pc bits suppliers

[dern]

An old topic I know but can anyone recommend a pc bits supplier please? The one I want to use (komplett) doesn't have the bits I want.

The one I have used but wouldn't use again are Scan, Dabs and EBuyer. I'm especially interested in companies who give good customer service rather than supply the cheapest kit.

Thanks,

Mark

Edited to change the "would use again" to "wouldn't use again"

>>> Edited by dern on Thursday 8th January 10:08

[Plotloss]

www.pcindex.co.uk then go to the supplier who lists the best price.

I have also had some joy with www.eclipse-computers.com their delivery is a bit iffy though...

>> Edited by Plotloss on Thursday 8th January 10:02

[.Mark]

I can heartily recommend www.novatech.co.uk I get all my stuff from there, resonably cheap, reasonably quick (they are only a few miles away) and I think their customer service is great.

[stevieb]

Overclockers.co.uk are good at help and advice before you buy.

What are you looking for?

steve

[TheHobbit]

depends what you are after, but I will recommend eXpansys. Recently bought an IPAQ5500 from them, along with a case, SD card, screen protectors etc etc. Good customer service, and prices only bettered by eBay in my experience.

agree with not using Scan

[polar_ben]

I used www.overclockers.co.uk for a few bits recently. Great service, speedy delivery & it's run by a PHer

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=83&h=&t=39851

[luca brazzi]

www.microdirect.co.uk - excellent range and very keen prices.
LB

[pdV6]

I find Novatech pretty good, but would prefer now to use Overclockers simply to support a fellow PH-er.
Saying that, I used OC before finding this out and they were fine...

[bigtone]

Yep, Overclockers or Watford Electronics (www.watford.co.uk) for me!

[.Mark]

Is Overclockers owned/run by one of us then?

[pdV6]

.Mark said:

Is Overclockers owned/run by one of us then?

Spie

[dern]

pdV6 said:

I find Novatech pretty good, but would prefer now to use Overclockers simply to support a fellow PH-er. Saying that, I used OC before finding this out and they were fine...

I'd already discounted overclockers because I'd heard they gave cr*p customer service. This just goes to show the power of rumour doesn't it? It's highly likely that one person had a disagreement with the company for whatever reason and that has turned into a rumour of poor service which eventually filtered down to me. The difficult thing is whether or not it actually was an instance or poor service or sour grapes. The only way to tell is to try these companies I guess.

I used EBuyer for ages quite successfully for over a year and thousands of pounds worth of kit and then they failed to deliver one of the items I ordered as part of a larger order. When I told them the processor was missing they launched an investigation to see if they had shipped it and I had lied or whether one of their packers had knicked it or whether it simply hadn't been packed. I was a bit annoyed about that as I had managed to order shed loads of stuff without succumbing to the temptation of effectively stealing anything but yet I had to wait over a week while their 'investigation' trundled on. Eventually they agreed I hadn't stolen a 25 quid chip and sent me another which had a load of bent pins. Since then I ordered a couple of things from them out of necessity and the packing was dreadful... the stuff was on the bottom of the box and there was a couple of those airbags laid on top - useless.

Anyway, thanks for the pointers.

Regards,

Mark

[TheHobbit]

dern said:

Since then I ordered a couple of things from them out of necessity and the packing was dreadful... the stuff was on the bottom of the box and there was a couple of those airbags laid on top - useless.

I had similar experience with Scan. Used them a few times, and then had a disagreement with them over something that was clearly duff, and that must have been when they added the "piss this guy off" flag to my customer profile. Next (and last) item I ordered was memory, which I now recon had been liberally rubbed against something static before being packed, as it failed after about 6 months. It was only £30-40, so I can't be arsed with them any more, and wrote it off as experience.

[dern]

TheHobbit said:

I had similar experience with Scan. Used them a few times, and then had a disagreement with them over something that was clearly duff, and that must have been when they added the "piss this guy off" flag to my customer profile. Next (and last) item I ordered was memory, which I now recon had been liberally rubbed against something static before being packed, as it failed after about 6 months. It was only £30-40, so I can't be arsed with them any more, and wrote it off as experience.

I had almost the same experience with Scan. The difficulty is, I imagine, is that when these companies are small they can provide a good service because the guys running them keep an eye on everything. When they get bigger they delegate to people who don't have the same investment in the company and probably don't care nearly as much. I suspect that also the people they delegate to are not high calibre people as they won't be paid much as the company wants to maintain profitability in a very competitive market. I'm guessing that's why companies that used to be ok go downhill. It seems unfair to put this down to greed as I don't think it's as simple as that.

At the end of the day though that's their problem and not ours.

[xsaravtr]

Only ever had one problem with Scan and that was when they were at the old place in Little Lever. Bought a Pentium 75Mhz (that will tell you how long ago it was) and had problems getting it to run with the motherboard I'd bought as well... Long story short, they said I'd blown the chip and I had to argue another one out of them. Flashing all the receipts I'd got for previous purchases made them reconsider.

Since then, never had any issues, and always buy bits from them...

[spivvy]

www.planetmicro.com used the a couple of times now friendly and knowledgeable

[HarryW]

I have used Novatech over the counter as they are local and always been pleased with the service and price.
Most of their trade is net/mail order stuff here
they seem to do well in a tough sector AFAIK.

Harry

[agent006]

www.microwarehouse.co.uk are very good, if a bit big. www.dslsource are second to none, but very small stock.

[SGirl]

Dern, I was just about to buy a laptop from Dabs. Why wouldn't you use them again? You can mail me through my profile if you like to avoid incurring the Wrath of Ted...

[Plotloss]

Sian, try mailing Carzee as well, but ready yourself for the vitriol...