best stores New York

[gilly]

Im travelling to New York from england and want to pick up some computer goodies mobo + cpu while there. can anyone advise me the best stores please. we are paying rip off prices in the uk

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

it depends where in NY you go. I live about 40 miles outside NYC. The only stores here are Best Buy, The Wiz, and maybe CompUSA. All suck just as much as the next.

 

[lycerejo]

Incase anything you pick up requires to be directly plugged into a power outlet, keep in mind US uses 110 V.
Also I wouldn't recommend you buying anything from the "electronic stores" in or around Times Square

Have fun!

 

[DougyDanger]

For legit stores there is none better (IMO) than JandR. They are right near the Trade Center, down the road from City Hall. Great prices (for a storefront place, can do a little better at the 'times square rip off joints'), large selection, decent servece...great for a NYC store, and peace of mind knowing you're buying from a reputable place.

You will find MANY smaller hole-in-the wall joints in NYC. Just be careful. They usually sell grey market stuff, but since you are from the UK that may not matter (grey market is non US warantee, not sure how it would be handled buying it here then going to the UK). Not to mention they may or may not have what you need and will offer horrible service. Some places even sell used/refurb stuff as new. Basically, don't trust them and stay away.

Go to www.jandr.com to see what they have, what their prices are, and to get directions.

 

[Omagh]

It depends on what you want.

Looking for parts (motherboards and other exotic type goods) then go to Chinatown or Flushing. Lots
of small computer places.

Things like HDs, CDRWs, Keyboards then you are better off staying with the guys who get posted in
FW every week with their weekly sales. Just do your homework before you depart and have your sales
lined up. All these stores have a presence in NYC just a short subway ride away.

From what I've seen of the UK prices then stock up on CDR's. They are a rip off price over there.

I wouldn't worry about the voltage too much if you are buying a PC. Usually the PS's come with a 110/220 switch. However if you want things like "boom boxes" etc. then definitely buy a good heavy duty transformer. You can pick up a good one in Jackson Heights (Indian area). Having said that I was speaking with my sister in the UK just yesterday about this and she was able to pick up a transformer locally for about 35 pounds. It might not be worth the extra weight that you have to carry.

I have brought about six or seven computers to the UK over the years and the all worked fine. In fact
in a place where I volunteer they just sent some and are now working fine in Kenya. The next ones are
headed to Nepal.

In the smaller Chinatown shops don't be afraid to bargain. And don't forget to use the "coupons" at the stores like Staples and Office Max. I know that this price matching and couponing is foreign to you
foreigners but it certainly works to the consumer advantage.

 

[frazzled]

Welcome to NYC!

I strongly agree with the suggestion about J&R, completely reputable, prices are pretty good and it's a lot of fun to just wander around. When my father is in town it is usually our first stop . They took a terrible financial hit after the bombing, but even though their retail outlet was closed down for 2 months they still paid all of theur employees and didn't lay anyone off ....since then I have gone out of my way to purchase from them.

Canal near Broadway (Chinatown) has some shops with great prices on Minidisc players, blank discs and headphones.

If you have any interest in Photography you really must try to get to B&H PhotoVideo (it's on 9th Ave and 34th street)....just west of lower Midtown. It is probably my favorite store in Manhattan, carries virtually everything from consumer to Pro for Photo and Video in an incredibly bustling store ...a true NY experience. Closed on Friday afternoons and Saturday, though.

DataVis on 5th Ave around 40th has the best accessories for PDAs, in my opinion.

As the other guys have warned you....stay away from the small electronics stores (tons of them in midtown)....most of them are very dishonest. Oh, the ones near Times Square may be the worst of the lot. Stick with the big reputable stores and you'll do well.

Enjoy yourself, be sure to walk if the weather is decent, it's the best way to see the city. And don't forget to eat....plenty of good stuff all over.

fraz

 

[jasonplee]

I agree, JandR is great. When I'm in NYC and I need my gadget fix I head over there.

 

[aceshigh73]

Just dont buy a Rolex, Movado, tag Huer, whatever from the Nigerians (or whomever) in Times Square... And while the "box of Rocks" trick isnt as prevalent anylonger, dont buy and VCRs, DVD players, or anything else off someone in the street......
Just a little help from a New Yawka....
I'll be in Manhattan as well on saturday, gotta help revive the economy... and between me and my girlfriend, we'll do it alone....

 

[DieselMan]

<< Im travelling to New York from england and want to pick up some computer goodies mobo + cpu while there. can anyone advise me the best stores please. we are paying rip off prices in the uk >>



For computer parts, you probably want to head to Queens; in Flushing, there's a dozen computer shops, mostly Chinese/Taiwanese owned. There's also a wholesale/distributor shop on Union Turnpike (well, I can't remember the details, ie address, etc... but if someone wants to help out...)

Prices are fairly decent (typically only 15%-20% higher than the best prices you can find on the web for most products including mobos and video cards - if you go to compusa, you'll end up paying 30%-40% higher than web stores), but don't expect to buy the "latest" motherboard revision or cpu speed grade; there's usually a one month lag between what you can find online and in these stores (for new products).

 

[tydas]

Although I don?t really go much to these anymore you might get lucky at a local computer show. The links below are for NJ shows. These shows are hit or miss but it may be worth a shot.


market pro

comp show

trenton

 

[annihilator]

I just wanted to say that I'm amazed that we've gotten this far into the thread and nobody has yet mentioned that this is not a hot deal. Way to go, guys! I guess not ALL of us feel the need to police the forums. It's nice to see the helpful people be in the majority for once.

 

[LoverOfTheNight]

gilly, when u going? i'm going next Fri 18th. maybe we can meet if u go that time

 

[broadwayblue]

true, not a hot deal...and not to start a fight with anybody but why would you come to NYC (where retailers pay more money per square foot to lease their stores) to buy electronics from a place like jandr? their prices imo are nothing to get excited about. if you want a cool place to walk around and see lots of gear that's one thing, but if you want a great price on something spend 15 minutes on the net and you will save 20% with almost no effort.