[scottishtv]

As an aside, why every time I go there is the checkout chocked with goons buying the latest Packard Bell machine? I never seem to see any other models being bought.

As far as I am aware, PB is exclusively sold through the Dixons Group shops - not sure if they own part of the brand (or wholly own PB), but I think they're the only stores where you can get PB computers. Not sure about the commission, but I imagine there is probably an incentive for the sales teams to shift the PB stock before anything else.

BTW:- when I used the word 'exclusively', I didn't mean it in the sense of something to be proud of...

[Chris]

As an aside, why every time I go there is the checkout chocked with goons buying the latest Packard Bell machine? I never seem to see any other models being bought.

As far as I am aware, PB is exclusively sold through the Dixons Group shops - not sure if they own part of the brand (or wholly own PB), but I think they're the only stores where you can get PB computers. Not sure about the commission, but I imagine there is probably an incentive for the sales teams to shift the PB stock before anything else.

BTW:- when I used the word 'exclusively', I didn't mean it in the sense of something to be proud of...

PB computers used to be sold in other places like John Lewis once upon a time, but, alas they no longer do so. The reason, I'm not sure of, but judging by some of problems I experienced with my PB (was my first comuter ) I don't blame them for wanting to ditch PB as a supplier of computers to their department.

I would assume they now have an exclusive agreement to supply DSG with these machines. They also sell the eMachines and Advent brands through DSG - I assume that they are both also exclusive to DSG, as I haven't seen anywhere else advertising said machines.

[nwtv2003]

Am I the only person who has never had a problem with any products that have been bought from Dixons, Currys or The Link? The PC I'm using now (EMachines 220) I got from Dixons before Christmas 2003, it cost me (well my parents) £499 and I've never had any problems with it.

I bought my Nokia 3310 from The Link, again no problems. I also bought my TV from Currys in January and I've never had any problems. I also returned a TV Card to Dixons as it didn't work on my old PC, and they gave me my money back without a fuss.

If anything it feels like that Dixons is getting smaller, they seem to have disappeared from most High streets in Towns, not Cities though.

[cdd]

Why are Dixons and Currys seperate companies? Don't they sell practically the same thing? Or am I missing something?

Dixons, Currys & PC World are owned by the same company, and have identitical prices in all 3 shops. Their websites are almost identitical (apart from colour-schemes).!

Defintieyl targeting different consumers though! Curry's targets the housewife, PCWorld the i-want-a-computer-type person, and Dixons the i-want-a-gadget-or-some-such-rubbish-type person.

[Gavin Scott]

Defintieyl targeting different consumers though! Curry's targets the housewife, PCWorld the i-want-a-computer-type person, and Dixons the i-want-a-gadget-or-some-such-rubbish-type person.

Imagine being a housewife who wanted a pc and a gadget.

She'd be one lucky bitch.

I wish I had a rich husband. Then I'd have nice things.

[cwathen]

PC World are an odd one on prices - their brown box components are quite reasonably priced, many of them cost more or less the same as ordering from CCL or Dabs when you factor in postage, but certain items are inexplicably overpriced.

Two particular noteworthy cases are basic EIDE cables going for £17.99 when they should be £3, and memory being charged as much as 50% more (although this does fluctuate) than the going rate.