Buying Computers and Accessories in TP HCM

Every three years my employer rotates the workstation and every five years we rotate displays/monitors. This year it was monitors.

So for the first two weeks of this year I've been canvassing stores and distributors.

Updating Equipment Knowledge
We started our search with < http://thewirecutter.com/ >, then < http://flatpanelshd.com/  >. Rviews were located at: < www.consumerreports.org/cro/computer-mo … e.htm?pn=0 >, < http://reviews.cnet.com/monitor-buying-guide/ >.

Narrowing the Choice
Based on the reviews we narrowed our choices to Dell, LG and Samsung. HP was not considered due to doubt in future corporate support. We also solicited information from students - some of the sharpest shoppers around.

We were also interested in the interfaces and the number/types of connectors so they would be compatible with older equipment such as our Canon scanners, etc.

Warranty
With monitors of this size/price warranty becomes an important factor - the standard tends to be 3 years. The ensures a reasonable life expectancy and controlled maintenance costs.

Both Hoàn Long and Phong Vũ offered full length 3 year warranty BUT Nguyễn Kim ONLY OFFERED THEIR 1 YEAR VERSION - see why later.

Suppliers Narrowed
Most smaller stores are too far down the food chain to get decent supplier prices. This makes it easier to thin out potential suppliers.

For a start, forget Samsung Plazas - they are big in TV and other home products. Not computer items.

This are the dealers we finished with.

Hoàn Long (Cống Quỳnh branch)
Hoàn Long is a chain of medium sized computer shops in Ho Chi Minh City. The shops focus heavily on personal computers, laptops, printers and other computer accessories. Most of the branches are located in the city centre and prices are reasonable.

Nguyễn Kim (Trần Hưng Đạo)
Nguyễn Kim is one of the largest chains of electronics stores in Ho Chi Minh City. Their shops normally cover several storeys and they sell almost every kind of consumer electronics including computers, mobile phones, TVs, cameras and major appliances such as fridges and freezers.

Phong Vũ
125 Cách Mạng Tháng Tám, D. 1  (08) 6290 8777
Phong Vũ is a large electronics store especially good at computers and computer accessories in Ho Chi Minh City. The shop is located just 10 minutes from the city centre and is split into two parts on opposite sides of an intersection. Phong Vũ sells computers and lots of related equipment.

Shopping Technique
I was one of the purchasers and another was a Vietnamese friend. We simply went in each store, independently, and we stood around looking at monitors waiting for an assistant to approach us.

In Nguyen Kim you would die before an assistant finished talking to another assistant or playing with their handsets.

Both Hoàn Long and Phong Vũ assistants approached us and both had English-speaking personnel.

The Final Choices
The Dell displays had very high ratings and also a good variety of connectors, far better than Samsung.

In the end we settled for U2412M model. Purchased from Hoàn Long (Cống Quỳnh branch). We initially purchased four units and they all performed well, A subsequent order for 84 pieces produced very sharp pricing PLUS a bonus (free) high-end screen and a very nice (free) laptop (for me)

Dell Distribution and Price Fixing
VN has poor consumer legislation, although there are a few notable legislative protections.

Dell products are distributed by FTP and even though we approached them as a potential supplier, they didn't offer any discounts for a large order. In fact, products they supplied to other retailers were priced less than FTP. Sure, they might be trying to do the right thing, but the fact is they are not cheaper at retail.

Warranty, sources & Nguyễn Kim
If you check out the Nguyen Kim web site < www.nguyenkim.com/ > you will see many of the warranties are provided by Nguyễn Kim and are for 12 months even when the manufacturer offers a 3 year warranty.

Further checking their web site you will see that the display monitors are not current models AND checking model numbers you will see they are INDIAN numbers. Seemingly Nguyen Kim buys unsold past years 'gray' market products AND sells at higher prices.

They also would not provide us with a Certificate stating the were new and unused. You join the dots!

BOTTOM LINE: Avoid Nguyen Kim.