Idea for a computer business...any good?

Hey Geeks!

I've been tossing around the idea of starting up a computer store on the island where I live. And along with this idea, I have been trying to come to a specific plan of what kind of stuff I want to offer in this store.

One of the service ideas I had recently was of renting out low end computers. There is a community of folks (about 600 or so) on this island from Brazil. They're usually here on a 6 month work visa (maybe it's extended for some). I was thinking that it would be useful for them to be able to get a computer here without having to worry about shipping it home or it being too expensive.

Do you think this is a feasible idea?

I was thinking it would be a low end processor (old Athlon processors or Celerons), on a mobo that doesn't allow overclocking and has build in sound and video. Supply a basic keyboard and mouse, and a cheap CRT monitor. Upon return of the machine, I can just wipe the drive and start over again.

What do you think? I'm really interested in your ideas/criticisms on this.

Thanks.

 

Feasible, yes. Financially viable, I don't know.

So you've identified your consumer - so survey them. See if it is something they would want, or do many of them have laptops anyway? Identify any other areas of potential comsumer too while you're at it.

Once you have a rough percentage of uptake, you can start to work out costings and see how much you would have to charge per consumer and if it was realistic.

 

I think that you may be better off setting up a WiFi hotspot for those that have laptops, and maybe also have Internet access terminals for checking email and such. Are these students, or business people? If students, maybe having .mp3 stations available for loading music, podcasts and such.

 

What's their phone access like? Maybe help them find a VOIP service that will work for them out there as well, like SunRocket, if they have broadband. Sounds kinda remote.

 

Good idea, TimW. A lot less worries than building / selling / hiring computers, once you have it set up and running. Always assuming that good, reliable, external communication link/s are available. Bazza

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People will always want to surf in privacy though,with the leased computers you have a guaranteed income with low overheads,it only takes a few flat weeks to put a shop out of business on the other hand you would only have to purchase the computers you can lease

You could get the computer leasing off straight away with only minimal fuss basically ask who wants one buy them,lease them,you'd have to be more carefull opening the cafe I'd do alot of research,dig your heels in the first couple of months can be hell until you have a regular customer base,get used to eating leftovers at the start

 

Not everyone has, wants, or can afford their own PC and internet connection though.

There are a couple of internet (and gaming) cafes locally here, and they are always full to overflowing.

 

Lots of Internet cafés here in Cairns city (at least) to cater for the hundreds of thousands of tourists and backpackers that visit our city yearly.
Not many Internet cafés in the suburbs though. Bazza

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I think that Internet cafes are bigger where there may be tourist, then in places like Springfield, IL (there is free WiFi at the Airport, Panera, and some other places), other then that, the only Internet Cafe that I know of is out on the East side in a coffee cafe ran by one of the local churches.

Internet Cafes seem to be larger out of the U.S. for some reason.

 

If you go with the computer leasing idea...I would get systems that are not necessarrily top of the line but not at the bottom of the barrel (guess you could call them middle of the road...duh) then once you lease them long enough to turn a profit...then you sell them as a base model system (but they won't be EXTREMELY out dated), get a couple more bucks for them and then go out and get some more.

Just my two cents...if you do go with the leasing idea. But I have to say I'm with Lev...if they are going to spend the money, then they would probably rather just buy a mediocre laptop for a good deal and then it wouldn't be any hassle for them to transport it with them on their adventures!!

Roger

 

Wow! Lots of replies.

I've been in an out here, but never had enough time to post a reply.

The internet cafe idea is something I have thought about as well. My store idea would be more for computer parts and custom computers (4 models, high end to low end). This idea was just something else I was thinking of doing to supplement that business. I'm also planning on doing basic computer cleanup and virus/spyware removal...that kind of thing.

If you didn't notice my location, I am on Sado Island in western Japan. The island has about 70,000 residents and that number is shrinking every year, while the people who stay here are getting older and older. My business idea was not one that I was thinking would be a huge money maker, rather I thought it would be something useful for the island and something I could make an OK living by. I guess if it was successful enough, I might expand to the mainland.

The population problem is a tough one. Old people don't really need computers. But I was thinking that as technology is progressing computers are bringing the world even closer, so these aging families can find a use for computers to keep in better communication with their love ones who have moved off the island...things like chat, Skype, video chat, and whatnot.

Also, as I mentioned in the OP, there is a sizable Brazilian population here. Now, these folks are not here making tons of money, nor are they permanent residents. Japan offers easy work visas for Brazil, so Japanese companies can use Brazilian labor for cheaper, while the Brazilians can make a bit more money here than they would at home. Given these facts, I thought that leasing computers might be an option cause they might not have the money to buy a laptop. There is pretty cheap broadband available here (cable and ADSL), so I think it might be useful to do.

Thanks a bunch for your ideas. And if you have any more suggestions, please let me know.

 

I did notice the location when I replied earlier.
Does the island attract many tourists?
If not, then an Internet café is probably not a good idea. Bazza

 

Not necessarily, but it does help.

Where I live, in South Hurstville, it's certainly not a tourist area, but there are about 2-3 internet/gaming cafes, and they are always packed.