Micro Center

[Trace]

Yes, I did

[PauL]

Made it to a micro center...wasn't THAT impressed.

[img]/snip[/img]

I dont know about you but Ive never been into a store with that much computer hardware. It towers over Best Buy and Circuit City in terms of selection and prices imo

Btw, is that the Microcenter in Santa Clara by anychance?

[Trace]

Yes, actually, it is the Micro center in Santa Clara. The closest one to me, and I happened to be driving by.

Have you been to a Frys Electronics?

[PauL]

Nice Im about 45 mins from it.

Ive been to Frys once, but that was awhile ago near Christmas and man, all I can remember is it was hell inside. Im not sure which one I went to but I believe their store was larger than the Microcenter (at least the Santa Clara one)

[Trace]

Frys is MUCH bigger. Microcenter almost reminded me of a CompUSA (eww)

[x88x]

Frys is MUCH bigger. Microcenter almost reminded me of a CompUSA (eww)

I've heard lots of good things about Frys, but considering the closest one to my is 1,340 miles away...I'm happy with Microcenter for now, thanks.

[TheGreatSatan]

^Ditto

Except Fry's is about 300 miles away

[artoodeeto]

here's my take on Fry's vs. Microcenter (having worked at MC a few years ago and lived near quite a few Fry's stores) - MC really only carries computer stuff, whereas Fry's carries a lot more types of products (appliances, A/V equipment, etc). Comparing the computer stuff they each carry, and comparing within that the same brands, Fry's tended to be more expensive. Yes, Fry's does carry cheaper products. In my experience though, they're rarely worth the box they're packaged in. MC, IMO, is smart enough to not bother with these products (usually).
All that being said, I do like Fry's for some things. Occasionally they have a really good deal on hardware that's good quality, and they carry a lot of electronics equipment that MC doesn't stock.
As far as CompUSA is concerned, they were no comparison to MC. CompUSA's selection was beyond awful, and typically the help was less than useless. Although, in defense of poorly-trained salespeople, the management and commission structure was ridiculous and didn't give the employees any real incentive to be helpful. MC, by contrast, usually trained its sales staff pretty well, although I do admit many of us often fell back on the vague generalities so popular with marketing folks. IE, "this processor will open your apps faster". I always wondered...faster than what? exactly how much faster?
Anyway. If I didn't currently live 2 hours from a Micro Center, I'd shop there. But...Fry's is only 20 minutes away.

[Trace]

I usually go to Fry's ONLY when they have a cheap sale. I mainly use http://newegg.com

[artoodeeto]

I usually go to Fry's ONLY when they have a cheap sale. I mainly use http://newegg.com

me too