How long have you been in business

Since opening my store about 2 years ago, I have seen many, many PC stores close. It seems that the average life span of many of the "PC Experts" is about 6 months. Now when I see a "new guy" opening, I simply mark my calender and see how long they last. What are you other entrepreneurs finding, assuming that you are still around of course. More so, of the ones that are still around, what have you seen change over the last couple of years...

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Don't take life too seriously -- It isn't permanent

www.protechpc.com

hehe - never have been in business.
i do favors, which they return the favor with a check...
(actually - i dont - but it would be funny)

We have the same thing going on around here. A store opens, struggles, and dies. Sometimes all within 6 months.

If you have ridiculous overhead, do poor work, and show no respect for your customers your gonna fail!!

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:)

WildTech

**I'd rather be lucky than smart!!**

Wildtech: Me thinks you are correct. My guess also is that many failures come from lack of understanding. This is probably the toughest business around. Low margins, and plenty of room for mistakes. Add to that all the red tape involved in licenses, city restrictions, advertising costs, taxes, record keeping for the IRS and DOR, and it really becomes a BIG headache. Many of these stores that open are headed by (basically) a tech that thinks he/she can make a go of it. When they find out all the details - oops - out the go. These days, it is not as simple as just fixing the machine and collecting the money.

I am a lead tech at a small computer shop in the MN area. We have been around for 6 years or so. The company started out as a in-home biz, and the main focus was to know each customer by first name basis. After growing that strong customer base, we grew to a 8,000+ Sq. Ft. Building. This biz area is definatly the toughest. Worse than the car industry.

I'm in the process of closing my business right now.
I've been in business for myself for 6 1/2 years.
My customers don't want me to go, but I'm 42 years old, and I need to look into the future for retirement.
I've accepted a Store Manager position with Penske Auto Service, with all the benefits and a great salary.

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An obstacle is something you see when you take your eyes off your goal.

Just over a year now. Ran a branch office for someone else for 6 years before that. Good way to learn the tricks of the trade. I think that is one of the biggest mistakes made is not doing enough research before you open. That and you have to know your stuff and do quality work!

Glenn H. Shelton III
CBS Computers http://www.gcni.net/cbs

I checked out your website Hurricane. I like it. Coincidently, I'm taking the family to Disney next week, so I'll be right in your neck of the woods..... https://forums.windrivers.com/images.../2000/02/1.gif)

By the way, I forgot to mention in my earlier post, that I've been in the computer racket for almost 4 years now. I just opened my own shop in January of this year and its doing extremely well. I also operate a grocery store and a wholesale food supply busniess.

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:)

WildTech

**I'd rather be lucky than smart!!**

I have been in business four years now. The service end has steadily grown. Sales of new systems has declined over the past year. I see many new shops come and go, usually lasting only six months on the average. The main reason is from too high an overhead as well as too many people fighting over the same buck.

I work for a small company (two employees - me and the boss) that has been in business for 14 years.

Our Yellow Pages are littered with lots of computer companies that have been run out of business.

The important thing is to be honest with your customers, with the companies you deal with and don't take the easy way out, even if it may cost you more. There are alot of cheapskates out there, don't become one of them. They don't last long.
Also be flexible, our company doesn't repair ATARIs any more and we no longer sell software. Even with our hardware emphasis, we have great business most of the year.

And beware of the summer slow down! Plan for it!

Shutdown in June
In business for 21+ Years
Making more money working for someone else, and I don’t have the pressure of paying bills ECT...

What summer slowdown ? ... can't see any sign of it here in England ! God ( or somebody else) bless Uncle Bill and his flaky software, if it worked reliably, I might have to get a proper job !

I have personally been in the industry for 10 years, started in the military sector and now the private. I currently am an employee / owner of a computer services company. The employees purchased the company from the owners as of June 1, 2000 for 2.2 million dollars. We have now 13 locations.

Woo Hoo

We've been in business for more that 14 years now. i myself have 5 year experience as a tech and im thinking of going solo now. City I'm from has a weird market. Summers are crazy and the beginning of the year is slow. I do great work and i work out of my house as i moonlight for extra cash. I don't plan to go solo until i have enough money to prepare for the worst. Anyone have any suggestions?

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You're out of your Element!!!!!!!

I have been in business a little over 3 years. I have to say that this is a tough business with low profit margins. It also frustrating that there is so much cheap, trash being put out. My RMA's have more than tripled in the last year and several of my suppliers have simply folded up. In the mad race for speed and cheaper prices, I wish things would slow down a bit and manufacturers would pay more attention to quality.

Mike Keith