ones who actually know how to build a PC and save some serious $$$, most of the people that buy a PC here in my shop look for something good and really cheap (if you only knew the price of the cheapest PC that I sell)
Always, and I mean it, always put the customer as your priority, they will notice that intention and they will comeback at you when they need something. -
aTastymuphin wrote: »So basically what I do has a better chance of maintaining profitability? Putting together midrange/generation back gaming pcs for minimal prices?
Rather than attempting to reach the enthusiasts? Convincing them to get a midrange that's upgradable and having them comeback to get the upgrades done?
So customer service truly is the most IMPORTANT thing you can have in this industry type?
That and good prices, believe me, if they like how you treat them, they will comeback. -
aTastymuphin wrote: »Well that makes sense. What were your start up costs? Just trying to get a general estimate of what it would take.
$1,500 would be an estimate, even though, my shop is like a little version of "Offce Depot" I sell not only PCs, also accesories, chairs, furninture,etc. -
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