[Trots]

So I'm probably going to be buying a new gaming tower in the next year, and I'm just curious which sites you guys would recommend when buying parts?

So which site do you use/recommend?

[Dragon-88]

NCIX or Memory Express if you know what you want.

ME does price match plus 5%.

[lowside67]

I used to use NCIX but I bought my last computer from Memory Express and will not be going back to NCIX - Memory Express beat the price, got all the parts together faster, and were generally MUCH nicer to deal with in person.

Mark

[Mr.HappySilp]

NCIX since is pretty close to my house. If I live near Richmond I would try Memory Express. They seem to have nicer customer service.

[ddr]

memX if they carry what i need 'cause they'd b cheaper, and much nicer

ncix for greater selection

[CRS]

I pricematch between NCIX and ME while on rare occasions I'll use a-power.

I only use anitec as a reference and do not buy from them.

For all PMs, I use shopbot.ca

[!MiKrofT]

NCIX, ME, Anitec, and once in awhile A-power. Depends which is convenient and has the best price.

[ConCho]

NCIX or Memory Express

[gars]

NCIX does have the best selection. I find MemX's selection quite lacking sometimes - but if what you're looking for is more mainstream, it's ok.

Anitec isn't bad - when their things go on sale, it's usually around the same price as the others. If I'm picking something up - it's easy to check to see what they have in stock and it's quick in and out - rather than having to wait at NCIX. Sometimes, if I'm just picking up a cable or something, it's not worth trying to save a few bucks by driving across town. Anitec also happens to be a few minutes from my place!

[illicitstylz]

ncix has better sales page/navigation imo.

[ConCho]

@gars

In my opinion Anitec is quite expensive. It was close to my house and I needed some parts but it's more expensive then the other stores.

[Great68]

Since all the wholesalers I used to use are on the mainland and aren't open weekends, I have started to use NCIX.

So far they've been very good, they even shipped a big order to me for free when I couldn't pick it up in person due to a power outage at the kingsway store (Apparently if their computers don't work, they can't let you have your items even if you've pre-paid by CC, and they have them in the store).

The computer stores in Victoria are a rip off, everything is at least 30% more expensive. A copy of Win 7 Pro OEM was $80 more at Mother's Computers here, at that price it was still WAY cheaper to buy from NCIX and ship it over.

[Trots]

Since all the wholesalers I used to use are on the mainland and aren't open weekends, I have started to use NCIX.

So far they've been very good, they even shipped a big order to me for free when I couldn't pick it up in person due to a power outage at the kingsway store (Apparently if their computers don't work, they can't let you have your items even if you've pre-paid by CC, and they have them in the store).

The computer stores in Victoria are a rip off, everything is at least 30% more expensive. A copy of Win 7 Pro OEM was $80 more at Mother's Computers here, at that price it was still WAY cheaper to buy from NCIX and ship it over.

Yeah, I'm in the same boat. I live in the Colwood / Langford area and it's near impossible to find a good deal anywhere in town.

[!MiKrofT]

@gars

In my opinion Anitec is quite expensive. It was close to my house and I needed some parts but it's more expensive then the other stores.
All depends. I've seen stuff that's on par with NCIX.

[dangonay]

I've been using NCIX for years now and have probably built at least a dozen computers (half of them gaming rigs). I have never had any issues with them this entire time. I've only had three items go down for warranty (MB, HD and a vid card) and all were replaced after a short wait while they test it out.

I'm not sure what people mean by "better customer service" at ME or other stores as I don't know how NCIX could make things any better. Maybe they give free BJ's to those who spend more then $500? :)

The only time I've ever seen a salesperson in NCIX seem to get flustered with a customer is when you've got one of those idiots who decides they want to price out 10 different configurations for a machine right there in the store. Seriously? You can't even do a little research before you come to the store? You can't bother to build a system online first? You're coming to NCIX to buy parts to build a machine instead of going to Best Buy, so you must know something about computers. Stop wasting my (and everyone else's) time asking your stupid questions over and over. /rant

[Euro7r]

Futureshop :troll: NCIX, they have been super awesome. Parts always available and their website navigation is outstanding. Usually I can find what I need. My next computer build will be buying parts from NCIX again.

