Customer Reviews

Start Your Own Computer Business: Building a Successful PC Repair and Service Business by Supporting Customers and Managing Money

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Whether you are planning to start a computer repair business, have already started one, have doubts about how you run business, or need to view your business from a fresh perspective to improve it, this book will be well worth your time and money. Questions about how to get started, how to market, what works and what doesn't work as well, to rent or not, to hire or not, to build or to buy, to upgrade or to replace, etc are all covered. The answers to these questions are not dictated, but the issues surrounding them are brought out by the author's opinions and experience, giving enough reasons to make your own conclusions.
I read this book after being in business for 3.5 years. I wish I had this resource before I started, if so, I would be much further along. The book seems to cover almost every topic that I have struggled with to date. In almost every case, through trial and error I have come to the same conclusions as those voiced by the author. In other areas, I was still trying to decide an approach regarding aspects of the business, and the book's content was useful in coming to a conclusion. Despite having been in business for a time, I still have much to learn. With some aspsects of the business I had concluded foggily that something did or did not work, but had not pinpointed the reasons, and reading the book made it more clear.

With many topics it was reassuring to read that someone with more experience than myself had arrived at the same conclusion using similar logic. If you find yourself working hard, and making too little money for your efforts, reading this book will help you start charging what you should be making.

I have a couple of friends who have tried the "computer business" and I've also worked at couple of computer stores, so I've always been interested in this topic...When I got my hands on this book, I was a little skeptical. I figured it would be mostly technical, and that it wouldn't have the "business" side of the computer business covered. Most people I know who have gone into this business have been technical geniuses, but light on business know-how, and they have all failed. Well, if they had read this book, they might still be in business today! Morris really tackles the business issues head on, from cold calling to number crunching. This one of the most entertaining, compact, and insightful business books I have read. Morris doesn't pull any punches here, such as his criticism of spending money and time on credentials: "You're going to need all the cash you can get your hands on. Don't waste it on pieces of paper nobody will read to frame and stick on the wall. That's a game for people who want to be somebody else's employee." Probably the best material in this book are Morris' real life examples about how to make sure your profit margins are enough to support your sales. Too often, new business owners don't factor in all the costs and Morris has learned this the hard way. I would have liked to have seen a little more info on the pros and cons of incorporation, but there are books on that subject already. This is a must read for anyone who is involved (or about to be involved) in the computer business!

I can safely say that before reading this book, I did not feel capable of taking on my own computer business. But, it was a quick and easy read- down and dirty with all the details. The business forum on yahoo that is recommended several times in this book has proven invaluable. Don't give it a second thought! Buy it today!!! You have nothing to lose.

I liked the book.

From a small pc builder's viewpoint, a hard part in getting started is in finding REAL wholesaler sources.
(Not middlemen who get in the way and jack up one's final costs).

The book mentioned a website called the Reseller's source kit.
( www.rs-kit.com). It is a "subscription only" site
(to gain access to the vendor's).
But, they also offer a free newsletter.

I joined the site and while it had interesting newsletters and informative details about the "small-biz-owner-pc-shop" business.
I was not blown away by any great pricing, on OEM software, or on hardware.
[So the idea of finding cheap hardware and software, then build a pc for cheap,WHILE making a reasonable ($100+) profit, very quickly vanished]

The small biz owner that deals with PC's has to think NICHE!
There's not enough money to be made in marketing of pc's directly to consumers. Maybe $100 per pc, a big MAYBE!

One NICHE could be after-the-sale "services".
- Training on software apps,
- peripherals training (i.e. video editing),
- remote data backup services (offsite disaster recovery)
- or other services.

If nothing else, it is an eye opening book into what is involved in running this type of business.


In today's world, I think a small pc retail business would be very hard pressed to compete against someone like Dell ,head to head. Only on price.
The giant pc makers have volume purchasing on their side and inexpensive overseas tech support personnel on call.

But if you think "computer Consultant" and find a niche area to specialize in, there is money to be made.
Especially if you can solve problems in person, if needed.
Examples:
- Performing a disaster recovery after a hard drive crash,
- re-configuring a specialized software application to get it to work again
- removing mal-ware and/or virus' and reloading the OS.

Just my 02 cents.

This book is mainly geared towards PC repair/networking people looking to start a business without the use of the contract brokers so prevalent in software/database/programming business.

As such, it presents a view that is very complimentary to that exposed by Ruhl and Myers in their books. Instead of approaching brokers for contracts, it advocates "guerrilla marketing" techniques: mass mailings, postings at laundromats and supermarkets, cold calling, etc. as a way of obtaining clients.

As other reviewers have mentioned, Rosenthal does not sugarcoat the potential pitfalls of this business. He also provides what is likely the best resource associated with the book, the Yahoo! Group "Computer Business" (http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/computerbusiness/).

Overall, a great resource.

An Excellent book, I already had been in the computer business for 8 months before I bought this book, but I wish I had done it before I stared out, because I made some of the mistakes described in the book, and I could have saved myself a lot of sleepless nights and money.
If like myself you live outside the U.S., then about one fifth of the book will not apply directly to you, because that information is related to taxes, legal advice and procedures, particular to the U.S.
The author gives useful tips based on first hand experience, that could help anyone thinking of starting in the computer business by themselves, or like myself, if you are already in the business and are in need of some ideas.
I definitely plan to make some changes based on the recommendations given by the author in the book.

Not written like a get rich quick infomercial, but
more like a reality check. What I have learned from
experience in the computer business. I could have
obtained easily by reading this book first.

IF you want a book heavy on accounting theory or how to repair some rare technical problem, this isn't it. If, however, you are looking for a book to help you tell if this is the correct business for you and perhaps how to start such an enterprise, it clearly is! Morris is grounded by his years of experience in the field and uses that experience to explain what is different about the field. He does a great job explaining how to make the jump into the field a success! No one resource will prepare you to enter this business, but Morris' book made my start a roaring success!

Dave Hayden

A concise, very entertaining read. The author does an excellent job of providing a down to earth practical advice guide without pulling any punches. It opened my eyes to some of the pitfalls of the computer business and made me re-examine my assumptions.

If you are even thinking of entering the computer business you owe it too yourself (and your wallet) to read this book!

In this book, Mr.Rosenthal, like a trusted friend, gives the individual who is thinking about starting their own computer business much food for thought.

The very first story, of how the budding computer consultant can loose money with the best of intentions,is an eye opener, and awakens the reader to the often harsh realties associated with the business of providing tech help or selling computers.

If one pays attention, the benefit of Mr.Rosenthal's experience will guide the reader to make critical decisions,define the parameters of a successful business,(versus a hobby) and invaluable ways to avoid common pitfalls.

You may be surprised to learn that well guarded industry "secrets" are laid bare (certifications,OME vendors) and that the most important aspect of surviving the trade is honesty and reliability.

Highly reccomended.