British Computer Stores

[SumDumGai]

Good Morning Sharky,

I posted this in the old forum, but I don't know if you read there anymore, so here it is again. Sorry, if I'm inconveniencing you. Do you know of any good computer stores within 50 miles of Thetford? I just arrived in England, and can't seem to find anything. Most of the places around here seem to only sell games, and already built computers. I'm looking for some place that sells everything I need to build my own computer, and I know that you live in England as well. I don't know how far from Thetford you are, but I'm hoping you'll have an idea of where I can go for what I need. Thanks for any help you can provide.

-Ryan

[alexross]

Hi Ryan,

It's no bother at all and I'll still be checking in on the old one in case folks want to use that forum instead. I hope my country is treating you well?

As for good computer stores I have to be honest here and say "they are very rare". THere's nothing like Fry's in the UK I'm afraid.... If you can get down to London "Tottenham Court Road" is you best bet to get some good prices on bits of hardware. Either that or look in the back pages of some computer magazines where they have some of those big wharehouse-type places.

[SumDumGai]

Thanks. I'll try to find some time to get to London. And yes, England has been treating me quite nicely. Once again, thanks for your help.

-Ryan

[alexross]

No problemo. Glad I could help and that my country is treating you well. Just don't mention Braveheart and you'll be ok.

Originally posted by SumDumGai:
Thanks. I'll try to find some time to get to London. And yes, England has been treating me quite nicely. Once again, thanks for your help.

-Ryan

[petecloss]

Originally posted by SumDumGai:
Good Morning Sharky,

I posted this in the old forum, but I don't know if you read there anymore, so here it is again. Sorry, if I'm inconveniencing you. Do you know of any good computer stores within 50 miles of Thetford? I just arrived in England, and can't seem to find anything. Most of the places around here seem to only sell games, and already built computers. I'm looking for some place that sells everything I need to build my own computer, and I know that you live in England as well. I don't know how far from Thetford you are, but I'm hoping you'll have an idea of where I can go for what I need. Thanks for any help you can provide.

-Ryan

Think I might just muscle my way into the conversation at this point (sorry Sharky ;)) seeing as I'm currently actually in Britain myself (and have been for some years years now).

There are next to no good computer stores in Britain to be honest. Dixons, Currys, Comet etc only sell fully built machine like Packard Bells and Compaqs. Need I say more.

Having said that, there are a number of very good online stores. www.dabs.com (http://www.dabs.com) deliver free to the UK and their prices are pretty good. They also have a very good web based order management system that lets you track order status, split off orders (so if part of your order is delayed you can ask them to send you the stuff that isn't) and so on.

Simply (www.simply.co.uk) are a little more expensive but I've found their support to be much better - they took back a faulty motherboard I bought and refunded it one month out of their stated returns period (it took me that long to work out that it was the motherboard that was faulty instead of the CPU). In contrast dabs.com took about a month to work out that my speakers from them were duff (you'd think they could jsut turn them on to find out they don't work, just like I did) and then took a few weeks to finally send me some new ones.

Finally, www.insight.com/uk (http://www.insight.com/uk) are the cheapest but their support is a bit naff (bit of Brit lingo there to get you started) and they charge shipping. Take your pick. :)

Cheers,

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Pete Closs
Games Editor
SharkyExtreme.com

[jaggy]

Well i've stayed in England for about a total of 4 or 5 months myself, but I don't actually have a place to suggest... but anyhow, from what i remember, england has almost only horrible deals on anything thats technological..

Oh yes and not to forget that bloody TV license, and the charge for local calls!

Don't get me wrong though, england is a great place with great people, but it would seem that everyone who sells stuff there is trying to take extra money from every citizen!

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Never knock on Death's door. Ring the bell and run away. Death really hates that.

[Sharky]

Ah thanks for stepping in Pete. I forgot about Dabs Direct http://www.sharkyforums.com/ubb/smile.gif

Originally posted by petecloss:
Think I might just muscle my way into the conversation at this point (sorry Sharky http://www.sharkyforums.com/ubb/wink.gif) seeing as I'm currently actually in Britain myself (and have been for some years years now).

There are next to no good computer stores in Britain to be honest. Dixons, Currys, Comet etc only sell fully built machine like Packard Bells and Compaqs. Need I say more.

Having said that, there are a number of very good online stores. www.dabs.com (http://www.dabs.com) deliver free to the UK and their prices are pretty good. They also have a very good web based order management system that lets you track order status, split off orders (so if part of your order is delayed you can ask them to send you the stuff that isn't) and so on.

Simply (www.simply.co.uk) are a little more expensive but I've found their support to be much better - they took back a faulty motherboard I bought and refunded it one month out of their stated returns period (it took me that long to work out that it was the motherboard that was faulty instead of the CPU). In contrast dabs.com took about a month to work out that my speakers from them were duff (you'd think they could jsut turn them on to find out they don't work, just like I did) and then took a few weeks to finally send me some new ones.

Finally, www.insight.com/uk (http://www.insight.com/uk) are the cheapest but their support is a bit naff (bit of Brit lingo there to get you started) and they charge shipping. Take your pick. http://www.sharkyforums.com/ubb/smile.gif

Cheers,





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Cheers

Editor-in-Chief & Founder
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www.sharkyextreme.com (http://www.sharkyextreme.com)
www.sharkygames.com (http://www.sharkygames.com)
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Thanks for flying with us, we know you have a choice...

[petecloss]

Originally posted by jaggy:
Oh yes and not to forget that bloody TV license, and the charge for local calls!


Metred call charges has held back the growth of the internet in the UK. I'm amazed it's already as successful as it is. As for the TV license, well, it's not that bad since it means BBC 1 and 2 remain ad free which is fine by me.

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Pete Closs
Games Editor
SharkyExtreme.com

[jaggy]

Originally posted by petecloss:
Metred call charges has held back the growth of the internet in the UK. I'm amazed it's already as successful as it is. As for the TV license, well, it's not that bad since it means BBC 1 and 2 remain ad free which is fine by me.


I completely agree on the 1st, and about the TV license, well... hmm, i have to say i did enjoy BBC 1 and BBC2 (adfree), but i'm not sure i'd pay for that let's say over here (montreal). If i lived in the UK sure i'd dish the money out though.

Oh by the way, i've always wondered (i forgot to ask when i was there) is there sattelite in england? with more than a few channels? I'm guessing there must be, but is there?

Cheerio, mate!

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Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

[willgoat]

i'm too in UK and i bought lots of stuff off the net, especially from DABS.COM mentioned earlier. www.insight.com (http://www.insight.com) thought is always down this few weeks, dunno why. some other company you can try includes www.buy.com (http://www.buy.com) (uk version) which i think one of the few remaining one who is both cheap and one don't have minimum buy charges! www.watford.co.uk (http://www.watford.co.uk) www.techdirect.co.uk (http://www.techdirect.co.uk) www.jungle.com (http://www.jungle.com)
etc etc...
try your luck

[guest]

Techdirect went out of business recently. Try www.aria.co.uk (http://www.aria.co.uk)

TV license also means that BBC radio is ad-free.

[visitor]

Compare Prices from 31 different retailers...
http://www.computerprices.co.uk/