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client build

M

Modder man

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
May 13, 2009
Messages
1,770
not sure if this is the right place to put this, im looking for ideas.

I found a guy online who would like me to build him a pc. Here is the problem, i dont want to buy the parts all upfront and have him possibly backout, poor college kid i cant afford that. And he understandably doesnt want to pay for it all up front either as he has no way of knowing if he will ever even see it. Is there any good way to handle something like this?
 
First, give us an idea of what he wants. Answer the questions listed in the "Asking for Build Help?" sticky.

Second, give us more details of this "deal." How much do you know about your potential "client"? Where online did you run into him? Why are you considering helping him?
 
Have him buy the parts at Newegg, shipped to his house. You charge him a labor fee. You both know where each other live.
Draw up a simple agreement that both of you sign. You're gonna end up being his troubleshooting bitch so make sure you put in the agreement that any 'service calls' unrelated to craftsmanship/workmanship are charged at your normal rate. Also have in the agreement that once he takes his PC to someone else for troubleshooting, you no longer take reponsibility for any kind of hardware/software support.

If you're good, you'll offer free labor for swapping out any defective parts, customer pays shipping costs. (If you're good, you know what good quality parts are and your customers won't have to take you up on your offer). Offer your customer the choice of the cheapie or expensive power supply, but put it in writing that they understand the risks of going with a cheap one.

If for some reason things get sour, he gets to keep the parts and you're just out labor and time.

EDIT: I don't do sidework anymore and it's been hard getting rid of old customers. In old I mean both, that they've been with me for a long time and they are typically elderly. They don't trust anyone else, and I've told customers that it may be months before I can get to them, but after they've delt with Geek Squad, they're willing to wait. It sucks, because I don't charge them the $65 rate I normally would back when I did sidework, but my conscience won't let them be victims for Geek Squad, plus I appreciate their loyalty when I needed their business. My point is, if you're going to do this more often once you have a taste of the money you can make, do high-end stuff only, because people looking for budget builds are just going to wear you out.
 
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id the parts are shipped to his house how am i going to build it. he is in cali and i am in MO. i am doing the build in the first place beacuse i want to be build computers more often but i cant afford to have anymore of my own.
 
i posted an add on a forums that i was willing to build custom PC's. but i am thinking if he is not willing to pay for the parts up front this is not worth my time
 
If you can't travel to the person's house to give him a PC, it will never be worth your time and money.

Walk away from this one.
 
so if you guys do custom builds how do u find people needing this stuff...everywhere i have posted adds locally with i havent had much luck
 
Here's the problem: nine times out of ten, most of us here are building systems for friends, family, and significant others. In other words, we're building systems for people that we trust.

From what little that you've told us, I get the impression that you're building a new system for a complete stranger (that you found online) and neither of you discussed any sort of business plan or payment option. Am I wrong?
 
we were discussing a plan, but i didnt really have any good ideas on how to make both of us feel safe. i am talking with him curretly and i think at this point he has agreed to this.

80 upfront to cover restocking fees if he backs out on me.
and the remainder is to be paid how he pleases but that it will not leave my house until i have the full balence
 
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