Hi Everybody,
I'm looking at writing a book/report untitled:
"How to Build Your Own PC at $50 Over Dealer Cost"......
Basically I'd like to get everybody’s feedback in regards to:
a) Whether there's a need for such a report/book to be written in the first place?;
b) If so, what content you'd like to see covered?; and
c) If such a book/report existed -- would you be willing to pay in between $27-$47 to own it?
Brief background on myself:
I've worked in computers (specifically in hardware) for the past 10 years as:
1. A qualified technician.
2. Owner of my own computer retail store for several years.
At the start of my career, I took pride in building the best possible systems for the best possible price. In fact I ended up personally building just under 1000 systems in total – with only 2 refunds every occurring.
Fast forward the clock several years later…. and I'd become disheartened about the state of the industry, namely:
1. How many small, medium and large manufacturers/dealers were blatantly ripping off consumers;
2. The deceptive smoke and mirror campaigns taken out by component manufacturers (*cough cough* think original P4 CPUs);
3. Dealers not honouring warranties properly or taking their customer support seriously; and
4. Uneducated sales staff that were given their complementary “2 week crash course in computers” -- and then let loose on the unsuspecting public.
At the end of the day, after several years I had enough. I decided to close up shop and move into web design and software development instead.
Since then, I've had friends constantly calling for advice about
:
- Which system configuration to get?
- How to get the best price (i.e. how to get proper wholesale prices)?
- Which brands are reputable and which ones to stay away from?
Last month, a good friend of mine showed me a quote for a new system he was looking at and asked me if I could check it out.
Upon further investigation -- what I discovered was pretty scary!
His local computer store had pulled every trick in the book, but had "juiced" up the jargon and specifications in his quote to make it sound like a quality system.
What they were if fact selling was a low quality cheap and nasty knock-together job.
Well, I paid a quick visit to the store and confronted the sales rep who put together the quote.
To say he was "mildly embarrassed" when I pointed out all the flaws would be an understatement. Having been a dealer and technician myself – I knew every scam he had pulled.
After this saga, I thought to myself "I'm sure there are thousands of computer enthusiasts who are in the same boat".
People who are constantly building or upgrading their systems that would value from a practical report exposing all the scams and tricks of the industry.
I searched through Borders and Google to see if similar titles existed -- nothing.
All I could find were those lame "how to buy a computer for dummies" type books. The problem with these titles is that the authors themselves have never actually worked in the industry – let alone behind the scenes.
Their advice basically boils down to “shop around”, which is totally useless – especially if you don’t know what you’re “shopping around” for in the first place.
What do you think people?
If you had a best friend who owner a computer store -- what information would you want to know?
Do you think there is a need for this type of report/book? ... Or have I been exposed to few too many power supply surges
If I do decide the write it – it will take a solid 6 months worth of work from start to finish – so I’m relying on your feedback to decide whether or not it’s worth the effort.
I’m confident that anyone who purchased the book would:
1. Save hundreds (and in some cases thousands) off the costs of systems and components;
2. Ensure they never got screwed by dealer again; and
3. End up with a top quality, well configured unit that suits there needs.
Any feedback – good, bad and ugly is appreciated.
Look forward to your views/opinions.
Thanks,
Adrian
as AE said this is a type of market thats basicallly changing as we speek so your looking at the buyers end of thre market and how to look for bargains or how to not buy into the "next best thing".
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