computer parts

[hugme]

is it just me or has anyone else noticed that while the newer technology parts prices have stayed relitivly the same the price of generic parts (cables, cases, rack shelves) have been rising considerably...

the LOWEST price I can find on even a used rack shelf is $30 for a 1/2 shelf, not even one of the fullshelves, those are around $150
Cases are the same way, I used to pick up computer cases for $19 and that was back in '94, just as few as 4 or 5 years ago I was still seeing them for $30-$40 for a generic case. now the cheapest thing you can find is around $80 for the SAME THING.

also the number of used and local computer stores have dropped considerably... there are about 1/4 the number there were just a few years ago... the cobb county computer show is a fraction of the size it was a couple of years ago both for venders and customers and they only have it twice a year when it used to be every month...

What the hell happened?

Comments

[stnuke.livejournal.com]

Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and Circuit City.

[hugs.livejournal.com]

I would say more Compusa...

I never understood how they stayed in business...

[cworeilly.livejournal.com]

being one of the "used" computer shops now closed..... I would say that in my case the economy after 9/11 and competition.......

[hugs.livejournal.com]

That sucks dude... cuz now I could use some parts.

[splunge.livejournal.com]

The cases and cables etc, their technology hasnt improved. Ram, mobos, hard drives, etc, they all have, and theres dozens of companies trying to make those better smaller and cheaper to beat the other guy, so they have to cut prices. case, cables.. you HAVE to buy those to get the other stuff to work, and they are all essentially generic and the same so they have NO incentive to make those cheap.

You have to buy them. They wont get any better. Theres no competition for your business.

Its a theory...