PlanetCPU - Elora Computer Service - Apple and Computer Sales and Services

When I told people in the computer industry that we were going to Korea, almost all said the same thing. "Oh boy, you'll be able to pick up some really cheap parts! USB Flash Cards by the suitcase full, all for pennies on the dollar!" So far, my experience has proven that this is not true in the least. In fact, there aren't that many "Computer Stores" as we know them here at all! And any that we have found sell parts and accessories for more, generally, than we can get them for in Canada. Basically, a 4GB USB drive is around $20US dollars here. We sell them for $20CA. Definitely not worth filling a suitcase in my opinion. Perhaps we just haven't found the bargains, but speaking with many Korean citizens leads to believe this is the case.

I would say, from my experience, that 20% of the technology stores in the area are Cell Phone shops. Another 78% of them (and there are TONS), are PC Gaming establishments. That leaves only about 2% being "Computer Stores" that offer sales and service of computer systems. I've probably seen 100 businesses that start with "PC" and end with something Korean. It's known here that all "PC" stores are actually what we call "LAN Gaming Shops." To think that there is that much business here for gaming baffles me, perhaps only because I'm not much of a gamer myself. They're busy though, Korean teens and kids flowing constantly in and out cheering with excitement about the last sniper kill they made on their 6 hour Call of Duty mission. We tried to communicate with people about why they love the gaming shops so much, and found that many people here simply can't afford a computer to play at home. Another indication that computers here a not cheaper than in Canada. In fact, an LG laptop that we can sell for $1000 in Canada sells for the equivalent to $2000CA here. I don't quite understand that considering that they've been imported from the other side of the planet. There are reasons for everything, however, so I'm sure that I can find out what actually predicts that pricing. 

There are noticeably two main competitors here. LG and Samsung. Posters, billboards and other "branding" materials are everywhere. Every man/woman and child has a cell phone. "Texting" seems to be their preferred method of communication. Phones don't go in the pocket. They stay in the hand for easy access. We even saw multiple people on mopeds/motorcycles text messaging while weaving in and out of traffic. Scary for us, but seemingly natural for these daredevils. 

Today we are going to actually check out some more "corporate" big-box type businesses and discuss technology and pricing with them. I suspect from what our interviewees have said that the pricing in these stores are no better than the "mom and pop" shops that line the streets. From what I understand, the best way to get a computer in Korea is to buy it online. Problem is, aside from the high pricing and shipping charges, they best have a close friend willing to perform repairs, since getting these online systems serviced or warrantied isn't financially worthwhile. 

After only two days in Korea, I'm generally don't believe Korea is much ahead of Canada with their technology, and certainly not with the pricing of their technology. They don't even have iPhones here yet, and seem to smirk at the fact that I'm using one- like it's a cheap toy. Perhaps it is, but I love it and consider it quite modern in Canada. Rumor has it that Korea will begin selling the first generation iPhones in the near future.

We'll update our experience after our Big-Box tour today. I pretty much know what to expect, but perhaps on the way we'll run into some back-street Korean technology market and hit the mother load! I'm not holding my breath, but hope we can find something to support what all Canadians "think" they know about Korean Technology and pricing. So far, we still have amazing prices - even better than one of the technology king countries!

w00t to PlanetCPU!