I am tired of attempting to find work. I have decided to become a small-buisness owner and make my own computer repair store. I wish to run this out of my own home.
I plan to make a website tomorrow. However, I am looking for some advice on this.
What is a good price schedule for computer repair? Would having customers mail their computers to me at their own cost be a deturrent? I live in a gated community and don't think I could have people physically enter my property (let alone safely). How would you personally start this business?
I'll come up with more questions eventually, but this is all I have at the moment.
That sounds like a nightmare job. Do you really want to touch some middle-aged housewife's Windows install that's full of malware? And if you end up changing even the slightest bit she will screech at you autistically how you broke it. Repairing someone's computer is like cleaning out a house, except that most of the time the house is so run down and filled with filth that it would be easier to just burn it down and build a new house from scratch, but the owner will be furious if you propose it, because that shit-filled bucked absolutely needs to be next to the bedroom, reeeee.
I'm not saying that you shouldn't try running your own repair shop, just be aware for what you are getting into.
Adrian Taylor
I'm fully aware of the idiocy of the normies. But a job is a job. I hope to get money out of this to where I could eventually manufacture my own systems. After all, Dell is a household name and the only thing they ever did was make cheap PC clones.
Due to how awful the local job market is proving to be, I think my idea of at-home repair is the best at the present.
I don't know how you're going to manage without them bringing you the computers physically. But don't let anons discourage you.
Nicholas King
good luck competing with 500 other businesses within 5 minutes of you trying to do the same thing and working for below minimum wage to undercut the competition, it's a race to the bottom
this is a terrible business idea. this is an even more crowded business segment than web design, and there's likely 500 other people within 5 minutes of you trying to do the same thing.
look at the craiglist for your area to see what kind of a nightmare your dealing with.
if you want to have any advantage over this competition your going to have to spend money advertising, but your going to make so little that it's not going to be profitable.
nobody is going to pay $100 to remove bloat and malware to some random, they might as well use geeksquad for those prices; spend 30 minutes driving to some dumb lemmings house spend 1 hour resolving issues receive $20 max - 15% off the top for self employment / small business tax spend 30 minutes driving back spend money on gas and car maintenance make at most 1 call a day
Jordan Nguyen
Good luck finding replacement parts.
Aaron Mitchell
don't bring nigger's computers into your house unless you like bedbugs
Jason Williams
Most likely that person is going to break the computer again and then call you, complaining how the issue is back and you did not fix it properly, and how you should come back and fix it for free this time.
Xavier Foster
Okay, that's great-- Enjoy roaches and other bugs infesting your home.
So, TL;DR: I am a computer technician. I do your job for my living. Here are some things I've picked up over the years.
Computers are fucking filthy, because people are filthy. Imagine the stinkiest, nastiest, filthiest nigger in existence. This nigger smokes weed and cigarettes in front of his laptop and uses the keyboard for a plate for his fried chicken. It is covered in a thin film of grease, slime, and general disgustingness. You're pretty sure this nigger masturbates and aims it at the screen. Now, ask yourself:
I used to work IT support for a few businesses. It's pretty much the same thing only you'd probably make more and not deal with shit like this
Ryder Adams
Most likely that's going to happen 6 months - 2 years later and they'll say it was your fault because
David Miller
This entire post is solid advice. Their p0rn won't even be good and likely something that disgusts you. Always bring it up subtly when making out the bill so they'll think twice before coming back. This is a good way to build trust with the customer. If you won't snitch about his p0rn he figures you also won't snitch if you his Yaoi stash and all those messages he sends on the various social networks. They think you're the 1337 hackerman. They assume you've seen everything and can pull 5 year old IMs to their drug dealers out of thin air. Keep them spooked so they don't fuck you over.
Gavin Hughes
This is actually incredibly difficult.
Its easy to build computers, but hard to build them competitively, and desktop sales are declining. Most computer sold today are mobile phones, followed by laptops. Mobile phones are not repairable as SOCs other than screen and battery replacements. Laptops are hyper-proprietary, and repairable but not "buildable" to sell.
