Good & Bad places to buy from... IN CANADA

purecomedy · Post by **purecomedy** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 9:43 pm

Last Updated Jan 5, 2005...comparing more stores as I have time

Ken had started a post like this already here , but I believe it was intended for people living in the USA. I wanted to start a similar thread for people that want to get items online in Canada. Not all U.S. stores ship to Canada, and some that do have some ridiculous shipping charge, force you to pay via wire transfer instead of Credit Card and so on.

It might be nice for some other people to get some other good online store options for their country too.

Below is the way Ken started the U.S. Store thread, it seemed effective so I'll paste that below:

Let's list our buying experiences in this thread.

Please list only places that you have bought from, and include what you bought (if it was a lot, you can just say many things, etc..) and details involving the transaction, such as:

Did they charge you correctly,
Process & ship your order timely,
Did they provide confirmation and tracking numbers,
Any problems and did they resolve them,
How fast did you receive your order, anything damaged,
And any general comments on the company...

Some sample pricing Jan 2, 2005 (includes delivery charges to my postal code if available!)

Item #1 - CPU Intel Pentium 4 3.0E GHz (800 MHz) - Socket 478 - L2 1 MB
Fronet: 252.00 + 10.61 = $262.61
Memory Express: 219.95 + 10.00* = $229.95

Item #2 - CRUCIAL DDR 512MB 184pin 400MHz PC3200 (CT6464Z40B)
Fronet: 113.00 + 10.61 = $123.61
Memory Express: 109.95 + 10.00* = $119.95

Item #3 - ATI ALL-IN-WONDER 9600 XT (RADEON) - AGP 8x - 128 MB DDR - TV tuner
Fronet: 328.05+ 10.95 = $339.00
Memory Express: 269.95 + 10.00* = $279.95

Item #4 - SEAGATE BARRACUDA 7200.7 200GB SATA-150 7200RPM 8MB CACHE [ST3200822AS]
Fronet: 169.40 + 10.61 = $180.01
Memory Express: 159.95 + 10.00* = $169.95

Item #5 - ASUS P4 S478 i865PE, 5xPCI 4xD.DDR,AGP8X, GigaLAN, Firewire, SATA [P4P800-E-DX]
Fronet: 189.12+ 10.95 = $200.07
Memory Express: 149.95 + 10.00* = $159.95

*Memory Express can deliver in town for $10-$15 for the entire order. They ship with Canada Post and UPS so I assume the delivery charge is probably in line with other computer stores.

As of now Memory Express is in the lead. I've had good experience dealing with them locally, although cannot vouch for quality of service when shipping.

The Goog · Post by **The Goog** » Sat Jan 11, 2003 3:37 am

http://www.fronet.com (imo excellent customer service, mobo's, cables, speakers, vid cards etc etc...)

http://www.anitec.ca (average customer service but pretty darn cheap on most things. read above)

http://www.ncix.com (have always been good to me even though have heard otherwise. Ram, vid card, cables.)

http://www.atic.ca (pretty cheap, lots of stuff, lol kind of snooty at times but pretty decent service. vid card)

http://www.hltechnology.com (not a bad place, only shopped there a few times mainly for vid cards)

http://www.vibecomputers.com (another ok place, haven't done me wrong yet. shopped for vid card again lol I probably buy too many video cards)

http://www.bigfootcomputers.com (can't go wrong here imo. Hsf, cables, thermal paste etc etc...cooling stuff)

I should mention most of these stores I shop at in person so can't really say anything about shipping except for vibe and bigfoot. Vibe was pretty decent considering it's also in vancouver. Bigfoot was slow to me but I can understand cuz I ordered some stuff on the 23rd of Dec. and you know Xmas rush yadda yadda.

purecomedy · Post by **purecomedy** » Sat Jan 11, 2003 11:42 pm

I'll give my comment on each website below as I research them. I'm a demanding consumer you'll notice!

I have looked at a few stores in Vancouver (many distributors to computer stores are in Vancouver so when looking for stuff it's always good to phone stores in Vancouver). I've been to a few of these stores' website and even phoned a few when looking for a slot 1 slotket!

1. http://www.fronet.com (imo excellent customer service, mobo's, cables, speakers, vid cards etc etc...)

Nice selection, good prices. It seems you can pay by debit card which avoids the 3% credit card charge, but is that safe? Also paying for shipping at point of receipt scares me a little, wish they gave an approximation so you don't have a surprise possibly enormous charge.

2. http://www.anitec.ca (average customer service but pretty darn cheap on most things. read above)

This is pretty much exactly like my place in Calgary (www.memoryexpress.com) nice prices but not a true online store. They will only accept money orders for long distance shipping (at least they will ship) but this adds days to the process. I dunno I'm scared of money orders, if they pocket it, isn't it just like if they pocket cash. You can't put a stop on it (am I wrong?).

Also, on some of their memory they neglect to tell the brand name which scares me a little (makes me question honesty). The only thing that makes a store more dishonest/shady is ones with bad service that also hit you with restocking fees!

