Computer shop experts - Rant

[mrzed]

(rant on)

In my town there is this one computer shop cheaper than anywhere else. The sales force consists of these middle aged white guys who sit around in the middle of the shop and spec systems for people and answer hardware questions if you can get a word in edgewise. They claim they are not working on commission, and I am inclined to beleive it because they seem to enjoy lording it over the plebes with their superior knowledge. Read: Comic Shop Guy in the Simpson's, Craig on Malcolm in the Middle.

I'm about to get a new case with 2x120mm fan mounts, so that I can 7v them and enjoy the silence. I checked their website, but could not find anything there, but I was in the neighborhood, and I thought one of these guys might know the stock well enough to tell me if they had any cheap cases that had 120mm mounts under $100 (CAN).

Expert: what are you going to with it even if you can find one?
Me: huh
Expert: Where are you going to get the fans to fit?
Me: (quizically) Don't you stock them?
Expert: No
Me: Well I'll get them somewhere else then.
Expert: Well where?
Me: I know there are other places that have them.
Expert: Well the problem with these non-standard items is that it doesn't pay for places to get such a small number in stock, so a lot of stores list them, but don't actually have any in stock (continues on about the workings of the electronics supply market) . . . (red herring about how the official AMD case specs say that 1 exhaust fan plus the PSU is sufficient) . . . And what about in 3 years, they might not even make them any more, best to go with 80mm fans because at least you will know they will always be available.
Me: (after moment of stunned silence) So, you don't have any cases with 120mm fan mounts other than that Sonata for $160?
Expert: No.

(me leaves)

(rant off)

 

[JZilla]

they seem to enjoy lording it over the plebes with their superior knowledge. Read: Comic Shop Guy in the Simpson's

LOL. Aint that the truth. I think we all bump into these "people" from time to time.

I have the Sonata, and it is very very quiet. I doubt I will ever get another 80mm case.

 

[Murr]

Sonata for $160?! Damn!

 

[filmmaker]

I've found that most local computer stores are a ripoff no matter what.

 

[Tab]

Originally posted by: filmmaker
I've found that most local computer stores are a ripoff no matter what.

That is true, unfortunatly. I know several people who work at them. They've even told me not to shop their.

 

[mrzed]

Originally posted by: Murr
Sonata for $160?! Damn!

$Canadian eh.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Yeah, the shops are always expensive. I guess its because places like newegg.com don't have to pay for many things they do, like sales reps, store cost, etc.

Newegg and googlegear don't have any store but you just order online, this way they minimize the cost of labor. The small computer shops buy in smaller lots too whereas places like newegg can buy in very large volumes and get the parts cheaper.

I like it only if the shops are 'haggable' and can give a good deal. But in the end, its about the same price as newegg even after shipping if its not free because of tax. Thats another reason I like newegg, not tax.

 

[hjo3]

Yeah, idiot/bullsh|tting sales-people/"techs" are pretty much why I stopped shopping locally. That, and the huge markup on parts. ($55 for a 200W PSU? Refurbished? WTF?)

One time when I bought blank CDRs at the local Circuit City, the clerk warned me not to put them on the demagnetizer pad thingy. Why? Because it'd scramble them, of course.

GoGoCity, NewEgg, Directron... that's all I use now...

 

[mrzed]

There are really no Canadian equivalents to those stores. The best two online harware shops here are both in my city anyhow, so I can just walk into the storefront and save shipping charges.

I essentially end up shopping online, but then picking up the item in person. But even calling these places to confirm if they have an item in stock can be an ordeal sometimes.

 

[Murr]

Originally posted by: mrzed

Originally posted by: Murr
Sonata for $160?! Damn!

$Canadian eh.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

I've put my app in to work at the local Staples. That would pretty much octuple the combined intelligence of the PC support/sales staff right there.

And yes, if you HD Ferengis show up, I'll make sure to process your rebate coupons. Long as you buy one for me, since I wouldn't be able to being an employee.

And oh yeah - wrong forum.

- M4H

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

One time when I bought blank CDRs at the local Circuit City, the clerk warned me not to put them on the demagnetizer pad thingy. Why? Because it'd scramble them, of course.

OMG.....You have got to be kidding :Q

 

[hjo3]

> OMG.....You have got to be kidding

Unfortunately, no. The local Circuit City staff has to be the worst... it's a bunch of junior college losers who think they're computer gurus because they installed their own video card once. Well, okay, only a couple are that way, but they're the ones I always end up dealing with... none of them have any real experience or anything.

Stores should require that ppl get their A+ cert before working in the computer dept. ...

 

[Murr]

Originally posted by: hjo3
> OMG.....You have got to be kidding

Stores should require that ppl get their A+ cert before working in the computer dept. ...

I know a lot of people who would want to get A+ cert so they can make $7/hour at circuit city

 

[hjo3]

> I know a lot of people who would want to get A+ cert so they can make $7/hour at circuit city

lol, good point

 

[gramboh]

Is the shop of smarty mans know-it-all perhaps www.atic.ca? Just curious We have some places like that in Calgary. I refuse to acknowledge what the people tell me and just insist on what I want. E.g. I bought a new P4 system 2 weeks ago, and they tried to tell me AS3 was _bad_ for P4's and I should use the thermal pad on the SLK-900U. Hahaha.

 

[Macro2]

just order a 4 11/16 inch (120mm) 12 VDC fan from here for 5 or 6 bucks.
Then get an ajustable hole saw and cut a corresponding hole in the side of your case.
Then drill some pilot holes and screw on the fan.
If that wont cool tha' muther, nothing will.

They probably have a fan guard for it too.

LINK

 

[mrzed]

Originally posted by: gramboh
Is the shop of smarty mans know-it-all perhaps www.atic.ca? Just curious We have some places like that in Calgary. I refuse to acknowledge what the people tell me and just insist on what I want. E.g. I bought a new P4 system 2 weeks ago, and they tried to tell me AS3 was _bad_ for P4's and I should use the thermal pad on the SLK-900U. Hahaha.

you get the prize. Atic it is.

 

[gramboh]

I don't understand how they can have such low prices, do they do massive volume? They have the ugliest/worst website I have EVER seen (created with Frontpage) and the most cumbersome online ordering system possible (I would never dream of using it, you have to fax in a CC form or some nonsense). If they had a sleak clean website, they would do so much more business online especially. Fools.

 

[mrzed]

They do have massive volume, and it is an absolutely no frills operation. Almost any time of the day, people are lined up 3-5 deep at the counter waiting to pay for stuff. They don't advertise, not even in the local computer paper, and they just have a bunch of low paid flunkies whose main job it is to run to the back and get the stuff for people.

I probably wouldn't buy from them if i wasn't in Vancouver either.