Your choice for PC component retailer?

[MikeyCanuck]

I'm looking for comments on your prefferd PC component retailers. Taking into account price/service/location etc, who do you prefer to buy your computer components from?

I'm currently planning to build a fairly high end PC from the ground up. While there are local PC shops here in Victoria, the prices don't usually compare with the prices of online retailers such as NCIX, Anitec, etc, even when taking into account shipping. Of course, there's more hassle dealing with online retailers when things go wrong, but I know some of these 'online' retailers also have B&M stores in other parts of the country.

So far Anitec appears to be winning me over on price alone, but I know there's more I should be considering.

What's your choice and why?

[Silver Bullet]

Well in Ontario, I go to Infonec 99% (Know the staff well and good location) of the time and if they don't have stock I got to Canada Computers. Though for large orders I try to use NCIX, Direct Canada to save on the taxes :)

[ASharp]

Yeah...for most things I usually grab the stuff from NCIX and I live in Ontario. I've got VIP so RMA's aren't a problem. Customer support is quite good and their prices are great too (not to mention you can price match).

I've made maybe a dozen orders with them over the past year and everything's been great. Haven't had a single problem with them other than a little delayed shipping a couple times due to their large number of orders during their bigger sales.

If I need something small and cheap like a memory card or something, I'll usually just go to Canada Computers (http://www.canadacomputers.com/). Their prices aren't as good as NCIX but, I can get it on the spot and don't have to pay shipping. I've heard good things about Infonec (http://www.infonec.com/) and CTY (http://www.cty.ca/) as well but I haven't been there personally.

[kud0s69]

I'm looking for comments on your prefferd PC component retailers. Taking into account price/service/location etc, who do you prefer to buy your computer components from?

I'm currently planning to build a fairly high end PC from the ground up. While there are local PC shops here in Victoria, the prices don't usually compare with the prices of online retailers such as NCIX, Anitec, etc, even when taking into account shipping. Of course, there's more hassle dealing with online retailers when things go wrong, but I know some of these 'online' retailers also have B&M stores in other parts of the country.

So far Anitec appears to be winning me over on price alone, but I know there's more I should be considering.

What's your choice and why?


NCIX usually has better prices when the sales go up. At least on common parts. I go to NCIX (I live in the city and do in store shopping), but really never have a good experience. Slow service. Boring. I prefer to shop at Anitec. It is a store, where you can pick stuff up and look at it etc and bring it to cash register :) Problem is they are further away and don't get out that far often.

[killoverme]

Quick question, will NCIX pm computer's canada and such? like on limited deals and others too?

hmm i never though about saving for tax....

[Amourek]

NCIX has better prices than Anitec... they will pricematch any site in Canada.

And if you collect 500 reward points, you can get a one-year VIP membership which gives you free RMA shipping if something turns out to be defective.

[MikeyCanuck]

How does saving the tax work? I seem to recall at one point when I ordered from Tigerdirect there was no PST. I assumed it's because they only did business in a province other than BC. Perhaps that changed over time.

Is NCIX a BC registered business only and hence why there is no PST when shipping to Ontario?

[tempeste]

I have ordered twice from Direct Canada. Each time they have always forgot one part of my order.

[terrybear]

NCIX NCIX NCIX NCIX !!!

Plain & simple ... weither ya live in bc or not ... its beats ANY store for whatever. 5% tax+shipping is STILL cheaper then buyin in ontario.

[eiyu]

NCIX and if I'm in desprate need of x part; I'll head over to Canada Computer or one of the local shops around the GTA

[appleb]

I always buy my components at Canada Computers, even though I know they have the worst customer service ever. Luckily I've never had to return anything there, but I have seen people there trying to get exchanges on defective items and they were always having a difficult time with the employees refusing it.

[Jin-n-Juice]

Is NCIX a BC registered business only and hence why there is no PST when shipping to Ontario?

NCIX doesn't charge PST when shipping to Ontario as they have no physical presence in Ontario

[Composter]

direct

[coriolis]

NCIX for large purchases($200+) after price matching from DirectCanada/NXSource/TDDirect.

For smaller purchases, usually CTY, MilestonePC or FansPC which is nearby.

[gerbil]

canada computers .. and yes they have the worst service but excellent prices. i'm crossing my fingers that didn't had to return any of it ... yet.

