Where do you buy your hardware?

[FreedomEclipse]

Most of my builds up until 2010 were built with parts bought from a store. The last time I visited a store for pc parts was the time I picked up a Radeon 5850. The store I bought everything from ended up closing down and there isnt something like a microcenter around here that exists. There is a sort of 'walmart' style retailer and they'll carry a small selection of graphics cards, gaming peripherals and possibly some RAM (but their range is tiny) and 99% of the time they arent the more enthusiast orientated models nevermind the silly prices they charge. They dont stock any motherboards or power supplies either, so the only real choice I have is to buy online.

I could go further afield to get what I want. There are computer shops that still exist in central london but I dont trust them as far as warranty goes and prices arent the best. I was going to buy an SB-Z from one of these stores about a decade ago and when i enquired about warranty. The guy told me the moment I opened the box the warranty was gone. Needless to say I never bought a single thing from them and never went back to them. However that store is still standing which means they must be doing something right.

 

[Konceptz]

Store: Microcenter (closest one is 2 hours away.)
Online: eBay/Prime/Newegg (stuff gets here usually within 2 days)

Whichever is cheaper. Usually online.

 

[neatfeatguy]

I do my best to support local stores - which is pretty much just Micro Center these days. Even though I hate crowds and most people bother the hell out of me because they're in my way or just in general being obtrusive because they have no idea other people around them exist as they stand in the middle of narrow aisles or block the aisle with their cart. So many times I have to push past people or move their carts....irritating. I'd much rather see what I'm getting when it comes to some merchandise and get my hands on it over staring at it through a monitor.

The other upside is being able to return a purchase (for whatever reason) within a very short period of time (minutes/hours) over waiting (days/weeks) to get a replacement part or refund.

My stop into Best Buy the other day - which is maybe once a year - the store had a section dedicated to PC gaming. They had 3 or 4 different pre-builts setup for people to test out, lots of peripherals, a larger selection of monitors than they've had in a long time and are starting to get more into the PC part (GPUs, CPUs, RAM, etc). PC gaming is a big thing, lots of people want that fancy RGB crap that's in so many cases and everything else that draws power and it sells (for some stupid reason). Hopefully Best Buy keeps going on this route because it'll be nice only having to drive about 10 minutes to Best Buy over nearly 30 minutes to Micro Center to check things out, but I know BB won't ever be able to touch what MC offers.

 

[Rullino32]

I'd prefer to buy hardware from a retail store, but there aren't many in my area, or at least not for the hardware I want, there are some selling SATA SSDs and some HDD, although most of them are external storage, so I'm forced to buy hardware online, especially RAM and M.2, I found some stores here in Italy that have a good reputation, I'll probably check them out if I can find a good 2tb SSD, whether it's PCIe Gen 3 or 4, probably with DRAM since I've heard they have better duration, same thing for the RAM since there isn't a store that sells it, so I'll also have to buy that online, if only there was a store like Microcenter.

 

[AlienIsGOD]

This poll lacks options tbh, I use online and in store equally along with marketplace, Kijiji and various 2nd hand marketplaces. I'm lucky to have a Canada computers in my city and have been a loyal customer since 2004ish and always give them business but at the same time Amazon has some great deals and features affirm payment plans making larger purchases easier

 

[harm9963]

I rather get from Micro Center down the street , price match ! but Prime is nice to , I do both !

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

Bestbuy?

Odd I was never notified. Anyways, it is still ~40 minutes drive for a poor selection for higher prices and worse warranty, compared to Amazon. And shipping is short too, we have an Amazon warehouse/hub local. If I don't care for speed or warranty Newegg for the prices.

I buy stuff at BestBuy occasionally. Mostly if I need it NOW or I hear of a deal. Got a 55" 4K TV right at the beginning of COVID for Zoom, right when they were practically unobtainable, for like $200. I rarely go in there just to shop around.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Anyways, it is still ~40 minutes drive for a poor selection for higher prices and worse warranty, compared to Amazon.

Maybe, but it's only a 40minute drive meaning you don't have to wait a week and if you need to do a return, it's also less waiting and hassle. Oh, and you don't have to worry about dumbass porch pirates. I regularly buy from Bestbuy.com and have it shipped to my local store just for the convenience(assuming it's something I can't order through my shop resale channels, which happens). They are always friendly and easy to work with.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

Meh, I don't like traffic. Also it is a hobby for me, and I can afford to wait a few days.

If it was a job it would be different.

 

[lexluthermiester]

To each there own, no disrespect intended.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

eBay. Rarer to get an absolute killer deal there, but the buyer protections have saved my ass at least twice.

My entire main rig was built off eBay. $3000 2021 rig for $1100 in 2022 by just timing things right.

A big part of the PC building thrill for me now is the deal hunting. This ain't the early 2000's with crazy tech progress so you have to get your jollies somehow.

 

[Robin Seina]

Due to Czech/EU laws, I kind of use of both - Czech laws allow for 14 days trial period when buying remotely (usually without penalization by the store, sometimes with about 10% return fee due to damage to packaging or marks of usage).
So I mostly order through internet, but I either pick it up at the store (saving on delivery) or from special delivery box run by the store. I also use the retail store as a convenient RMA pick-up center.

 

[Kaleid]

Most things online. The 77" OLED was straight from the shop though

 

[WatchThe80s]

10 years ago, it was cheaper in the shop. Now you can find the same item online, 100-300% cheaper.

 

[Robin Seina]

10 years ago, it was cheaper in the shop. Now you can find the same item online, 100-300% cheaper.

Hardly. May depend where you live, but difference between retail and online prices is at most about 20 % in Czech Republic.

 

[eidairaman1]

10 years ago, it was cheaper in the shop. Now you can find the same item online, 100-300% cheaper.

Exaggerating much?

Meh, I don't like traffic. Also it is a hobby for me, and I can afford to wait a few days.

If it was a job it would be different.

I check out online then buy in Brick and Mortar, because easier returns if something is bad

 

[lexluthermiester]

Exaggerating much?

Just a wee bit..

Now you can find the same item online, 10-30% cheaper.

Fixed that for you. Let's not be silly. It generally more like 5% to 15%. I would know, I do both!

 

[sn2x]

Online usually, but I recently stopped by a Microcenter for the first time to pick up some parts, since they had a bundle deal where I was able to save about $200 vs. buying the parts online.

 

[TheEndIsNear]

There is no place around me to buy local. It sucks

 

[hitek84]

I do all of the options.