Computer Shows x Online Shopping

[nordloewelabs]

this question is aimed at those people who have experience in buying computer parts from both Online Stores and Shows held around their cities.

i got my last computer from a Show but i feel tempted to try and build my own machine next time. would the final cost of a computer bought from a Show be a lot different from the final cost of one built from parts ordered online? ordering online would probably require buying parts from 3-5 different stores, right?

what would be the difference in percentual terms? 20% cheaper from a Show? more?

i would only want to venture into the "build-your-own-rig" world if the final cost was similar to that from a Computer Show (there's usually a Show a subway away from me every month). my budget would likely be $1000 (including taxes and shipping).

what you guys think? i really have no idea....

 

[jackschmittusa]

We used to have regular shows in my area, and the competition was fierce.

I regularly bought from several reputable venders and would pricecheck their online prices for what I wanted the day before the show. The show prices were often 10-20% lower at the show, and you could often dicker for more if you were buying several things from the same vendor. There were a few vendors that didn't print their fliers for handout until they were at the show and checked their competitor's prices, making theirs a little lower. Some would offer a better deal if you used cash instead of a CC. On heavy items, there was no shipping charge of course. Many booths had display setups running game demos where you could actually see what a game looked like on specific hardware. Some vendors would test new parts right there on request before you took them home. Near the end of the show, some vendors would offer extra special deals on large or heavy items so they didn't have to haul them out and load them on their trucks, then unload them later at their shops.

I thought shows were great. Wish we still had them around here.

 

[CalvinHobbes]

In my experience, the shows often had higher prices. I used to go to shows all the time until online shops became more common.

Once NewEgg started, I gave up on going to the shows unless I needed something right away. I would certainly trust the customer service from a large online retailer compared to some of the vendors I saw at the shows.

 

[kilcan]

Shows are nice in my experience for just the reasons Jack listed. Number one, no shipping costs, and at about $16 to ship a case, that alone is worth some $$. Then I have had the same things with paying with cash vs CC, alot of them will offer you a deal. Same with buying a bunch from one guy - alot of times if you will buy a few of your parts from the same person, but you find one of them cheaper elsewhere, most times they will meet/beat the price. I'm bummed myself, we don't get computer shows often around here and I just wasn't *quite* ready to make a decision when the one was here a few weeks back. Bought online instead, which is also good - you can find some great deals sometimes (got my PSU for $40 with $40 off and free shipping = free) etc. But if you often have shows, I'd find the BEST prices online, write them down then hit the show WITH the names of the online stores - sometimes the guys will even meet an online price.