[mbl2]

NCIX. I sometimes pricematch using DirectCanada or Memory Express.

Just do web order and pick it up at any of their stores. It beats having to line up and wait for a sales rep to take your order.

[gars]

@gars

In my opinion Anitec is quite expensive. It was close to my house and I needed some parts but it's more expensive then the other stores.

depends on what you're getting. Sometimes - I just need an adaptor or a cable, - if it's on sale, it's usually the same as NCIX/ME, but otherwise, it's not worth driving across town to save a buck or two. Other things - if it goes on sale at Anitec, it's usually a decent price.

With gas so expensive - Richmond is too far, I'll usually wait till I'm in the area if I know I need a part - but making a trip out there just to save a buck or two isn't worth it.

[Mining]

NCIX pricematching wooo

[Matlock]

Ncix has been great, I've been buying from them since 2004

Also very good for troubleshooting. By troubleshooting I am talking about hardware . If you have any problems you can bing your computer in and they'll do a quick investigaition for free. If they can't figure it out right away you can pay them to look at it per hour. So far they have helped me figure things out 3x for free :)
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[CRS]

Yeah, I'm in the same boat. I live in the Colwood / Langford area and it's near impossible to find a good deal anywhere in town.

No worries. NCIX and ME are open weekends and they are my two main shops.

[orange7]

ncix.

search for the parts online so that you can price match them at ncix.

use these websites for price matching:
http://www.shopbot.ca/
http://www.canadapost.ca/
http://www.pricecanada.com

or by googling: "(name of item) price canada"

just make sure you print the ad and bring it to ncix for them to price match it if they can.

[freakshow]

I always use Memory Express now due to the price beat. I'll PM at NCIX and www.pricecanada.com

[Trots]

For the price matching, is it exclusively for in-store customers, or can you get the same deal online? I just wonder this because there's no NCIX or ME in Victoria

[gars]

For the price matching, is it exclusively for in-store customers, or can you get the same deal online? I just wonder this because there's no NCIX or ME in Victoria

the great thing about ME is that they have a 5% price beat - which means if you find something for $1000 that's cheaper at another store, you'll save another $50. but that's only available in store.

NCIX and ME both have a price match (no price beat) online to ship out. I've seen ME have deals all the time for free shipping.

[illicitstylz]

For the price matching, is it exclusively for in-store customers, or can you get the same deal online? I just wonder this because there's no NCIX or ME in Victoria

you can do it online, i find it easier because they'll approve it before you actually go in to pick up the system. that way you know whether its been approved or not, if it hasn't (very rare in my experience) then you can change the item and PM again etc.

[!MiKrofT]

the great thing about ME is that they have a 5% price beat - which means if you find something for $1000 that's cheaper at another store, you'll save another $50. but that's only available in store.

NCIX and ME both have a price match (no price beat) online to ship out. I've seen ME have deals all the time for free shipping.
In store and in stock only :)

[g604]

NCIX come on its a BC company buying from ME is like cheering for the Flames

[Spoon]

Memory Express ever since NCIX screwed me over.

[Preemo]

I've been using NCIX for years now and have probably built at least a dozen computers (half of them gaming rigs). I have never had any issues with them this entire time. I've only had three items go down for warranty (MB, HD and a vid card) and all were replaced after a short wait while they test it out.

I'm not sure what people mean by "better customer service" at ME or other stores as I don't know how NCIX could make things any better. Maybe they give free BJ's to those who spend more then $500? :)

The only time I've ever seen a salesperson in NCIX seem to get flustered with a customer is when you've got one of those idiots who decides they want to price out 10 different configurations for a machine right there in the store. Seriously? You can't even do a little research before you come to the store? You can't bother to build a system online first? You're coming to NCIX to buy parts to build a machine instead of going to Best Buy, so you must know something about computers. Stop wasting my (and everyone else's) time asking your stupid questions over and over. /rant

Biggest. Waste. Of. Time. Ever.