Desktops are standardized but basically not selling. You can build them, but at the low end market you are fucked - you can't build a desktop with a Windows license for cheaper than what they are selling for now retail.
The high end market is divided into two segments: Workstations and Gamers.
You can beat the price on workstations by far! Manufacturers will sell $1-$2k worth of hardware for $2-$5k - no one will buy from you anyway! Buying a workstation is about the support and warranty which as a small scale seller it will be difficult for you to match. Someone selling 100x more workstations than you will be less likely to experience anomously large percentage of computers sold failing before the warranty expires (law of large numbers) that could crush their business. They also have economies of scale in keeping support team ready 24x7 to handle VIP customers.
Gaming PC's are the most viable segment to enter as an OEM that I can think of. Except, a larger portion of gamers build there own, and desktop replacement laptops are becoming more popular. Still, I think this is most viable. I have offered building and designing gaming PCs as a service through my repair company and ended up building a few each year. It accounts for a vanishgly smaller percentage of the business.
Becoming an OEM is incredibly unlikely. Its probably far more profitable to sell existing OEMs computers as an affiliate but most large OEMs have restricted or ended their affiliate programs.
Selling used laptops can be quiet profitable.
Jack Russell
This is absolutely retarded advice.
People don't understand small business anymore. Virtually everyone will treat a small business like Walmart, and if you start ranting about their porn, they are going to feel violated by Walmart, ask to see your manager. When they finally figure out this is a small business and you are the owner, they will threaten to sue, and smash your online reputation with exaggerated stories.
Honestly, the best thing you can do is "educate" your customers and explain to them this isn't how computers or business works, so they get used to reality. The easiest thing to do, is to give them there big business expectation: "Hi, I am the manager here at anontech. Unfortunately, our warranty policy only covers 30 days, for any reason. I really wish I could help you, but OUR SYSTEM, won't let me. "
Michael Phillips
You owe it to yourself to pass the CompTIA+ exam for the knowledge you will gain. This is a skills-based field user, not everyone can pull it off.
Justin Harris
A+ is a joke. Its an excellent systematic introduction to information technology but its vendor neutral, has no hands on components and effectively qualifies you to do nothing.
Adrian Robinson
fugg
Levi Ward
Lots of shit can be fixed with remote access software. The problem is getting yourself noticed above the ten million India based remote access tech support scams.
Adam Lopez
pls - why don't people see that this overpriced bullshit is a meme? It's garbage. The only reason it's still alive is that people don't want to change what they already have and are illiterate stupid niggers. They are used to being fucked over, so they want to be fucked over by something that they are comfortable with and used to. Their anuses are numb to Winblows I buy them
Ryder Harris
I agree with you, the only thing that I am saying is you will have 0 customers if you try to force Linux. A lot of people will perceive their unfamiliarity with Linux as "its broken it can't ..." and I want a refund. I have signs saying "Ubuntu sold here" and "Choose your OS" and virtually everyone opts for Windows.
Advocacy for freedom as a personal decision is fine. Using your business to advocate is nice. Refusing to do business as business is done, is refusing to have a viable business.
The market for Linux Desktop OEMs is vanishingly small. Zareason and System76 are incredibly high price for what they offer.
Blake Cook
When people actually try linux etc they are usually surprised how similar it is to windows. Without the popups and annoying shit. I would say Ubuntu is more similar to Windows XP than Windows 10.
But your right that nobody is gonna try it.
Mason Mitchell
I have tried to switch numerous people to linux as a linuxfag over the years. I have successfully converted two girlfriends who had my support over the course of years. Literally, any amount of effort is to much effort for most people to invest in learning how to use an alternative operating system.
As far as launching a web browser goes, turning up the volume, or connecting to wifi linux is virtually identical to Windows. But people get confused about tasks like playing a DVD, or paradoxically using LibreOffice which is 95% identical to MS Office 2003. The struggle with learning the names of programs that do the tasks they want, and are pretty much incapable of understanding why they can't install iTunes or w/e.
I have turned numerous times and failed to convert many people. And I have half wonder if my ex's next computer will be Windows simply because she can't be bothered to change the OS herself, even if she prefers linux and has shittalked windows in the past.
