I used to build all my PCs with bits I bought at the local computer fairs. I swapped across to salary sacrificing laptops for tax reasons but that loophole is now gone. Current laptop is 2.5 years old and I probably need a new one. I am thinking about going back to the computer fairs but I wondered generally how the prices I can haggle there compare with the online shops (incl postage).
Computer Swap Meets/Fairs
2ndeffort on 09/06/2012 - 20:16
Comments
agree somewhat with Davo1111- also for that to work you need to factor in
* access to cheap parts locally
*or reasonable shipping costs if not( have got some good deals when i lived nearby to locations that regularly had fairs.)
Computer fairs are dying in the arse because the greedy bastards who run the show were demanding too much of the cut from the stallholders. I got this bit of trivia on my last attendance at one from a few of the sellers that I was familiar with! Thankfully they all had B&M or online stores themselves anyway!
It's a pity because I recall getting some good local bargains without having to wait for shipping; but as Davo said there's no bargains anymore, mainly because the prices have been jacked up to offset the costs for retailers in attending! The online prices will smash anything you find at a fair nowadays!
Apparently it also costs more now to hire halls with all kinds of conditions like liability insurance. Internet commerce has killed the computer fair, and things are cheaper too, but browsing on your desktop isn't quite the same.
It's a shame to hear computer fairs are dying. I ordered a PC to spec a week ago, and my wife asked why I didn't just build my own (laziness, mainly). My first place for parts in the past was one of these fairs. They had some great deals pre-widespread internet commerce.
I've been to computer fairs and i couldn't see any bargains. I'd just buy it from a computer store and save on haggling/warranty issues