Widescreen Gaming Forum

So I finally decided to commit myself and go the Surround way.

Check some online stores, check my local "parts" store and decide that without shipping costs they have decent prices, and I want to encourage commerce in my own city you know.

So I go there yesterday, talk to a salesman behind the counter : "Yeah, he says, TH2Go, we can have that, but it's gonna take some time, seven-ten days."

"Errrr, I say, TEN days? You do know that Matrox is based right here in Montreal?"

Sales guy's face is totally blank...

"OK, I say, I would also need 3 monitors."

"Well, we don't have that model in stock, it will take some time, maybe a week. Oh and you know sir, in that case you will need a second videocard, there are only two outputs on a single videocard."

Hrrrrrrmph

"I know that, say I, that's why I'm buying a TH2Go, yes?"

Blank face again...

"No really sir, you will need a second videocard, trust me on this." He's not even smiling or being friendly, he's looking at me as if I'm a bit slow.

Okayyyyy

"OK, you know, I was mainly here today to buy some speakers, do you have Logitech's G51 speakers? I think I'll just buy that today."


Came back with the speakers, went to Matrox's Website : yep, they have next day delivery... (it is actually $6 cheaper at Matrox's store; as we say here : fouilles-moi)

Went to TigerDirect.ca's Website, monitors are exact same price as locally, but then I have to pay for shipping, but then they can ship them tomorrow...

I really want to support my local economy, I really do. But somehow, my local economy doesn't want the help... :roll:

FT

I'm not an expert, but even I know a lot more than your average computer sales person.

I've given up a long time ago to get any thing really useful out of a store clerk/salesperson/whatever.

I used to buy all my tech. gear locally, I figured it'd be better if any problems happen to bring it back in person.

In actual case they are less helpful in person than dealing with peeps you ship the parts back to.

About the only exception might be prohibitively large items such as a HDTV but then, that's why people like crutchfield exist. Shipping to and back if a problem happens, they even take back all the packaging.

Local ain't any cheaper either, for all the parts I've looked at, even without shipping you get higher base prices, more taxes compared to buying in another province and generally, not worth the bother. Online works great just be careful who you buy from.