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  • #2086798

    Where to buy individual components

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    by james_randy ·

    I’m looking for a supplier of individual computer “brand name” components. Intel processors, Asus motherboards, ATI griphics cards, 3Com network cards, IBM hard drives, Sound Blaster sound cards, as well as RAM, floppy disk drives, cd rom drives, and a wide (or perhaps not so wide) selection of computer cases. I may want to buy only one or two items at a time, or many many items per order. Either on-line purchases, telephone purchases and/or local retail/wholesale sales (I’m in a major metropolitan area) would all be acceptable.

    I’m looking for quality, reliability, price, customer service and easy return policies in case of defective products. Primarily hardware, but software as well (Microsoft products). I’m looking for one supplier for all my parts.

    I’m sure you’ll have a lot of ideas, and I’ll divide the points accordingly for “non-redundant” and best suggestions that meet my stated criteria.

    Regards,

    jr

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    • #3872772

      Where to buy individual components

      by james_randy ·

      In reply to Where to buy individual components

      Actually, one supplier would be preferable, but not a necessity. I also wonder about what would be required to buy directly from the manufacturer at wholesale prices. what kind of voulme would be required, etc. (including an OEM arrangement with Microsoft). Has anyone looked into that?

    • #3872763

      Where to buy individual components

      by marcask ·

      In reply to Where to buy individual components

      Here in Arizona and in Calforina, we purchase our parts in a store named Fry’s Electronics. They carry all name brand components mentioned above including the full line of Antec cases. Prices are the same regardless of volume. Their return policy isfantastic. I recently returned a DOA mobo. I walked in, showed my receipt, and was given another brand new mobo. No questions asked. Not only do they carry components, they have a full selection of software, manuals, and tools. Prices are slightly higher than online, but you pay for convenience. To the knowlegable consumer, it is an electronic supermarket. They do not have a web site or a telephone order department that I am aware of (I am a walk in). You can call the local store here for more info. The number is 602.659.8500. Good luck in your search.
      Marc

      • #3873740

        Where to buy individual components

        by james_randy ·

        In reply to Where to buy individual components

        Thanks for the input. All these are good suggestions. I might post the question again for others’ thoughts on the subject. But I’ll close it for now so the divided points are still reasonable. Thanks again. jr

    • #3872754

      Where to buy individual components

      by otl ·

      In reply to Where to buy individual components

      Try http://www.pricewatch.com, good prices and other peoples views on different suppliers. Shipping methods and time between order and receipt.

      • #3873741

        Where to buy individual components

        by james_randy ·

        In reply to Where to buy individual components

        Thanks for the input. All these are good suggestions. I might post the question again for others’ thoughts on the subject. But I’ll close it for now so the divided points are still reasonable. Thanks again. jr

    • #3872724

      Where to buy individual components

      by dmiles ·

      In reply to Where to buy individual components

      This is a few sites that provide good service and offer a complete line of computer components and parts
      1)www.cdw.com
      2)www.cyberguys.com
      3)Data Comm Warehouse (www.warehouse.com)
      4)www.pcpowercooling.com

      • #3873742

        Where to buy individual components

        by james_randy ·

        In reply to Where to buy individual components

        Thanks for the input. All these are good suggestions. I might post the question again for others’ thoughts on the subject. But I’ll close it for now so the divided points are still reasonable. Thanks again. jr

    • #3872722

      Where to buy individual components

      by avachon ·

      In reply to Where to buy individual components

      Hi, I can’t offer a “superstore” site, but here are some I use. http://www.directron carries a wide assortment of hardware ranging from cases, case fans to harddrives, floppies, drive cables, boards and memory. They offer tech support, customer support, returns (they also have some online instructions to help out people). http://pcpowerandcooling also offer cases (limited but sturdiest I’ve found); great case fans (ball bearing, silencers), heat alerts, some of the best power supplies. Also have excellent tech support and customer support – no questions asked return policy; free shipping except for cases. To buy direct you need your own business (which is really just the tax paperwork) and a tax-exempt certificate for your state (I think that’s what it’s called). Anyway, you need to demonstrate that you are a reseller and volume depends on the manufacturer. The small business association can give you the details – either on the web or at a local office. Hope this helps.

