Is the computer repair business too saturated to get back into?

[CrispedUp 10+ year member]

Well, I have started a PC repair business back in 07, but honestly didn't do anything with it. I am out of a job right now, and was thinking of getting back in. But do people still pay to get their computers fixed? The only thing I really have to lose in this, is time. What do you guys think? I would really like to work for myself instead of other people. And although I don't see that many PC repair businesses around here, I see tons of people advertising pc repair on craigslist.

Click to read more...

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

yeah I would say it's worth it lol. if you know how to design sites i suggest doing that...with the economy like it is a lot of people want to go self-employed and need websites to advertise themselves.

 

[MikeofTulsa Moderator]

market is a bit saturated since ever joe that knows anything about computers has a craigslist ad. but the good thing is it only takes a few good referrals to get a good rep

 

[d2k 10+ year member]

nope...... its a dead trade //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif, parts are super cheap compared against PC repair costs... (which is usually an hourly rate), ppl prefer to have a pop themselves & those who don't, have loads of cash & invariably buy new machines after getting quotes to repair.

10 years ago individual computer components were a mystery to most & they were a lot harder to track down, these days i think even computer novices have a rough idea what theyre looking at inside a PC tower.

computers are no longer equivalent to Rocket science....lol

 

[Haunz 10+ year member]

nope...... its a dead trade //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif, parts are super cheap compared against PC repair costs... (which is usually an hourly rate), ppl prefer to have a pop themselves & those who don't, have loads of cash & invariably buy new machines after getting quotes to repair.

10 years ago individual computer components were a mystery to most & they were a lot harder to track down, these days i think even computer novices have a rough idea what theyre looking at inside a PC tower.

computers are no longer equivalent to Rocket science....lol

This is true to a certain extent but my experience is that there are a lot more people who don't know anything about computers then there are that do... that and most brick and mortar shops charge a lot to do any kind of work...

Just as an example I bought my GF a new laptop at a big box store about a month ago.. they wanted $200 to setup windows and claimed it would take 5 hours or more... I was like ppfffttt whatever buddy I think I can handle it.. (and it took more like half an hour).. But you have to wonder how many people just pay the money???

To the OP I have a couple friends that have small businesses repairing computers.. one actually did a few years in college for network security and the likes... Anyway I guess he works out of his house and does alright for himself.. apparently what really got the ball rolling for him was spending $700 on flyers that went out with some big newspaper over the course of a couple weekends...

Having said that I think a good marketing scheme is what could make your small business happen...

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

i always buy new when one of mine shuts down...i'm usually looking at $200 better than paying $100 or so and waiting a couple of weeks to get my old one back...

 

[MikeofTulsa Moderator]

as already stated, marketing scheme and word of mouth are essential.

 

[billabongcr 5,000+ posts]

Take out an ad in the local paper, write a simple computer virus and infect the local city cable distribution box.

Jackpot.