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Just a quick survey...

Would you be interested?

  • Yes.

    Votes: 26 26.0%

  • No.

    Votes: 12 12.0%

  • If the prices would good.

    Votes: 44 44.0%

  • I'd come into to chat.

    Votes: 11 11.0%

  • I'd really like to see more services.

    Votes: 7 7.0%
  • Total voters
    100
J

JeffB

Limp Gawd
Joined
Nov 10, 2003
Messages
283
If someone were to open up a "mod shop" near you, that carried common mod parts such as ducts, modder's mesh, and that-plaster-stuff, would you be interested in going there? There could be services for custom jobs, or you could just come in and get some free advice and have a place to hang out and show off your custom creation.

The reason I'm asking, is because I'd really like to open up a small technology based business, and this is one of my favorite ideas.

Thanks guys,
Jeff
 
really depends on the neighborhood and demographic.... say if ur in a area chock full of crazy mod guys that does nothing but computers all day then yeah.
 
A mod shop would be nice. But you really wouldnt survive locally on that alone. You could specialize in that, but you'd also need to be open to generic repairs and offer nice custom systems at a reasonable price.

One thing that seems to work well for me is showing off your own work. Not only the crazy lights and water setups. But also really nice clean setups, even those not to interested into computers are very impressed seeing wires disappear in a computer.

If you want to start something like this, be prepared to work your ass off getting the word out. Make sure you get all your friends talking about you, etc. When I first opened up my shop it was really rough, real real rough. But over time its grown to be a really good thing. Once you've got a good amount of customers under your belt they get everyone they know coming to you, and you have them hooked for life.
 
You'd have to open up a online store too. Other than being cheap, it's an easy way to keep yourself afloat when the local orders stop coming in.
 
Skrying said:
A mod shop would be nice. But you really wouldnt survive locally on that alone. You could specialize in that, but you'd also need to be open to generic repairs and offer nice custom systems at a reasonable price.

One thing that seems to work well for me is showing off your own work. Not only the crazy lights and water setups. But also really nice clean setups, even those not to interested into computers are very impressed seeing wires disappear in a computer.

If you want to start something like this, be prepared to work your ass off getting the word out. Make sure you get all your friends talking about you, etc. When I first opened up my shop it was really rough, real real rough. But over time its grown to be a really good thing. Once you've got a good amount of customers under your belt they get everyone they know coming to you, and you have them hooked for life.
Click to expand...
M4rk said:
You'd have to open up a online store too. Other than being cheap, it's an easy way to keep yourself afloat when the local orders stop coming in.
Click to expand...

Those are some great ideas, thanks guys. I really like the online shop and showcasing clean computers.

Thanks,
Jeff
 
I'd definately swing by and grab a few things :) Also, you should start up a local lan party so everyone can show off their/your work and have some fun!
 
think about how many harcore modders there are? maybe 500 that are very serious? 7-9,000 that a pretty into DIY? and the rest what? you avrage thermaltkaker with pre mod stuff? the premod stuff can be bought at compusa now. if you too lazy to wait 2 days for shipping...

Personally I would rather order exactly the stuff I want and have it next day then drive somewhere and pick from there over priced selection.

sorry, I think its a bad Idea and a big hug metal barrel to burn money in..

EDIT: forgot to mention alot of stuff used in mods is homedepot or auto parts stuff...
 
It's a novel idea. But as mentioned above, most people that mod go to auto stores or whatnot, you'd have to have other ways to bring in money. Like selling custom PCs you design, PC servicing. A lan setup... Whatever else you can think of.
 
I've never been to an actual LAN party before, is there a cover charge or what?

Thanks,
Jeff
 
There was a modders store that had opened up near my house. It was there for about 8 months. Then closed.

Business was slow. Plus the stuff he had in his shop sucked.
 
JeffB said:
I've never been to an actual LAN party before, is there a cover charge or what?

Thanks,
Jeff
Click to expand...
Normally there's an entrace fee.

Here's an idea: pair up with a coffee shop. You can have a large lan area right next to the coffee (pray no one spills thiers) and the store for custom pcs right next to that, seperated of course. The "modding" section shouldn't be your main focus. People know what a good PC shop is, they have no idea what a "mod" shop is unless you're talking about cars. Selling a few custom-built computers and some new video/computer games will work too.

If you can't find a coffee shop to team up with, just find a Starbucks around your area and buy the store next to it, lol.
 
Yeah, a friend and I were talking about opening up a LAN center at one point, and doing custom case jobs as well. In our town there are no lan centers, and only 1 or 2 small computer shops. But a couple LAN centers tried to open up but both died out pretty quickly. I would bet that a modding shop would be in the same boat. Just not the customer base centralized enough. I personally think it would be a really cool and fun job to own a business like that, but I just don't know how far off the ground it would get. :( I would say that if you were able to pull off a combination of LAN center, case repairs/customizing and the mod supplies, it might bring in customers, but you'd have to be really conscious of location. Since I know a good portion of the modders are still in school, they might not have access to a car. Just something to think about. If you pull it off, that would be awesome though. Good luck to ya :)
 
A mod shop would be cool (I could have used one last week), but you will not survive on that alone. You will need to sell PC hardware, repair computers, build computer, mod cases, etc. You might also consider having a large room with power/LAN and tables to rent out for LANs (or hosting your own pay-per-seat LANs). That would be cool.