I **hate** it when people do that. Honest to fucking God. I go there with SKU's on a post it note and cash in hand.

In.

Out.

Thanks.

[Gh0stRider]

ncix

[1BADMR2]

.

[geeknerd]

I'm not sure what people mean by "better customer service" at ME or other stores as I don't know how NCIX could make things any better. Maybe they give free BJ's to those who spend more then $500? :) Even though i go into the store knowing what i want,
the way a sales person speaks to a customer, how much attention they give, how fast they do it, how dedicated they are, are all to me, customer service.

-ME is so much faster in getting the items,
-talking to the customer,
-they have a good number of staff online,
-no slowass ticketing system (in ncix's defense, ive noticed that coquitlam branch [its like an actual retail store] is so much better compared kingsway branch).

Also, when i bought diy build at ME and i asked one question about something because i told him its my first time building, he offered me to take the product out of the box and show some important tips; whici he did. would never expect that at ncix.

also they smile and help u carry shit to the car.

I dealt with ME in Alberta for a while before coming to BC and am happy that they opened a store in Richmond.
I started to deal with NCIX after moving here and find the customer service sucks really, really bad at 3 different stores I have gone to. There is no customer appreciation at all.
exactly my thought +1.

how i buy parts is look through ncix; usually i only buy from the 1-3 really good deals that they have for special sales. if the 5% price match delivers a savings after calculating the cost of gas, i will go.

their 10% price beat promotion was so good though. basically meant no tax :fullofwin: bought my rig this way and pricematched EVERYTHING using shopbot.ca usually turned out to be using ncix/bestdirect/directcanada. 2month later the what i paid is still cheaper than what it costs to buy new right now.

[buddha1]

hey anyone know where i can get those really strong magnets inside hard drives other than taking an old one apart?

[Eclypz]

I used to buy from NCIX, but now I always buy from ME. It's not so much the customer service for me, as I almost always go in there knowing what I want, but it's their policies that made me switch. Just having the peace of mind that I have a chance to return things, or to get an exchange is a deal breaker. Their price beating policy is an extra bonus.

In NCIX's defense, they have much higher volume, and things always get tricky managing customers expectations when you're doing hundreds of thousands of transactions a day vs. a few thousand.

IMO, NCIX actually does quite well for it's size and volume..but their policies suck. Every purchase at NCIX is pretty much a final sale. If anything happens, you have to deal with the manufacturer. It's the price you pay for competitive pricing, but with ME's price matching policy, you get the best of both worlds :)

[Jmac]

NCIX and Newegg ... May give Memory Express a shot next time ...

[Great68]

IMO, NCIX actually does quite well for it's size and volume..but their policies suck. Every purchase at NCIX is pretty much a final sale. If anything happens, you have to deal with the manufacturer. It's the price you pay for competitive pricing, but with ME's price matching policy, you get the best of both worlds :)

I've returned a couple things to NCIX and never had a problem. One was a bad memory stick that they replaced right away, and another was a TV tuner card which I wasn't happy with and they refunded me. On both occasions though, I returned the items within a week of purchase.

[!MiKrofT]

Same. I've returned and exchanged countless items with no problems at ncix. All within the return period of course

[1BADMR2]

.

[ImportPsycho]

I've been using NCIX for years now and have probably built at least a dozen computers (half of them gaming rigs). I have never had any issues with them this entire time. I've only had three items go down for warranty (MB, HD and a vid card) and all were replaced after a short wait while they test it out.

