Computer Stores on Long Island?

[ejoech]

Does anyone know of any GOOD(small or big) computer stores that carry quality products? I've looked at the local CompUSA for a Pioneer DVD drive, and they didn't have that..no Plextor cd-rws either..Are there any stores that carry name brand products like this? I live in Oyster Bay, in Nassau County. Any store on long island is appreciated, but closer to me would be preferred.

Thanks,
Sage

 

[EvilCoconut]

ahh when u said that i thought u said long beach. Dats where Snoop Dogg is from. Represent

 

[ejoech]

Oh, yeah, in case you don't know where Long Island is, it's in New York. Right next to NYC.

-Sage

 

[ejoech]

Come on, no fellow- Long Islanders?

-Sage

 

[Mday]

uh, did you check to see if they had that zip CD drive? the 12x10x32 one that was on sale (was)... that's a "plextor" in disguise... same manufacturer, you can flash the 1.07 plextor firmware to it

i have never seen a pioneer drive in compusa.

 

[ejoech]

na, it was a while ago that I checked.

-sage

 

[Nevyn522]

Sage -

LONG ISLAND!!!



I grew up there... and lived there until I went to college. Okay, so I'm still in college and have to go home every so often...

I'm actually going shopping today.

More important than where to go: Where NOT to:
Labelle in Syosett (I always mispell that town...)
any of the "PCS" computer stores

Those are the first two that come to mind. They're famous for dealing in grey market -- avoid 'em like the plague.

Now as to where you CAN go... there are a couple of CompUSAs, if the one closest to you doesn't have something, have them call around. There are a couple of Best Buys (2, I think), but they don't really have many components. In... Westbury, I think -- right near Eisenhower Park, if memory serves me (Coming from Oyster Bay... go south... it's on the south side of Old Country Road... to the east of Roosevelt Field (forgive my spelling, I'm used to saying, not typing the locations... ). It's near the TGI Friday's in the area.

In the Source Mall in the same area there's some other computer parts store... on the south side of the mall, I don't remember the name.

There's also a Best Buy in that area.

But speaking from experience, if you can't get it at CompUSA, you're best off ordering on line. I do 99% of my purchases online, and I'm kinda obsessed with upgrading my systems. You can usually find the stuff you want cheaper, and you'll have a better chance of finding it. Long Island isn't that strong at having components, although there are a couple of places to buy computers. There are a few places I can think of in the city (although if they're operating out of the back of a truck, I'd stay away... ), but that probably wouldn't help you.

Hope this helps -- if you need better directions or anything, feel free to private message me.

Andrew

 

[ejoech]

Hey andrew!

Thanks for the help!!

Where on Long Island do you visit home?

The only CompUSA that I know of is in Garden City, near Roosevelt Field..I went there looking for something a while ago and they didn't have it and they said that there were no other CompUSA's locally..Yeah, I'm aware of the Best Buy in Westbury..there's also a MicroCenter which is pretty good from what I've seen..only been there a couple times..should pay another visit there soon...I forget what road it's on..but if you go to Roosevelt Field from Oyster Bay through Westbury..there should be some restaurant on the corner called Bali Grill or something like that, I forget..keep going on that road..next to Eisenhower Park..and it's on the right..

Thanks for that store in the Source Mall..I forgot about that place!! I remember I went there back when it first opened..haven't gone there since..Yeah, I know, I would probably order online most of the time..just in some cases it's easier to go down to the local store and pick up the item(s)..

I was also sorta looking for any "Mom and Pop" stores on Long Island..i've heard a lot of people say that those are good places for finding quality components..know of any?

-Sage

 

[Nevyn522]

Mom and Pop stores on Long Island... Hrmmmm... No?

There's at least one more CompUSA, or was, anyway. If you take Northern State Pkwy all the way eastbound until it ends, it terminates into... either 25 or 25A, if I remember correctly. Continue eastbound, and there'll be a CompUSA on the right (if you hit Smithhaven Mall, you've gone too far -- or it's closed.) My first girlfriend lived out there, so I was out there fairly frequently.

It might be a good idea to check MicroCenter -- they often have returned goods at a discount... and I've bought a couple items open box and have had NO problems with them.

I don't think there are really any Mom and Pop stores around... there's one place just north of the intersection of Jericho Turnpike and 110 in Huntington -- again, there "was" one -- that's from two years ago, when I worked in the building next door to it -- I always saw the signs, never went in, though.

Most of the small shops around here can't stay in business, I'm gathering... they must not be able to make enough money. The few places I have seen are all definitely suspicious. (Have you ever gone into Labelle? It's amusing as hell!)

I know it's often more convenient to have a local shop, but in this case... you're pretty much screwed. CompUSA is around, Best Buy, Circuit City... that's about it. Really can't think of anything beyond those... rather unfortunate, really.

Of course, where I am in Boston when I'm at school, I have a CompUSA I can PAY to take a cab too (*bleh*), a MicroCenter I can almost walk to (not in this weather), a Best Buy at the end of an hour long subway ride, and a University Computer store that overcharges so outrageously I'm surprised they stay afloat... and I also have a T1 conection to make all my purchases over.

Here though... *shakes head* There's not much.

Andrew

PS: I'm in Plainview, but went to High School in Mineola (Chaminade), and my mother grew up in Oyster Bay, so I've been up to that area every once in a while.

 

[ejoech]

Yeah, that's pretty much what I figured..not many computer stores. I almost went to Chaminade..good school. Are you at BU by any chance? I know a guy online that goes there that lives in Stony Brook.

