Sorry if this is long i just needed to vent

I work for my family buisness, a high end home audio, video, and automation company . I am always dealing with moderate to extremely wealthy people. I have been working in my latest install for about 8 weeks, Roughly an $190,000 dollar job for a house they stay at for a week or two in the summer. Since we wired the house for ethernet we usualy setup the customers pc's or help them to select and purchase new ones. I usualy offer to build them thruough my side buisness. Today the owner and i discussed what he would like to do for pc's. Assuming he already had a computer at his main house I just asked what he needed the new one to do for him. He replied email and office apps, I figured your vanilla no frills office pc. He then asked if you had say $5000 or so what would you build for yourself. I began to think Athlon 64fx53, 2gig mem, 4 raptors raid 5, 6800 ultra, 20" LCD, and so on. I responded a very nice pc, he said make me a list. So i made the list, He then handed me a check for $5500 and said build me what you just wrote down. Amazed at this i began to rationalize and say this is more computer than you would ever need for the tasks you described. He said thats ok i just want the best.

Then the fun began. He then asked do I buy an email account from you or do you get them else where. "WTF He must be kidding"Stuned I said you dont have an email account. He replied no I dont have a computer, He said he had a mac IIc once. At this point im thinking i should just smack him and keep the $5500. I then asked in your profession you dont use a pc, No he said thats for my assistant.

4 Houses no less than 2 mill each
2 $100,000+ cars
1 2 mill yacht
0 IQ when it comes to technology

Rich people never cease to amaze me

So what'd you build with the money?

You made some money right? Then shut up and don't complain. Rich people are a source of money for people, and you should use it.

go buy him a nice emachine and invoice him for $5000 for it....and then "forget" where the rest of the money went off to, i wont lie, if i was dealing with someone like that, it would be damn diffucult not to do that, and its very possible i would

nice dell system = $999

unbelieveable system for yourself = $4001

Quote: Originally Posted by Spectrum You made some money right? Then shut up and don't complain. Rich people are a source of money for people, and you should use it.

I always make money or i wouldnt be in buisness. The thread was not so much a complaint just thought some people would get a kick out of what i see on a daily basis. Most of the stuff my company sells people dont need, Who needs a 150,000 dedicated home theater. So I realy cant get to upset at peoples stupidity.

he is a biz man wrapped up in the contest of allways outdoing someone else ,its pretty common.If it wasnt why would you be working for him installing all this high dollar stuff in other folks home?Just cause he isnt the most tech. inclined person in the world doesnt mean he cant learn and well not to sound like a sh!thead but if you are doing that great yourself with your " side" bussiness then why ya workin for him.Use this as a oppernity to learn off him and he can learn off you also ,in the long run its better off for the both of ya.
If he wants to blow his cash dont complain hes puttin monies in your pocket.

Wait a minute, your saying that because of his ignorence you get to mark up a 5K computer, versus if he knew what he was talking about say a 1K system?

I don't know about you, but in my business I put a % on the final price for profit. The more parts and labor cost the more profit I get.

Hell, I would be asking the guy if he had any rich buddies that needed some PCs built instead of flaming him.

Quote: Originally Posted by flounder405 he is a biz man wrapped up in the contest of allways outdoing someone else ,its pretty common.If it wasnt why would you be working for him installing all this high dollar stuff in other folks home?Just cause he isnt the most tech. inclined person in the world doesnt mean he cant learn and well not to sound like a sh!thead but if you are doing that great yourself with your " side" bussiness then why ya workin for him.Use this as a oppernity to learn off him and he can learn off you also ,in the long run its better off for the both of ya. If he wants to blow his cash dont complain hes puttin monies in your pocket.

Sorry for being small minded today. I know that its always a competiton between the wealthy to outdo each other. We have gotten some very large jobs because of this. I usualy have service calls to go turn on customers systems for when they have a party cause the only ever use the thing once or twice. I am not saying the people are stupid they just dont care to learn how to operate their systems. And I have learned to make decent extra cash on the side doing pc repairs and new systems. I make decent money at my job and wouldnt want the hassel of going into buisness for myself

Quote: Originally Posted by Fu3lman go buy him a nice emachine and invoice him for $5000 for it....and then "forget" where the rest of the money went off to, i wont lie, if i was dealing with someone like that, it would be damn diffucult not to do that, and its very possible i would nice dell system = $999 unbelieveable system for yourself = $4001

You sir, are a genius. + Rep.

