Entertainment meets PC repair?

[hightechrex]

Next to technology my other love is cinematography and film-making. Having your PC fixed isn't a very pleasant experience for most people. Then I thought, what If I could make the experience less of a bore? Why not combine the two? I.E. Maybe a redbox kiosk, run movie trailers from a flat panel, movie posters around the shop, or even go as far as offering a free movie service via an "in store" theater while clients get there PC fixed. I have all the equipment already (minus the redbox kiosk), so cost is not a concern. Has anyone tried this and if so, was it successful?

Am i doing too much? Good Idea? Can service and entertainment marry? Already done?

 

[compnet]

A pc shop doesn't get enough traffic for redbox. I wouldnt get my computer fixed at the movie store. 99% of people dont want to hang around for their pc. overall... no.

 

[DocGreen]

I don't have a storefront yet, but... when I do, one of the things I've always wanted was to have a coffeeshop/cybercafe as the customer waiting area. Setup a few terminals for customer's to mess around on while they're getting their PC fixed... offer free wifi and yummy coffee... I just thought the two go together really well, at least in my head. Combines two of my favorite things: Computers & Coffee!

 

[hightechrex]

I wouldnt get my computer fixed at the movie store. 99% of people dont want to hang around for their pc. overall... no.

Of course you wouldn't get your PC fixed at a movie story. You fix computers lol, thats why your on technibble loll.

Edit: Just did a little more research and apparently you need to be a franchise with 20 or more stores and service a minimum of 10,000 people a week. That's out of the question lmao

 

[mkeathley]

My shop is on a very bust street corner. I've been trying and trying and trying to get a redbox kiosk. I've only gotten the run around. I was told they were on a 3 month hold, that was over a year ago. Now I'm being told, well, nothing. I've called and they say suibmit online, I submit online and it tells em to call. Argh.

 

[compnet]

My shop is on a very bust street corner. I've been trying and trying and trying to get a redbox kiosk. I've only gotten the run around. I was told they were on a 3 month hold, that was over a year ago. Now I'm being told, well, nothing. I've called and they say suibmit online, I submit online and it tells em to call. Argh.

Redbox around here are only in grocery stores and 7-11. I'm guessing unless you have a chain of stores and each one gets 300+ people a day they won't even bother with you.

A small coffee stand and computers set up to check email and what not sounds like a better idea than a movie center. I don't think you would ever be able to track if its "profitable," but would probably help with reviews and word of mouth.

The tire place I go to has the little k-cup coffee maker. I've probably mentioned it three or four times to people.

 

[DocGreen]

Redbox around here are only in grocery stores and 7-11. I'm guessing unless you have a chain of stores and each one gets 300+ people a day they won't even bother with you.

A small coffee stand and computers set up to check email and what not sounds like a better idea than a movie center. I don't think you would ever be able to track if its "profitable," but would probably help with reviews and word of mouth.

The tire place I go to has the little k-cup coffee maker. I've probably mentioned it three or four times to people.

I'd want to do a bit better than a Keurig... I'm talking full-on espresso machine. Amanda's always wanted to open her own coffee shop... I figure I'll let her handle that side of things so long as she keeps a steady stream of Mocha Latte's coming to my bench!

 

[Altster]

re: coffee shop / computers, etc.

Be prepared to get the proper licensing / permits to run any type of food-service (this includes a coffee shop) if you are really serious in your thinking. And if you were thinking of inviting another company in to run your food service, you'd still need those permits / licensing agreements, etc. to do so.

I'd shy away from something like this until I had sufficient funds to experiment with something like this. If you are new and just getting started stick with the basics until you can afford to expand.

 

[PCSComputerGuy]

My wife ran a coffee shop for while.. we both really enjoyed it... and its hard not to make money if you do it right. Out building got sold from under us so she had to pack it IP... still have our LA marzocco 3 head espresso machine... good times

 

[DocGreen]

re: coffee shop / computers, etc.

Be prepared to get the proper licensing / permits to run any type of food-service (this includes a coffee shop) if you are really serious in your thinking. And if you were thinking of inviting another company in to run your food service, you'd still need those permits / licensing agreements, etc. to do so.

I'd shy away from something like this until I had sufficient funds to experiment with something like this. If you are new and just getting started stick with the basics until you can afford to expand.

Yeah, I assumed you'd have to have all that. It's not a priority and won't be anytime soon... but its something fun to look forward to!

 

[carrcomp]

I thought about a cyber cafe as well.

Depends on your market. There's a cyber cafe in town that barely gets customers. Nothing wrong with the place and has a good location .. but in a world where you can buy a coffee to sit in the shop and use their wifi there just isn't any demand.

 

[DocGreen]

I thought about a cyber cafe as well.

Depends on your market. There's a cyber cafe in town that barely gets customers. Nothing wrong with the place and has a good location .. but in a world where you can buy a coffee to sit in the shop and use their wifi there just isn't any demand.

Same here... we had a place called LAN Lizards that catered to gamers. It was a cool place, but just didn't have any traffic even though it was located in a prime spot. That's how America is though... everyone has decent internet and computers at home so why go somewhere else to get online? If it were overseas somewhere it would have been packed.

Now... if the wifi is just a perk and your main draw is something else like coffee, that's a different story.

 

[hightechrex]

So much talk about cyber cafes loll. That's not what i'm going for lol. I'll show you, ill show you all !! I really do think computer repair and entertainment can co-mingle if done right.

 

[DocGreen]

So much talk about cyber cafes loll. That's not what i'm going for lol. I'll show you, ill show you all !! I really do think computer repair and entertainment can co-mingle if done right.

You forgot the maniacal laughter!!

I think it's an interesting concept, and considering that you already have all the equipment to implement it... I say give it a shot! Could it really hurt anything?