I haven't been to Labelle's..you said it's in Syosset? where in Syosset? Where specifically in Oyster Bay did your Mom grow up?

-sage

 

[JackMDS]

There are few small stores in Long Island, but they are not a solution for shopping. Small store can not afford to keep a stock of many expensive computer parts. They will order for you but you will end up paying an arm and leg. The small stores around New York are very good in serving business owners who need more then one system specially configured. You can order ststems to you liking, and they will build it for you and help in maintaining it. But for shopping DUH.

The best solution as mentioned before is to drive North on 106/107 to Northern State, then West to Westbury. In Westbury, you will find. CompUSA, MicroCenter, Staples, Office Depot, Office Max, Circuit City, Costco, and Best Buy. All within 2- 3 min. driving one from the other. If you can find what you want there then it is Mail order time.

 

[ejoech]

For Costco..you have to be a member, right? How much does it cost?

Where on Long Island do you live ?

-Sage

 

[LoDe]

I feel your pain, I rarely do my computer shopping at local stores on LI. They just dont have the selection that the online stores do. Its a shame really.

(BTW, im in Levittown)

My experience is that if you are looking for misc. small parts like cables, keyboards, mice, you can probably find a decent deal at your local BestBuy, OfficMax or MicroCenter. But the good stuff like CPU's, Vid Cards and Mobo's you gotta get that stuff online.

good luck.... cya

 

[ejoech]

Yeah, that's what I figured..oh how I wish I could go to a local store and pick up a nice case, or a decent mobo/proc...oh well.

If I had the money and was old enough, I would open up a store here that would sell all of that stuff..and could hire all you guys

-Sage

 

[Vegito]

I think your best bet for selection is the shows at nassau coliseum.. by the roosevelt mall, by hofstra... and your other better choice if at stony brook is the show in school (SUNY SB) or sports plus. Labelles kinda rippoff...

best is online, but sometimes online vendor are headache. Westbury is like going towards roosevelt mall.. go down the block and you ghet the coliseum

hmmm, oysterbay... thats around 47/8 LIE or something... r u off oysterbay expressway ? may have a friend around there. that knows.. works at estee lauder off 49, did you try route 110 which is like 49, i'll find out...

The compusa is on route 111 off 304 (take exit 57 or 56 and head north once you get off), it's at the corner.. and dont forget to check out okie dokie next to that compusa.. really good food.. cajan style if u like.. think friday is dj night with dancing..

 

[ejoech]

Hmm..how can I find out when shows are coming to the Coliseum?

I'm not sure about roads..I'm pretty young..don't really pay attention to the roads..it's around glen cove..locust valley..sea cliff..glen head..anything ring a bell?

-Sage

 

[frazzled]

OK, so this isn't *really* LI, but if you don't mind driving to Queens (right off the Whitestone bridge), there's a local place called MSL Computers. They're often at computer shows on the weekends. They're great guys, prices are good and they really carry only retail stuff.

They also know what they're talking about and have excellent after-purchase support. I just bought my MSI MB + 1 GHz athlon from them.

Their number is 718-961-3331. I've dealt with Herman in the past (herman@mslcomputers.com).

Just another option!

fraz

 

[LoDe]

forcesho brings up a good point about the computer shows. I have been to a couple shows at the coliseum and 1 at hofstra and have found some good deals on CPU's, Mobo's and RAM, stay away from the harddrives though. I think that MarketPro has moved the coliseum show across the street to Hofstra now (free parking). You used to have to pay $6 just to park at the coliseum and another $7 admission charge, so you are out $13 before you even get into the show.

check the MarketPro website for show schedules.

 

[JackMDS]

All the places you mentioned are nice small communities north to Northern Blvd. Unfortunately, there is no big computer store on Northern Blvd. from the City limit to Commack.

I know about one computer show.

Friday Jan. 26 - 5pm - 9:30 pm $4 fee.

THE ADRIA HOTEL
220-33 NORTHERN BOLEVARD
BAYSIDE, NY

You get to Northern Blvd. and drive west for about 30 to 40 min. It pass the intersection between Northern Blvd. and Cross Island Expway.

 

[ejoech]

Great guys, thanks!!

-Sage

 

[Guilty]

I find the computer hardware selection to be scarce at best in large name stores like Best Buy, Staples, Office Max, etc. Comp USA is decent but are more geared towards selling crappy Compaq's than the latest hardware. The only small computer store I've delt with on Long Island was Westberry Camra (and Computer), and they were a nightmare. They sold me a case without 1 included screw among other ridiculous mistakes. I've taken to ordering everything I need online, it's just too hard to find hardware on Long Island. Good luck findind a name brand motherboard or Thunderbird, or decent memory. The selections you'll find are generic, generic, generic.

 

[Nitzylplick]

Yeah Queens is da place. I live in Jackson Heights and within 3 miles on Northern Blvd. there are probably 8 mom & pop stores. If they have what you want and you pay cashee they give you good deal. I don't know about service though.

 

[Vegito]

I live right by that THE ADRIA hotel... get there early, parking is rare.. unless you park 3 blocks away... its a small show, but just enuff , get on the mailing list and get $1.00 off.. flushing queens has computer stores everywhere.. except those chinese guys always tries to rip you off... opps, I meant the hard working guys..

I know most of them, my cousins has a store.. the stuff are mostly "stolen" stuff..