      • #3873743

        Where to buy individual components

        by james_randy ·

        In reply to Where to buy individual components

        Thanks for the input. All these are good suggestions. I might post the question again for others’ thoughts on the subject. But I’ll close it for now so the divided points are still reasonable. Thanks again. jr

    • #3872709

      Where to buy individual components

      by grbeckmeyer ·

      In reply to Where to buy individual components

      I can tell you of a few online companies I have had good luck with, but first I would suggest http://www.resellerratings.com
      Here you can see ratings and customer comments for many online shops.

      I personally have had pleasant experiences with http://www.tcwo.com (GREAT prices & service, but selection is slim), http://www.bunta.com (great prices and much larger selection, but in California so it takes a little longer to reach me in Ohio), and I also just ordered from http://www.cyberguys.com(not the best for components, but they have some obscure stuff you just don’t see very often)

      • #3873744

        Where to buy individual components

        by james_randy ·

        In reply to Where to buy individual components

        Thanks for the input. All these are good suggestions. I might post the question again for others’ thoughts on the subject. But I’ll close it for now so the divided points are still reasonable. Thanks again. jr

    • #3873931

      Where to buy individual components

      by casemaker ·

      In reply to Where to buy individual components

      jr,
      To become a true reseller as you describe you would need to buy from a manufacturers distributor rather than a reseller as mentioned in the previous replies. Visit http://www.ingrammicro for the source you are looking for. It is not an easy task to become a var(value added reseller) with Ingram but they are what you are looking for in my humble opinion.
      Good Luck With Your Business!
      Mark

      “Always do the right thing, it will astonish some and gratify the rest” MTwain

      • #3873745

        Where to buy individual components

        by james_randy ·

        In reply to Where to buy individual components

        Thanks for the input. All these are good suggestions. I might post the question again for others’ thoughts on the subject. But I’ll close it for now so the divided points are still reasonable. Thanks again. jr

        P.S. Great “Twain-ism”

    • #3873866

      Where to buy individual components

      by software architect ·

      In reply to Where to buy individual components

      Some friends of mine just became value added resellers through Syntex. They ahve the best prices for all the name brand PC’s and additional hardware and software. They can also offer the best prices on MS products. The guys at Galeforce will be happy to tell you the details in becoming a VAR. The number for Galeforce is 864-228-6620. The presidents name is Gary. Tell him Dennis sent you.

      Glad to help

      • #3873746

        Where to buy individual components

        by james_randy ·

        In reply to Where to buy individual components

        Thanks for the input. All these are good suggestions. I might post the question again for others’ thoughts on the subject. But I’ll close it for now so the divided points are still reasonable. Thanks again. jr

    • #3873829

      Where to buy individual components

      by qhcomputingny ·

      In reply to Where to buy individual components

      Jr. IT GUY,

      Take this from me. Get an account with CDW. I have been the purchasing agent at my company for quite some time now and have the greatest experience in using this company. All ordered items have come on time. If the website says ithas something in stock, it really is in stock. 🙂 You get your own personal account manager who helps you whenever you need. Do yourself a favor, SKIP all other mentioned sites and go here. I have dealt with many other web sites/stores and have had horror stories with almost all of them except for CDW.

      Eddie

      • #3873747

        Where to buy individual components

        by james_randy ·

        In reply to Where to buy individual components

        Thanks for the input. All these are good suggestions. I might post the question again for others’ thoughts on the subject. But I’ll close it for now so the divided points are still reasonable. Thanks again. jr

    • #3873787

      Where to buy individual components

      by bv2 ·

      In reply to Where to buy individual components

      Able Computer Systems Inc
      7905 SW Cirrus Dr,
      Beaverton, OR 97008-5971
      Phone: (503)626-9953

      If you want to get away from mail order catalogs and voice mail mazes to return merchandise, these guys do pretty well. I have used CDW, Inmac, Micro Warehouse, Merisel, Ingram Micro, and Tech Data. While Merisel offered the best prices and return policy, it’s probably beacuse we were owned by the same parent company. Able has pretty good prices and availability. If you call them ask for Todd- he’s pretty laid back but will do his absolute best to get you what you need when you need it.

      • #3873748

        Where to buy individual components

        by james_randy ·

        In reply to Where to buy individual components

        Thanks for the input. All these are good suggestions. I might post the question again for others’ thoughts on the subject. But I’ll close it for now so the divided points are still reasonable. Thanks again. jr

    • #3873739

      Where to buy individual components

      by james_randy ·

      In reply to Where to buy individual components

      This question was closed by the author

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