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Barefoot Matt · Apr 22, 2006, 06:16 PM

So, I'm pretty new to the mac world, and I'm discovering that it can be hard to find mac-related things outside of major centres (which pretty much describes most of Canada). There's apple.ca of course, but I'd like to avoid paying the maximum price for everything. So, any other Canadian readers, where do you shop online for all your mac needs? Hardware, software (incl. games), whatever. And while we're at it, where do you shop for your non-apple-specific computer-related needs? I'd like to pick up a copy of windows with sp2 for boot camp that won't cost me an arm and a leg.

macaddict0001 · Apr 22, 2006, 08:00 PM

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/

Spliff · Apr 22, 2006, 11:40 PM

Originally Posted by Barefoot Matt

So, I'm pretty new to the mac world, and I'm discovering that it can be hard to find mac-related things outside of major centres (which pretty much describes most of Canada). There's apple.ca of course, but I'd like to avoid paying the maximum price for everything. So, any other Canadian readers, where do you shop online for all your mac needs? Hardware, software (incl. games), whatever. And while we're at it, where do you shop for your non-apple-specific computer-related needs? I'd like to pick up a copy of windows with sp2 for boot camp that won't cost me an arm and a leg.

http://www.ncix.com/

They usually have local affiliates in many cities around Canada.

ambush · Apr 22, 2006, 11:57 PM

I worked for a montreal based retailer and they really don't have any control on the prices.

IIRC they made less than 100 bucks on an imac sold.

macaddict0001 · Apr 23, 2006, 01:03 AM

Yeah here in edmonton they buy them for more than 90%(so about 110% markup) of the price they sell them for, but you can get good prices on ram and hard drives from these retailers. To give you an idea of the markup of other industries clothing is around 200% while cosmetics are 1600%.

hayesk · Apr 23, 2006, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by ambush

I worked for a montreal based retailer and they really don't have any control on the prices.

IIRC they made less than 100 bucks on an imac sold.

Of course. There's never margin on the big ticket items that bring people into the store. The money is in the huge retail markup on accessories, software, etc.

Future Shop hates selling iPods, but they do because they make a killing selling iPod accessories.

I never understood why so many Mac dealers sold Macs but stocked almost no software and accessories - that's where the money is. Geez, $15 for a USB cable at Best Buy - those things cost 68 cents in bulk!

bradoesch · Apr 23, 2006, 07:37 PM

My most recent discovery has been NCIX.com. Their shipping is high unless you find an item with a special shipping price. Their prices seem to be really good.

Tigerdirect.ca also has high shipping but it's not too bad if you're ordering a few items. Don't buy heavy stuff or you'll pay through the roof. Watch out for rebates too, some people claim to never get rebates from them or some of the manufacturers they deal with.

Futureshop in general is a rip off except for some of their sales or when you take advantage of their free shipping. Sometimes you're better off paying a bit more for something like a network card because the free shipping makes up for it. Tigerdirect seems to have a minimum of $9 or so for shipping, so keep that in mind.

If you like to know what's on sale and where the hot deals are at, check out redflagdeals.com, pricenetwork.ca and pricecanada.com. Pretty handy sites that've saved me lot of $$.

Salty · Apr 23, 2006, 07:57 PM

Yah PCs in general have really low margins. At Best Buy some of the stuff we sold went out bellow cost. That said if we got them to buy a nice power bar, a USB cable for the printer, a laptop bag, or some ink and paper then we started getting it into the black. That said the problem was, most people who wanted the super cheap bellow cost ones wanted JUST to pay what they were planning on paying and there was no up sale to be had. Management didn't understand this though.

I remember one day the GM was hassling us in computers to sell more service plans. He said to watch, next person who was looking at laptops He'd sell one to, and get service. I said, that's not tough I generally get service on laptops, if you can sell the 230 service plan on that 500 dollar package over there THEN I'll be impressed!

abe · Apr 25, 2006, 05:59 AM

www.terranceandphillip.com

macaddict0001 · May 1, 2006, 02:22 AM

You got the url wrong, I think.

abe · 03:21 AM

Originally Posted by macaddict0001

You got the url wrong, I think.

Oops. They must've changed it.

Maybe this one will work.

www.Cartman:I_would_never_let_a_woman_kick_my_ass. _If_she_tried_something,_I'd_be_like,_HEY!_You_ get_your_bitch_ass_back_in_the_kitchen_and_make_me _some_pie!.com

http://www.southparkquotes.com/top-rated-quotes.html