Houston Computer Parts
This article will go over the retailers that serve Houston computer parts. Finding computer parts locally is a big deal for some people that love the easy access that a local company gives. However, these same types of services can be provided at huge distribution store or online. I will go over these options with you thoroughly and help you make the best decision for yourself.
This article will show you where you can acquire computer parts in Houston. I will be describing major retailers, local businesses and online computer parts companies that can all give you what you are looking for. Each company description will have background information, computer parts list, locations, shipping availability, and warranties. This should help you find the best available computer parts distributor to purchase computer parts of America.
Local Distributors
Bass Computers
Locations
Bass Computers is located at 10558 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77099 Phone: (281) 776-6700 or (800) 789-3012 Fax: (281) 776-6733. They are open from 9am to 6pm central time Monday through Friday. The RMA department is open from 9am t0 5pm central time Monday through Friday. They have a substantial online retail business, but I am not sure if it is what local residents would purchase from if they are within the area. I personally find it funny that the website logo makes it seem like a fishing lure website of some sort. I guess the owners realize that Texas is big with bass fishing and those fish are huge down there. I don't know if that is because its Texas, but they definitely talk the talk and walk the walk.
Products and Services
Bass Computers provides a wide assortment of Houston computer parts. They definitely have a good selection of products within the categories they have. i will list the selection of items they carry in the store and online below.
Cables Hard Drives Power Protection Computer Cases I/O Cards Computer Power Supplies Controller Cards Computer Memory Refurbished Computers Computer Cooling Security Solution Computer CPU Computer Motherboards Computer Monitors Computer Networking Computer Software External Hard Drives Computer Notebooks Computer Video Cards
Shipping and Returns
All order shipping can be tracked through the website through the contact us page. They have a return policy, that is accessed through their terms of sale contract when you purchase a product. It is not available for view online. I don't really like that is not there for easy viewing. I will be writing them an email stating they should provide this information on their website.
Directron
I just wanted to give a little bit of background information on Directron. Even though they are located in Houston , they have a big online presence while still providing Houston computer parts. They are a Discount computer parts store. This type of store is definitely one that people will want to shop at. Their inventory is quite large, but I think they have been holding themselves back when it comes to growing to the size of Newegg and Tigerdirect. I believe they may be a decent contendor for them in the future.
Locations
Directron is located at 10401 Harwin Drive, Houston, TX 77036. Their hours are 9:15am to 5:30pm Monday through Friday Central Standard Time (CST). They do offer in-store pickup for their customers in Houston, but they prefer to have these items delivered to homes even if local. I guess they want to become a real online retailer that has no local address for customers. Hopefully, they can provide both services if they get enough funding.
Products and Services
How I would like to list you every single product for this company, but it would be a waste of my time. Why you say? I would be listing every computer part their is and anything related to it! They have everything just like Newegg and Tigerdirect do! I will save you the trouble of reading the list and tell you if you want Houston computer parts, they have it!
Shipping and Returns
Directron uses FedEx, UPS and USPS to deliver their orders. These options are up to you! They provide a quick link on their website so you can track exactly where your shipment is and when it will arrive. I have don't really have a preference of who is it shipped by. I have had great experiences with all three companies. However, USPS is only used for APO/FPO and non-continental USA addresses and for trucking companies for large packages.
An important fact is to be held about Directron, which makes me believe that it will be a big online distributor like Amazon, but for computer parts. They do International Shipping! It is only done if the customer prepays the order and all shipping expenses. The customer is responsible for all duties if applicable.
The return policy of houston computer parts for Directron starts with a call to (713) 773-9696 for confirmation. The Second step is to file an online Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA). Once you send your item back within 1-7 days you will get an e-mail confirmation once it is sent back.
Micro Center
Locations
Micro center is another Houston computer parts chain that hasn't developed much online like other companies. They have excellent products locally. You can find Micro Center at 1717 West Loop Drive South, Houston, TX 77027. Their phone number is (713) 940-8500.
Products and Services
Once again I won't waste my breathe describing what they have because they have everything and more! Even all the gaming consoles, computer software, books, movies and consumer electronics. It is like a mini Amazon in their. However, they will not be able to compete with them anytime soon. It is better for them to focus on houston computer parts.
Shipping and Returns
The Micro Center uses FedEx as their primary shipping company. They only ship to U.S. states and military addresses. Micro Centerhas a good RMA process where laptop computers, digital cameras, projectors and commercial products may be exchanged with 7 days. Desktop computers, monitors and printers may be returned or exchanged within 30 days of purchase. If your Houston computer parts is brand new in theoriginal wrapping then it can be exchange or returned and refunded the full price. Other opened items will have a 15% open box fee.
Major Distributors
The major distributors refers to retail companies such as Best Buy, Target, Walmart, etc... Many exist that do not sell computer parts as their main source of income, but sell it so they can claim that they have everything available on the market. These companies are typically competing with mega stores like Walmart and Target. However, they have lost miserable in the battle of providing everything and keeping prices low. Below, I will describe each company in detail and what they can provide for you as a consumer.