I'm not sure what people mean by "better customer service" at ME or other stores as I don't know how NCIX could make things any better. Maybe they give free BJ's to those who spend more then $500? :)

The only time I've ever seen a salesperson in NCIX seem to get flustered with a customer is when you've got one of those idiots who decides they want to price out 10 different configurations for a machine right there in the store. Seriously? You can't even do a little research before you come to the store? You can't bother to build a system online first? You're coming to NCIX to buy parts to build a machine instead of going to Best Buy, so you must know something about computers. Stop wasting my (and everyone else's) time asking your stupid questions over and over. /rant

better customer service at ME, is not "flustering" when customer comes in and takes up hours to build a system, because he/she does not know much.
Not everyone googles and reads forums. if you do, great grab and go, if you don't, ME sales rep will gladly go through parts by parts with smile on their face. They have enough sales staff to cover all bases, so even if one rep is tied up with someone, no customer will be waiting in line.

other thing that I also like about ME is that you can look at anything before you buy. when 590 and 6990 came out, I went to ME to look at these monters in person, even though I told them I just wanted see what it look like and not buy, rep was like oh it's ok, i want to see it too and he broke open a sealed box and showed me the card. this is why there are so many items in ME with "open instore" sticker on it. NCIX is pay first before you see anytthing.

If ME can stock their inventory like ncix, ME will pulverize ncix.
I dont know why anyone would shop at ncix anymore, unless they are looking for stuff that ME does not carry(g.skill, powercolor, zotac etc...)

[canucks_fan2]

NXsource or NCIX. But when i go to NCIX i always pricematch. Got a SATA cable for 62 cents from $5 and a HDMI cable for $2 from $30 something !!!

[ddr]

if ur computer-literate like everyone else here claims to be, NCIX is great. i order stuff there that memX doesn't carry. who the fuck in their right mind would send someone that's not familiar with computers to NCIX, only to see the reps (not all) sigh and get frustrated at you or ignore you. some reps are great at NCIX, i've seen it myself (again, my experience); some are not. i haven't met one rep at memX that's impolite tho.

I was at NCIX recently to purchase a sound card and it was like pulling teeth. I had the SC info with the sku and I knew there was a rebate on it also. The sales rep looked angry and worn out as did the other sales reps. I had to ask him three times for a second receipt to mail in the rebate. He just called my name and handed me the SC and walked away. No thank you, no smile or anything just a zombie in a NCIX uniform.

I do like NCIX's inventory and have no problem returning items plus it is much closer to me than ME but it is too painful to deal with zombies.

The worst place was on Kingsways, I stood in line with a # and they ignored me for 20 mins. talking about pking on WOW, so I just dropped everything on the ground and left.
I am now a ME customer.

haha, so typical. i see this almost everytime i'm there to pick stuff up. but hey, apparently if you know lots about computers you must shop here and put up with this attitude. as much as i love to receive good service NCIX just has more selection sometimes if you are picky...

[Datsun]

Back when the Phenom x4 first came out, I pieced together my build @ NCIX. I checked the compatible mobos on all the relevant websites and finally picked out an ECS board, but that failed to get the system to post, so NCIX let me exchange for another supposedly compatible mobo, an asus M2A-VM. That failed on me too. :speechless:

After 2 weeks of tinkering and the system stil not posting, I brought it back to the salesman who helped me exchange the mobo for diagnostic and later let me use his personal AM2 processor (can't rmb exactly what it was, prob a Sempron) for me to re-flash my BIOS. I showed up outside his apartment and he dropped it out the window for me to catch, lol

eventually that comp was up and running perfectly but I've never heard of employees lending their own stuff out to get their customer's rigs working. big up to NCIX and the sales team that go above and beyond!

[Ch28]

I use to get everything from NCIX but I haven't shopped there ever since ME opened up in Richmond.

Their service is just light years ahead of NCIX. I'd have to wait 10-15 minutes just to get my pick up order. I'd be stuck waiting 1/2 hour - 45 minutes if I were to go in store to buy something.

I just walk in and I'm out in less than 5 minutes if I want something from ME. Their staff is knowledgeable, professional, and always smile and seem to enjoy working there and helping customers. The staff @ NCIX all look like zombies in store and rarely ever smile.

