@twztid13 unfortunately not, they want to do a credit check on you and the bar is quite high
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8Feb 12
I should preface this blog by pointing out that I'm referring to buying a desktop PC in a retail store on the high street as shopping online still provides a wealth of options for the discerning shopper but in my particular circumstance a lack of credit/debit card proved to be a major stumbling block and I had hoped that one of the major retailers would provide me with a decent PC with a good price to power ratio.
My predicament started around a month ago when I decided that enough was enough and that I would get a PC that I could use to not only surf the web but also play games on, my old laptop simply wasn't up to the task and the people at the local library frown upon you trying to install games on their surprisingly powerful PCs.
As I mentioned earlier my bank doesn't trust me to have a debit card so I was forced to look around for a PC I could buy with real money and here's where the problem lies; retail chains such as Tesco, Currys and even the ironically named PC world only want to sell you a laptop, some do sell desktops or all in one PCs but only a small selection and none included a dedicated graphics card.
Smaller stores in my area no longer even stock PCs or laptops because they simply couldn't compete with the big players prices and found themselves switching to PC repairs just to stay alive and now the big players themselves have moved away from these machines as the portable devices market has become more dominant.
It took me over a month of searching nearby towns and even the capital of our fine country before I finally bit the bullet and went to someone with a debit card with the offer of cash upfront and a hearty handshake in exchange for their services so that I could finally got a PC, nothing too fancy just a mid level gaming rig but the whole experience has soured me on large retail chains and for the first time I've felt the effects they have on local shopping.
When I last bought a gaming PC it had a Matrox G400 and at the time it turned out to be a pretty poor choice for playing games but at least there was 4-5 shops that were willing to help me and I cant help but wonder if this lack of options and accessibility is hindering new comers or even casual players getting the most from their PC gaming experience because not only is there less shops but the people who had worked in the old PC stores had a lot more stake in the experience you got from them and quite frankly seem a lot more knowledgeable than your local big electronics retailer.
18 comments
Here, you can buy a pre-paid debit card ANYWHERE (brick & mortar). The problem is many like to charge upfront fees, and fees for every purchase, so you have to be savvy even buying those. Here, if you have 100 to deposit in any bank, they give you a debit card. Is that not the case there?
Here, you can buy a pre-paid debit card ANYWHERE (brick & mortar). The problem is many like to charge upfront fees, and fees for every purchase, so you have to be savvy even buying those. Here, if you have 100 to deposit in any bank, they give you a debit card. Is that not the case there?
As someone who works in a pc repair shop, we still sell desktops and build custom machines. Places like pc world etc prey on the less tech savvy of people and tell them what they need rather than be told and more often than not rip people off. It is disgracesful. But if you find the right places, machines and parts are cheaper than you would imagine :)
As someone who works in a pc repair shop, we still sell desktops and build custom machines. Places like pc world etc prey on the less tech savvy of people and tell them what they need rather than be told and more often than not rip people off. It is disgracesful. But if you find the right places, machines and parts are cheaper than you would imagine :)
@starduke Yeh, I've been looking out for them, i had an 02 money card but they recently stopped the service and the other cards i found online want you to buy the card with another card which doesn't help me lol
@starduke Yeh, I've been looking out for them, i had an 02 money card but they recently stopped the service and the other cards i found online want you to buy the card with another card which doesn't help me lol
I plan on buying from NewEgg when the time comes to buy a computer. Starduke makes a very good point with the pre-pay debit cards.
I plan on buying from NewEgg when the time comes to buy a computer. Starduke makes a very good point with the pre-pay debit cards.
Yea its hard to find a good retailer for desktops, and even harder to find with with a good GPU. There is a Canadian store near where I live where you can go in and basically order a custom PC and get the people there to build it for you; it even lets you pay in cash. They are just doing business like crazy, I think they need some imitators, or expand to other countries.
Yea its hard to find a good retailer for desktops, and even harder to find with with a good GPU. There is a Canadian store near where I live where you can go in and basically order a custom PC and get the people there to build it for you; it even lets you pay in cash. They are just doing business like crazy, I think they need some imitators, or expand to other countries.
In this day and age, if you don't have a credit or debit card, you're screwed. And you can quote me on that. Newegg.com is the best place to buy PC parts, I've found. Oh, wait, that's an online store... :P Have you tried to get a pre-paid debit card? They do exist! You put cash on the card, and can use it to buy things online!
In this day and age, if you don't have a credit or debit card, you're screwed. And you can quote me on that. Newegg.com is the best place to buy PC parts, I've found. Oh, wait, that's an online store... :P Have you tried to get a pre-paid debit card? They do exist! You put cash on the card, and can use it to buy things online!
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