3. http://www.ncix.com (have always been good to me even though have heard otherwise. Ram, vid card, cables.)

This place is set up as more as an online store but the prices are a little higher. I checked and to ship a motherboard the cheapest method was $15 which seems a little steep, an object that size should be like $6 or $7 shouldn't it and $3 for some insurance maybe $10?

4. http://www.atic.ca (pretty cheap, lots of stuff, lol kind of snooty at times but pretty decent service. vid card)

Pretty nice prices. One huge drawback is they won't take your credit card, this was why I ruled these guys out in the past.

5. http://www.hltechnology.com (not a bad place, only shopped there a few times mainly for vid cards)

See $9.54 to ship a motherboard (not $15), now this is fair shipping prices and no 3% extra for credit cards (and hell they accept credit cards to begin with!). Prices seem decent as well.

6. http://www.vibecomputers.com (another ok place, haven't done me wrong yet. shopped for vid card again lol I probably buy too many video cards)

Seemed pretty good, I'm not too sure about the UPS shipping estimate, I couldn't get it working.

http://www.bigfootcomputers.com (can't go wrong here imo. Hsf, cables, thermal paste etc etc...cooling stuff)

This place looks great for cooling equipment, fancy lights & cables but for building a computer from scratch I would say this isn't the place to go.

I should mention most of these stores I shop at in person so can't really say anything about shipping except for vibe and bigfoot. Vibe was pretty decent considering it's also in vancouver. Bigfoot was slow to me but I can understand cuz I ordered some stuff on the 23rd of Dec. and you know Xmas rush yadda yadda.

For some items I have patience waiting a few days (particularly large items like printers and monitors) but otherwise I feel it's mostly the store's fault if they don't manage their inventory properly for everyday items (CPU, mobos, cables, cards). If it's simply being understaffed, I agree those delays more easily forgiven.

The Goog · Post by **The Goog** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 12:16 am

I usually pay by debit at frontier. Almost on everything.

purecomedy · Post by **purecomedy** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 12:21 am

Originally posted by The Goog
I usually pay by debit at frontier. Almost on everything.

You pay debit ONLINE or IN PERSON. I'm saying debit ONLINE scares me.

I'm having a hell of a time getting this bold formatting to work on your quotes properly! I came up with a format that's a little more economical on space as well.

I dunno I think it would be neat to come up with a Top 10 Canadian Stores list and have a table ranking them on a website or something.

The Goog · Post by **The Goog** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 12:23 am

Oh my mistake then. I would be scared too. lol perhaps you should stop quoting then I'm sure we'll get by.

purecomedy · Post by **purecomedy** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 12:33 am

Originally posted by purecomedy
You pay debit ONLINE or IN PERSON. I'm saying debit ONLINE scares me.

I'm having a hell of a time getting this bold formatting to work on your quotes properly! I came up with a format that's a little more economical on space as well.

I dunno I think it would be neat to come up with a Top 10 Canadian Stores list and have a table ranking them on a website or something.

To be honest, I'm surprised more stores in Alberta don't pop up and ship to the rest of Canada since we only have 7% GST here with no sales tax you'd think it would be an advantage for everyone to buy from here but distribution is more out of Vancouver and Toronto probably

The Goog · Post by **The Goog** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 3:12 am

yes i hate tax yeesh 14.5 yeesh....I would swear but I don't feel that rude yet.

Massa · Post by **Massa** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 3:26 am

Whats up..

These are awesome places i really like, and have spent over 2000 dollars at with never a hitch:

http://www.a-power.com

sweet shipping, packed great. I use money orders, and the BBB(Better Business Burea) can help you with those. They have never ever been slow, unhelpful or anything bad. Best prices in the country.

Only one bad: Asian operators whose english is a little pathetic.

www. vibecomputers.com
Ditto

http://www.ncix.com

hell no ....**** THEY SUCK
they chip CPU's send stuf in zip ties. and wont refund. Inexperienced uncertified techies.

Thats it ...

Rivas · Post by **Rivas** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 3:50 am

they shipped me damaged ram + 2nd piece was missing...first time when i went there after long discussion they told me exactly this "f*ck off"

i got my ram back after 3 months

pls no ncix ...

The Goog · Post by **The Goog** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 3:55 am

Well I suppose only local shopping from Ncix is ok then because so far they've never disappointed me. But for online quickly say go to hell.

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 10:41 am

http://www.robotnik.com

So far so good but there shipping is a tad slow, other than that. they alright

purecomedy · Post by **purecomedy** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 12:40 pm

As far as I was concerned NCIX is out based on price, hearing they have bad service to boot makes them a joke.

Keep them coming fellas.

ssjDoh · Post by **ssjDoh** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 12:47 am

http://www.pccanada.com/
bought A64 3200+, Asus K8VSE-DX, SB audigy 2 ZS, Antec case, and 512 PC3200 RAM - Received order 1 day after money was transferred. Replied quickly to e-mails. Limited selection though.

