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Selling built computers is legal?

Tags:
  • Computers
  • RAM
  • CPUs
  • GPUs
  • Cases
  • Business Computing
Last response: in Business Computing
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May 2, 2014 9:55:35 AM

Is it legal to buy computer case, RAM, CPU, GPU and all that stuff. Mount it together and sell it for higher price (not super high, but just include some price as fatigue)? Not once, but multiple times and even maybe start series?

More about : selling built computers legal

a b à CPUs
May 2, 2014 10:04:56 AM

I don't see why it wouldn't be legal. ASUS, HP, Dell, Acer, Digital Storm, Origin, FalconNW, and Maingear all do it. Along with plenty of other businesses.
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Best solution

May 2, 2014 10:06:31 AM

Sure, you can do so. A couple of issues to consider 1st:

1) Check the tax laws in your country. Usually income over a certain amount per year has to be reported to your country's tax revenue service. So, would the taxes you pay be worth the income you gain from building your own & selling them?

2) With today's low-priced computers, the low-end is basically a cheap commodity. Dell/HP/Lenovo can usually build & sell it cheaper than you can assemble it.

3) For the people who are going to buy your computers, are you offering to service & support them as well as offering them a warranty? If the motherboard only has a 1-yr mfg warranty, and by the time you sold the computer, it was a month later - what happens if the board dies 11 months later? Are you going to replace that board for free?

Generally, when people look at the above issues, they usually don't go into a business of building & selling computers. Perhaps they build them for family & friends, but then they usually have the obligation of supporting them.
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May 3, 2014 2:03:18 AM

2Be_or_Not2Be said:
Sure, you can do so. A couple of issues to consider 1st:

1) Check the tax laws in your country. Usually income over a certain amount per year has to be reported to your country's tax revenue service. So, would the taxes you pay be worth the income you gain from building your own & selling them?

2) With today's low-priced computers, the low-end is basically a cheap commodity. Dell/HP/Lenovo can usually build & sell it cheaper than you can assemble it.

3) For the people who are going to buy your computers, are you offering to service & support them as well as offering them a warranty? If the motherboard only has a 1-yr mfg warranty, and by the time you sold the computer, it was a month later - what happens if the board dies 11 months later? Are you going to replace that board for free?

Generally, when people look at the above issues, they usually don't go into a business of building & selling computers. Perhaps they build them for family & friends, but then they usually have the obligation of supporting them.


1) I do realize that. But in "my" European country, they're pretty pesky about it, they'll find it out automatically.

2) Well, I don't think so. Monster desktop computer that I found, which costs 6500 (from shop). I can assemble for about 2000 and if everything goes alright and can even add some extra's.

3) So, there will be unofficial warranty. But my plans, are to be it like "You bought it, I assembled it, You get it". So, I think that I will provide software assistance online. Like, how to install drivers and stuff. But I don't expect giving hardware warranty, because everything should work, because it will be tested out and if it won't work, customer will be given new one. Offcourse, if guy calls me after 1-6 weeks and says "You son of motherhumper. My PC is on fire because of YOU!!". I will give him a new one; well; except if I see hardware changes, then I say "Flip off!".
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May 4, 2014 2:07:11 AM

@bump + Is it legal to install Windows on it? If client says he/she wants "Windows 8 Pro". Am I then allowed to buy Windows. Add 20 dollars/euro's to price and install it for him/her, including all drivers et cetera?
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May 5, 2014 7:23:36 AM

RikTelner said:
@bump + Is it legal to install Windows on it? If client says he/she wants "Windows 8 Pro". Am I then allowed to buy Windows. Add 20 dollars/euro's to price and install it for him/her, including all drivers et cetera?


You can buy the OEM/System Builder edition of Windows 8.1. In the U.S., it's priced at $99 from a vendor like Newegg. I don't think you can legally get it for 20 EU.
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May 5, 2014 7:25:15 AM

RikTelner said:
2Be_or_Not2Be said:
Sure, you can do so. A couple of issues to consider 1st:

1) Check the tax laws in your country. Usually income over a certain amount per year has to be reported to your country's tax revenue service. So, would the taxes you pay be worth the income you gain from building your own & selling them?

2) With today's low-priced computers, the low-end is basically a cheap commodity. Dell/HP/Lenovo can usually build & sell it cheaper than you can assemble it.

3) For the people who are going to buy your computers, are you offering to service & support them as well as offering them a warranty? If the motherboard only has a 1-yr mfg warranty, and by the time you sold the computer, it was a month later - what happens if the board dies 11 months later? Are you going to replace that board for free?

Generally, when people look at the above issues, they usually don't go into a business of building & selling computers. Perhaps they build them for family & friends, but then they usually have the obligation of supporting them.


1) I do realize that. But in "my" European country, they're pretty pesky about it, they'll find it out automatically.

2) Well, I don't think so. Monster desktop computer that I found, which costs 6500 (from shop). I can assemble for about 2000 and if everything goes alright and can even add some extra's.

3) So, there will be unofficial warranty. But my plans, are to be it like "You bought it, I assembled it, You get it". So, I think that I will provide software assistance online. Like, how to install drivers and stuff. But I don't expect giving hardware warranty, because everything should work, because it will be tested out and if it won't work, customer will be given new one. Offcourse, if guy calls me after 1-6 weeks and says "You son of motherhumper. My PC is on fire because of YOU!!". I will give him a new one; well; except if I see hardware changes, then I say "Flip off!".


No offense to you, but #3 is why I wouldn't buy a computer from you. You can't control if the hardware will last throughout its warranty, but as a customer, I would expect ANY component that fails within one year to be replaced w/o cost to me.
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May 5, 2014 11:12:53 AM

2Be_or_Not2Be said:

No offense to you, but #3 is why I wouldn't buy a computer from you. You can't control if the hardware will last throughout its warranty, but as a customer, I would expect ANY component that fails within one year to be replaced w/o cost to me.


Totally understandable.
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May 5, 2014 9:56:09 PM

In my European country (Be), there are a lot of issues, namely:

-You have to register as a selfemployed trader.
-If you make over a certain amount of profit (around 1400€/year) you pay social security
-Your end profit (=sale - social contributions - costs) on you selling your rigs gets added onto the salary of your regular employment and taxed gets in the same way.
So basically you're lucky to get 50% of the actual profit margin in your pocket!

And then the biggest issue, you, as a seller, have to give 2 years of warranty. Regardless whether the hardware vendor only gives 1 year to you, you still have to give 2 years to your customers!!!This is for all European countries!

http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/ecc/consumer_topics/buyin...


So, doable if only to friends and family, try on a bigger scale (like 2nd hand advertising boards etc) and the taxman will find you. Most countries have an automated system checking all those advertising websites to look for returning names, phone numbers etc to find regular traders!
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a b à CPUs
May 5, 2014 10:06:20 PM

You get stuck in pal. I will be your first customer.
Do me half a million units by september ready for xmas.
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May 6, 2014 3:54:21 AM

tea urchin said:
You get stuck in pal. I will be your first customer.
Do me half a million units by september ready for xmas.


Stuck in pal? Dafuq. Half units of what? You don't say Jack Doodeley.
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May 12, 2014 10:33:15 AM

It would be a good idea for you to check out http://microsoft.com/oem, as there are regulations for system builders regarding the installation of Windows on a system intended for resale, e.g. the End User License Agreement must be accepted by the end user (customer) not the system builder (reseller). To which end the system is generally resealed to the Out of Box Experience (OOBE) state (i.e. Windows Welcome) via Sysprep. Details specific to your country will be available through the OEM Partner Center.
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