Nathaniel Anderson
I've converted most of my family to Linux. GNOME is pretty basic, and hard to fuck up. I just install chromium and libreoffice, connect any printers and shit, and they're good to go. They never had any problems and they're almost completely computer illiterate
Dylan Flores
Is Rossman jewish?
Ryan Bell
My parents (60+) are both using Linux Mate. No issues for the past 5 years.
Aiden Hall
no
Aiden Adams
Your ex's next computer will be whatever the guy throwing loads into her when she gets it wants it to be. You didn't "convert" her to Linux, she just did what the guy who was dicking her down at the time (you) wanted. You were the Boss Nigger.
You ain't her Boss Nigger no more.
Caleb Phillips
Ideally people would be able to enter your property. Most of your business is probably going to be local word of mouth and people will want to know who you are if you're doing it on this kind of a scale.
Oliver Harris
It doesn't be profitable. Many computer repair shops went bankrupt.
Bentley Hill
A+ certified here. Can confirm it's mostly useless, but it might trick some tech bench into hiring you as a newbie and showing you the ropes. Nothing can replace the experience you get on the job.
It's not a great idea, for liability reasons. If someone's hardware fails while it's in your possession, you could be on the hook for it, and it'll also expose you if you're operating a business from a residence without a license. Additionally, it's a shitty job to have for the reasons others in this thread have listed. Unironically, learn to code instead. 6 months of JavaScript training and you can get a junior dev job. Or find a job as a junior QA analyst, no-coders welcome.
Luis Garcia
Same. It's kind of funny of how Linux has a concave, inverse-bell curve graph of applicability with respect to a user's tech adeptness.
Juan Myers
You're only about 15 years too late OP. All those cool hobby jobs you could make a living off of with just a little knowledge seem to have gone the way of the dodo. We live in a CIA nigger prison. Independent employment is getting harder and harder.
Do yourself a favor, and make the round of local small businesses (not one-man businesses, 5-30 employees). Sell them IT support, and, once they've called you a couple times, sell them a subscription to AnonTech 24/7 IT support for 30 bucks a month + money for whatever time you actually worked that's a bit below the rates of Geeksquad. It'd help a lot of if you know some local business owners to start positive word of mouth, but it prevents you from having to deal with retarded niggers and since it's a business dealing with a business, they tend to trust your competence to a greater (and frankly stupid) degree. Just be prepared to get a call at 3am to remove the gay porn from some tavern owner's tablet that he has no clue how it got there.
Evan Russell
$65/hour is generally what computer shops charge. It amounts to a little over $100k per year based on a full time work schedule. If you can get that much work. You will want to get some government or corporate contracts for administration or things like that where schools or companies know you and use when they need something fixed. There are some liability issues with having people enter your home. You'll want to get insurance and there are some compliance issues. Generally if you are just doing a few repairs or upgrades on the downlow I really would worry about it.
For a while there I was charging $35 to wipe a computer and install Linux. Doesn't take long and it's most unattended so it's not like real work.
Agreed. Tight market.
Parker Hall
This. It's horrible Don't fucking do it I did for over a decade and it + shit it work made me quit for years. Only just come crawling back to see tech gaming fall to sjw shit
Sure, if you can get a customer who agrees to getting Linux installed. Otherwise get ready to be yelled at how it is your fault that Microsoft Office does not run on Linux and you should have installed Windows because it is the standard.
Kevin Williams
a windows install can be automated almost completely too so it should not really matter what you have to install as long as you get paid for it. for someone like me it feels really weird that someone would pay anything for a os reinstall.
Evan Rivera
My family sure as fuck couldn't reinstall Windows if their lives depended on it. And they're not the worst users I've seen in the wild.
Adam Bailey
Sometimes I feel like I would actually want to pay someone to install Windows just so I don't have to put up with that shit. If it's one of those (((free))) student licenses you have to register at like five different places to get that key, and the procedure seems to change every year, so every time you want a new key you have to go hunting for it again. Installing Linux is like a therapy session by comparison.
>(((free))) student licenses Just install Server 2019 and use the 38 year activation. If you don't know what I mean just look it up.
