Where do you shop B&M for computer stuff?

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
39,300
9,216
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I used to go to a lot of the Robert Austin computer shows in Oakland, when they were down by the Coliseum and later when they were downtown. Seemed like I went to half of them (probably less). They stopped having them around years ago and their website said they were taking a breather. I don't think they've resumed. Doing a Google search I see that Robert Austin computer shows are happening now at the Cow Palace. I drove out there once or twice, but it's a long trek for me.

It's neat to have a place where a dozen or two vendors all set up tables and bring stuff. They have to be competitive to do a lot of business, so the prices are sometimes quite good compared to what you're likely to find just going into a random store.

I liked to go to see the new stuff coming out. They often didn't have the very latest cutting edge stuff, but I learned a lot anyway. If I needed something legacy, there was a good chance I could find it there. There was even some used stuff. I bought lots of stuff at those shows. They were especially great for the little stuff -- cables, connectors, adapter boxes, all kinds of little stuff that comes out cheaper than if you order it and have it shipped. I felt like I learned more and found more stuff I wanted by going to those shows than going into individual stores.

Where can you find anything like that nowadays? Are there flea markets that have computer stuff, maybe some other shows? What are your favorite sources for odds and ends computer and other electronics stuff?
 

Tsaico

Platinum Member
Oct 21, 2000
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I know this won't be of much help, but I generally shop at Fry's as B&M. I have had some headaches with open market/Flea market style shopping. Every once in a while I will get a good deal, but that is offset by the once in a while dead item and finding the same vendor to handle return is a hassle. (or going to their B&M store) They also often had different return policies than what I am used to, such as 1 day return policy, or no refunds at all, only exchange.

If it is a small quick item, then there is a PC Club near me, and a mom&Pop shop. I also have a place that sells only strange stuff near me with higher end stuff.

Fry's has a lot of things for me, odds and ends, off brand items, as well as any supporting item that I can think off or even not know that I needed... And while their return policy blows too, at least I know where to find them and can determine if I am willing to b!tch about my problem enough to make them care. The other two places are great if I just need to pick up some Arctic silver or more case screws, etc.
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
39,300
9,216
136
I don't live near a Frys or Micro Center, but once a month or so I go to a meeting that takes me in their neighborhood, so yeah, this does help.

I do miss those computer shows. I'm glad I went, though, because most of the time when I need a part I already have it because I stocked up on things like IDE cables, solder, ... just all kinds of little things you need from time to time. If I were to go to one of those shows today, though, knowing that it was the last one I'd go to, I'd buy a bunch of stuff.

If PC2700 memory is cheap, I'd probably pick up a 500 MB stick. I should probably replace both my PSU's, actually. Many people here wouldn't use mine.
 

Childs

Lifer
Jul 9, 2000
11,313
7
81
I used to go to the Robert Austin shows back in the day when they were at the Marriot. In Oakland, I think you're kinda stuck. Better off ordering from Newegg if the Cow Palace or Fry's is too far. The mom and pop shops in the south bay can't really compete with Fry's or Central Computer, and they dont usually have stock for display. I remember if you'd just go down to Grand Ave, College Ave, Piedmont, Shattuck, Telegraph, etc, you'll find mom and pop stores. Usually their prices are just too high tho.

Here are some good computer rummage places if you happen to be in the south bay.

WeirdStuff

http://www.weirdstuff.com/

Surplus Computers

http://www.surpluscomputers.com

Action Surplus

http://www.actionsurplus.com/
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
39,300
9,216
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Originally posted by: Childs
I used to go to the Robert Austin shows back in the day when they were at the Marriot. In Oakland, I think you're kinda stuck. Better off ordering from Newegg if the Cow Palace or Fry's is too far. The mom and pop shops in the south bay can't really compete with Fry's or Central Computer, and they dont usually have stock for display. I remember if you'd just go down to Grand Ave, College Ave, Piedmont, Shattuck, Telegraph, etc, you'll find mom and pop stores. Usually their prices are just too high tho.

Here are some good computer rummage places if you happen to be in the south bay.

WeirdStuff

http://www.weirdstuff.com/

Surplus Computers

http://www.surpluscomputers.com

Action Surplus

http://www.actionsurplus.com/

I've only ordered component type stuff from Newegg, never checked out the little stuff there. I put together a system or two from parts I ordered from them. Bought a number of peripherals, and components separately.

Thing about the Cow Palace is I'd have to go down there specifically for the show. I do go down to Milpitas around once a month for a meeting in the evening and I can go early and hit any number of places like Central Computer (I've been eyeing that store for months and last Thursday I had some extra time and I sauntered in there and had a looksee!), Frys, Micro Center, and a few other places on my radar.

I never even go in the computer stores in my vicinity except once in a great while I might go in a C-USA, but it's been a long time since I have even done that. Why bother when I can get better deals online? Anyway, those once a month trips to Milpitas will let me check out Frys, etc. I haven't been in that Frys... only one down near Manhattan Beach (?) in SoCal. Never been in Micro Center.

Never heard of WeirdStuff or Action Surplus. Have to check them out. Do they have walk-in stores? Looking, I see that WeirdStuff has a Sunnyvale showroom, but Surplus Computers site says their "retail store is now closed. Local will-call coming soon." Don't know what that is. Maybe they mean you can order online and pick up at their warehouse, but can't browse a store. That would be my guess. I have done business with Surplus Computers online.

