Is Micro Center worth a one hour drive to buy computer parts?

[Remobz]

Hello guys,


I am in the warren Ohio area visiting my sister for Christmas (vacation) and I have yet to buy my computer components (video card, ram, keyboard, mouse, psu)for an upgrade and other family members to take back home.

I heard about Micro Center from people on this forum and the closest Micro Center in Ohio is like an hour and 15 minutes drive away from my location.

Where I am at has a Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and other local shops.


I hope Micro Center has quality brands and components, better prices, more choices.....etc..etc.


So is it really worth driving a little over an hour to go shop at Micro Center?

Or should I just stay and shop in my area?



for what its worth here is a link to the one that is closest to me.....


http://www.yelp.com/biz/micro-center-cleveland-2

 

[lehtv]

In terms of the price of gas, yes I think it is worth it. 3570K is $30 less than elsewhere, and you get $40 off on a motherboard. The trip will probably cost less than a third of that.

 

[skipsneeky2]

Hell,for a long while like for 3 years i used to make the 2 hour drive to frys,but hell for that 1 hour 15 minute trip to microcenter,i would make it twice a week.:awe: Awesome store,went to one near Denver,colorado to build a rig for a friend,won't forget the awesome deals sucks i was broke.

Moved closer to my womans family and well there isn't a damn thing here and the folks are so stupid even people working at the pawn shop words like resolution simply confuse people,so now ordering on newegg.:awe:

 

[Eureka]

I'd disagree. You have to figure out how much you're actually saving. Gas isn't cheap, if you have tolls it makes it worse. Factor in tax compared to online. You also lose 3 hours of your life, minimum. In reality you only saved $30.

It's worth a trip to see it, but you're not saving all that much more. You'll save something.

Now compared to other brick and mortar stores... you'll save a ton. But you'd save just as much on amazon/newegg.

 

[Blain]

I am in the warren Ohio area visiting my sister for Christmas (vacation) and I have yet to buy my computer components (video card, ram, keyboard, mouse, psu)for an upgrade and other family members to take back home.

I heard about Micro Center from people on this forum and the closest Micro Center in Ohio is like an hour and 15 minutes drive away from my location.

* How much $$ would you save over buying local?
* What gas mileage does your vehicle get?
* Is your time worth anything to you?

Don't they teach this kind of stuff in schools these days?

 

[Sleepingforest]

If you buy multiple sets of mobos and CPUs (particularly the 3570K or the 3770K, then it is worth it. After gas and taxes, you save about $30 per pair; after 3 pairs, you save around $30 per hour. Worth it? Maybe. The rest of the parts are generally best to buy online from Newegg or Amazon.

 

[dmoney1980]

One thing to consider is the cost of having to drive back in case one of the items purchased is DOA.

 

[DSF]

Figure you'll spend 4-5 gallons of gas on the trip, that's $15-20. If you buy a 3570K and the cheapest motherboard you can find, the tax should be in the neighborhood of $10-15 depending on Ohio's specific tax rate.

So the real question is whether saving about $30-40 versus buying online is worth three hours of your time.

 

[Remobz]

Thanks for replies guys.

I will not go.


cheers....

 

[Ksyder]

I think you should go... I am from an area near you and the Cleveland Microcenter is a great place to buy parts... there really isn't anything else like it in N.E. Ohio.

BestBuy, target, etc have nothing worthwhile computer related if you want components. Microcenter is a Best Buy size store with a motherboard and other components section the same size as the entire computer dept. of a Best Buy.

 

[Ksyder]

Not to mention you can pricematch Newegg... so the prices are very competitive on hardware... but some things you have to watch there as they are retail price.

 

[Eureka]

Well, let me restate my recommendation. Do not go thinking you'll save money compared to Amazon/Newegg.

But go for the experience. If you are at all interested in computer parts, you'll be a kid in a candy store. I only went once to get my 3570k/Motherboard, but I was in there for at least an hour just checking out the aisles. My drive was only an extra 20 minutes out of my way though.

Also, is your only other option to visit stores in your area, such as Best Buy and Target? If you cannot buy online, microcenter will handily beat out those other stores easily. In the OP it seems like you're set on buying in person.