Hunter Wood
Hi Schlomo. Rossman is so clearly fucking Jewish.
Michael Johnson
What a great way to lose business and likely get hit with a lawsuit/get in trouble with the cops
What a great way to get sued
If you're presentable and likeable enough you'll gradually build clientele. But do you have the money and will to put in at least two years with nothing guaranteed? People underestimate word of mouth. I was getting calls three years after I closed shop because they were referred to me by a former client. But seeing as how you came to shit shithole for life advice I suggest you just flip burgers or something.
Joseph Morris
good thing that i know at least something about tech so i dont need to take my shit to this kind of people. its not like they even repair anything. that would be things like soldering new parts on the mobo but they just replace it with a new one and i can do that too.
I've been working in IT helpdesk and desktop support roles for roughly 7 years now and I suggest you start building a relationship with a recruiting agency so you can go from not finding any jobs to never being unemployed for more than 2 weeks. Do not do home computer repair from your house, you're probably better off charging electric scooters for work than that. If you are going to do it anyway, at least learn how to do basic phone repair stuff as well so you have more services to offer.
Grayson Cook
(((recruiting agency)))
Sebastian Stewart
OP here, I thank you for all the replies. I would like to say that I am fully qualified to repair both computers and smart phones. I am also A+ Certified, and I know what a scam that is. I would like to work from home, primarily because I don't have any kind of collateral for a small business loan.
I have been a lifetime computer hobbyist. I want to go professional. I don't want to be making phone calls for Banker Jews or working like a chump at Walmart. This is why I came up with that idea.
I live in a gated community, in my Grandfather's condo (since I have fallen on hard time). He owns the condo, so I can legally work out of it. The problem is that it's gated. So in order to get any business I would have to do it by mail-order or become a self-employed field agent. Out of the two, the field agent idea sounds better but I have no vehicle of my own and only possess a permit.
I just want work. I've been here for three months and out of it I only got one job, working at a Subway for two days. I quit it due to the degrading nature of it and how I was not trained worth a damn and was expected to know how everything works on day one while everyone pretended to be the manager (the store was staffed by Mexicans and Niggers).
I have a resume of at least 15 jobs in my history, only two of them computer-related. I am only 21, so I consider that a feat in the modern world. I have a strong work ethic. None of the computer stores wish to hire me. Self-Employment is the logical next step.
I actually believe myself to be a boomer as I was raised by a member of The Greatest Generation, the generation before Boomer.
Benjamin Wright
Then you're delusional about at least two things.
Connor Ortiz
Self employment is the only step. Your an idiot. If you have had 15 jobs over the course of at most 6 years, you haven't made it even more than a few months on average at any job. This is an indication that you are an unhireable piece of garbage. Why you don't have anything in life. You don't have a strong work ethic. You quite after two days because you were too good to work. Meanwhile, you don't own a vehicle, which costs at the low end ~1 month of full time work - and you have had 15 jobs. You will never get anywhere if you decide you have to start at the top. Get over yourself and work a bit. Becuase your a shazbot. You think your too good to work, and have had 15 jobs probably over 3 years. You will probably put your two days at subway on your resume, and think your hot shit for getting another job! Meanwhile, every single unemployer sees hiring you is pointless because you will quit in less than a week.
What you need to do is strip all the "jobs" off your resume and make a new one that says you have been attending community college since high school, and that your applying for your first job. Get a job anywhere that will hire you, and work for ~1 year. Become the manager of Safeway.
Personally, it sounds like your "computer repair business" is a non-viable excuse (no car for on-site, no business location, don't want real customers like walmart) to throw your life away and become a NEET. No one will believe you when you say one day your business will take off when your doing 1 repair a year.
Eli Robinson
I exaggerated a little while I was typing that half-asleep last night. I counted the jobs and see I have only 11 jobs on my resume. I will list them here in a hopefully non-doxing manner to show you I'm not unhirable.