Quote: Originally Posted by Fu3lman go buy him a nice emachine and invoice him for $5000 for it....and then "forget" where the rest of the money went off to, i wont lie, if i was dealing with someone like that, it would be damn diffucult not to do that, and its very possible i would nice dell system = $999 unbelieveable system for yourself = $4001

Sorry Fu3lman its a great idea but im an honest person when it comes to buisness. He is getting 5k in parts and im getting 10% profit.

If there is one thing you should not do it is not to rip the guy off. Think ahead. You build him something great now and then in the future he will need you again. His rich friends see his computer and baam he recommends you. Keep it real with people like that because money travels in circles and a happy rich person will profit for you.
Thats my 2 cents.

Hey,if it don;t work out, send him my way!!!!!

I get along with rich people real well.

One only gets a single chance at a first good impression...Glad to see you make the best of it and be sure to get some refferals...itll pay in the longrun

Yeah really, this guy trusts you with buliding a 5000 dollar pc. Build it good. I'm sure you could vapor cool that thing, and it will be around for years, something he will look at when he has his next 5000 dollar pc in a few years.

If I had that kind of money, I would probably spend it like that as well.

I'm sure he doesnt plan on upgrading or anything for awhile. I mean, how often do you buy a stereo system like that. Rarely, usually its always like that, you fit your budget.

If anything, you build him a nice one, he'll come back to you later when he has had the chance to see what he can do with it. And ask for a better one.

Whats this guy do anyways?

Quote: Originally Posted by Phuzun Yeah really, this guy trusts you with buliding a 5000 dollar pc. Build it good. I'm sure you could vapor cool that thing, and it will be around for years, something he will look at when he has his next 5000 dollar pc in a few years. If I had that kind of money, I would probably spend it like that as well. I'm sure he doesnt plan on upgrading or anything for awhile. I mean, how often do you buy a stereo system like that. Rarely, usually its always like that, you fit your budget. If anything, you build him a nice one, he'll come back to you later when he has had the chance to see what he can do with it. And ask for a better one. Whats this guy do anyways?

I have every intention of giving him the best pc 5k can buy. As for upgrading it probably never crossed his mind. Its sad you think someone wouldnt buy to many home audio systems in that price range ,but i have had return customers that have torn down their home and start over.
As for occupation he ownes multiple car dealerships.

damn, I would have did a little bit of lying. I would have went with a 4k range computer so I could bust an entire 1k on myself.

If the guy truly wanted a unique system though, you could always either mod yourself or refer him to a Professional Modder such as Bill at mnpctech.com
If the guy wants credentials show him the thread here:

http://forums.pcapex.com/showthread.php?t=18141

This is for the case only obviously.

Quote: Originally Posted by godfoot If the guy truly wanted a unique system though, you could always either mod yourself or refer him to a Professional Modder such as Bill at mnpctech.com If the guy wants credentials show him the thread here: http://forums.pcapex.com/showthread.php?t=18141 This is for the case only obviously.

Thanks for the tip godfoot, the modded case never crossed my mind. I dont think it will mater since the tower will be in a cabinet that i now have to ventilate.

When you build this system for this guy, try to keep the pc noise to a minimal. Most people don't enjoy excess noise from pcs. Also, I would stay away from Vapochill. If the guy doesn't know anything about computers, then he won't like the fact that he has to wait a minute for the vapo to cool the cpu to -5c before the mobo starts to turn on.

Always be honest with your costumers. Otherwise, it will kick you in the arse in the long run.

Show the dude some of mnpctech's work. He may enjoy the bragging rights and keep it out in the open, and Bill could make some bucks also. Tell the dude that he can have it themed after anything his heart desires, as long as the money is there.