[mauricetan]

MemoryExpress , NCIX and a-power are the ones i go to in richmond...only prob with memory express is the parking! if its busy.. its so hard to find parking and the road is pretty tight...other than that.. memoryexpress is good since they have a lot of staff available ..

the price match of memory express is pretty Good imo! so always check ncix, futureshop, bestbuy, a-power for the stuff you want and if its more expensive at memory express then your lucky since you will get a price match + an extra 5% off... thats a pretty good deal! i've done that a couple of times already!

[Dragon-88]

yeah NCIX is slow as shit.. Talk about waiting 30mins for an invoice.

[!MiKrofT]

Nowadays I just order online at NCIX and pickup in store. Takes 5min.

[freakshow]

Nowadays I just order online at NCIX and pickup in store. Takes 5min.
Unless it's product ME doesn't stock, how come you don't order from them and get the additional 5%?

[!MiKrofT]

Unless it's product ME doesn't stock, how come you don't order from them and get the additional 5%?
Sometimes the price difference is negligible. As well I hardly ever go to Richmond these days so I have to balance it out to see if it's worth my time.

However when ME opens a Vancouver store that may change :)

[joquio]

BTW guys, Memory Express is having another 10% price beat promo starting today till Monday, March 2nd.

Damn....makes me wish that I didn't buy the parts last week.
Could have gotten a 2500k system instead of an i5 760:(

[!MiKrofT]

2500k isn't that expensive. Shoulda went with it regardless :)

[joquio]

2500k isn't that expensive. Shoulda went with it regardless :)

yeah I wish :(
But I got the i5 760+mobo+8GB RAM+Corsair H70 for dirt cheap :whistle:

[twitchyzero]

can'tt wait for them to open ME in vancouver/bby

[!MiKrofT]

yeah I wish :(
But I got the i5 760+mobo+8GB RAM+Corsair H70 for dirt cheap :whistle:
Well then you don't really have much to worry about. It's not like it's that much faster.

[joquio]

Well then you don't really have much to worry about. It's not like it's that much faster.

Cool thanks. Been out the game for a while. Upgrading from a Intel E5200 so I wasn't sure how much difference there is between the i5 760 and 2500k. I just had a little buyer remorse since I've read that 2500k are awesome overclockers. 5Ghz on air.

But for now the i5 760 is plenty fast for me paired with a MSI 560 ti twin frozrII :fuckyea:

[neggo]

Got my parts throughout the last month and a half, making sure I had the best deals I could get within the time period. Bought most of my parts from both NCIX and ME, price matching and price beating between the two places. Friends came by during the weekend and built it...friggin' awesome.

One problem though...a friend of mine brought a copy of his Windows 7 OS (not genuine) that required no activation at all. Popped it into my new rig without being connected to the internet and it detected that the copy was not genuine. Anyone know how/why it was like that? Worked for my buddy when he installed it into his rig when he built it...thought that was about 2 years ago.

[Sango]

I get all my stuff from newegg.com.

[xPhuong]

NCIX!

[twitchyzero]

fugg why can't they have micro center in WA...i want affordable ivy bridge/mobo bundles...the 3570k is selling over its $212 MSRP almost everywhere..even stateside

[Hehe]

For the last few years, Craigslist. :troll:

[Manic!]

Bought my first comp from ATIC Computers (http://www.atic.ca/) . Then found out about NCIX. It was a huge eye opener for me. living in Nanaimo there was not much choice. NCIX wil always be my #1 choice and there is one in Langley near mu sisters house. I have been to MX twice and it's like computer nerd heaven. That's were I wanna go when I die.

[Recon604]

bought my first computer from Addax Computers in richmond. Then later from being interested in computer tech., I found out about NCIX. Since then I always buy from NCIX cuz they get better deals and lower prices from manufacturers than other stores.

[VV84]

Memory Express is my #1 and NCIX is my #2. I've been using Memory Express for many years(they have been in AB for a while) and never had any issues.