barber@odin.ucsd.edu (Terri Barber) (10/03/89)
How does one become a computer consultant?
I've noticed that many supply houses around here give discounts to
consultants and dealers. Some sell only to dealers and consultants.
I know that a dealer can identify himself as one with a dealer's
license number, but how about a consultant?
I remember reading an article suggesting one could use his/her
computing skills to do free-lance consulting work by leaving calling
cards with computer dealers. I'd thought that since I've got a light
load this quarter, I could do something on the side to earn a little
extra cash...(and getting a dealer's price on my next VGA 386 system
would be nice too :-)
Oh, BTW, if you wish to E-mail rather than post, I can be reached at
barber@beowulf.ucsd.edu, *NOT* barber@odin.ucsd.edu. I will be
getting my own account soon (probably today)...
-Dennis Lou (using Terri's account until I get my own)
N.B. This machine is not set for incoming mail!!!
Do not send mail to this address, or it will bounce!karl@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Karl Denninger) (10/06/89)
>Item 5948 (0 resps) by barber at odin.ucsd.edu on Thu 05 Oct 89 10:35 >[Terri Barber] Subject: How do I become a consultant? > >How does one become a computer consultant? > >I've noticed that many supply houses around here give discounts to >consultants and dealers. Some sell only to dealers and consultants. >I know that a dealer can identify himself as one with a dealer's >license number, but how about a consultant? > >I remember reading an article suggesting one could use his/her >computing skills to do free-lance consulting work by leaving calling >cards with computer dealers. I'd thought that since I've got a light >load this quarter, I could do something on the side to earn a little >extra cash...(and getting a dealer's price on my next VGA 386 system >would be nice too :-) Well, a few things first. To become a real consultant, you need to file a DBA (doing business as) form with the local county. This identifies you as a business. It is needed if you intend to get a bank account, work under a trade name, etc. It is also needed for you to get a reseller number, which you will almost certainly need for the vendors (Tax number). Most of these vendors will require a >company< check, so you will need the company bank account (and thus the DBA). Then you apply to the state for a resale permit. This makes you a merchant in the eyes of the state, and authorizes you to collect sales and use tax. Along with that certificate comes the requirement to file timely reports of your business activity -- these reports are required monthly in most places, and you >must< file them even if you do no business during that period. That's pretty much it, unless you need to also register with some city or state agency. Most communities don't require this, unless you're going to open a store front or something. Doing these things gets you two items you will need to purchase equipment at "dealer" pricing: o A company checkbook o A sales tax resale certificate You'll probably have to start out buying things on COD Certified check basis; this is normal. Once you establish yourself and work with a vendor for a year or two you may be able to get some kind of terms arranged. Now some soapboxing: If you're doing this just to get a system at a reseller's discount, what you are doing is technically called fraud. You are coercing the seller into granting you a privilege you would not otherwise have by misleading means. If you really do intend to do consulting and earn money at it, fine. The posting above implies that your primary reason for doing this is to "get a deal on your next system." You should also know that having a resale permit (which you will >need< to get the reseller discount from vendors) also requires that you file monthly sales tax reports, even if you do NO taxable work during that month! The paperwork nightmares are somewhat nasty, and if you forget you will be hit with penalty charges (and interest if you owe anything). For a one or two PC purchase it's not worth the hassle. Only if you are truly going to become a consultant, and do it for the money (not the savings on a 386 or two) is it worth your time and trouble. I used to do this before becoming a part of this corporation, and it was a pain in the neck. For a long time I didn't have that resale certificate, because I knew what kind of work was involved, and knew that if I screwed up it would be real expensive. More expensive than the savings on a 386 machine or three. One more thing. Don't even think of cheating the state revenue people (state equivalent of the IRS). They are not nice people to mess with. Remember too, that you will have to pay sales tax on the gear if you keep it for your own use and don't resell the equipment. Become a consultant if you really want to help people with their computer work and make some money. Don't do it just to defraud a seller who wouldn't otherwise sell to you at all. -- Karl Denninger (karl@ddsw1.MCS.COM, <well-connected>!ddsw1!karl) Public Access Data Line: [+1 312 566-8911], Voice: [+1 312 566-8910] Macro Computer Solutions, Inc. "Quality Solutions at a Fair Price"
gary@dvnspc1.Dev.Unisys.COM (Gary Barrett) (10/06/89)
In article <7185@sdcsvax.UCSD.Edu>, barber@odin.ucsd.edu (Terri Barber) writes: > > How does one become a computer consultant? > If you are talking about freelance consulting, you need to consider your target market, what you can offer to your target market (your skill set), and your ability to establish and manage your own business. Having done consulting myself, all that is not as easy as it sounds - especially if you plan to make a living at it. To get discounts based on your consultant status, you would probably have to prove that you are a legitimate business. That usually requires more than a business card. If the dealer is serious about limiting his discounts, he would probably want to see your tax number, which you'd get as part of creating your sole proprietorship. -- ====================================================================== Gary Barrett =======================================================================
pa1568@sdcc13.ucsd.EDU (Dennis Lou) (10/07/89)
In article <[252ba786:5948.1]comp.ibmpc;1@ddsw1.MCS.COM> karl@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Karl Denninger) writes: >>cards with computer dealers. I'd thought that since I've got a light >>load this quarter, I could do something on the side to earn a little >>extra cash...(and getting a dealer's price on my next VGA 386 system >>would be nice too :-) > > have by misleading means. If you really do intend to do consulting > and earn money at it, fine. The posting above implies that your > primary reason for doing this is to "get a deal on your next system." I'm the one who made the original posting, (albeit from a different machine and account name). Just thought I'd insert a little disclaimer to avoid flames... The deal on the system is the side effect. Making money helping people is the primary reason. I thought it was explicit in the original posting. Yes I agree with you and warn anyone reading this thread. Getting a dealers license for one or two systems is not good. -- <Dennis Lou> |"But Yossarian, what if everyone pa1568@sdcc13.ucsd.edu | thought that way?" [backbone]!sdcsvax!sdcc13!pa1568 |"Then I'd be crazy to think any other way!"