Where to buy PC components in NZ
After searching around I found this helpful thread at GP Forums. The thread gives ratings for the reliability and service of each retailer. The ratings are updated regularly. Top retailers at the time of posting are Computer Lounge, Ascent, Mighty Ape and Paradigm PCs.
A couple of comments from me:
- I’ll have to check out Mighty Ape for online purchases in NZ. They sell a lot of other stuff too: books, board games. I noticed they also list other sellers’ prices on there site, a very Amazon move.
- I have a long history with Ascent. Most of it is great, although their reputation has recently been somewhat tarnished for me. Their policy seems to be to dispute any return made after the manufacturer’s warranty is over. This goes against the rights granted by NZ’s Consumer Guarantees Act. Under the Act consumers can expect their purchases to last for a reasonable time, no matter what the warranty says! However I suspect CGA disputes are not unusual among computer retailers—Dell sounds particularly bad! On balance I think Ascent are probably still one of the better ones out there. I was just disappointed after 10 years of great experiences. In the end they did give me a refund.