What’s The Best Way To Make Money From Computer Repair?

Many of you have either entertained the idea of opening a small computer repair shop or may have one in operation already. However as you’re probably aware, there isn’t much money to be made when working for yourself doing that trade, because it is the equivalent of the old-school VCR repairman.

There is however a way to make a decent profit from computer repair.

Don’t fix computers. Don’t offer any PC repair services. Even if you currently have clientele, drop the biz.

What you should be fixing and reselling are monitors.

Computer monitors have never significantly decreased in price because they cost so much to make. Even today, a brand new 17-inch monitor sells for a minimum $100.

Everybody needs a monitor, as in the LCD kind (don’t bother with CRTs), and monitors are expensive so you will always have customers.

All ‘plain’ LCD monitors (monitor only, no built-in speakers or other nonsense) more or less work the same way. On nearly all LCD monitors that bust, the screen is usually in 100% working condition, and as far as what broke, it was probably the backlight, signal cable or ribbon connector – all of which are easily replaceable. Concerning the signal cable and connector, these can usually be fixed at zero cost if you’re handy with a soldering iron and know how to reconnect small cables.

Pros of LCD monitor repair

Steady stream of customers

Every time you post a monitor for sale in Craigslist, it’s more or less guaranteed to sell assuming it’s in 100% working condition and under 5 years old.

Very profitable

A 17-inch monitor that works 100% is worth at least $50.

You can expand to televisions to get even more business

Tube TV’s aren’t sold in any major department stores anymore; they’re all LCD. Once you learn how to fix and repair an LCD monitor, fixing an LCD television really isn’t all that different.

Cons of LCD monitor repair

Requires routinely working with very tiny parts

You need good steady hands to work with the parts in an LCD monitor. The ribbon cables are tiny. The screws are tiny. Almost everything is tiny. You have to have patience and work slowly with these screens.

If you’ve never repaired a monitor before, you’ll probably break the first one

The best way to dive into LCD monitor repair is to buy a broken one and attempt to fix it. On attempt you will probably break it. If so, don’t worry about it. Just try to get it partially working. If you can at least get that fixed, chances are you’ll be able to fix the next one back to 100%.

Requires a small investment to buy stock

People are more than happy to offload their busted LCD monitors on you because they’re basically unsellable in non-working condition – but they will probably insist on at least a small payment. It will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 to 30 dollars. Knowing you can resell it for at least $50 if you can fix it, it’s worth it to try.

A lot of service manual reading is required

While every LCD monitor works roughly the same way, each model’s way of servicing will be different. Sometimes by a little, sometimes by a lot. You will need to become familiarized with how to read service manuals for LCD monitors so you know what to look for, how to take it apart, fix/repair and put it back together.