The first two are related, one contracted me to the shorter one:
Computer Technician May to December 2018
Computer Repairman October to November 2018
Farm hand (via my friend) April to May 2018
Cleenup Specialist (gig to remove junk on forclosed home) Febuary 2018
Crew Member May to December 2017
Super July to November 2017
Station Attendant May 2016 to March 2017
Cook May 2016 to March 2017
Server January 2014 to December 2014
Voulenteer Librarian April to July 2014
Server January to December 2014.
Christian Evans
Correction on last, s/2014/2013
Owen Harris
You shouldn't list anything less than 6mo on your resume, it just makes you look horrible.
Logan Cooper
If you're applying to a tech job I doubt they care that you worked at McDonald's. Also this
Ryan Diaz
Well, I personally think it is better than the advice I was told elsewhere which was to list fake freelance jobs such as "Lastname Computing Industries"
Aaron Powell
If your as young as OP, 21 isn't a bad age for a first job. Just lie and say you have been attending community college. Your employer will not give two shits.
Ryder Thompson
I am OP
Noah Jenkins
Watch "you touched it you own it" by Louis Rossmann.
Kevin Butler
Forget about it son. What about sucking cock for easy dough ?
If it's the first then the path to take is live near a city at the outskirts, get some basic ass certs like an MCSA set with an ITIL foundation, apply for low tier work like service desk or desktop support and then pay attention in the company. Learn everything about everything you see outside of the lame grunt work whilst getting to know people.
Most large organization (in the UK where I am at least) will have a standard ITIL aligned rollout where the operations area will consist of a the following teams: networking team, dba team, Wintel and Unix for server and virtualisation work, cct area if the business has a call centre for IVR dev, telecoms team to hand toys out to execs and maintain their network structures, you'll find a security team full of cunts with blue sky thinking and wankers galore, ITIL services like change, release and transition management, project teams full of dumb middle aged women with prince 2's and boring old bastards.
Your job will be to survive the low end work for a year sitting amongst computer illiterate retards deciding the second line promotion you'll work towards, since you're a nolife on Zig Forums you'll be managing the next team you move into within another year or be the lead. After the third year in your third promotion you'll begrudge contractors that make 4x your salary whilst you've now become better than their average staff level and will either move into contracting or start preparing for head of services/CIO/CTO.
Personally I'd recommend going for a dba team as it's a quick path to some living money and a lot of the other jobs will be made obsolete by cloud platform technologies and robotic process automation (autohotkey meets basic ai).
Grayson Stewart
Adding to this, don't be a coder. Testing areas and dev are absolute code diapers which are usually relegated to a separate building full of pajeet contractors that squat on the toilet and stink of curry+shit.
what a nightmare. must fire them and send them back to their country.
Jace Davis
So quit seeing 11 jobs in 4 years as a "feat in the modern world", and quiting after two days because "its degrading", and earn literally one full time month salary to buy yourself an entry level used vehicle. And start doing something with your life.
Otherwise might as well listen to this poster:
Wyatt Perez
The only thing to offset the cons would be harvesting people's photos. Never know what you'll find.
Alexander Morgan
HAPAS ARE SUPERIOR TO WHITES
Brayden Diaz
HAPAS ARE SUPERIOR TO WHITES
Lucas Price
HAPAS ARE SUPERIOR TO WHITES
Kayden Brown
HAPAS ARE SUPERIOR TO WHITES
Carter Nelson
HAPAS ARE SUPERIOR TO WHITES
Robert Wilson
HAPAS ARE SUPERIOR TO WHITES
Lucas Collins
HAPAS ARE SUPERIOR TO WHITES
Cooper Smith
HAPAS ARE SUPERIOR TO WHITES
Lincoln Brown
HAPAS ARE SUPERIOR TO WHITES
Julian Adams
HAPAS ARE SUPERIOR TO WHITES
Adam Wood
HAPAS ARE SUPERIOR TO WHITES
Mason Davis
I wonder (((why))).
Brayden Green
Yeah, fuck off boomer. Nobody cares.
Ethan Mitchell
HAPAS ARE SUPERIOR TO WHITES
Parker Fisher
Whatcha sliding mordecai?
Joseph King
Europeons need to burn in a tar-pit. Disgusting
Aaron Roberts
These are our enemies. Why are we supporting them?