Computer Trading Convensions

[Merlin4458]

Im trying to find some places and dates at whcih the computer trading conversion are heald, where they sell components and wotnot. They usually have some rock bottom prices there, so could be able to pick my pc up for cheaper

Cheers
John

[rc55]

Conventions are rarely that good to be fair. In my experience it's always been mid-40's Derek with the scruffy face selling ISA Soundblasters with bent IDE pins, and the ole box'o'memory where the sticks are labeled with happy shopper style price tags and handed to you without anti static materials.

Maybe I've just had bad experiences.

Anyhow, the larger ones are pretty good, but mostly you'd be looking at getting job lots of CRT's and retired P3's. The cutting edge stuff is still in retail at decent prices (I use Komplett's bundles generally), so the best deal with the best support is probably not found at these conventions.

Of course, your mileage may vary and you may find other people here have different experiences.

Ruairi

[monkeyville]

I've heard good things about these things however i have no idea where they are. If anybody has any idea about where there are some in Notts let me know

[5cupa]

http://www.computerfairs.com

[Swafe]

Conventions are rarely that good to be fair. In my experience it's always been mid-40's Derek with the scruffy face selling ISA Soundblasters with bent IDE pins, and the ole box'o'memory where the sticks are labeled with happy shopper style price tags and handed to you without anti static materials.

Maybe I've just had bad experiences.

Anyhow, the larger ones are pretty good, but mostly you'd be looking at getting job lots of CRT's and retired P3's. The cutting edge stuff is still in retail at decent prices (I use Komplett's bundles generally), so the best deal with the best support is probably not found at these conventions.

Of course, your mileage may vary and you may find other people here have different experiences.

Ruairi

Thats there about what I get at my local computer fairs


To be fair, they do sell some high end stuff, but theres not all that much, you'll get 6800s near me, but I doubt anyone would have the investment to get some 7800s in to sell.

People have the misconception that computer fairs are cheap. Well, yes they are, when I first got into computers I was amazed at how cheap they were, after paying PC world prices, it was stupidly cheap, but then I realised they must be getting them from somewhere, it turns out most sellers there get their goods from ebuyer trade accounts or similar, then add a few quid mark up from ebuyers prices, e.g if a CPU was 50 quid on ebuyer, they'd sell it for 55-60, so they make some money out of it.... its dear in comparison to ebuyer, but if your a newbie, its a shockingly good deal when pc world are selling the same CPU for 119.99...

My experience anyway, there are bargains to be had, but not as many as you'd be lead to belive, if you want something cheap, ebuyer is the way to go, if you want to buy a shed load for reselling, e.g in a small shop -> ebuyer trade account

[Merlin4458]

ebuyer trade account. What exactly is that. And could anyone sign up to that? Is it where u buy in bulk, and most run a business?

[Mike Fishcake]

I don't think ebuyer have trade accounts, do they?

The companies that do though, i'm sure you have to actually be a business anyway.

If you want cheap PC stuff, try ebay. Just as reliable as the guys at trade fairs :-)

[Nox]

Ccomputer fairs were cheap 15 years ago, hell even 10 years ago.

These days... no, atleast not in general. you will find a load of non-branded stuff for sale tho, and hopefully that 9 year old game the dog ate.

Nox

[Curly]

I've heard good things about these things however i have no idea where they are. If anybody has any idea about where there are some in Notts let me know

At the Victoria Liesure center and Harvey Hadden Stadium, the Evening post normally carry details in the friday edition.

hth, Curly

[Swafe]

I don't think ebuyer have trade accounts, do they?

The companies that do though, i'm sure you have to actually be a business anyway.

If you want cheap PC stuff, try ebay. Just as reliable as the guys at trade fairs :-)

They used to I think, not sure if they still do, but plenty of other online retailers do them.

You need a VAT number, so you need to be a registered company to get them... and you get the VAT off I think, 17.5%

[Merlin4458]

thats basically what im after,. VAT off. if i can find a way round this, i can get my pc tm

[Swafe]

Fraid you need to be a registered company

Or know someone who has one... and can blag he needs a PC for work purposes..

[Merlin4458]

lol, thats the suckage tbh

[khizman]

fairs can be ok for dvd cases and things but tbh online stuff is much better.
what are you gonna do if something goes wrong?
I would rather shop at Ocuk than spend 300 quid on a graphics card at a fair.

[monkeyville]

A bold statement indeed

[Merlin4458]

lol, overclockers that poo then ay? I keep hearing this. Poor customer service and steap prices? am i right?
oh and does anyone who can get vat off wanna buy me my parts?