Where do you buy your computers and/or parts from? eBuyer ok?

B0bbyEwing

I was considering a new cheap laptop. My PC is Windows 10, doesn't support Win11 (let's not start talking about try Linux) & I don't know when I'll get round to building another PC or even buying one so had considered a new laptop on the cheap end as it wont be doing anything intensive.

I've used eBuyer since I can't even remember. 2005-ish, maybe a couple years later. I know I was using them for a good while before I ordered many parts from them in 2010 when I built my PC. I've also used Scan at times but always found eBuyer to be cheaper for the same.

So I hop on Google & was surprised to see so many scathing reviews on them now. I don't know if they've come under new ownership since I've used them or what.

I get that people with bad experiences are more likely to run to the reviews than those who've had good experiences but still, I was surprised. 

Reviews such as if it goes well then you're fine but if it doesn't then they're a nightmare to deal with.

Who do you guys use for these kinds of purchases these days?

RunsFromRobots

I tend to use HotUKDeals for deals on parts and have used Amazon, eBay, CCL, Overclockers and a few others as a result.

I used to use Ebuyer, but usually use their eBay store if the price is right.

MattMattMattUK

Laptops mostly Dell, but that is work and their business side is pretty good, although will almost certainly go for an Asus Proart next.

Components, Overclockers, Scan and Amazon depending on whichever is cheaper and has stock.

Frozen_up_north

eBuyer have a large warehouse near Howden, they are not a small “back street” operation.

Having said that, I haven’t bought from them in several years.

I always take reviews with a generous pinch of salt. A data SIM that I bought from Amazon recently needed support from the supplier (Scancom). They responded by email within 2 or 3 hours with a work around for my particular router, which resolved the matter. Yet I see many reviews saying they don’t respond, the SIM cards don’t work, they stop after a few days… odd as I have four that work perfectly. So much for reviews (especially on Amazon),

brewerdave

I used ebuyer a lot in the past when I built several PCs for myself and family.
Haven't used them lately mainly because they seem to have got more expensive. Recently bought a new WIN 11 Laptop from an Amazon listed supplier (for same reasons as OP!) as ebuyer hadn't got any reasonably cheap machines.

Exodi

To be clear, ebuyer, Amazon* & eBay all act as marketplaces - whereby separate companies list their products. This reason I mention this is because it means that nefarious merchants may list fakes, or returned stock. This is compared to a retailer which you can generally be confident buys direct from the manufacturer.

*Amazon can also act as the seller whereby they purchase the goods from the manufacturer.

If you are strictly looking for the best deal (and are comfortable taking a bit of risk), I generally find either FB marketplace or non-business sellers on eBay to be the best. I have gotten 50% discounts on shop prices for BNIB laptops before being sold by private individuals in the past.

jshm2

Depends what is being bought - and quantity. Ebuyer and Amazon tend to be expensive, unless buying via a business account. But if you're buying one-off, then Aliexpress or the manufacturer tends to be cheaper for parts. 

If eBay, then ensure you buy from buyers with high ratings. 

But a pro tip is that quality of parts tends to be quite high these days, so second hand parts is not the taboo it once used to be. I've retrofitted a few servers, laptops and phones with second hand parts down the years, and not had a fault.  

booneruk

I usually buy components and do full builds or upgrades. I use https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/ to see parts and prices, and then select between Scan, Amazon (I stick to Sold by Amazon), Overclockers.co.uk and Ebuyer.

Not had any problem with any of these over the many years I've been buying. 

QrizB

MattMattMattUK said:

Laptops mostly Dell, but that is work ...

I buy 3- or 4-year-old Dell business laptops from resellers on eBay. Businesses buy them new, keep them for long enough to write them off against tax and then replace them.

You can pick up a solidly-built, reliable laptop that some business will have paid £1k for, for about £150. It might need a new battery and have a few cosmetic marks but it'll perform (and last) better than a brand-new £400 consumer laptop.

Cisco001

Scan CS are quite good. I tends to buy parts there if the price are similar.

Newcad

Don't forget Argos, I got a Lenovo Ideapad Slim 3i with a good spec at an absolute bargain price from there in Feb.

It was a sale price so keep your eyes open, and be flexible on brands - I was looking for an Asus laptop to and ended up with a better specced Lenovo for half the price.