LufbraDan23
09-05-09, 07:41 AM
Well on my day off last week i took the 40 minute drive to the nearest computer related retail estate. It really is slim pickings where i live so i have to make do with PC World and Maplin. For those outside the UK- PC World is the biggest highstreet retailer of computers in my part of the world, in fact it might be the only major nationwide chain of computer stores in the United Kingdom. Maplin is an electronics store that sells components for everything and anything, including computers. You can find most things in there but it really is a last resort store to most people. I kind of like it but i am suprised that they managed to stay in business when half a dozen retailers collapsed at the start of the 'credit crunch'- i hate that term btw.
Anyway, Maplin was as expected, a few random components like HDDs, optical drives and a couple graphics cards (ati 3870s for £100, which is 4870 price). PC World however really wound me up. I honestly cannot think of anything i would ever purchase from there. Think about it, its the only high street retailer we have and i wouldnt give them a penny of my business. Heres why- pricing, advice and stock.
I was on the lookout for an i7 or Core 2 Quad. I've nearly pulled the trigger on an i7 online many times but i was in a 'physical buying' mood and just holding the box wouldve swung it for me. I saw a section headed 'Components' and headed over. There were 5 or 6 shelves high, taking up about 20 feet of floor space and a mere 3 boxes. Yes, 3 boxes. An overpriced HDD, an optical drive again and the 2.33ghz Core 2 Quad 8200. I'm not even joking- it had £230 stuck on it. I was stunned. A salesman came over as i was examining the box to be sure of the outrageous price. He asked me if i 'needed some help', i actually laughed. He looked quite offended and traipsed away.
Now pricing is always going to be crap in the highstreet, i accept that. But what i can't abide by is ripping people off for trash they don't need. I overheard, whilst browsing the £1200 i7 920 based desktops (could be built for £600), a young girl about my age being sold a laptop with integrated graphics "saves on space" then being duped into taking out 'Tech Guys support' and 'Online storage bank' for nearly £100 extra. Now i'm sure 'tech guys' are good computer technicians, better than i am, but i'm also sure that the cover they supply under the package you buy from the shop will tie their hands to only carry out 'chimpanzee repairs' before charging you. An online storage bank is a joke too.
The girl walked off with a big smile on her face after being duped to the tune of nearly £600 for mediocre laptop and unnecessary add-ons. PC World stay in business because they exploit the less technologically adept public.
Does anyone else in the UK resent PC World? Maybe you love them? Maybe you are a 'Tech Guy' and actually provide an excellent service?
Anyway, Maplin was as expected, a few random components like HDDs, optical drives and a couple graphics cards (ati 3870s for £100, which is 4870 price). PC World however really wound me up. I honestly cannot think of anything i would ever purchase from there. Think about it, its the only high street retailer we have and i wouldnt give them a penny of my business. Heres why- pricing, advice and stock.
I was on the lookout for an i7 or Core 2 Quad. I've nearly pulled the trigger on an i7 online many times but i was in a 'physical buying' mood and just holding the box wouldve swung it for me. I saw a section headed 'Components' and headed over. There were 5 or 6 shelves high, taking up about 20 feet of floor space and a mere 3 boxes. Yes, 3 boxes. An overpriced HDD, an optical drive again and the 2.33ghz Core 2 Quad 8200. I'm not even joking- it had £230 stuck on it. I was stunned. A salesman came over as i was examining the box to be sure of the outrageous price. He asked me if i 'needed some help', i actually laughed. He looked quite offended and traipsed away.
Now pricing is always going to be crap in the highstreet, i accept that. But what i can't abide by is ripping people off for trash they don't need. I overheard, whilst browsing the £1200 i7 920 based desktops (could be built for £600), a young girl about my age being sold a laptop with integrated graphics "saves on space" then being duped into taking out 'Tech Guys support' and 'Online storage bank' for nearly £100 extra. Now i'm sure 'tech guys' are good computer technicians, better than i am, but i'm also sure that the cover they supply under the package you buy from the shop will tie their hands to only carry out 'chimpanzee repairs' before charging you. An online storage bank is a joke too.
The girl walked off with a big smile on her face after being duped to the tune of nearly £600 for mediocre laptop and unnecessary add-ons. PC World stay in business because they exploit the less technologically adept public.
Does anyone else in the UK resent PC World? Maybe you love them? Maybe you are a 'Tech Guy' and actually provide an excellent service?