While some computer businesses are concerned with looking for potential customers, we were confronted with the problem of looking for suppliers of desktop computers. Sure, we were looking for only three PCs, unlike big companies sourcing for 100 or more PCs. Small fry, so to speak, but that isn’t the point. My concern is this: why was it very difficult to look for a person who could assemble a low-priced PC? A PC Assembly Man, if you will.

It's more convenient to buy an Acer or Dell PC, but branded PCs are more expensive. It may be cheaper to buy from suppliers like Villman, but it's cheaper still to separately canvass the parts and assemble them. Or maybe I'm absolutely wrong on this, please tell me why.

We found a couple of computer stores that sell low-priced units. The low price led me to ask a geek friend why these stores could afford to offer low prices. He looked at the specs, then said that many of the parts used, like the processor, were being phased out. I could have ended owning a "brand new" PC that is actually using older technology. PCs, like cellphones, grow obsolete very fast.

So I ended up asking that geek friend (blessed are the geek, for they shall rule the world) to help us canvass parts for, and assemble, three PCs. Since I'm no computer expert, we relied on his recommendations. We ended up with better specs, plus  a router and LCD to boot, at a lower cost. Which brings me back to my original point: why can't we find trustworthy people who could assemble inexpensive PCs?

1. The reason could not earning power. Assembling a PC is no rocket science. Updates on the latest technology are readily available in the internet. This could be done as a sideline, even at home on off hours, which means the bulk of earnings is still from one's day job. A markup of a thousand or two for a single unit is not bad for a sideline for extra money/income (with capital and experience, you could scale the operations).

2. The reason could not be warranty. Parts from the suppliers are covered by warranty.

3. The reason could not be capital. If you have a working capital, great. If not, check the component prices from the main suppliers. Talk to the client about the specs he needs, then compute the price based on the supplier-provided list, plus a minimal markup. Tell the client it will cost him this much. Either work out an arrangement with the supplier for a credit line or ask the client to pay the unit price in advance.

The problem, really, is this: trust. Would you run with our money? Would you give us defective parts or units? Are you charging way more than the stores? Get our trust and we'll order from you. We'd be more than glad to recommend you to our friends and network.

And, yes, help us find you. (Or maybe this business model is just not feasible? Please tell us why.)

(Discussion transferred to Blog.Pinoy-Business.com)