ALERT: Communicate with System Builders!

For those of you looking to buy a "Custom Built PC"
from someone online, I have a word of warning....

COMMUNICATE with the seller BEFORE YOU PURCHASE!

Today's Blog started out as a RECOMMENDATION to buy an EXTREMELY AFFORDABLE PC from a system builder because there were NO GOOD DEALS to be found on Black Friday, but has instead, turned into an advisory.

The details: The PC would have been great. Power, Memory, Storage, the works.
The price?
Let's just say it was $325 including shipping, because it was.

After looking at the details, I noticed that there was NO MENTION of the type or even existence of video, so I dropped them a very kind/quizzical message asking them if the system included video.

This is the reply I received:
hi, yes, there is an external video card included.

Now I don't know where you get YOUR video cards, but where I get mine, they come INTERNAL. So I messaged him back saying, "Surely you mean it's an internal card? If it was external, it would be OUTSIDE of the CASE. Please provide details".

This is the reply I received:
hi, What I mean is there is no integrated video card but I have put in a new PCI video card (seperated from the motherboard)

Now again, here was another opportunity for them to say, "Yes, we meant internal and it's an Nvidia 6150LE". Nope. And now, to compound the situation further, they're including a "new PCI video card". For those of you who don't get the reference, I haven't had a PCI Video Card since 1998.

So what's the point here? Simple. He obviously meant INTERNAL and not EXTERNAL. He obviously meant PCI x16 and not PCI. But if *I* can't get a couple of SIMPLE answers communicated EFFECTIVELY from them NOW, BEFORE the purchase, how in the world can I ever expect him to help YOU if you ever need Tech Support?

You're right. I can't.

Therefore, I proclaim that there are NO DEALS for PC's this Black Friday!

AWESOME Price: November 24, 2008

Alright, I can post AWESOME prices too, right?

How about a 1GB stick of DDR2 RAM for $11?
I promise, I'm not playing with your emotions!

If you're a gamer, pass on this deal. For those "in the know", it's CAS6, so while it's great for everyday needs, it won't fit the bill for the "Uber-Gamer"...

Link to eBay: Here

I forgot to mention, it's $11.... PERIOD!
No shipping, no handling, N-A-D-A!

For those paranoid readers: The seller of this item doesn't even know I exist.
I scour eBay so you don't have to!

BTW: This particular seller has over 700 pieces of this item at the time of this posting.

STUPID Price: November 23, 2008

So one of the things i'm trying to do here, is ALERT people to the CRIMINALS on eBay.
Yes, that's right, criminals....

They have figured out that there is still a large percentage of people who HAVE NO IDEA what PC equipment should sell for, so they set their prices REALLY high in the hopes they'll get a sale.

In any event, here's one I came across that made me want to vomit:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ 3GHz AM2 Dual Core - $172 + $18.98 for shipping!

Right now, you can buy this same Processor from NewEgg.com for $85.99!
A difference of $104.99!!!

CRIMINAL!!!!

You could by an additional motherboard and between 2 and 4GB of memory with that extra $104.99!!! (the price of memory depends on what size/type/kind/speed/blah/blah you choose)

Anyway, be wary... :)

To ALL sellers that get contacted by me....

You guessed it, if you've been contacted by me through the eBay messaging system, either:

a) I'm considering letting the world in on your auction
b) I'm yelling at you because you're a criminal

Alright, maybe I'm not yelling, but you'll get the point... :)

Oh and if I'm considering you for a recommendation, welcome to my world...

Welcome

To those of you who found me from my eBay listings, welcome to my Blogspace!

It is my intention to do TWO THINGS with this...

1. To help stop people from getting RIPPED OFF
2. To try to help people SELL their Computer Related Electronics
3. To offer a sincere level of help to those who need it

I feel that I can help make a difference.
So I am going to try to do so...

Anyway, read my other blogs, they're the ones you really want to read anyway!