Starting my own online hardware shop

It's a good idea, but like mentioned prior to my post, it's a tough market to get into. The hardware market in general is incredibly cut-throat and very competitive. If you cannot provide decent products and decent prices with decent warranties compared to your competitors then it's not a good idea. But considering you are clued up on the hardware side of things, you have an advantage.

I just think that one needs to be rather careful, as in any business, but this industry is far from quiet. Personally, I would say focus on service quality, there are many a retailer out there who does not give a toss about whether their customers are happy generally and are provided with decent support even after sale. Have had a few bad experiences, some of them being with Zaps, I would use others downfalls as a baseline. Other than that perhaps something based on overclocked or performance PC's alone.
 
Cranky said:
hey dude good luck. We need the competitive edge and if you are honest with people and give them the service they don't expect ( good service ) they will come back over and over again
Click to expand...

Thanx and yeah I believe in giving the best service I possibly can. Ask anyone that has ever dealt with me :)

matt said:
Are you going to be a wholly e-commerce business? If so, you need a name that makes for a snappy URL. Maybe something like gamerigs.co.za?
Click to expand...

That's a pretty cool idea. Will mention it to my brother and see what he thinks.
 
I think it's worth it considering, like you said people get taken for a ride and ja I think if people realize that your profit margin is higher due to the fact that you're giving the public their money's worth, then why not.
 
XeroS1x said:
It's a good idea, but like mentioned prior to my post, it's a tough market to get into. The hardware market in general is incredibly cut-throat and very competitive. If you cannot provide decent products and decent prices with decent warranties compared to your competitors then it's not a good idea. But considering you are clued up on the hardware side of things, you have an advantage.

I just think that one needs to be rather careful, as in any business, but this industry is far from quiet. Personally, I would say focus on service quality, there are many a retailer out there who does not give a toss about whether their customers are happy generally and are provided with decent support even after sale. Have had a few bad experiences, some of them being with Zaps, I would use others downfalls as a baseline. Other than that perhaps something based on overclocked or performance PC's alone.
Click to expand...

Well that's where the whole idea started.
I think the current retailers are shitty to be quite honest, some of them are good and they offer ok prices but I am still not convinced that they are the best. I want to be the best. I want people to get the best possible gaming rigs and accessories for the best possible prices.

When I build rigs, I pour hours into them, ask anyone who bought a gaming rig from me. My work speaks for itself.

I really wanna focus on doing custom chassis and possibly even our own range of custom built chassis, although that is a future project I don't see why it can't work. Someone in the thread mentioned that there aren't enough people doing exciting things with pc's, I have to agree..Even just matching colors on a rig can make the world of difference and can give you a completely different look.

Thanx for all the input guys.
 
sycogrim said:
I think it's worth it considering, like you said people get taken for a ride and ja I think if people realize that your profit margin is higher due to the fact that you're giving the public their money's worth, then why not.
Click to expand...

Yea dude, if you charge a little more than other people, but you actually give people what they want/need and solid advice and good service, people will gladly pay a premium price.
 
The Joker said:
Well that's where the whole idea started.
I think the current retailers are shitty to be quite honest, some of them are good and they offer ok prices but I am still not convinced that they are the best. I want to be the best. I want people to get the best possible gaming rigs and accessories for the best possible prices.

When I build rigs, I pour hours into them, ask anyone who bought a gaming rig from me. My work speaks for itself.

I really wanna focus on doing custom chassis and possibly even our own range of custom built chassis, although that is a future project I don't see why it can't work. Someone in the thread mentioned that there aren't enough people doing exciting things with pc's, I have to agree..Even just matching colors on a rig can make the world of difference and can give you a completely different look.

Thanx for all the input guys.
Click to expand...

Absolutely man! You have the right idea. Quality of your products and decent service will go a long way, and hopefully will make you the best. I might actually need to buy a new rig soonish. Hope you launch your business and let it be a success:)
 
matt said:
Yea dude, if you charge a little more than other people, but you actually give people what they want/need and solid advice and good service, people will gladly pay a premium price.
Click to expand...

Which is exactly where I wanna be. I won't necessarily charge premium prices, although the full on custom built chassis and rigs will cost a little bit more because of the sheer amount of work that will go into them.

