QOTW: When did you last buy a PC component in an actual store?

by Parm Mann on 31 July 2020, 16:31

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To say that our shopping habits have changed would be something of an understatement. Covid-19 has accelerated the seemingly unstoppable shift toward online retail, but while it is convenient being able to make purchases at the click of a button, there's something to be said for the physical store experience, particularly the ability to touch and feel products that kindle your interest.

We're intrigued to know how your shopping habits relate to PC hardware. The number of physical stores has certainly dwindled, and I'm pretty sure the computer markets I used to enjoy visiting as a youngster have ceased to operate, however there are going to be folk who still prefer to try before they buy.

Let's open the topic by asking: when did you last buy a PC component in an actual store? Is it something you're still inclined to do, have you a preferred shop, or are your upgrades now sourced solely through the post box? Share your thoughts using the comments facility below.



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2011, and it was just a pickup as I've been shopping online only well before that
The closest thing is probably around 2006 when I bought a custom-build from a local PC shop.

Other than that, I believe my component purchases have always been online as the prices were always clearly cheaper than brick-and-mortar.
I bought a used Pcie XFX Geforce 7800GT from a local shop around 2008, the shop has survived and still does repairs etc now which is good.
Just before the lockdown. Some networking stuff.
Our local Novatech closed a few years back. I bought some things from Maplin a few times, but now they're gone too.
I did trek up to OCUK to see/try the new Vive and did buy some bits then.
I do sometimes amble through PC World, especially if it's something I want more immediately.

I'd use shops more often, but they've been driven away by big brand fashion shops and stomped on by the likes of Amazon.

I cannot wait until the dystopian future where the world is owned and run by a handful of megacorps. We're so very nearly there, and I want to jack in to the matrix, man….. I wanna get 320 gigabytes of storage for my head!!