Why don't people use a local IT store or a PC service to build their systems?

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Andretti

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Jul 2, 2017
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Hello!

I keep hearing people saying that they are scared of breaking some parts when building their system, that they have absolutely no idea how to build a PC or they don't know what parts to pick. Why don't they have someone else build it for them?

How did I get my mid-range gaming PC? Boring stuff ahead. Went into an IT store and asked for a custom built PC and someone to help me choose parts. They directed me to their own service upstairs, in the same building. I told the guy in there my budget and what I want to use the PC for (gaming). He chose the build and handed me over the list of parts along with the price after 5-10 minutes. I wasn't a complete n00b in picking PC parts but I was scared of building it so I don't damage something. Next day I did some minor changes to the build and handed it over to the same guy. He said that the build is good and there are no issues with it. He printed out the altered build with the price, I placed the order in the store, requested the FREE assmebly and the PC was ready in about 1 week. 3 and a half years later, today, it still works perfectly.

Is it uncommon for IT stores to offer free or very cheap assembly? Can't local PC services build the system for you?
 
Solution
Phillip Corcoran
"How much do you pay for a PC assembly in the west?"

Well I don't know about other system-builder stores over here but I didn't get an itemised invoice with mine, so labour charge wasn't shown - - just a total price for the build which I knew to be very reasonable for the spec because I costed all the components online beforehand just to get a ball-park figure. But from that I worked out that the guy charged me around £40 (UK Pounds) for labour and that was 4 years ago.

I was okay with that, certainly didn't expect to get it built for free - you can't run a PC shop over here without charging something for labour, these shops have a tough time as it is.

It was well put together too, all cables neatly zip-tied and no sign of...
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King Dranzer

King Dranzer

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Here is the point "requested the FREE assembly" 99% of stores don't do it for free and they charge a good amount for assembling unless you have some friend or relative working there.

The other problem is that a Local store(single store) is not sure to have all the components we require and there is good possibility that you can find one product for a good price in one shop and find other product for cheaper price in some other shop. Instead of paying of high amount for some products to get discount on others is meaningless when you can buy all components for discount from different shops.
 
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k1114

k1114

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I've suggested this every time when someone said they didn't want to build it themselves. Most places charge relatively cheap like $20-50 to build if you bring the parts. They did it for free for you because you paid more for buying the parts there. They made money from you already.

On the flip side, building is very easy so I also always mention that unless they specifically say they will not build. If you can plug in your pc to the wall, you can plug in the psu cables to the components, etc.
 
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Phillip Corcoran

Phillip Corcoran

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On the upside, notwithstanding the cost premium (which isn't always true anyway), you'll have no hardware compatibility checks to do, and you can rightly expect the finished PC to be fully functioning when you pick it up - - plug it in to check in the shop before you hand over your cash (any half-decent system builder will let you do this).

So it does have it's good points, King Dranzer just didn't bother to mention them.

I personally see nothing wrong in supporting your local system builder if you don't have the inclination or the time to build it yourself. Too many local "one off" PC building/upgrading businesses are going to the wall through lack of public support.

I applaud your decision Andretti - - if all these shops were to disappear it would mean less choice for all of us, and anyone who didn't want to build one would have to buy a factory pre-built one with specs chosen by the manufacturer, not the buyer. It'll also come loaded with tons of proprietary bloatware.
 
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A

Andretti

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Jul 2, 2017
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Regional differences I guess. In Romania I did not know anyone in that particular store and they provided me with free assembly. I got this build for 700 euros with free assembly 3 and a half years ago from them https://pcpartpicker.com/list/3TTyNN

Another well known IT store in the area requests an additional fee for the assembly. The fee ranges from 25 euros to 50 euros. BUT I did notice that their components are overall slightly cheaper. Not sure about this one, but from what I read they will build your PC with components bought from outside their store IF you buy at least one of the components from them and IF you buy the most expensive 50 euros assembly option.

Both of the stores I talked about have quite a wide range of components. Language barrier obviously.
http://www.pcgarage.ro/componente-calculatoare/
https://www.evomag.ro/COMPONENTE-PC/

How much do you pay for a PC assembly in the west?
 
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Phillip Corcoran

Phillip Corcoran

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"How much do you pay for a PC assembly in the west?"

Well I don't know about other system-builder stores over here but I didn't get an itemised invoice with mine, so labour charge wasn't shown - - just a total price for the build which I knew to be very reasonable for the spec because I costed all the components online beforehand just to get a ball-park figure. But from that I worked out that the guy charged me around £40 (UK Pounds) for labour and that was 4 years ago.

I was okay with that, certainly didn't expect to get it built for free - you can't run a PC shop over here without charging something for labour, these shops have a tough time as it is.

It was well put together too, all cables neatly zip-tied and no sign of sloppy workmanship. I'd be bit suspicious if a shop over here advertised "free assembly" - - it usually translates as "not enough time to do the job properly".
 
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Solution
King Dranzer

King Dranzer

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Well that depends from area to area and country to country. I live in India I charge INR5000(Builds upto 75,000), INR7,500(75,000-1,00,000), INR10,000(1,00,000-1,50,000) INR15,000(All builds 1,50,000 and above) and Special charges for Concept builds.

And I charge the least compared to others around my area.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Nothing is "free".
What you got was simply absorbed into their overall profit for all the parts.

If you went there with an armload of parts you had bought elsewhere, and requested their 'free assembly"...you'd get a major dose of stinkeye. :heink:
 
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