[B0000rt]

zipzoomfly or newegg in the US

I used CC for the longest time (ever since they had that one tiny store in PMall) buy will buy from whoever has the lowest price. There was a small shop at Kennedy/Sheppard that was good for harddrives..

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

Does anyone order parts from the U.S.? I have some American money I want to use up hehe.

Biggie.

[B0000rt]

Does anyone order parts from the U.S.? I have some American money I want to use up hehe.

Biggie.
???

When you order things online they are generally paid by a Credit card...

[sannin]

Direct Canada or CTy

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

???

When you order things online they are generally paid by a Credit card...

Some places accept paypal? Or maybe they don't... I might have to scour ebay. :P

Biggie.

[B0000rt]

I think buy.com does, but I'm not sure if they'll ship to a Canadian address...

[MikeyCanuck]

Well, since I don't have any of the bigger name retailers locally, I guess I'll buy online. My local no-name retailers couldn't even come close when I asked for how well they could price match an online retailer.

NCIX seems to be a favourite for larger orders. I'm assuming that's because they'll price match and because many people responding are from Ontario and an NCIX order is PST free.

[heymike]

These guys are about 4 blocks away from NCIX's new place in Vancouver; not sure if they deliver but they do ofter beat NCIX:
http://www.genericcomputer.com/shop/

When I live in Vic I ordered a custom build from ATIC, ended up being cheaper to ship it over than buy in Vic. A faulty harddrive did cause a pain in the arse as I could not jusr swing over a get a replacement; the free shipping still took a week.

Although, I did buy my most recent computer from NCIX; they are difficult to deal with in person because of their good customer service. You take a number and stand in the back while there while their reps feild 10,000 questions from people who seem to just be window shopping. This is frustrating if you are just there to pick something up; I saw a few people just walk out. Generic however did end up being cheaper on everything but the CPU and graphics card. Monitor was abut 12% cheaper through them, for the same model.

NCIX does host one of the best forums though; they deserve business just for that.

[fitbrit]

NCIX for large purchases($200+) after price matching from DirectCanada/NXSource/TDDirect.


I do the same. NCIX service is what keeps me going back. I haven;t had a single problem that wasn't resolved to my perfect satisfaction by their ticket method. I do sometimes wish that DirectCanada would pricematch NCIX, as DC's shipping is cheaper usually.

[fitbrit]

Does anyone order parts from the U.S.? I have some American money I want to use up hehe.

Biggie.

For small items I use Geeks.com frequently. there's also eCost.com too, but I've never used them.

[CoffeeAddict]

My fave local shop hands down is still Infonec
It used to be you paid a higher price there than CC and i still used to shop there to spite CC. Now infonec is cheaper for the most part and friendlier to boot :D

[galanz]

Usually NCIX or Memory Express http://www.memoryexpress.com. But I'll order from Direct Canada as well depending on sales etc.

[galanz]

And if you collect 500 reward points, you can get a one-year VIP membership which gives you free RMA shipping if something turns out to be defective.

I can't believe I didn't know this, thanks!

[gordholio]

canada computers .. and yes they have the worst service but excellent prices. i'm crossing my fingers that didn't had to return any of it ... yet.

I've had no problems with Canada Computers, but one time they did ship a keyboard and mouse with no padding in the box. That wasn't good.
Mostly I buy online from NCIX, since they match prices from other online stores.
The thing about NCIX and Canada Computers that's also good is that you can pay online through your bank account (no need for a credit card).

[terrybear]

I've had no problems with Canada Computers, but one time they did ship a keyboard and mouse with no padding in the box. That wasn't good.
Mostly I buy online from NCIX, since they match prices from other online stores.
The thing about NCIX and Canada Computers that's also good is that you can pay online through your bank account (no need for a credit card).

yep & one thing gordholio can also probly atest to as well is 1 day'ed by purolator air to midland is nice as ya get it anywhere between 12 - 2 pm !! :cheesygri

[felix]

NCIX, CTY, PC Village, Canada Computers, Future Shop, etc. Whoever has the lowest price at the time after price match, rebates, discount gift cards, etc. I avoid scammers like ICCT, tigerdirect, various liquidation stores, etc.

[bargain4me]

I usually go with Memory Express. I've been shopping there for over ten years with good experience on price and service. Its B&M is in Alberta and upcoming in Winnipeg, but has a web presence as well. Then I go with PM at FS/BB. Then NCIX on occasions.