Keane, that's exactly what I mean. Electronics repair is NOT the field to get into now.

I graduated from an electronics technician program at a local community college in the mid 90's. Back then it was a lucrative job. Fixing tv's, VCR's, stereos, etc. The list goes on. Now though, most of that stuff is cheaper to buy brand new than to get fixed. The only real jobs out there now for fixing household electronics, is to get a job at Best Buy or someplace fixing people's computers.

About the best scenario for someone who wants to fix electronics is to get a job repairing industrial electronics/robotics. Like the equipment used in manufacturing plants and such.

If I lose my current job, my electronics diploma won't really get me anywhere today. I'll have to go back to school to learn a new trade. Like all my former co-workers had to do when they got laid off.

 

When i was first in college i was in an electronics course. I got out of that and im now in computer information systems. Im pretty confident ill always find some kind of work. I don't see computers going away any time soon.

 

Yes be wise about any collage degree your pursuing. Many many college graduates are in debt up to their eyes with no hope of paying their student loans off for 20 or more years. A vast majority cannot find work in their field and resort to taking $9 - $12 hr jobs and probably are working 2 of those. I think college is a big gamble now, many find money to readliy available and jump into the game feet first and it was years wasted and a huge non-forgivable debt to Uncle Sam.
I'm a tile contractor and that is my staple source of income. Yet I attend local auctions and buy when I know it's something I'm getting at most 1/3 retail and then eBay it. Another auction source I frequent is GOVLIQUIDATION.COM to buy military surplus at stupid low prices and then sell it locally online or eBay. I try and specialize in field gear and tents, stoves etc. You need to know your market for a particular item and if you have an idea of the market value and if it is a hard to get item, try to buy it at a comfortable number plus freight and you can make some crazy money. In Sept. bought 7 new in the crate Command tents for $640 ea. with shipping and sold them for $1150 ea. in a little over 5 weeks for hunting season. There are a couple cool thrift stores I scrounge through and look for slightly worn or never worn clothing and resale those items. Look for men or ladies Gortex jackets or other high end hiking apparel and you sell that stuff easy. I recently purchased a Capresso Z5 Espresso machine for $29.95 from one and resold it on eBay for almost $1700.

So if you have a few dollars to play with, buy things and flip them. You will get out of it what you put into it in as far as effort versus results.

 

Online degree, then get a job

 

Already in college just waiting to graduate and i do have a job. Co worker has been making a business pitch to me i have to look into and zippy you said thrift shops you visit to find things to flip? My biggest thought on flipping stuff is finding a place to get things cheap enough to make a good profit.

 

The other problem with flipping stuff is the overhead costs