Buying a PC in China

[xianhua]

My sister-in-law and her husband are now ready to purchase their first PC. The only problem lies in how to make such a purchase.

Our first thoughts were for them to travel to nearby Wuhan to visit a reputable store. However, this would involve carrying the thing (they want a desktop) on several different modes of public transport.

Another thought would be to use Taobao to order one. They understandably have reservations about making a purchase of this size over the internet though (as I would have in using Ebay).

In an ideal world, they could visit one of their local computer stores, and pick one up. However, they'd really be exposing themselves to all kinds of problems as fakes are commonplace: "Yes sir, it's certainly an Intel processer inside, and the PSU is brand new". Hmmm...

We even briefly thought about shipping one over from here, but then I imagine the postage costs for a desktop would be colossal. Any thoughts?

[kdavid]

Firstly, you're going to run just as much of a risk of getting rip offs at a "licensed" retailer as you would the local computer city.

They understandably have reservations about making a purchase of this size over the internet though

A PC with the most up-to-date components, including a new monitor, wouldn't run you over 3500 RMB unless you went crazy with graphics and sound cards.

You're also more likely to get "honest" components from Taobao as you can check the sellers rating, comments, etc.

If I were you, I'd visit the local computer city. Sure, you're going to get a bootleg Windows 7, but you won't notice the difference.

[roddy]

You could perhaps ship some of the pricier components over, but it strikes me that's the kind of stuff that might get held at customs and it might be more hassle than it's worth. Dell might be an option - you can maybe build and order the machine for them, and then they take delivery? Or if they're happy to put it together order components online from places like Amazon.cn - they seem to have most of what you'd need?

[Mouseneb]

I have bought twice from Dell China and I'm happy with the computers. They shipped to me here in Hainan, and were able to assist me in English (through Dell Hong Kong). I think you could buy it on Amazon.cn and get it shipped to you as well.

[Senzhi]

I also can vouch for Dell: they assisted me in English from their call centre in Xiamen.

Maybe Lenovo has the same (as I'm not a Dell fan at all.)

[Xiwang]

We even briefly thought about shipping one over from here, but then I imagine the postage costs for a desktop would be colossal.

Plus, they'd pay about a 20% import duty on the value of the computer.