Starting my own online hardware shop

The Joker

The Joker

Thread Killer MKII
So guys I want you're thoughts on the following.

I have been a gamer for the last 15 or so years, been building pc's for quite a few years.
I mainly did it as a hobby but lately I have found myself thinking its time to expand on this and get something going.

I am considering starting a online pc hardware shop.

Only slight difference..You'll only be able to buy Pre Built gaming rigs, Overclocked versions or stock versions of the machines will be available, with or without monitors ect.

I will also be selling Parts but like I said it will be focused on gaming hardware.

I feel that there are many uneducated people out there that buy from ( Won't mention names ) and then get taken for a ride, paying way more than said pc is worth ect. I think its a disgrace to be honest.

I am busy doing research and looking at getting my website up and running soon.

Any input will be appreciated.
Thanx in advance.
 
A pretty tough market to get into but I say if you are passionate about it then go for it by all mean's. This country needs more entrepreneurs as it is.
 
I think its an awesome idea, you have the knowlage, passion and connections. So I will support you and I will get every one I know to do the same, as the owner of one of your built rigs I can say from experience that it will be great having some one as hounest and skilled as you to get stuff from. Good luck buddy if there is any way I can help just let me know.
 
Sick Boy said:
I think its an awesome idea, you have the knowlage, passion and connections. So I will support you and I will get every one I know to do the same, as the owner of one of your built rigs I can say from experience that it will be great having some one as hounest and skilled as you to get stuff from. Good luck buddy if there is any way I can help just let me know.
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Thanx dude and yeah you know how I do things :D
Might wanna take some pics of you're rig for the site, will let you know.

Maplassie said:
as long as I get Plassie discount
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:D lol Ons sal maar sien oom
 
No stress bud you just let me know and it will be done :) but I might have to charge you for that whahahaha
 
Great idea Joker!

Seeing that I will need a new rig in the future, now I know where to go to... LOL
 
Hey,

the market is pretty full of online retailers and you would need to differentiate yourself quite a bit. I see you are planning on overclock'ed machines which will be something different as well as starting as a mygaming member so you will likely have support of a large community.

The big problem with online retailing in SA is that the cost of shipping is high. I sometimes find it is cheaper to send a parcel overseas rather than CTN-JHB. A lot of retailers operate at 2.5-5% margin on fast moving items like parts and higher on larger purchases of rigs/laptops and monitors.

2 things I have learned while trying out online trade are:
- People like credit cards, credit cards attract 5% cost to the retailer which eats margin and has annoyances setting up and maintaining a facility.
- Businesses like VAT vendors. It is a bit of a mission to operate as a VAT vendor

Hope this helps :)
 
Fabio said:
Great idea Joker!

Seeing that I will need a new rig in the future, now I know where to go to... LOL
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lol You better :D

DarthSWNT said:
Hey,

the market is pretty full of online retailers and you would need to differentiate yourself quite a bit. I see you are planning on overclock'ed machines which will be something different as well as starting as a mygaming member so you will likely have support of a large community.

The big problem with online retailing in SA is that the cost of shipping is high. I sometimes find it is cheaper to send a parcel overseas rather than CTN-JHB. A lot of retailers operate at 2.5-5% margin on fast moving items like parts and higher on larger purchases of rigs/laptops and monitors.

2 things I have learned while trying out online trade are:
- People like credit cards, credit cards attract 5% cost to the retailer which eats margin and has annoyances setting up and maintaining a facility.
- Businesses like VAT vendors. It is a bit of a mission to operate as a VAT vendor

Hope this helps :)
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I totally agree, what gets to me is how certain retailers rip people off and because they are uneducated they end up returning to that shop for their pc needs.

As for the credit card issue..was talking to my brother about that last night. We'll have to work around that or possibly add the 5% on top of the final product price.

Shipping is quite expensive, I do have a mate that owns a courier company so will chat to him and see if we can arrange something. I also don't mind doing the deliveries myself if its in and around JHB/PTA.

Thanx for the input.

Might sponsor a prize for the my gaming comp towards the end of the year :) Good advertising that.
 
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Hey good on you Joker. It's a big thing to start your own business. I hope it works out for you. I'm sure you'll have support from the MyG community from the jump at least
 
The Joker said:
I totally agree, what gets to me is how certain retailers rip people off and because they are uneducated they end up returning to that shop for their pc needs.

As for the credit card issue..was talking to my brother about that last night. We'll have to work around that or possibly add the 5% on top of the final product price.

Shipping is quite expensive, I do have a mate that owns a courier company so will chat to him and see if we can arrange something. I also don't mind doing the deliveries myself if its in and around JHB/PTA.
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What I found works is to add the 5% but then offer cash/eft discounts. But that is micro managing, we are talking strategy now and I was just pointing out that some things can eat away at profit quite easily.

You may also want to look at customisation... The weird thing about the PC market is that it is full of people providing standard stuff that many people don't want. I look at these generic offerings and see one or two components that I would like to avoid and therefore avoid the whole purchase.

It is all about differentiation and you have to find something big enough or many things that make up what makes your business work.

The cool thing is that you have a community to ask about what they want. So go for it :)
 
matt said:
Hey good on you Joker. It's a big thing to start your own business. I hope it works out for you. I'm sure you'll have support from the MyG community from the jump at least
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Thanx and yeah I am sure I will.

I want to keep it totally focused on gaming pc's. Whether its a little budget rig or a fully fledged monster rig, they will be designed and built for gaming purposes. Same goes for all the Accessories, will be totally focused on gaming brands.
 
That's awesome dude, I might be a customer some time in the future if u get this set up because I REALLI need a gaming pc coz my "gaming" laptop is not Gna be able to keep up with the newer games..:P :)
 
DarthSWNT said:
What I found works is to add the 5% but then offer cash/eft discounts. But that is micro managing, we are talking strategy now and I was just pointing out that some things can eat away at profit quite easily.

You may also want to look at customisation... The weird thing about the PC market is that it is full of people providing standard stuff that many people don't want. I look at these generic offerings and see one or two components that I would like to avoid and therefore avoid the whole purchase.

It is all about differentiation and you have to find something big enough or many things that make up what makes your business work.

The cool thing is that you have a community to ask about what they want. So go for it :)
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Yip I agree once again.

We are actually busy looking into building our own custom diamond plate pc chassis.
Will also be offering custom airbrush jobs on chassis ( These will cost a pretty penny though)
There are many different and epic ways to build custom chassis and I will be looking into it. I really want the shop to be different and unique, offering the latest tech at good prices.
 
You know what I've found ridiculously hard to get in this country are decent gaming headsets. I was trying to get hold of some Tritton AX180's or Tutle Beach PX21's, but the only viable way to get them is to order them from overseas. Maybe you could look at getting some of those sort of things in. Doesn't seem like many people stock stuff like that, and it might be a cool differentiating factor
 
matt said:
You know what I've found ridiculously hard to get in this country are decent gaming headsets. I was trying to get hold of some Tritton AX180's or Tutle Beach PX21's, but the only viable way to get them is to order them from overseas. Maybe you could look at getting some of those sort of things in. Doesn't seem like many people stock stuff like that, and it might be a cool differentiating factor
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That is exactly what I plan on doing.
Will offer a whole range of gaming peripherals, Ranging from mid range to high end stuff.
 
Sick Boy said:
Dam I better start saving again, whaha I can see where my X-mas bonus is going :)
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:D

Also gotta start thinking about a name..My mate suggested calling the shop B.A.T (Bad Ass Tech) I think its a little over the edge though lol. You guys have any ideas for a catchy but pretty epic name?
 
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
 
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?
 
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