Ebaying builds.

[Capper]

I'd recommend word of mouth with friends, or parting out the system and selling it somewhere like here, or Anandtech....but beware, you'll never get close to fair market value. More knowledgeable enthusiasts will do what they can to get the best deal possible, and most people who don't, simply won't care.

[garetjax]

Originally Posted by Capper

I'll never deal on Flea-Bay, nor will I recommend it to any of our members. It represents everything thats wrong with our society. The legal system still hasn't figured out how to deal with online crime.

Very true! I feel the same way about PayPal. I only use that when conducting transactions with people I implicitly trust.

[Stormcrow]

Anybody else remember the ebay Powerbook prank?
The Powerbook Prank: He wanted a Powerbook. We gave him a P-P-P-Powerbook!
If you want to break even, my advice is to look for people in the market for a new PC, and offer to build them a custom one for the cost of parts. I enjoy building computers, and this is what I do when I come across friends of family and such and it works out great. I don't make any profit but the fun of building a new machine and tweaking it.

[Elysium]

Originally Posted by Stormcrow

If you want to break even, my advice is to look for people in the market for a new PC, and offer to build them a custom one for the cost of parts. I enjoy building computers, and this is what I do when I come across friends of family and such and it works out great. I don't make any profit but the fun of building a new machine and tweaking it.

Yep, I did one for my friend a little while ago, not for profit, just the price of parts. I even taught my friend the basics of putting together a PC, and had a lot of fun doing it! One thing that worried me about doing that for the first time was like, "what it I messed up and broke something? I'll have to buy another out of my own money!" and that sort of thing. Just be extra careful when building someone else's computer!

[gvblake22]

If you want to just build a basic system and try to make some money off it, I suggest trying to sell it locally. That way you don't have to pay for shipping and try to talk to someone virtually. Just put up some fliers around some local hot spots and stores (like grocery stores, gas stations, party stores, etc) and tell people you know, maybe even an add in the newspaper if you really want to get out there. Better yet though, would be to advertise a service to build a computer to suit without the middleman (Dell, HP, Gateway, etc) and see who bites. Trying to sell a basic computer on e-bay that someone can get anywhere is probably not going to net you any profits.

[Tech Geek Deluxe]

You can't compete and make money on Ebay to recoup costs that way.
Custom rigs don't resell well.

You could buy 10 super dell deals with monitors when they come out typically at quarters end. Sell off all the inventory and have cash left over for a free rig homebuilt.

If Craigs List is popular in your area ... you could put feelers out on it.

A partial part-out build can work also. Get the super deals offered with free shipping on excellent re-sellable parts. FATWALLET or Bensbargains.net usually have the best listings for deals. Some of those deals may have rebates.

Build said system and play ... then re-sell on EBAy with the original Box and sell it used as a demo item ... charge reasonable shipping and you should re-group most of your money from primary parts. Likely you won't regroup moneys from the Case due to shipping costs unless you can re-sell as a barebones with a MOBO ... even this way you would be lucky to get 80% return.

[One4yu2c]

I haven't sold a full blown PC on EBay, but off the top of my head, I can think a few negating factors in trying to break even:

1) Right from the get-go, any used PC has suffered depreciation, similar to driving a new car off the lot.

2) You have to sell it for enough to cover the listing fee, commission, shipping, and Paypal commission (if applicable).

3) Generally hard to make a profit selling items on EBay unless the item you're selling was obtained for a good chunk less than retail, or is in high demand but low supply.

Roadblocks out of the way, you may be able to increase the perceived value by following the Fatal1ty method. In other words, slap a fancy smancy paint job or other aesthetic bling not found on your typical PC.

[onebxr]

Originally Posted by garetjax

Very true! I feel the same way about PayPal. I only use that when conducting transactions with people I implicitly trust.

I dont trust paypal.
-1

[screwballl]

I am hoping to get some WHS systems put together to start selling locally (in the new year) and maybe a few online but after past experience with ebay I will not sell them there..