"British Stupid Way" of buying computers

[bogeyman]

PC World - a World of Pain

It baffles me why people who already have a computer and an Internet connection buy anything from PC World.

Why don't they just surf along to Misco or Dabs online stores?

I suppose it's because they think they might get some 'advice' about what to buy.

Having visited these out-of-town Temples of Doom in extremis (for a long USB cable or something) and observing the patter and the antics of the 'sales people' pushing some carppy, obsolete laptop into the hands of some well-meaning old bird who wants it for the grandchildren to play video games on, I can only say that I'm thoroughly appalled at the whole business.

Anyone remember BYTE Superstores? They were the forerunners of PC World. Some of the junior, spotty PC-support types at the place I was contracting would spend their lunch hours (post-pub) invading these emporiums and dissuading customers from buying whatever tat hardware was on offer.

"You don't wanna buy that mister! It sucks!"

[Churchill]

If anyone asks me about buying a computer I always point them in the direction of PC-World. That and the phrase "Coz if anything goes wrong with it, they'll sort it out!" usually saves the day!

[Clippy]

It baffles me why people who already have a computer and an Internet connection by anything from PC World.

Why don't they just surf along to Misco or Dabs online stores?

I suppose it's because they think they might get some 'advice' about what to buy.

Having visited these out-of-town Temples of Doom in extremis (for a long USB cable or something) and observing the patter and the antics of the 'sales people' pushing some carppy, obsolete laptop into the hands of some well-meaning old bird who wants it for the grandchildren to play video games on, I can only say that I'm thoroughly appalled at the whole business.

Anyone remember BYTE Superstores? They were the forerunners of PC World. Some of the junior, spotty PC-support types at the place I was contracting would spend their lunch hours (post-pub) invading these emporiums and dissuading customers from buying whatever tat hardware was on offer.

"You don't wanna buy that mister! It sucks!"

I remember BYTE.

Bunch of fly by night charlatans.

Was in staples a few weeks ago.
A couple were buying a printer and the sales guy advised them they would need a USB cable. He grabbed one of the shelf, told the couple it was £12 (the cheapest one they sold incidentally) and they added it to their 'basket' without blinking.

For PC World and the like to be in business, there must be plenty of people who either don't know how to shop around or don't care.

[tim123]

It baffles me why people who already have a computer and an Internet connection buy anything from PC World.

Why don't they just surf along to Misco or Dabs online stores?

Because being in for the delivery of a parcel, that won't fit through that little hole that I have in my front door, is a pain in the bottom. You have to take a day off work and sit in all day - and that's if it works right!

I have bought three PCs by mail order (in the time when doing so was much cheaper) and for each of them the delivery was ****ed up, causing me even more inconvenience than expected.

I will never buy any large item by mail order, unless the cost saving is considerable, which for PCs is no longer the case.

tim

[tim123]

Was in staples a few weeks ago.
A couple were buying a printer and the sales guy advised them they would need a USB cable. He grabbed one of the shelf, told the couple it was £12 (the cheapest one they sold incidentally) and they added it to their 'basket' without blinking.

12 quid isn't THAT bad.

Try buyíng a DTV-DVD/PVR combo and the droid will try and convince you that you get a better picture with the super dooper gold plated lead at 99 quid. It's a digital signal FFS, it either works or it doesn't, the lead can't make it any better.

tim

[tim123]

And finally

Oh look, they've changed the title of this article.

tim

[TheFaQQer]

It baffles me why people who already have a computer and an Internet connection buy anything from PC World.

Why don't they just surf along to Misco or Dabs online stores?

I suppose it's because they think they might get some 'advice' about what to buy.

I bought a new ethernet switch from PC World at the weekend, as I wanted to get it set up before I went away for the week.

I asked their advice too, just to see the reaction. Average sales guy on the shop floor sent me to "The Tech Guys". First one was equally bad, but the second one seemed to know a bit more. He told me that they didn't sell what I was after, but he implied that no-one made what I wanted (which was wrong). However, he did say that I was better off with the cheaper switch and save a bit of cash, which was a slight plus point in their favour.

I'd never really choose to go there, but sometimes needs must.

[BoredBloke]

I was in comet a bit ago and to me they are the same style of thing as pc world. Overpriced and staffed with clowns. This girl was trying to sell this old couple a laptop and said that they should consider the one she was showing as it had a fast processor and so would not slow the internet down!

I never buy from PC world - ever. It amazes me what people will pay for in theor stores though.

From
In Home Wireless Internet £89.99
In Store PC setup £29.99
In Store Data Transfer £29.99
In Store PC Health Check £49.99
In Store Memory Install £14.99
In Store Upgrade Installation £24.99
In Store Data Recovery £99.99
TechFriend Assist (12 months cover) £89.99
In Home Flatscreen Wall Mount £199.99
In Home PC Upgrade £49.99
In Home Healthcheck £69.99
In home PC setup £49.99
PC Repair £69.99


£15 to clip in a bit of memory! How long does that take - 2 mins? including the time spent looking for a screwdriver.

[BoredBloke]

It's taken me longer than that with some systems... particularly the one where you had to take the PSU out to be able to see the memory slots...

I agree sometimes it can take as many as 4 mins.

[tim123]

I agree sometimes it can take as many as 4 mins.

But they are not being payed to do it.

They are being payed because they know how to do it.

Ask the average numpty in the street how they would upgrade their memory and what answer do you think you'll get back?

tim