Is it worth it to do this?

[Surge1243]

I was just wondering if this would be worth my time and effort. I absolutely love building computers (I'm a fanatic you might say, but who isn't?). I'm trying to figure out how to put my skills toward making money. I'm 18 and going to college so I don't have a great deal of time on my hands. I was thinking about maybe starting a website, hosted by GeoCities or something like until I can afford to get an actual .com. Is there any profit to be made in simply building computers for people and shipping them out? I was thinking of just using PayPal as the payment option as I don't really know how to take credit card information and all that. I'm just worried that most people would tend to shy away from a custom built pc that I would have to sell for like $800-1000 just to make a small profit, when they could just get an HP for $499. Any thoughts guys, it's really appreciated? Thanks!

[Force Flow]

What you may want to do is distribute business cards locally first to drum up some business. Also, offering support seems to be more profitable than building machines.

Bottom line, I would work locally, then if business is good, expand.

[morriswindgate]

On a real small scale there is probably more money to be made selling AOL 8.0 disks at a swap meet. You can pick-up a little money by word of mouth and after you get use to all the problems then start offering for pay tech support and upgrade/repair.

[Confused]

Think about this. I'm selling a custom computer for $800.00. I live in a diffferent city and you do not know me.

Are you going to send me $800.00 or buy from a nationally known dealer for $499.00 using a credit card so that you have some protection?

You answer might be in there.

Chas

[Alienware_Dude]

.....but then again, every business has to start somewhere.

[Nuclear Krusader]

As FF2K and Morris stated: start your biz locally. It would be way easier for you and your clients. You will have an advantage web companies don't: you will provide on site personalized service. Ppl are more willing to pay to someone who goes over to their places and fix the computer than spending hours on the phone calling customer support.