I love to walk into the bigger non-big-name places! :D Best selection, best prices and you get to see interesting stuff, the new stuff and you don't have nearly as much hype to fight through as places like C-USA.

I've only been in Frys once or twice and didn't have the opportunity to really check it out. I wonder if I'll find them and Micro Center as insteresting as I hope (great stuff, what I need, good prices).

Wish they had computer shows around here.
 

myocardia

Diamond Member
Jun 21, 2003
9,291
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Fry's blow every other B&M away. They have nearly everything you'd want to buy, at good prices. Newegg still gets the latest and greatest before Fry's, but that's about the only thing they lack. You have to wait a few weeks after Newegg gets something, before Fry's will get it.
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
39,300
9,216
136
Originally posted by: myocardia
Fry's blow every other B&M away. They have nearly everything you'd want to buy, at good prices. Newegg still gets the latest and greatest before Fry's, but that's about the only thing they lack. You have to wait a few weeks after Newegg gets something, before Fry's will get it.

I don't know... I went to Frys last Thursday (5 days ago) and was really disappointed. I bought 8 6 packs of diet Coke. Didn't see anything else I'd dream of buying. Except for the advertised specials, everything looked way overpriced. It was very obvious to me that rather than shopping there I'd get much better prices online if I look around.
 

Matthias99

Diamond Member
Oct 7, 2003
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Fry's / Micro Center are the best big chain B&M computer stores. They're rarely going to beat Newegg on pricing (though sometimes they'll have some crazy deal that does), but you don't have to pay for shipping and you can walk back in and return/exchange something if you have a problem.

CompUSA (assuming there are any still open in your area!) is a distant third, but still better than Best Buy or Circuit City by a long shot most of the time.

Local stores or smaller chains are wildly hit-or-miss. Can be good, can be bad. It's totally dependent on how they are run.

It was very obvious to me that rather than shopping there I'd get much better prices online if I look around.

I think you can see why CompUSA was having serious problems over the last few years and recently shuttered a whole bunch of its retail stores. A store like Newegg just doesn't have the same inventory and overhead costs.
 

kuyaglen

Member
Jan 29, 2003
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0
I'm lucky that I have a Fry's 8 minuets away. I can generally buy something there, and buy the same thing online say Newegg and then return what is delivered for the price of what I paid Fry's.

B&M availability with online savings.
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
39,300
9,216
136
Originally posted by: kuyaglen
I'm lucky that I have a Fry's 8 minuets away. I can generally buy something there, and buy the same thing online say Newegg and then return what is delivered for the price of what I paid Fry's.

B&M availability with online savings.

I don't comprehend what you are saying here. Are you saying you're doing a price match? :confused:
 

QueBert

Lifer
Jan 6, 2002
22,752
985
126
I love PC Club, a smaller chain with a pretty limited selection but decent prices and great customer service. They are expanding.

to Muse he's saying he'll order something off Newegg today, go to Fry's right after and buy it. Then when he gets his package from Newegg he returns its to Fry's for a refund. This is a good method for people who don't want to spend B&M dollars on items, but also don't want to wait even 1 or 2 days to get a box from Newegg.

 

Matthias99

Diamond Member
Oct 7, 2003
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to Muse he's saying he'll order something off Newegg today, go to Fry's right after and buy it. Then when he gets his package from Newegg he returns its to Fry's for a refund. This is a good method for people who don't want to spend B&M dollars on items, but also don't want to wait even 1 or 2 days to get a box from Newegg.

It's also a little scummy, as you're costing the B&M store money (in labor/time/inventory costs to sell you and restock the item) when you have no intention of keeping it.
 

Aikouka

Lifer
Nov 27, 2001
30,383
912
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All I have near me is Circuit City when it comes to retail chains. If I want to buy something a little more obscure or avoid CC's choice in product line (i.e. Monster cables), I'll go to Unicorn Electronics ( http://www.unicornelex.com ). They aren't the absolute cheapest, but they have a lot of things you'd never see in B&M stores that cater toward the hobbyist as well as the computer tech.

EDIT:

For example, I paid $8 for a S/PDIF cable there over the weekend... that's a lot better than $50 at Circuit City for driving an extra 3 minutes ;).
 

tcsenter

Lifer
Sep 7, 2001
18,705
430
126
I went to a big computer show at the Cal Expo in 1999 or 2000. I didn't live here at the time, was only visiting. Although I purchased a Diamond video card because I needed a replacement and couldn't wait for delivery, the prices were not at all competitive. After the $30 Diamond rebate, came in about $10 more than I could have purchased it for online. Plus $7.00 for parking.

I've seen better computer shows in Michigan. Maybe not as many vendors but better prices and nominal parking fee (none to $1.00). Probably not the vendor's fault, really. I suspect lower taxes and vendor space fees in Michigan.

Gun and knife shows are getting almost as bad. The last few times I found a good deal at a gun and knife show, it wasn't from a vendor but another attendee who brought something to privately trade.
 

iluvdeal

Golden Member
Nov 22, 1999
1,975
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I bought my first rig at a Robert Austin computer show, Abit BH6/Celeron 300A. Ahh the memories...:)

Nowadays, internet stores like newegg and computer megastores like Frys and Microcenter fill all my computer needs. For older parts, check out Craigslist and Ebay.