Selling Computers on the Side?
Okay, so since I work at a want ads paper, and can place ads for free, I’ve been trying to come up with ways to take advantage of this. Well I really only have like two semi-marketable skills, so I thought that maybe I could build budget computers and sell them at a profit. I’ve entertained this idea before; building systems and selling them new, but “as-is” (to avoid technical support when people invariably fuck them up). Of course, like any good idea I’ve ever had, I never followed through with it.
Well, out of boredom tonight I decided to look at what Dell has to offer in their consumer desktops to try and match or out-do them. Their cheapest desktops start at $350, without monitor. At first I thought that would be tough to match until I checked the specs; they’re pretty pitiful. The tough part is trying to match their specs AND allow enough of a margin for a goddamn copy of Windows ($100) and a profit. I think it’s possible.
At first I attempted to match their higher-end model, but I quickly noticed I wasn’t getting the most bang for my buck. It would be far easier to build the lower-end systems, which would have a much wider audience anyway. So, minus the cost of a legal copy of Windows, I had $250 to build a system with, just to break even. Since that is nearly impossible, I decided that in order to justify a slightly higher cost for my computer, I would have to improve on the specs quite a bit, but I also didn’t want to include second-rate parts. After about 30 minutes of juggling, I came up with the following.
One of the toughest parts was thinking like your typical computer user. There are a few numbers that people pay attention to that will lead them to a decision when buying a computer. Yes, the processor I chose is 64bit. It’s a little more future-proof than Dell’s, and even runs 32bit applications better than their 32bit processor. But that doesn’t mean anything to Johnny Email; Dell’s processor has a bigger number after it, so it must be better — by 400 units! It was tough choosing between less DDR2 RAM and more DDR RAM, but in the end opted for the newer technology over the “bigger numbers”. Overall I think Johnny Email will be impressed with his computer’s numbers, and his tech-savvy friends will be impressed with the technology and name brands.
The processors are a close match, but mine being 64/32bit, I gave myself the win in that category. We’re both losers on the Windows Vista front, they have a slight advantage in their integrated video, I matched their RAM, doubled their hard drive, and put a DVD burner in mine, over Dell’s choice of a plain DVD-ROM. As far as I can tell, Dell’s cheapest system doesn’t even burn CDs, which is a ridiculously cheap technology — what a strange corner to cut. I added a 17″ Hyundai flat panel monitor, a Microsoft mouse/keyboard combo, and some basic Logitech speakers and the total comes to $560, shipped ($40 of shipping is killing me). I’m sure I could cut enough corners to shave that extra ten dollars off to get me to an even $550, and I think $100 profit would make it worth my while (if I sold one a month it would pay my cell and internet bills). $650 for a system with those specs, with all name-brand parts, is still a pretty good deal, even when you consider my profit, and what I’m absorbing in shipping and mandatory Microsoft tax (Windows). Dell’s computers come with anti-virus, and I really couldn’t find a way to fit one in. With a DVD burner and flat panel monitor, though, do you really think people will complain? It wouldn’t be that hard for them to run to Staples and buy their own anti-virus, and probably wouldn’t think twice about the extra $30.
Anyway, I might be throwing one of these together in the near future and seeing how it flies. If it doesn’t go over so well, I could always cut my profit margin completely and just sell it at cost to break even, or at the VERY worst, I have a new computer. It’s a win/break even/kinda win situation.
March 13th, 2007 at 8:51 am
You couldn’t sell ketchup popsicles in hell. Or ice water to a woman wearing white gloves.
March 13th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
There’s no such thing as ketchup popsicles.