Hosting a few free LANs would be a good way to get your name out and advertise. An occasional giveaway for a low-cost item (HSF, sleeve kit, PSU, cheap case, etc) would also be good advertising.
 
If it were in my area, I would swing by, buy stuff, chat it up but realistically..... I don't think it would last in any are.... I can't think of that many modders out there period
 
Open a lan center along with the shop. Sell Xbox's and Playstations too, just to stay in business...

:)

Tho odds are most small high end PC shops don't last :(
 
There was a mod shop 15 minutes from my house. Anyone with any skills with a Dremel avoided it like a plauge. Prices were rediculous!

Now if you open a laser/watercutting facility, or an anodizing/powercoat shop, or maybe a sheet aluminum fabrication store I'd be there almost daily. Hell... even a laser etching shop might make some money (there's only a few places online offering that service) then maybe I'd stop down.

But I'm not paying for you to hide my cables for me and sleeve my PSU then slap a coat of paint on the outside.

I also worked at a cyber cafe down the street... they thought LAN would supliment the income from the coffee... they've been there 3 years and still haven't seen a black month. After a while they just put in wireless and said the hell with trying to make money on the T1.
 
Alright, heres my $.02, Being a newbie at case modding Ive always wanted one of those friggin cool cases that are custom painted and have the watercooling runing through them with the resivoir on the side.... see where im goin. But me doing this = complete disaster. If the prices were good and there was a modshop near ther I would go to it definetly.
 
For the LAN aspect, would you suggest:
1. Have all computers on site with one flat rate charge.
2. Have some computers on site for rent.
3. Bring your own computer only.

Personally, I really like option 1 because it allows me to control everything, and not worry about what's on somebody's computer.
I've read about how places like Alienware and others sponser some LAN centers, would this be an option? Or should I build all the computers myself?

Jeff
 
JeffB said:
For the LAN aspect, would you suggest:
1. Have all computers on site with one flat rate charge.
2. Have some computers on site for rent.
3. Bring your own computer only.

Personally, I really like option 1 because it allows me to control everything, and not worry about what's on somebody's computer.
I've read about how places like Alienware and others sponser some LAN centers, would this be an option? Or should I build all the computers myself?

Jeff
Click to expand...


hmmm, This is a [queer word]tuffy[/queer word], It all depends on what kind of PC's you have, if you have Kickass ones then I would suggest that, but if they are mainstream then idk, either one would do, and what I would reccommend is Option 1 with good PC's but you bring your own keyboard/mouse/speakers so you dont have 2 get stuck w/ important tools like that.
 
I would say a combination of permanent computers, and a BYOC (cring your own computer) area.. Most LAN centers offer a set number of computers preconfigured, with a selection of games available. The biggest expense in this department is not the hardware, but the licencing for the games for multiple computers. Some game companies have "commercial" licencing so one code will run on several machines, but some of those licences are expensive.
A lot of successful LAN centers have this, plus a BYOC area for larger LANs or tournaments. If you do all-nighter lan parties on a semi-regular basis, you would be able to build a strong regular customer base. LAN parties are really popular at the moment. (Just look at QuakeCon and the like) I think that a playstation/xbox area also networked is a good idea as well. Xboxes and playstations will be an easier money maker, basically because you don't have to constantly upgrade them like you would the computers. If you had the mod shop and computer building as well, peopple, even hardcore modders would have a place to not only get supplies for their rigs, but could have a place to socialize face to face, and game at the same time. The market is definitely there, but the mod shop by itself I don't see as having a large enough customer base. With this combination, you would be making a modern day arcade of sorts, where gamers can mingle with other gamers. This is what I have learned from my research into LAN centers and LAN party companies. There are a lot of successful lan centers out there, but the hard part is getting hte loyal consumer base that will give out word of mouth.
 
I dont really think there would be much of a market for case modding, considering how much you would have to charge people just to make it worth your time. I see car modding/painting and car modding/painting the same. You can pay $7,000 to get the local paint shop to strip your car, take the doors out, take the car apart and repaint it. Or, you can save a few grand in labor and do it yerself.

What I think would be really cool, if you made custom parts. Sometimes when im modding my cases, I need some pretty weird shit made up. I have a problem with muscle controll, and cannot use a plasma cutter for the sake of my life, unless I have it up against a guide. And, some of us arnt fortunate to have a plasma cutter to use.

Think about all the tools you need to really get the job done right. Sheet metal brake, jumpshear, plasma-cutter, grinders, etc. That is a lot of junk that people really dont have access to. Im thinking, people send in drawings of things and the company cuts them out or makes them.
 
bob said:
Think about all the tools you need to really get the job done right. Sheet metal brake, jumpshear, plasma-cutter, grinders, etc. That is a lot of junk that people really dont have access to. Im thinking, people send in drawings of things and the company cuts them out or makes them.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly... I'm tired of taking cases or drawing to fabrication / auto body shops, explaining what I want done, then looking at all the faces staring back at me over the counter.

The only guys who seem okay are Harley guys. They're so used to strange one-run requests that nothing phases them anymore. But to be able to walk into a professional fabrication shop experienced at making/modding PC gear, hand over a drawing, wait a day or two and walk in to pick it up without hassle would be great!
 
The custom part idea is great, mainly because I know some people who are very talented in those areas.
So what kind of custom parts would you guys prefer? Pre-made? Or fully custom pieces?
Would you want a waterjet for intricate designs? Or a plasma cutter for holes and sheets?

Jeff
 
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