Slap on your fake tan and adopt a mullet, we're going bargain hunting! (General Comments on Computer Fairs)

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Product:	General Comments on Computer Fairs
Date:	16/01/04 (515 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: cheap, plenty of variety

Disadvantages: beware of things that really do seem too god to be true

As you can tell from my other reviews, I am somewhat of a bargain hunter.. Everything I buy is as cheap as possible! So of course, I am a regular at computer fairs.

I'm certain there are still some people out there who have never experienced one of these fairs, and maybe a few that don't even know they exist (due to living in a cave, or being my mother).

Brief outline:

Computer fairs have been around for as long as I can remember (admittedly I can only rememeber back to the 1980's!), and are a fantastic resource for buying almost anything PC related. The fair I go to regularly is held 6 times a year, and I'm pretty sure it is a travelling fair (meaning you can follow them to the next stop to return anything if the actual trader is based at the other end of the country!)

Usually held in sports halls, such as the Kelvinhall in Glasgow (my usual haunt), computer fairs always tend to follow the same outline.

Firstly, the organisers charge a small amount for entry to the fair (to discourage casual browsers I assume). No more than £1 each normally. Most of the fairs I have been to have also provided a refreshments area which is very handy if you are dragging kids around with you!

Once you've paid to enter you are faced with a hall full of seperate stalls, each tending to specialise on a particular subject (be it software, hardware, consumables). Be sure to have a good look around, as prices (although usually cheap) can vary a lot between stalls.

Most traders at modern computer fairs are genuine businesses such as small PC shops, internet traders, and even end-of-line goods traders (bargains galore with these). This is the main reason that computer fairs are growing ever more popular these days.

Back in the early 1990's most fair were full to the brim with somewhat dodgy traders selling copied Amiga games and the like.... and with no comeback on your purchases, only those wit

h a sound knowledge of computers ever dared to attend!

One thing to remember; the traders are almost always very knowledgeable, and are very willing to answer any questions you may have. Also, as another review mentions, the atmosphere is very much relaxed, unlike the hard-sell that tends to go on in high street stores. So you definitely feel at ease, and can take your time collecting information before buying anything.

Buying at computer fairs:

Once you've had a good browse, and taken note of what you want to buy, you can even dare to haggle (yes it is possible!) if you are a cocky fella like me. Always best to haggle close to the closing time though, as traders never like to have to lug stcck back home with them. Last purchase I made was a 17in flatscreen Dell monitor for a princely sum of £35 (haggled down from £50 no less).

So you've bought what you wanted, what next? Well, a definite must is to get a receipt as well as contact details of the seller. Sometimes you have to force it out of them, as some will try to get away with avoiding returns etc. And steer clear of anything labelled 'sold as seen' unless you can see it demonstrated as working!

I must mention, the size and variety of stalls can vary greatly between computer fairs (different organisers mainly). Fairs I have attended down in Manchester had at least 25 stalls whereas the one in Kelvinhall only had around 12 last time I went. Still a lot of bargains though, don't get me wrong!

What can you buy at computer fairs?

From experience I have seen the following...

PC components (such as memory, cpu's, motherboards, hard drives, CD-ROM drives, monitors etc.)
Software (Games, applications, operating systems such as Windows etc)
Consumables (printer ink, paper, toner cartridges, recordable CDs etc)
Peripherals (cables, keyboards, mice, speakers etc)
Full PC Systems (usually second hand, or end
of li
ne)

Almost all good for sale are at marked down prices so bargains are a certainty.

Summary:

Computer fairs are an invaluable source of parts for the PC user, especially those like me, who like to tinker about with their PC's much like a car(..tune this, bin that!)

Computer fairs are far more regulated than they used to be, and every trader has a returns policy in place (a rule laid down by the organisers).

If there are any problems with your service, and you get no joy from the actual trader, the organisers of the fair are always more than willing to help.

So whether you are wanting a nice cheap upgrade, or simply new box of recordable CD's, computer fairs are a great place to shop. So look out for your next one! Details are usually given in local newspapers, but can also be found on the internet (Google for computer fairs uk!)

Go on, they're cheap as chips...


Thanks for reading

Marc

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