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PC Building Summer Job.

Tags:
  • ComptTIA
  • installation
  • over clock.
  • custom-rig
  • programs
  • Windows
  • help
  • water-cooled
  • Computers
  • question
  • Business Computing
  • high-end
  • A+ Certification
  • summer-job
  • customer support
  • 18-yr-old
  • Stress Test
  • pc-repair
  • Web Development
Last response: in Business Computing
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June 7, 2013 7:04:58 AM

18 Years old, studying AP Computer Science, Web Development, and other IT fields, I'm also in the process of becoming CompTIA A+ Certified. I think I would really enjoy building PC's, installing software, over clocking systems as a summer job, and if it goes well, continue it on, for more than just a summer job (no big hopes though). I've build a few old computers in the past, and my own high end ($2100) rig, so I can handle old and new hardware. Have a website, maybe, but primarily just business through the phone, ask them what they need, go over recommended parts, have them order it and sent to me, overclock or install Win for a small extra fee. I'm just worried about a few legal issues, and how to go about them.

First of all, how do people that do this receive payment, through paypal or what have you? Do you receive the money (say, a hypothetical $100 for build, OS install and overclock) after you do it all, when it's being shipped, before you begin building it?

Second of all, how do I keep them from suing me for something I did not do. Say I test each system out for 2 days, running various programs, ensuring stability, and they call up saying it's blown up, or not turning on, and after going through all of the troubleshooting, it still doesn't work. I know there's insurance you can get if you're serious about starting a business, but this is just an, on the side, type of thing, so do I still need something like that?

Third of all, what about customer support? I was thinking of charging a small, very small, amount for labor, in return for not having to provide customer support, or maybe I will, since I want to go into the PC repair field anyways. I really just don't want any legal issues, for something that may only be just a summer job.

Thank you to all who take the time to read and reply.

More about : building summer job

June 7, 2013 7:21:15 AM

Start small. Friends and family. Otherwise, you're just some dude with a website and no history. Convince me why I should buy from you.

Legal matters? You cannot prevent someone from suing you. They may lose, but you have to defend yourself. Some people live to file lawsuits.

As for payment? Unless I know you personally (see above), I'm not paying until I see, at least online, a working system. Payment sent, payment received, ship that same day. At most next day. I'm not paying first, then you go buy the parts...

Start small....friends and family. Maybe your parents have a friend with a small business that needs some assistance. Leverage your local contacts.
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June 7, 2013 7:27:02 AM

I like the entrepreneur spirit.

As a small business, as long as you make it expressly known you offer no warranties on any of your work. Small claims courts typically will side in your favor if you were sued. Buyer Beware notion. Just make sure you are honest in any statements you make to customers, don't hide anything.. and you should be okay from small claims court battles

Your hardest problems are going to be generating enough business that its even worth your time to do this. Collecting payment consistently could be an issue as well.

A better option for you, is probably try to get an internship somewhere in your field. Even if its unpaid.
And from that you may gain great contacts and/or paid jobs.
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June 7, 2013 7:32:43 AM

I figure that since I will be doing sort of the same thing, I could have a lawyer I know write up one of those long release forms in a "Terms and Conditions" type thing they have to check off before buying my computer. Would this work just as well as a piece of paper?
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