Best Buy
Best Buy is a well known superstore for electronic, multimedia and appliance products. I will say that appliances are their biggest selling point, but people go there a lot for multimedia, televisions, computers and even car stereo equipment. Best Buy has been around for over 40 years! Of course they weren't a major distributor at that time, but they were a strong young business growing and growing in a great market share.
Computer Parts List
As I explained before, Best Buy has a wide assortment of electronic, multimedia and appliance products from Houston Computer Parts. Below, I will list some of the products that they have based their business model on. This information will help you determine if this is a company that will want to go to regularly.
Music CDs DVD Movies Blu-ray Movies Playstation 3 Xbox 360 Wii Computer Games Laptop Computers Desktop Computers Computer Monitors Video Cards Computer RAM Computer Sound Cards Computer Motherboards Computer Mouse Computer Keyboards Computer Hard Drives Universal Serial Bus Drives (USB) Printers Routers
Locations
You can find Best Buy almost anywhere in the country now. From the big cities all the way into little towns out west. What you will find even more interesting is that they moved to Canada in 2001, China in 2003, Europe in 2006, Mexico in 2008 and now they are working on opening their first store in Turkey!. They are truly on the move and expanding even during this worldwide economic crisis. Now that sounds like a great company that will be making huge headway in the near future in the market.
Shipping Availability
Shipping for Best Buy is like most companies. Houston Computer Parts shipping is generally standard according to federal laws. Each company has little things on the side that they try to use to distinguish themselves. Some use different providers and others provide special rates if you purchase enough merchandise. You can have things the next day or up to 10 days later depending on how much you pay. Fortunately enough you can have Best Buy ship through UPS, USPS or Mail Express. Why mail something when you can just pick it up from the store?
International shipping is generally not allowed. The Virgin Island, Guam and military addresses are capable of shipment though. Military addresses are the only international addresses it can ship too. Wherever the military resides is classified as United States territory.
Warranties and Returns
The warranty at Best Buy is very good. It is called the Geek Squad® Black Tie Protection Plan. They will protect it and service it at a minimal cost to you and if they have to do it 4x they will just give you a brand new product! You can't go wrong with this for a computer, TV system or appliance.
The returns are fairly easy and hassle-free as well. Just have your receipt or ID to track your original order and all the information and packing from the product. Once returned you can get your money back or a new product. I used it once when my HP Laserjet stopped scanning for some reason. Within 5 minutes I was walking out the store with a brand new product. Now that is what I call service!
Target
Target is a store that has gone further than Best Buy with its merchandise from Houston Computer Parts. It virtually sells everything and is in competition with Walmart, which I will present later. I am sure many of you have shopped at or heard about Target so I won't go into details of everything. If you are looking for something it will be in there 90% of the time. A generic version maybe, but still it will be in there.
Computer Parts List
The list of stuff goes on and on for this company so I will just stick to the products that we care about "computer parts". Below, you will find a list of them that this Houston Computer Parts store provides.
PDA Music CDs DVD Movies Blu-ray Movies Playstation 3 Xbox 360 Wii Computer Games Laptop Computers Desktop Computers Computer Monitors Video Cards Computer RAm Computer Sound Cards Computer Motherboards Computer Mouse Computer Keyboards Computer Hard Drives Universal Serial Bus Drives (USB) Printers Routers
Locations
Ironically, All U.S. states except Hawaii and Vermont have a Target store located within them. I am sorry for those two for not having that availability, but at least they will have a Walmart! Plus buying online is better for the money anyway, but it takes away the convenience of going to the houston computer parts store and getting face to face service. Target has started its international reach and is firmly staked in India as a new superstore for the public.
Shipping Availability
Target has a slightly different shipping policy than others. When you buy a shipping package for 1-2 days, it does not mean you will get it in 1-2 days! It is only an estimate of what should happen. I am guessing they don't want to buy a deal to make sure things are guaranteed. That seriously bothers me as a consumer using them to ship stuff to my residence. I would think about them twice if you have to ship something. Like others they do not ship internationally in fear of fraud.
Warranties and Returns
Target has a similar warranty and return policy of many Houston Computer Parts that you have visited. They have a special setup on the website that helps you go step by step through the process of using a warranty. I believe this process is a bit easier than reading all of the rules and instructions just to find out what you need to do. It is very informative and if you have any questions you can just refer to the FAQ.
Walmart
I believe that Houston Computer Parts would not be where they are at without Walmart. Truly the do it all store just provides too much convience in too many places to not be a huge stakeholder in the cheap computer parts business. Walmart is not the best place to buy computer parts, but it will have the basics that you need for everday computing.
Computer Parts List
The list of stuff goes on and on for this company, so I will just stick to the products that we care about "computer parts". Below, you will find a list of them that this Houston Computer Parts store provides.
