PC Repair Shop Business - Worth doing or not?

sho_me_da_money

I've got 10 years experience in IT. Have worked from Junior all the way to 3rd line Systems Engineer. The idea is to open up a small shop offering to repair PC, Laptops, Phones etc. with minor emphasis on selling. Stuff I would consider selling - Mice, Keyboards, Ink Cartridges, Disc Media, USB Hard Drives (stuff I would make myself by using drives and enclosures)

The problem is that this is a dying business - repair jobs aren't worth the price as new PCs are cheap as chips.

I could use marketing tactics to make the shop appear like it's the new era of IT repair by advertising - tablet repairs - ipad, iphone, Android support, which may peak the interest of a passer by.

My cousin started one about 6 months ago and he pulls in a decentish sum after all costs (£2000 per month).

What you think chaps? Worth doing or not?

gonzo127

a little bit silly to ask on here as most people on here would sort it themselves or inform people to try themselves.

however if you believe there is a market for that where you live then go for it, i personally might be more inclined to run a mobile repair service first to at least get some feel of the custom in the area (and also stop initial set up costs)

free4440273

depends if u can make a decent living out of it// and offer a top notch quality service/ most of these repair morons cannot /

Hammyman

TBH, it is worth it. There are plenty of people who get their computers infected by malware and are unable to sort it out or they drop their laptop and crack the screen. You will find that the majority of your work is re-installing Windows, removing viruses, repairing charge sockets though.

Certainly the shops I supply laptops to have no shortage of work. A friend of mine specialises in laptop hardware repairs for local shops and he has more work than there are hours in the day to do but he does do to component level and does reflows and reballs on graphics chips on laptops noted for the problem.

It WAS a dying business but since the recession, people have been forced to get computers fixed due to lack of income, lack of disposible cash and poor credit stopping them buying one on chuckie.

HOWEVER THERE IS ONE BIG CAVEAT.

World + dog think they can do it and set up in business. In the town the examples above are based, there are TEN computer shops. The population of the town is 33,000 and the majority are elderly as its a seaside resort and they come there to retire. I would say out of those 10 shops, one is doing extremely well (no wonder when he charges £10/hr labour and does Windows installs for £15!!!) , a few more mediocre and the rest just ticking over.

sho_me_da_money

Handbagman! (sorry beyond a joke now).

What is world + dog?

I like your advice. I have done a little research and found the following:

1. Mostly windows reinstalls
2. Mostly laptop charger point repairs
3. Mostly mid to elder people come in
4. Mostly laptop repairs vs. PC repairs

Any other tips you can offer that will make the business work better? Perhaps you can offer advice on location, target market based on your own customer base, additional services people want to explore.

Mischa8

I'd say it is a great idea in theory...

But you do have to look into lots of other things including:-

• set up cost
• how many employees will there be bar yourself?
• rates/bills/running cost of shop
• etc...

The list is endless. As one shopkeeper friend told me - life is hard if you're a shopkeeper as you have to pay yourself, have to factor in times for holidays or employ cover etc.

Based on your other posts - possibly a good idea though.

rob7475

Hi,

I've been tempted to set up the same type of business, but it just wouldn't work.

Currently, I have a full time job but also run my own business doing PC repairs, web design, sales etc. All done in my spare time so it's just beer money for me. I've been doing it for about 7 years and can never see how i'd earn enough to do it full time. There's so much competitiion and people charging silly prices.

I charge £30 for first hour and £15 per hour after. I usually add about 50% onto cost of parts (eg. a £6 DC jack would sell for £10 plus fitting.). I would need at least 5 jobs a day to make a good living.

Also, there's always someone who comes along and undercuts your rates. or people who want to haggle the price down. For example, had an email this morning from someone who thinks their DC jack is broken on their laptop. I quoted £10 for the DC jack and £30 fitting. They have come back saying they can get the DC jack from Ebay for £6 so can I do it cheaper.


You may get a lot of work from Laptop DC jack repairs but there are already loads of websites advertising solely this service for peanuts.

Most of my customers are older people. Younger people are more technically minded in theory, or have a techie friend to rely on.

If you still want to do it, why not try setting up a website and leaflet dropping first - it should give you a fair idea if there's a market for the business in your area.

DCFC79

Cost of insurance as well

If you decide to do tablet repairs - ipad, iphone, Android support, how will you draw customers in as surley people want someone with experience to repair an ipad (i know i would)

doggerry

sho-me-da-money, I have sent you a PM (looking for advice)

sho_me_da_money

rob7475 wrote: »

Hi,

I've been tempted to set up the same type of business, but it just wouldn't work.

Currently, I have a full time job but also run my own business doing PC repairs, web design, sales etc. All done in my spare time so it's just beer money for me. I've been doing it for about 7 years and can never see how i'd earn enough to do it full time. There's so much competitiion and people charging silly prices.

I charge £30 for first hour and £15 per hour after. I usually add about 50% onto cost of parts (eg. a £6 DC jack would sell for £10 plus fitting.). I would need at least 5 jobs a day to make a good living.

Also, there's always someone who comes along and undercuts your rates. or people who want to haggle the price down. For example, had an email this morning from someone who thinks their DC jack is broken on their laptop. I quoted £10 for the DC jack and £30 fitting. They have come back saying they can get the DC jack from Ebay for £6 so can I do it cheaper.


You may get a lot of work from Laptop DC jack repairs but there are already loads of websites advertising solely this service for peanuts.

Most of my customers are older people. Younger people are more technically minded in theory, or have a techie friend to rely on.

If you still want to do it, why not try setting up a website and leaflet dropping first - it should give you a fair idea if there's a market for the business in your area.

If I start out leaflet dropping, do I have to declare this with tax office and all that?

Do you leaflet drop and/or have a website?

How many customers do you get on average per week?

How much can you bring in on average per week by doing this as a sideline?

In 7 years, I would have thought you got your name around quite a bit, hasnt your customer base grown to a point where you need to invest more time? Or do you think you haven't marketed yourself enough?

What do you do when you fix an issue and a customer comes crying back that the machine is screwed again?

Given that customers usually consist of elder people - do you go to their house or do they come to you? If they call you out, how do you charge for that?

Farway

sho_me_da_money wrote: »

What is world + dog?.

It is an expression meaning everyone plus their mates & their mates mates ad infinitum