starting a business where to actually start?
- Thread starter H3RBSKI
- Start date
I opened my own computer repair shop in July 2010 so far its just me and my dad running the show and to date were doing very well.
a lot of hard work and money has gone into it but very worth it! There is still a major demand for repair work, even on new machines screen repairs being number one best repair! Remember you'll also get other work like upgrades software etc...
Also high demand in mobile device repairs again screens etc....Also game console repair work...remember you need to fail to learn so take into account buying the parts for repair.
Lots of overheads to think about but if you do well this will sort it self out...We Don't really require that much stock just the basic kit cd/dvds, cheap cables and printer inks...most of our trade is repair work! sales are a bonus especially new laptops as we can link sell other services...
Currently we don't advertise anywhere and all our business comes from referrals.
As mentioned get a plan and your good to go and remember your only as busy as the customers you can get! its very hard to make money at the moment so have a good understanding of pricing and what makes you better than the competitor. Get this right and you'll get good business.
a lot of hard work and money has gone into it but very worth it! There is still a major demand for repair work, even on new machines screen repairs being number one best repair! Remember you'll also get other work like upgrades software etc...
Also high demand in mobile device repairs again screens etc....Also game console repair work...remember you need to fail to learn so take into account buying the parts for repair.
Lots of overheads to think about but if you do well this will sort it self out...We Don't really require that much stock just the basic kit cd/dvds, cheap cables and printer inks...most of our trade is repair work! sales are a bonus especially new laptops as we can link sell other services...
Currently we don't advertise anywhere and all our business comes from referrals.
As mentioned get a plan and your good to go and remember your only as busy as the customers you can get! its very hard to make money at the moment so have a good understanding of pricing and what makes you better than the competitor. Get this right and you'll get good business.
http://www.google.co.uk/products/ca...X&ei=GtdYUIp46bDQBef6gLgP&ved=0CIQBEPMCMAg4KA
Buy that book, follow it to the letter to produce a business plan and show it to your friends boss to evaluate. you really need to be aiming at £1000's a week, you will need at least £1000 a week to cover bills and wages.
Game has multiple shops and hundreds off staff they charge through the roof. We will have one none chain store with 2 members of staff. And as for te friendship thing we have ran a tattoo studio before and have been friends for around 19 years we have been through worse then a little stress lol.
Found a few good guide on business plans so will have a look through them over my days off.
It may not work out but why should we not Atleast try? I didn't really ask for people's opinions I asked for help and info on setting it up. If it fails it fails. I'm on minimum wage at the min so how can it really get lol
But you will have to pay more than GAME did for the games but your margins will be even smaller.
Soldato
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- 27 Dec 2005
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- Bristol
Because you'll potentially lose £10,000?
You seem to be ignoring everyone offering realistic advice and caution, but meh, it's "your" money to waste...
The profit margins in selling electronics goods is so low that it really isn't worth it in the current economic climate.
You need to stand out from the crowd and offer something unique.
Unfortunately I don't see how that can be done by selling video games. Hopefully you can prove me wrong.
You need to stand out from the crowd and offer something unique.
Unfortunately I don't see how that can be done by selling video games. Hopefully you can prove me wrong.
IMO if you are going into retail you need to view the internetz as your biggest competitor and therefore make your entire business about the human touch and hands-on in the shop itself (think Apple store), while having competitive enough profit margins to stop people browsing in your store, taking a picture of the barcode on their smartphone and having it arive next-day via Amazon 
One thing which I always think stores like Game fail miserably at is that their demo units are always disconnected, off, or have crappy games - that's something which with a minor investment you could offer something way better than there currently is.
One thing which I always think stores like Game fail miserably at is that their demo units are always disconnected, off, or have crappy games - that's something which with a minor investment you could offer something way better than there currently is.
Soldato
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If there’s any money to be made it’s in selling skilled time, not low margin goods.
Worth getting out of bed money has to be 20K+. With two people and overheads you’ve got to shift a hell of a lot of stock to get anyway near.
The general public are also a pain. The SME market are much easier to deal with, they at least understand that time costs money.
Worth getting out of bed money has to be 20K+. With two people and overheads you’ve got to shift a hell of a lot of stock to get anyway near.
The general public are also a pain. The SME market are much easier to deal with, they at least understand that time costs money.
whats the consensus on computer repair. I think I may be able to get leads of the internet for relatively cheaply, maybe £10 per customer on online advertising costs. I can start off working as an individual so won't need shop. Will go out and collect computer from customer bring it home and fixe them up.
It will only be short term and I'll use this to dip my toes in the water and test this out. then if it's viable I'll set up shop.
Though, I need some insiders knowledge from someone whose actually been involved in this line of what. What the money like? Is it a viable business these days when someone can just buy a whole computer for £300?
I was watching the watchdog programme with that dodgy computer repair shop, and it felt to me like you have to charge £200 with fake repairs with replacement parts that dont need replacing, just to make money.
It will only be short term and I'll use this to dip my toes in the water and test this out. then if it's viable I'll set up shop.
Though, I need some insiders knowledge from someone whose actually been involved in this line of what. What the money like? Is it a viable business these days when someone can just buy a whole computer for £300?
I was watching the watchdog programme with that dodgy computer repair shop, and it felt to me like you have to charge £200 with fake repairs with replacement parts that dont need replacing, just to make money.
This is what my impression is, the public will want you to computerly do a hard drive service and diagnose all the faults/bugs for £40 which takes 2 days of work (although you can multi-task and fix a lot of computers if you have the marketing down).
Business will understand the value of these computers because they need it to run their business and are profit making tools for them.
But for the latter you'd need to look legit, have experience, need to be able to use business speak and have all the facilities in place beforehand. Also business computers will no doubt be part of networks which is a completely different kettle of fish to standalone computers.
Fair play and good luck to you Herbski
It is and will be a challanging market but you just need to be better than everyone else or offer someting they dont
I thought of doing something similar myself in the past but I dont think I could handle all the kids coming in, im far too grumpy
As for advice if you go into a bank and say your thinking of starting a buisness they will give you a pack including example buisness plans, literature on what you need to be concidering and how to manage your finances. You dont need to sign up to anything just express an inerest in using them and they will give you the pack free
Hope it goes well
It is and will be a challanging market but you just need to be better than everyone else or offer someting they dont
I thought of doing something similar myself in the past but I dont think I could handle all the kids coming in, im far too grumpy
As for advice if you go into a bank and say your thinking of starting a buisness they will give you a pack including example buisness plans, literature on what you need to be concidering and how to manage your finances. You dont need to sign up to anything just express an inerest in using them and they will give you the pack free
Hope it goes well
Soldato
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every business needs to make money to survive, its pretty clear that your shop is entering a sector in decline and you havent enough cash really to stick it out and build up a brand.
It would be a matter of months before you go bust - whats the point??
It would be a matter of months before you go bust - whats the point??
Its nice to want to build a hobby/interest into a business but you need to think with your head instead of your heart in this situation. Whats you USP? Your business plan with projected costs etc? How long do you think 10K will really last you? Have you spoken to any other similar businesses and asked them how it's going in the current climate?
It may not be the news you want to hear but it's a MASSIVE gamble in a declining market even if you work night and day. If you still decide to go with it, best of luck - you'll need it!
It may not be the news you want to hear but it's a MASSIVE gamble in a declining market even if you work night and day. If you still decide to go with it, best of luck - you'll need it!
Associate
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What happened to the tatoo palour
Soldato
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