PDA Music CDs DVD Movies Blu-ray Movies Playstation 3 Xbox 360 Wii Computer Games Computer Monitors Video Cards Computer RAM Computer Sound Cards Computer Motherboards Computer Mouse Computer Keyboards Computer Hard Drives Universal Serial Bus Drives (USB) Printers Routers
Locations
Ironically, All U.S. states have a Walmart store located within them. Houston Computer Parts stores like this one can only imagine to grow to the size of this company. Buying online is better for the money anyway, but it takes away the convenience of going to the store and getting face to face service. Walmart is starting to take a hold on the international market as well (Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom).
Shipping Availability
Shipping with Walmart is only done within the 50 continguous states and to military addresses worldwide like many Houston Computer Parts stores. Computer parts land stretches far and wide, but not everybody has the ability to order unless they live in one of the international places where Walmart is well established. You can find that list in the previous paragraph.
Warranties and Returns
Walmart has many things that Houston Computer Parts provide on a day to day basis. If you have ever been to a Walmart, you may have noticed a large line at the returns and customer service section. They are very keen on replacing faulty products and upholding warranties. Sometimes I think they let just about anything through no matter how it was damaged. They make so much money they just don't have to worry about that.
Online Distributors
Newegg
As far as Houston Computer Parts goes, Newegg is number 1 for computer parts online. Everybody trusts their products, service, customer service and warranty plans. I have used them for 10 years now for my computing needs and they have not failed me yet. I have received Dead On Arrival (DOA) parts, but that happens from time to time. What matters is that the company you buy from is capable of servicing you when these problems occur.
Computer Parts List
This company has everything you need in the terms of computer parts, but they also have started trying to be more broad, so I will just stick to the products that we care about "computer parts". Below, you will find a list of them that this Houston Computer Parts store provides.
Computer Games Laptop Computers Desktop Computers Computer Monitors Video Cards Computer RAm Computer Sound Cards Computer Motherboards Computer Mouse Computer Keyboards Computer Hard Drives Universal Serial Bus Drives (USB) Printers Routers
Shipping Availability
Newegg depends on Fedex for all their shipping needs. I have had no problems with their service and the amount of safety they put into their shipments. They instantly come with insurance and have good rates as well. UPS has its own tracking system that you can use online to see where your package is and when it will arrive. You will receive a notice on your door if you miss the delivery and a number to call to see where you can pick it up or reschedule the shipment date and time.
Internationally Newegg and UPS only ship to Military Addresses. I don't know of any company that deals with computer parts Atlanta that will ship to a foreign address. You will have to look into international companies that will do that. I will show you some in the subsequent articles that I will write on this website.
Warranties and Returns
Newegg has a great return policy and RMA process, which you can view on their website. If you do return something and just want your money back you will have to pay a 15% stocking fee. Of course, this is not all that bad and is pretty normal thing for most returns. Houston Computer Parts stores just regret to inform you until you find out you didn't get 100% of your money back.
I have used this RMA process well over 10x now and it has not been a bad experience once. They were actually pretty fast with the administration process and returning a working product. Many people trust them as well because of this fact. I believe you can trust them with your purchases as well.
Amazon
Amazon is a great website, which is oddly similar to Walmart except it only exists online. The way they do business is a little different from most in Houston Computer Parts. People are capable of selling items on the website as used items. They are warrantied by Amazon against the user. It is just as good as any warranty. They also sell new items as well. Its a great website that everybody trusts from computer parts to books about Lance Armstrong.
Computer Parts List
This company has everything you need in the terms of computer parts, but they also have everything else you need just like Walmart, so I will just stick to the products that we care about "computer parts". Below, you will find a list of them that this Houston Computer Parts store provides.
Computer Games Laptop Computers Desktop Computers Computer Monitors Video Cards Computer RAm Computer Sound Cards Computer Motherboards Computer Mouse Computer Keyboards Computer Hard Drives Universal Serial Bus Drives (USB) Printers Routers
Shipping Availability
Amazon in Houston Computer Parts is just like any other consumer website. It will only ship things to that country from that countries address. However, Amazon is established within many countries and their products are all within 1 database. I even enjoyed a Japanese CD that I had to buy from Japan, but I bought it through the American Amazon website. Amazon is located in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Israel, Africa, Middle East, Latin America, Carribean, France, China and other places within Europe. It is truly worldwide! With this kind of coverage you can get just about anything you want.
Amazon uses a wide variety of services to delivery houston computer parts. It truly depends on where you are sending it from and where it is going to. It may exchange hands with different companies along the way because of customs and such. Every single one of them have a tracking system where you can find out where your package is. They all don't work the best, but for America USPS, UPS and FedEx are very good about that.
The best part is if you spend over $25 you will get free shipping (7-10 days) if you want it faster you will have to pay the regular fee for that shipping speed. I kind wish they would reduce the rates, but not everybody gets what they want.
Warranties and Returns
Amazon has a return policy that is like most other places. The weirdest thing is how similar the return program they use is similar to the one on the Target store website. I think it may be the exact some 3rd party company that has provided them with that tool. It is a great guide for people who don't want to read the mile of instructions and just want somebody to tell them what to do so they can get a working product as quickly as possible. I find this tool invaluable if it is your first time doing such a thing. Afterwards, it because pretty easy to figure out the process.