DAVE · Post by **DAVE** » Thu Jul 01, 2004 9:48 am

http://www.canadacomputers.com (good price but poor customer service )

http://www.infonec.com ( mostly the same price with canadacomputers but has better price for speaker )

http://www.icct.ca (the instore price is the best of all but they hardly update the price on the website. They also have the policy that will beat any advertise price )

pro : they have the best price overall and they will beat any advertise price (good for GTA local pick up )
con : they seem never update there online price and their online store suck

http://www.tigerdirect.ca ( some time have crazy deal...but have to be cafeful when place an order with them...there price for networking and HDD is one of the best ) edit : and also the PC speaker

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Thu Jul 01, 2004 11:12 am

Vibe rocks, excellent quick service, Producy packaged excellent, phone support if you need it. and if your not in BC you dont pay the provincial tax, so that covers the shipping

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Thu Jul 01, 2004 5:53 pm

Great thread purecomedy!

Worthy of some glue...

Ken

purecomedy · Post by **purecomedy** » Fri Jul 02, 2004 3:21 am

[quote="Ken"]Great thread purecomedy!

Worthy of some glue... ]

Thanks mate, I started this thread a long time ago. I believe at the time I was a little frustrated with all the people talking about orders from newegg, who will not ship to Canada

Maybe if I have some time over the weekend I'll do a re-assessment of the online store scene in Canada. Unless I order from each store all I can speak to is ease of ordering, price, selection etc. Great to hear experiences from others to confirm the merits of different stores.

nightowl · Post by **nightowl** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 12:47 pm

http://www.tigerdirect.ca is another good one....i've used them alot with no problems

DAVE · Post by **DAVE** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 2:37 pm

nightowl wrote:http://www.tigerdirect.ca is another good one....i've used them alot with no problems

i already post this site

read the thread before you post

Crazycanuck · Post by **Crazycanuck** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 11:43 am

I like NCIX for many reasons.

I've purchased most of my existing computer piece by piece from there without ever having a problem using Canada Post (just don't use UPS).

I like the fact that they have a help forum, which I've used for help, information, and puchasing decisions.

I like the customer reviews/comments.

I find the prices much better than what I can find in Ontario.

I have to add 8% provincial sales tax to everything I purchase here in Ontario. With out of province purchases I don't have to pay provincial sales tax. This savings generally covers the shipping costs.

purecomedy · Post by **purecomedy** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 7:41 pm

It appears that Frontier PC has addressed my previous issue with their lack of shipping cost estimate. It is now very easy to see the shipping costs when you click on a component. You enter your postal code and it shows you your options for shipping with price and time to delivery included.

rjtoo · Post by **rjtoo** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 11:08 am

http://www.adpmods.com/case-modding/
i have dealt with anand a few times.very good store imo.

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 4:47 pm

DAVE wrote:i already post this site

read the thread before you post

Hold up there, a-hole.

DAVE · Post by **DAVE** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 9:20 am

Burke wrote:Hold up there, a-hole.

i just want to ppls to read the theard be4 they post
is there a problem with that

Rivas · Post by **Rivas** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 3:52 am

http://www.kit-tronics.com

High end cooling systems, RAM, everything what has something to do with OCing.
The systems are not cheap, all pro series, made in Denmark or Japan, service is awesome, if you need something really special they will build it/get it for you, I give this company 5 stars out of 5.

Small NOTE: In case you need something special what is sold out everywhere they will get it for you and you can expect it at your doorstep next day.
I never experienced so high customer care in my life.

terrancelam · Post by **terrancelam** » Thu May 31, 2007 12:17 pm

http://www.infonec.com - Has a couple of physical locations in Toronto, pretty good store to get stuff from. Haven't tried ordering online, but their prices are usually competitive. UPDATE: Their return / exchange policy is horrible. Even if your item is defective within 7 days, they do an instore RMA (meaning they return it to the supplier for another unit, possibly a refurb). Cheap prices, but buyer beware.

http://www.canadacomputers.com - This site usually has the cheapest prices for most components. Check here first to get a good bearing on how much something cost online (it helps if you are bargaining.) One reason why you should not should here is because their customer service is lousy and their internal policies for returns and exchanges sucks. Update: Their customer service has surprisingly increased, returns for defective items within the 7 - 15 grace period is an exchange on the spot! very good~

Massa · Post by **Massa** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 2:32 pm

An update to what i've said so far:

NCIX has vastly improved their service, however I now shop locally:

http://www.memoryexpress.com - Edmonton and Calgary locations, really helpful Customer Service who all speak good english. Not as knowledgable as some stores but they have a good return policy (30 days) and a large selection of products in store. 4.5/5 - only detraction being their prices aren't as good as NCIX but despite that they do offer far superior service.

happyday999 · Post by **happyday999** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 1:34 am

I like this one: http://www.fronet.com