 

[JamesV]

If you are talking about the store in Mayfield Heights, then don't bother going there, unless there are a few items (in stock) for really good deals.

Their stock is hit or miss - some isles have clearly designated sections and listed prices, while others are simply a mess of putting stuff up wherever with no prices in sight. Trying to find a particular piece of software, or if they even have it, can be a nightmare. Not much variety in stock for things like PSU's and cases, but tons of cables and mousepads.

 

[DSF]

Well, let me restate my recommendation. Do not go thinking you'll save money compared to Amazon/Newegg.

But go for the experience. If you are at all interested in computer parts, you'll be a kid in a candy store. I only went once to get my 3570k/Motherboard, but I was in there for at least an hour just checking out the aisles. My drive was only an extra 20 minutes out of my way though.

Also, is your only other option to visit stores in your area, such as Best Buy and Target? If you cannot buy online, microcenter will handily beat out those other stores easily. In the OP it seems like you're set on buying in person.

This is a really good point.

If you're weighing MicroCenter against other physical stores, I would absolutely make the trip. You'll find a much better selection of parts of all kinds than at any generic electronics store like Best Buy.

If you plan to do online shopping, then I wouldn't worry about it as much.

 

[Zap]

But go for the experience. If you are at all interested in computer parts, you'll be a kid in a candy store.

:thumbsup:

If you haven't been, go once just for the experience. You probably have to travel far to visit amusement parks and other places of entertainment/recreation. Why not for the amusement/entertainment of your inner nurd? :awe:

 

[Torn Mind]

Just what kind of products are you thinking of buying?

PSU-wise, Micro Center is just another store. There's a bunch of crappy ones(Diablotek) and there are some good ones(Corsair, Antec, Seasonic). The prices for PSUs never wowed me though.

The selection over Best Buy or Walmart is better though.

You could check the online catalog of the stores and compare prices first.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I love my 20 min drive to the MC in Mayfield

 

[ElFenix]

generally microcenter's prices are pretty competitive (and on the CPU + mobo combos they really blow it out of the water). they'll also price match (though they're not going to lose money on the sale).

i'll also echo what was said above about sometimes there just being a bunch of stock strewn around haphazardly. it's almost like being in a swap meet. i've been in the store looking for something their site says is in stock, unable to find it, so i placed an order online on my phone and made their employees find it.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Being in a Microcenter as an adult, is like when I used to visit Toys 'R Us when I was a kid. It's kind of a magical thing.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Being in a Microcenter as an adult, is like when I used to visit Toys 'R Us when I was a kid. It's kind of a magical thing.

"True dat! Double True!!"

 

[Gillbot]

I think you should go... I am from an area near you and the Cleveland Microcenter is a great place to buy parts... there really isn't anything else like it in N.E. Ohio.

BestBuy, target, etc have nothing worthwhile computer related if you want components. Microcenter is a Best Buy size store with a motherboard and other components section the same size as the entire computer dept. of a Best Buy.

If you need something, go. Otherwise, if i'm close to the area I stop in because they often have clearance and other items not well known. You can always find something to buy. :biggrin:

If you are talking about the store in Mayfield Heights, then don't bother going there, unless there are a few items (in stock) for really good deals.

Their stock is hit or miss - some isles have clearly designated sections and listed prices, while others are simply a mess of putting stuff up wherever with no prices in sight. Trying to find a particular piece of software, or if they even have it, can be a nightmare. Not much variety in stock for things like PSU's and cases, but tons of cables and mousepads.

I always check stock before I head up there.

I love my 20 min drive to the MC in Mayfield

Didn't realize you were so close. We have an office in Solon.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Who is "we"? Anandtech?

 

[lehtv]

I wouldn't factor in the time taken to get there and back. You could equally well argue that the time spent waiting for an order from newegg or amazon to arrive is worse than the time spent driving to MC and back. It depends on which you prefer

 

[Sleepingforest]

Well, driving is a little different from just waiting around. While you wait, you can do other things, but you can only drive while you're driving.

 

[lehtv]

Yeah, I didn't think of that