XeroS1x said:
Absolutely man! You have the right idea. Quality of your products and decent service will go a long way, and hopefully will make you the best. I might actually need to buy a new rig soonish. Hope you launch your business and let it be a success:)
Click to expand...

Thank you very much :D

I look forward to doing business with you guys :D
 
If your helping of forum members is anything to go by, your endeavour will be a resounding success.
Good luck
 
Or Jokers. My name may be funny, but my prices are dead serious.

The tagline is unfortunately open to abuse.
 
How about forming a partnership with the mygaming shop you handle hardware and someone handles the games?
 
Murph said:
Or Jokers. My name may be funny, but my prices are dead serious.

The tagline is unfortunately open to abuse.
Click to expand...

Que?

why-so-serious-1.jpg
 
lol thanx for all the good luck wishes guys :) I really appreciate it.

As for a partnership with the mygaming shop, I am not sure they are even doing that anymore xD
If that did happen it would be good for both businesses..Will think about that :)
 
Hmm, i don't know about willingness to pay... My experience is people ask for tons of advice and quotes... then get their brother/friend/zoobiscuit to buy the stuff and build it.

Don't go for lowest price as there is no such thing in the computer industry, it is too small on margins most of the time. Things like service, etc will get you rep. if you are a similar price to competitors but if that is all you have going for you it will be tough and one bad experience reported on a site like MyG will kill that advantage. What you want is to be known for service that differentiates you. Like following up on how the person is enjoying their item, being quick on the ball when it comes to issues with parts that are faulty.

The custom shop will be a major point for you though, most retailers don't have guys that know tech and are trying to work something out for them and not just drop a generic product onto them. People like to hear how each component is the best for their situation and that they are getting value for their money. And that usually comes from knowing that they aren't wasting money on a certain part... every single one is what is best for their budget. If you can provide people with that, I believe they will buy from you and more importantly, tell others to buy from you.
 
DarthSWNT said:
Hmm, i don't know about willingness to pay... My experience is people ask for tons of advice and quotes... then get their brother/friend/zoobiscuit to buy the stuff and build it.

Don't go for lowest price as there is no such thing in the computer industry, it is too small on margins most of the time. Things like service, etc will get you rep. if you are a similar price to competitors but if that is all you have going for you it will be tough and one bad experience reported on a site like MyG will kill that advantage. What you want is to be known for service that differentiates you. Like following up on how the person is enjoying their item, being quick on the ball when it comes to issues with parts that are faulty.

The custom shop will be a major point for you though, most retailers don't have guys that know tech and are trying to work something out for them and not just drop a generic product onto them. People like to hear how each component is the best for their situation and that they are getting value for their money. And that usually comes from knowing that they aren't wasting money on a certain part... every single one is what is best for their budget. If you can provide people with that, I believe they will buy from you and more importantly, tell others to buy from you.
Click to expand...


I plan on letting the work speak for itself and I am a firm believer in proper customer care and satisfaction. This is where the idea came from, if read one of my earlier posts you'll see that I am kind of GAT VOL to see how the end user gets screwed. They pay premium prices for shit quality.

The custom side of things will attract more business for sure :) and that's the whole idea.

Thanx again for all the input guys.

Also I still need a name xD

I really like the sound of gamersrigs.co.za
 
Last edited:
The Joker said:
I plan on letting the work speak for itself and I am a firm believer in proper customer care and satisfaction. This is where the idea came from, if read one of my earlier posts you'll see that I am kind of GAT VOL to see how the end user gets screwed. They pay premium prices for shit quality.

The custom side of things will attract more business for sure :) and that's the whole idea.

Thanx again for all the input guys.

Also I still need a name xD

I really like the sound of gamersrigs.co.za
Click to expand...
Totally. And it should end in good results.

I'm sorry but my creativity is about that of a tyre. There are 2 things you need to consider, SEO and the brand image. SEO likes having what you do in your name. People like some creative and interesting names.

Your name can be different from your domain name if you don't mind losing people that just input the name of the business as the weburl hoping to find you... but then again you can just register both and point them to the one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top