CK Computers keeps on rolling with repairs and sales

Inhouse

By Darren Greenwood, Auckland | Wednesday, 07 December 2011
Chris Kingham, a motorcycle courier in a former life, has experienced some ups and downs in his six-year old computer sales and repair business.

The sole trader from Temuka, who operates a mobile service across his patch of South Canterbury, often travels up to 500 kilometres a week in his distinctive Range Rover. He says the four-wheel drive is invaluable in the snowy winters.

Kingham is originally from London, where his early courier career took him to the Reuters newsagency.

“My job was to collect the 35mm film from photographers working around the UK (no smartphones or high-tech gear in those days) and then rush it back to the office so the pictures could then be processed and then sold to newspapers and magazines around the world,” he recalls.

Kingham moved to New Zealand 15 years ago to marry his Kiwi fiancé, whom he had met in London. He had trouble finding work so the couple bought a run-down dairy. They worked seven days a week for two years, turning the dairy into a successful business before selling it.

“Ever since I was a kid I have had a great deal of interest in electronics, so once I sold the dairy I decided to learn everything I could about computers, which I did for the next few years,” he says.

Thus, in 2005, CK Computers was born, a home-based business serving Temuka, Timaru, Winchester, Geraldine and the surrounding rural areas.

To keep overhead down, Kingham started the venture at home rather than in a shop. He has since moved house, and he now has a big workshop onsite for the venture.

“I have been in the business for the last six years and I still haven’t stopped learning about this industry,” he says.
CK Computers’ service includes computer upgrade and repair, with pick-ups and drop-offs to customers’ homes. The service is popular in the small towns of the area, Kingham says.

“Most of my customers are domestic but I also have a few business customers I look after as well,” he says.
“Business at the moment is up and down and you never know what next week is going to bring. Since the recession started people have been wanting to keep the older equipment going longer before they upgrade.”

Kingham says he logs anywhere from 200 kilometres to 500 kilomteres a week on the road, depending on workload. He bought his Range Rover 18 months ago, wanting something different to the usual import to help advertise the business.

“I also spend a fair bit of time on farms. Thank goodness I had it when it snowed,” he says.

Around 40 percent of his work is virus and spyware removal and the rest is made up of upgrading computers and selling new computers and components.

About two years ago, Kingham started building his own line of desktop computers to offer customers as an alternative to the big brands, which he says is proving “very successful.”

Kingham also has a website selling Laptop Coolers and CPU Coolers, something he says has also worked fairly well. Another popular offering is a 35mm slides to DVD transfer service and home movies on VHS to DVD conversion.

CK Computers also sells laptops, printers, screens networking equipment and “everything else to do with IT.”

Brands sold include Dell, HP, Toshiba, Compaq, Lenovo, Asus, Acer. The business is a Dell registered partner and it offers finance for new computers through Credit Capable.

“I am always looking for new products and services to offer my customers. A long time ago I realised I could not compete with the big stores on price, so service is my selling point, which has worked very well for me,” Kingham says.

His suppliers are Friendly Computers in Auckland, Ingram Micro in Auckland, Dove Electronics in Christchurch and Anywhere Computer Acessories in Auckland.

“I have found all these suppliers have given me great service and prompt delivery of all orders,” he says.

Looking ahead to 2012, Kingham hopes to improve and ‘streamline’ his business as well as start a monthly newsletter to promote his services, particularly the need for customers to back up their data. This should keep Kingham busy.

“In my spare time (which isn’t much), I enjoy slot car racing and all forms of motorsport. I also enjoy listening to many podcasts and teaching myself new things. At the moment, I am trying to learn programming,” he adds.