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

~ (Author), Reva Rubenstein (Illustrator) "You've sold your first PC to your mother's friend Doris, and then find out that whether you order it assembled or in pieces, there's not..." (more)
Key Phrases: checkbook register, Return Merchandise Authorization, Internet Service Provider

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

From buying and selling PC hardware to product development and selling services, this book offers a realistic picture of making it on one's own. The book mixes practical advice and cautions with real-world anecdotes of successes and failures

Product Details

• Paperback: 161 pages
• Publisher: Foner Books (October 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972380108
• ISBN-13: 978-0972380102
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #25,672 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Microsoft > Personal Finance
  #3 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Hardware > Maintenance, Repair & Upgrading
  #13 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Hardware > PCs

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth your time and money, a valuable resource., June 26, 2003

By	Vantageshop-com "vantageshop-com" (Jacksonville Beach, Fl USA) - See all my reviews

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.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars light on b.s., heavy on business savvy!, December 26, 2002

By A Customer

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!

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is an absolute neccessity for the aspiring pro, March 18, 2003

By	Richard Campbell (Baltimore, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews

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.