Good source for inexpensive PC parts?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Noozer
  • Start date Start date
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Noozer

If I need something really inexpensive and can't find it locally, I usually
end up ordering from Geeks.com... Are there any other online stores offering
similar deals?
 
If I need something really inexpensive and can't find it locally, I usually
end up ordering from Geeks.com... Are there any other online stores offering
similar deals?
Click to expand...

Depends quite a bit on what you need. Geeks have some
reasonable deals now and again, but usually not on modern
tech. I usually consider them one source among many for
surplus legacy components, though this is mostly
considering motherboards, as processors can be found
elsewhere for same cost, and the Geeks case, PSU, et al.
selection is nothing particularly special.
 
Depends quite a bit on what you need. Geeks have some
reasonable deals now and again, but usually not on modern
tech. I usually consider them one source among many for
surplus legacy components, though this is mostly
considering motherboards, as processors can be found
elsewhere for same cost, and the Geeks case, PSU, et al.
selection is nothing particularly special.
Click to expand...

They ship to Canada, which is a plus for me.

Just bought a v2.0 class 1 USB dongle, 6 foot firewire cable, a 7 port USB2
hub, a 16 foot powered USB2 extension cable, and a pair of firewire 3.5"
enclosures, with fans, etc...all at about $50. Add $20 for shipping.

A single enclosure here would set me back more than $50, so I'm way ahead.

Folks in the US definately have some good deals available to them!
 
Noozer said:
If I need something really inexpensive and can't find it locally, I
usually end up ordering from Geeks.com... Are there any other online
stores offering similar deals?
Click to expand...


Since you don't mention what parts you are talking about, no, Geeks
doesn't have them all. If, for example, you are talking about any
electronic parts and not just computers, or non-major component parts
(i.e., not hard drives but MOSFETS, voltage regulators, capacitors,
etc.), then you'll probably find them at:

http://www.digikey.com/

The hardest part about their site is finding the part because they
have so damn many. Picking the right name for a part is almost
essential in finding it in their catalog.
 
If I need something really inexpensive and can't find it locally, I
usually end up ordering from Geeks.com... Are there any other online
stores offering similar deals?
Click to expand...


It's a bit difficult for a lot of components at Geeks.com to compare
them to other online vendors, like Newegg.com. A lot of what Geeks
sells is refurbished, not new. They also are not clear in their
listing as to which are retail and OEM versions until you read the
product description. When comparing their non-refurbished items
against another online vendor, like Newegg, and using a Western
Digital 250GB 7200RPM 16MB SATA/300 3.5" Hard Drive as an example
(where Geeks sells their "whitebox" version which is just an OEM
version and Newegg's OEM version clearly identified):

$75 Newegg
$94 Geeks

Their pricing at Geeks probably isn't the same ratio of difference
across the board for all their products but I already see that I'll
probably stick with Newegg. Plus, the return policies at Newegg are
very lenient. I have yet to have them bicker about me returning a
defective, deficient, or old version product. They'll even exchange
memory that I bought that was the wrong type to get the right type.
 
If I need something really inexpensive and can't find it locally, I
usually end up ordering from Geeks.com... Are there any other online
stores offering similar deals?
Click to expand...

I can say I've had great luck on eBay with computer parts, ie, reputable
vendors and reliable parts.

You could try frys.com and microcenter.com for descent prices especially
when the part is on specials or discount.
 
Noozer said:
If I need something really inexpensive and can't find it locally, I usually
end up ordering from Geeks.com... Are there any other online stores offering
similar deals?
Click to expand...


I like TigerDirect. The US website will not deal with a Canadian address
or credit card. tigerdirect.ca prices are slightly high compared to the
US prices, but they pay all cross-border charges, which is worth the
difference IMO.

HTH
 
I like TigerDirect. The US website will not deal with a Canadian address
or credit card. tigerdirect.ca prices are slightly high compared to the US
prices, but they pay all cross-border charges, which is worth the
difference IMO.
Click to expand...

I used to deal with TigerDirect, but had a few shipments go bad - missing
items, underpackaged, etc. Also, I find that they are more expensive for
most items these days, and they rarely have what I'm looking for.
 
jaster said:
I can say I've had great luck on eBay with computer parts, ie, reputable
vendors and reliable parts.
Click to expand...

Many times I can find an item on eBay. $5 gigabit Cardbus NIC for my laptop
was my latest find. I've never been ripped off, but a couple times I wonder
why I went to all the trouble.
You could try frys.com and microcenter.com for descent prices especially
when the part is on specials or discount.
Click to expand...

Big stickler that I forgot to mention was shipping to Canada.

Geeks.com will ship up here, and use USPS, so it isn't TOO expensive. And no
surprises like UPS brokerage fees.
 
I used to deal with TigerDirect, but had a few shipments go bad - missing
items, underpackaged, etc. Also, I find that they are more expensive for
most items these days, and they rarely have what I'm looking for.
Click to expand...


Many people avoid Tiger Direct after their credit card phone
charge scam, their bait-n-switch tactics, their occasionally
misleading product specs, their shady offspun rebate house
(not to mention reselling customer data to spammers), and
their bad rating with the BBB. It's almost like TD is
doing everything they can to alienate customers.

IMO, there are too many other good sellers to gamble on TD.
 
Many times I can find an item on eBay. $5 gigabit Cardbus NIC for my
laptop was my latest find. I've never been ripped off, but a couple
times I wonder why I went to all the trouble.


Big stickler that I forgot to mention was shipping to Canada.

Geeks.com will ship up here, and use USPS, so it isn't TOO expensive.
And no surprises like UPS brokerage fees.
Click to expand...

I thought MicroCenter shipped internationally but maybe not.

OTOH, Frys.com/Outpost.com does ship to Canada explained here:

http://shop1.outpost.com/template/help/index/FE30/Service3/Assistance/
Middle_Topics/A3InternationalShipping

And Frys' specials and return policy are vary hard to beat by competitors.
 
Noozer said:
If I need something really inexpensive and can't find it locally, I usually
end up ordering from Geeks.com... Are there any other online stores offering
similar deals?
Click to expand...
Tiger Direct has deals but they have started adding rebates to nearly
everything so I quite buying from them. Then some people use New Egg.
 
Tiger Direct has deals but they have started adding rebates to nearly
everything so I quite buying from them. Then some people use New Egg.
Click to expand...


Tiger Direct has a lot of dissatisfied customers. Check the
BBB, or resellerratings.com. Ignore the positive comments
and focus on how they resolve problems if/when they arise.

Newegg is not perfect by any stretch but is an order of
magnitude better than Tiger Direct.
 
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