side jobs?

Refurb laptops? As in, buy a bunch of the same type, build working machine and part out the rest?

I used to do side work repairing cars for a small used car dealer. They knew how to sell them, but didn't know how to repair them.

They'd buy auction cars and then I'd take car of the repairs. Mainly sensors, tune ups, and occasionally head gaskets/intake gaskets or something more serious.

I charged time and materials ( I'd pay wholesale and charge them list price).

I was able to do it around my schedule and most of the time there wasn't the same time pressure as repairing DD. As long as it didn't sit for too long before they could put it out on the lot they were happy.

Just make sure you don't let hem run a tab. Don't start work on a car until you've been paid for the one you just finished.

I've done computers... buy off lease in bulk, sell. It is time consuming though. I just did a mower... bought non running mower, fixed, profit I am in the progress of parting a car that started as a possible flip.

I really like the idea of being a moving/delivery kind of guy. People buy big things with no way to move them all the time: see 2 and 3 above.

I am thinking about a snow blower as my next flip.

See I could get away with tearing down a laptop at work. I like that idea.

Not exactly a job, but a buddy of mine would go to garage sales, CL, ETC.. and find higher line electronics that people had no idea what they were worth and flip them on Ebay.

Stared a side business rebuilding 944 staring shafts. It has morphed in to a $400 - $2000 a month gig. I have a real job as well so sometimes when i get real backed up it can mean alot of late night hours. What ever you decide to do enjoy it or it will become work very quickly.

If you're thinking computers, laptops are a lot easier to sell for more money. You can often get them absurdly cheap or even free just needing a hard drive or an OS re-install.

I don't do them very much anymore though for a few reasons:

1. I always had people wanting me to drive somewhere an meet them. This takes time and always seemed a little risky.

2. Everyone thinks MS Office should be included and complains if it isn't.

3. They can't connect it to their _. Almost always user error, but it means those people are calling you after the sale.

4. Installing Windows sucks. By the time you have the OS installed, drivers installed, and updates installed there is a lot of time and often frustration involved.

And here I will lay out exactly how I did it:

Initially I had some people I knew that needed computers and were on a realistic budget. I found that I could buy off lease HP computers and spend minimal time on setup. Initially I was buying on ebay and the profits weren't great by the time I paid to have it shipped to me. I cut my time in setup by cloning hard drives.

By accident I found a way to increase my profits: I bought a small form factor PC (SFF) with the same model number. The shipping cost was less, but it was nearly the same PC. They were also selling for less on the off lease market and were more desirable to my customers as they wanted something with a smaller footprint.

After a few of these, I found someone that would sell them in bulk even cheaper. Buying in bulk also meant that I could get them shipped via freight rather than UPS. This is much cheaper if you have access to a loading dock.

The particular models I did this with were HP D530 and HP dc5000. My cost, shipped to me was in the $80 range. The time required in setup was about an hour, and then I would usually deliver and setup the computer. I would give a 30 day warranty on hardware.

Most people would have me take away their old computers too. With a few of these trade ins, I could usually piece something together to sell again but those took more time to get going.

If you're thinking about this, make sure you get something with a Windows 7 license. Also make sure it turns on and the screen is good if you get a laptop.

I should also mention the repair part of the business. In my area, there are enough small computer places that its just not worth it to do. Plan on 3 hours for each fix.

If your only competition is GeekSquad, its a different story. Be friendly, be honest, and charge $100 plus parts. ALWAYS make a backup of their files before you do anything.

I was actually thinking of trying another side job. I would go to the local pick and pull and get yellowed/ dirty but otherwise good headlights and tail lights. Clean them up remove the yellow haze and clear coat and re sell. Maybe do an exchange basis.

A dozen years ago I started a part time business that grew so big I had to take on a partner and handful of part timers just to keep up. Now I might have to shut it down to pursue something even better that evolved out of it.

The point? If you have an idea, pursue it. You never know where it's going to end up.

I actually have 4 jobs currently. Each one has the potential to be the biggest earner and become my primary job.

My advice would be to create a job/company. It provides the opportunity for you to be paid direct, and opens the door for you to get into networking events as a business owner or president. The people that you meet can help you be successful either through direct business or new opportunity. It is what you know, but it is also who you know.

I can't believe this kind of thread got this far and no one else waits tables or is a bartender for extra money, or at least mentioned it.

I work at a seasonal hotel in the summer and between tips and salary it adds up. About 20 hours a week on top of my regular gig which sucked by the end of season, but it was about an extra $1500 in take home a month for five months.

This thread has made me realize that I need a pickup truck.

I have a Suburban and a trailer! I don't really want to be a "move it" guy though. Mainly because this is Missouri and everyone has a damn truck.

I do a bit of freelance writing, and the occasional book.