Following on from my 'Advantages of building your own PC' review I thought I'd go into a bit of detail on one of the other resources for buying PC parts, software and full systems.
Now, as you can tell from my other reviews, I am somewhat of a bargain hunter.. Everything I buy is as cheap ... Read review
Advantages: some absolute bargains can be found Disadvantages: beware of items that seem to good to be true..
Following on from my 'Advantages of building your own PC' review I thought I'd go into a bit of detail on one of the other resources for buying PC parts, software and full systems.
Now, as you can tell from my other reviews, I am somewhat of a bargain hunter.. Everything I buy is as cheap as possible! So of course, I am a regular at computer fairs.
Brief outline:
Computer fairs have been around for as ... ...back to the 1980's!), and are a fantastic resource for buying almost anything PC related. The fair I go to regularly is held 6 times a year, and I'm pretty sure it is a travelling fair (meaning you can follow them to the next stop to return anything if the actual trader is based at the other end of the country!)
Usually held in sports halls, such as the Kelvinhall in Glasgow (my usual haunt), computer fairs always tend to follow the ... more
Following on from my 'Advantages of building your own PC' review I thought I'd go into a bit of detail on one of the other resources for buying PC parts, software and full systems.
Now, as you can tell from my other reviews, I am somewhat of a bargain hunter.. Everything I buy is as cheap as possible! So of course, I am a regular at computer fairs.
Brief outline:
Computer fairs have been around for as long as I can remember (admittedly I can only rememeber back to the 1980's!), and are a fantastic resource for buying almost anything PC related. The fair I go to regularly is held 6 times a year, and I'm pretty sure it is a travelling fair (meaning you can follow them to the next stop to return anything if the actual trader is based at the other end of the country!)
Usually held in sports halls, such as the Kelvinhall in Glasgow (my usual haunt), computer fairs always tend to follow the same outline.
Firstly, the organisers charge a small amount for entry to the fair (to discourage casual browsers I assume). No more than £1 each normally. Most of the fairs I have been to have also provided a refreshments area which is very handy if you are dragging kids around with you!
Once you've paid to enter you are faced with a hall full of seperate stalls, each tending to specialise on a particular subject (be it software, hardware, consumables). Be sure to have a good look around, as prices (although usually cheap) can vary a lot between stalls.
Most traders at modern computer fairs are genuine businesses such as small PC shops, internet traders, and even end-of-line goods traders (bargains galore with these). This is the main reason that computer fairs are growing ever more popular these days.
Back in the early 1990's most fair were full to the brim with somewhat dodgy traders selling copied Amiga games and the like.... and with no comeback on your purchases, only those with a sound knowledge of computers ever dared to attend!
One thing to remember; the traders are almost always very knowledgeable, and are very willing to answer any questions you may have. Also, as another review mentions, the atmosphere is very much relaxed, unlike the hard-sell that tends to go on in high street stores. So you definitely feel at ease, and can take your time collecting information before buying anything.
Buying at computer fairs:
Once you've had a good browse, and taken note of what you want to buy, you can even dare to haggle (yes it is possible!) if you are a cocky fella like me. Always best to haggle close to the closing time though, as traders never like to have to lug stcck back home with them. Last purchase I made was a 17in flatscreen Dell monitor for a princely sum of £35 (haggled down from £50 no less).
So you've bought what you wanted, what next? Well, a definite must is to get a receipt as well as contact details of the seller. Sometimes you have to force it out of them, as some will try to get away with avoiding returns etc. And steer clear of anything labelled 'sold as seen' unless you can see it demonstrated as working!
I must mention, the size and variety of stalls can vary greatly between computer fairs (different organisers mainly). Fairs I have attended down in Manchester had at least 25 stalls whereas the one in Kelvinhall only had around 12 last time I went. Still a lot of bargains though, don't get me wrong!
What can you buy at computer fairs?
From experience I have seen the following...
PC components (such as memory, cpu's, motherboards, hard drives, CD-ROM drives, monitors etc.) Software (Games, applications, operating systems such as Windows etc) Consumables (printer ink, paper, toner cartridges, recordable CDs etc) Peripherals (cables, keyboards, mice, speakers etc) Full PC Systems (usually second hand, or end of line)
Almost all good for sale are at marked down prices so bargains are a certainty.
Summary:
Computer fairs are an invaluable source of parts for the PC user, especially those like me, who like to tinker about with their PC's much like a car(..tune this, bin that!)
Computer fairs are far more regulated than they used to be, and every trader has a returns policy in place (a rule laid down by the organisers).
