Are PC shops getting less common?

[Firearm2112]

A few years ago before I was into custom computers, I sware there were atleast 5 stores around my area, now they have all shutdown, leaving me with no PC enthusiast shops.

 

Is this just my area or is this becoming a general trend?

[CoolBeans]

It is becoming more common, but the big companies like microcenter and NCIX aren't going away. Also Newegg is starting to put up retail stores

[Liam-McShane]

I don't see the point of them really. They're often more expensive and really what is the point. You can get everything you need from reading a review.

[Johannes_Lazor]

There is only one enthusiast shop here in Skellefteå, a northen city in sweden and there used to be several.

Most buy from the internet becouse it is more accessable and cheaper than going to a store.

[BonBon Scott]

They are becoming less common, because E-Shopping is becoming more and more popular, and sometimes it is alot more convenient.

 

But, Street stores have some favourable traits to them, with one of them being you are able to go down the shop and pick up the item you need straight away, as opposed to waiting for shipping.

[Firearm2112]

The only semi 'PC Shop' I have in my area is best buy... which to say dosent have a huge selection. PC shops give you time to look at the product instead of staring at a computer screen. But now Newegg stores... That would be awesome.

[Worth]

I don't see the point of them really. They're often more expensive and really what is the point. You can get everything you need from reading a review.

Microcenter has amazing processor deals.

[Liam-McShane]

Microcenter has amazing processor deals.

It really isn't the case in the U.K. The only nationwide PC shop left is Maplin and their prices are ridiculous. 

[ttam]

As a PC shop owner - Most shops fail because they over extend themselves. It's hard to keep up with people going down the road to Bestbuy and picking up a machine for $300 where I need to mark mine up a little to keep the lights on. Most my profit comes from repairs ($80 to $120 on normal) and since we are the only big shop around we do get a lot of business (easy 15-25k monthly) 

 

Good thing people are recognizing that Bestbuy just wants your money. From shops like mine you are getting someone that is going to tailor make a system for you and offer a warranty that won't take 6 weeks to do. 

 

They are not profitable from a business stand point.

They make money, you just have to know how.

[GhostWindGamer]

I'm lucky there are two just up the road from my house

[Ryoku]

A few years ago before I was into custom computers, I sware there were atleast 5 stores around my area, now they have all shutdown, leaving me with no PC enthusiast shops.

 

Is this just my area or is this becoming a general trend?

 

All the shops here turned solely to repair shops, they don't sell anything really, guess they can't compete with Internet shopping and places like walmart, staples ect ect for selling peripherals.  Which is fine by me because I wouldn't buy anything from them anyways everything was way over priced.

[mr moose]

we have a few in Melbourne and they don't seem to be getting less but every now and then one will disappear and another will start up.

[LOST TALE]

Seeing people's claims about overpriced, I've experienced the contrary. My ASUS P8z77 was 40$ cheaper there comapred to NCIX newegg.

Oh and they where selling gtx 680's at 350$ (golden samples bro)  while Newegg and NCIX where selling them up to 550$

 

The MOFO did try to sell me an intel stock fan at 40$

[Trik'Stari]

Honestly I would love for places like newegg to start retail outlets, I have interest in alot of PC cases, but I hesitate to buy them because I can't inspect them in person.

 

Places like Best Buy and Circuit City (if that still exists lol) are just worthless for computer components. I tried talking to the guy in their "PC component" section (so like, 2 different power supplies, and 3 or 4 WAY overpriced gpu's) and the dude knew nothing whatsoever about computers

[spwath]

Honestly I would love for places like newegg to start retail outlets, I have interest in alot of PC cases, but I hesitate to buy them because I can't inspect them in person.

Places like Best Buy and Circuit City (if that still exists lol) are just worthless for computer components. I tried talking to the guy in their "PC component" section (so like, 2 different power supplies, and 3 or 4 WAY overpriced gpu's) and the dude knew nothing whatsoever about computers

I got a k70 at best buy. And a g602.

[Trik'Stari]

I got a k70 at best buy. And a g602.

I must just have a shitty best buy lol

[Arkosh]

most of pc shops in my area are out of date. like when i go and ask " do you have gtx titan?" got reply " sorry we dont have that, but if you want it, we can order".

so most of time i just order by my self

[Ryoku]

Seeing people's claims about overpriced, I've experienced the contrary. My ASUS P8z77 was 40$ cheaper there comapred to NCIX newegg.

Oh and they where selling gtx 680's at 350$ (golden samples bro)  while Newegg and NCIX where selling them up to 550$

 

The MOFO did try to sell me an intel stock fan at 40$

 

Problem here is I live in one of the most expensive cities in Canada, so places have to pay their employees more otherwise they can't afford to stay there.  Which means everything gets marked up to cover the cost of having to pay their employees more, why would I go to a store here in town and pay $25 more for some logitech mouse when I could buy it off Amazon for $25 less and get free shipping to my door 2 days later.  This is why there are no locally own electronic stores here, and any that did exist are now computer repair shops only.

[gundershot]

Oh Singapore, we have an entire mall dedicated to hardware. Too bad a lot of the shops are not quite trustworthy.

[Poohy14]

ehh still see a lot but they are a rip off because on of my friends went there for a new PSU and the guy made him bring it in and then all of the sudden he build my friend a new pentium computer and charged him $700 for it and the funny part is, the parts are only worth $325. A lot of my friends called him dumb for letting that guy rap his wallet for such a shitty computer.

[F2K8]

Shops all together are starting to get less common, the internet is taking over, online retailers like Amazon and Ebay are simply putting them out of business because of the competitive prices and high volume of variety. 

[killers993]

I miss CompUSA. You could walk in and there would be a whole room full of cases with a wall full of case fans. Bestbuy came along and ruined that. You can't even buy a case at bestbuy.