Computer Show May 3&4

[ynot167]

Hey guys in the NJ/NY/PA/CT areas. There's a computer show on May 3 and 4, 2003. I've been going to these shows for a while now and the one coming up is a once a year thing. There's gonna be a whole lot of stuff to get at good prices. Yes, you will have to pay to get in $10 in advance, $15 at door. But its worth it.

For those who has been to computer shows before, the Convention Center in Raritan Center is pretty big and many vendors from all over sell their stuff at good prices. Of course there is haggling, one of my favorite things to do at these shows. So keep the date open if your around.

COMPUTER SHOW

 

[Mizer]

Stay away from Computer Shows, your not going to find better deals than the ones you find here and you don't have to pay a cover charge.

IMO Computer Show had a place before the internet blew up or got big, now they're for mom's and pop's who think they're getting a good deal.

 

[leonowski]

OMG WHO BLEW UP THE INTERNET?!?!

 

[ROTC1983]

Darn it, no computer shows around here

 

[Bacinator]

Computers shows = tech swap meets.

You can still find decent deals, but they are often offset by the price of the cover charge (entrance fee).
But for people whom don't like to get their goods used or off of Ebay, computer shows are still a decent place to find deals.

Just don't expect to return anything, and if you're not sure if it'll work when you get it home, have them test it there in front of you first (and if they won't, dont buy it).

 

[dethman]

computer shows used to be the place to get hardware. now everything can be had for the same price/cheaper online.

 

[LukFilm]

Originally posted by: dethman
computer shows used to be the place to get hardware. now everything can be had for the same price/cheaper online.

 

[FrancescoRinaldi]

If you have the money, do what my old boss used to do. Go early, be the first one in the door. Find the guy with the cheapest RAM. Buy all of it (get a bulk discount!). Get a table, sell RAM the rest of the day for the next lowest price, make a couple bucks on each stick. Retire.

I'll agree with the other folks tho -- computer shows aren't really worth it anymore except under extreme circumstances (i.e. You are building a new box and want the parts NOW (and that just happens to be on a weekend with a show). You will probably end up with an OK deal, particularly on monitors, compared to waiting and paying for shipping.) They had their time and place, but I think they need to re-do the format if they want it to survive. For example, there are shows in Harrisburg at the Farm Show Complex. Used to be $6 ($5 with coupon) to get in the door. Not terrible, particularly if you were going to make a large purchase (monitor, cpu, etc). However, they (the city?) got the idea to start charging for parking! $5 to park (might be more now). So it's basically $10 to get in the door unless you cram alot of people in one vehicle. Essentially wipes out any sort of deals. They need to make it all inclusive -- I realize renting the space is a huge cost, but the vendors pay for the tables -- jack up their prices to offset the loss, let the strong survive. /rant

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: LukFilm

Originally posted by: dethman
computer shows used to be the place to get hardware. now everything can be had for the same price/cheaper online.

 

[relaxandreflect]

i am a shop-a-holic and am almost bankrupt because of this forum, but am making money on it too. i am always on ebay, pw, etc. and have still found some really good deals at computer shows. the best deals will come from little odds and ends or cases that you can save on shipping. sure they jack up the prices, but not that much all the time. you have to look, and not go for the first thing you see, since someone there probably has it cheaper.

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: leonowski
OMG WHO BLEW UP THE INTERNET?!?!

What?? The very same Internet that Al Gore created has been blown up?? Wow!!

 

[Thump553]

Here in Connecticut we have computer shows almost every weekend. The internet has removed 95% of the reasons to go to them anymore. Its rare that you will find a lower price at a show than on the internet. These days, I only go for one of two reasons: (1) I need to get a part TODAY or (2) is something bulky that will have excessive shipping costs, like CD cases. You have to buy a lot, though, to justify a $7 ticket and a couple hours out of your weekend.

The only other reasons to go to shows anymore that I can see are to buy a used monitor (you can at least see it first) or really old equipment, at the swap meet type tables.

 

[huesmann]

Originally posted by: yellowfiero

Originally posted by: LukFilm

Originally posted by: dethman
computer shows used to be the place to get hardware. now everything can be had for the same price/cheaper online.

 

[Kevin]

How is the Trenton Show? I go to the KGP ones (same company organizing this year) and their shows are pretty decent. Biggest deals usually come in the form of Dell system pulls and stuff like that...

 

[Ness]

The best thing to do is find out if any retail stores will have a booth there, and ask them to give you the show price in the store. They usually do it, you get the price benefit without the crowds and the ticket charge.

 

[handydave]

The Trenton Computer Festival is still going on? I remember when they used to be held at Trenton State College back in the mid 80's.

Here is a link to another company that holds shows almost every week in NY/NJ/CA:
http://www.marketpro.com/

 

[Jzero]

This is NOT a "Computer show."
This is the TRENTON COMPUTER FESTIVAL. It is worth going just for the outdoor flea market. This is the place where I got a 21" fixed frequency Trinitron for $15. If you have a penchant for odd hardware (older Suns, Alphas, and stuff you may not even recognize).
The indoor show is fairly typical.
The speakers and seminars are also fairly useful.

Don't know if it counts as a hot deal, but it definitely shouldn't be lumped in with the now-useless computer shows.

 

[Mallow]

I don't see computer shows advertised really... I think it might be fun.

 

[timswim78]

The only reason I go to shows is to purchase cables. A lot of times, guys make custom cables and sell pre-made cables for much less then you can purchase them online or in a store. If you buy two or three cables, you recoup your admission fee.

 

[Ziptar]

i used to go to computer shows years ago.. then this guy started showing up and turned them into a Junkfest.

 

[Siniminister]

If things are still the same as they used to be back in the 90's, another reason I can think of for computer shows is to get good prices on games. They sell loads of OEM titles for cheap, or at least they used to back in the day. They'd usually come with a manual and a CD, which is all you would normally need.

 

[ai42]

If your in Dallas the following will be on intrest.

First Saturday
Third Saturday

No entrance fees, sometimes parking fees though. Semi-decent prices (often within $5 of newegg, which is reasonable considering you have to wait for shipping and such). 90% good dealers out there but there are a lot of scams so be careful.

 

[lundog22]

After many people saying how great these Computer Show prices are. I went ahead and check out the one that is held once a month in the NY State Fair. What a disapointment... Prices aren't as great as they are online. Cost me $7 to get in... The ticket girls are kinda cute but sure don't worth my $7...

 

[TTM77]

Originally posted by: lundog22
After many people saying how great these Computer Show prices are. I went ahead and check out the one that is held once a month in the NY State Fair. What a disapointment... Prices aren't as great as they are online. Cost me $7 to get in... The ticket girls are kinda cute but sure don't worth my $7...

DID U ASK FOR HER #??? lol

 

[vcarpio2]

I go to (and shop at) computer shows. I also shop online.

Whenever a new BIOS version appears on my mobo's website, I make it a point to flash my mobo on the Friday before a computer show hits my town. That way, if I destroy my BIOS, I can get a new mobo at the computer show and not be computerless for a weekend and a couple of days.

Hasn't happened so far. But there's a computershow in town on 4/19, and I haven't applied the latest BIOS on my Asus P4B266 which would supposedly fix the temperature monitor....