If there are any problems with your service, and you get no joy from the actual trader, the organisers of the fair are always more than willing to help.
So whether you are wanting a nice cheap upgrade, or simply new box of recordable CD's, computer fairs are a great place to shop. So look out for your next one! Details are usually given in local newspapers, but can also be found on the internet (Google for computer fairs uk!)
Advantages: Bargains galore Disadvantages: Some unscrupulous traders
Computer Fairs started in the days of the early 286 PC, Sega Megadrive and Amiga. Over the years, computer fairs and computer markets have become incredibly popular amongst home users, businesses and enthusiasts alike. Today you'll find a regular show in almost every large town in the UK, packed out with local computer companies and often attended by thousands of people. You are probably wondering why they have suddenly become so popular. I believe ... ...usually businesses with either shops, mail order or internet outlets, so they can be relied on to sell decent quality goods backed up with a reliable after sales service. Also, because of the huge success, the prices are being cut to the absolute minimum as there are very low overheads compared to the normal outlets, and there is an increased number of customers compared to day to day numbers. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the stallholders seem ...
nicanddarrell 25.10.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Member Advice on Computer Fairs & Shows
Advantages: Much cheaper than a shop Disadvantages: Some rogue traders
Computer Fairs have now taken off with a vengeance. You can buy 90% of the hardware/software you need at ½ the recommended price. The best bargains seem to be ink cartridges.
You will probably find a computer fair in most towns and large villages at least once every few months. They are normally filled with local computer companies and also sole traders who have decided to take the plunge. The reason they can offer much cheaper prices is that unlike ... ...wages, heating and rent. If you decide to sell a small table at the fair is around forty to fifty pounds for a full day depending where you live.
Most vendors nowadays normally either do a catalogue, mail order or Internet ordering. You can get free technical advice if unsure what you need to purchase. This is ideal for people like me who are unsure of what joy pad to use with my system up to needing a new motherboard. It is helpful to take details ...
Night_Rider 10.02.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Member Advice on Computer Fairs & Shows
Advantages: Save £££s, A day out even!! Disadvantages: somtimes off the beaten-track
Ok!! This is an attempt to give a little bit of a low–down on computer fairs held within the north-east of England
Computer Fairs are rather like giant car-boot fairs come antiques fairs only obviously selling computer related products (mostly all new, but you can still pickup the odd second hand bargain). First though! “ Are computer fairs worth while”? I should say so the money you save on computer related products can at times be unbelievable, ... ...to look around there’s always somebody cheaper or with a better deal”. I must admit though you should have a bit of computer related knowledge before setting off to one of these fairs (if you are planning to buy), as the stall holders don’t really have the time to stand and chat (if you are “green” go somewhere you can get good advice with good customer relations). If you have not been to a computer fair before it’s worth the entrance fee just to ...
paulbowes2k1 07.09.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Member Advice on Computer Fairs & Shows
Advantages: Relatively cheap and cheerful with all the usual faces. Disadvantages: Can be tainted by the venue and suspicion of any guarantees that may be on offer
It must be my sad personality, but I love going to Computer Fairs. It's not for everyone as my wife can testify, she once spent a few hours aimlessly following me around one at Blackpool and on the fourth route round fell asleep and later vowed never to go to one with me again. Like most women she seems to take everything in the first time round and can't see the point of doing the same more than three times - bless her. Finding them is not as difficult ... ...I don't really need to check for these events, they seem to come at me from emails and clandestine meetings in dark car parks after closing time. If I was normal though I would probably look where everyone else does for them in the local classifieds and a recently recommended web site at http://www.computerfairs.co.uk ; it even listed some I’ve been to, so can’t be that bad.
It really breaks down into three types of people who go to ...
see-search.com 02.02.2003 (14.04.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Member Advice on Computer Fairs & Shows
Computer fairs are an excellent place to pick up some really good bargains when it comes to everything computer related. They are becoming more widespread as well which is equally a good thing. Personally, if I need a new component for my computer then I never, ever use the high street shops, because quite frankly they rip you off. You can buy the same thing from a computer fair for a fraction of the price, but don't be fooled into thinking that ... ...the computer I am using now directly from components found at a computer fair, saving around £300 on the cheapest equivalent shop price.
There are of course a few things to consider though. Sometimes the products are second hand, butthe seller should make this pretty clear when he sells it to you. If the product is out of its box, etc then this is a good sign that perhaps its not as new as you might think it to be. You should also get a guarantee ...
wampyrii 01.04.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Member Advice on Computer Fairs & Shows
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