Good references to get good prices on networking hardware
I would like to know of good resources to networking hardware, such as routers, switches, cables, etc. Someone told me that some gurus on this list had purchased Cisco Pix routers for about $250. That's an incredible price. I was looking for references as I want to make sure the venders are reliable & trustworthy. Especially ones that you have had good experience with.
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
Lee W, MVP
You can look at Cisco stuff available at www.newegg.com - arguably the best place for a combination of price, trustworthiness, and reliability around.
ASKER
Thanks leew!!
I use Newegg quite a bit!!! I just sort of looking for some others!! You are correct about their price, trustworthiness, and reliability!!
I use Newegg quite a bit!!! I just sort of looking for some others!! You are correct about their price, trustworthiness, and reliability!!
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I wouldnt trust NewEgg for any serious hardware. The are purely a RETAIL outlet staffed by dumb assistants that "cannot deviate from their (retail) rules". There is NEVER an instance where I have found that newegg cannot be beaten by the zillions of hardware suppliers out there, both in price, quality AND knowlegeability. Look at www.pricewatch.com -- there are lots of good and bad merchants there, you have to be savvy to know who you are dealing with. Also see directron.com, as well as numerous others.
If you want a deal on cisco, are you aware that Linksys is now owned 100% by cisco? It is like chev and toyota, they stamp out one with Chev, and the next with toyota, from their US plant. Same with linksys and cicso. The linksys routers have EXACTLY the same BIO programming as cisco (for NW hardware in the same class) -- but cisco is smart enough to charge 3x for the "cisco" label over linksys, for those who are prepared to pay through the nose for a name with no extra functionality than their bargain brand, linksys. Loog at the linksys BEFSVP41 router, it is identical to the cisco that costs 3x as much.
If you want a deal on cisco, are you aware that Linksys is now owned 100% by cisco? It is like chev and toyota, they stamp out one with Chev, and the next with toyota, from their US plant. Same with linksys and cicso. The linksys routers have EXACTLY the same BIO programming as cisco (for NW hardware in the same class) -- but cisco is smart enough to charge 3x for the "cisco" label over linksys, for those who are prepared to pay through the nose for a name with no extra functionality than their bargain brand, linksys. Loog at the linksys BEFSVP41 router, it is identical to the cisco that costs 3x as much.
ASKER
scrathcyboy,
Are you absolutely sure about the "the linksys routers have EXACTLY the same BIO programming as cisco"??? I have been using Linksys for a long time & have been satisfied with them. And I have ALOT of respect for Cisco & would like to use them more, but if what you claim is true, I won't need to change from using the Linksys. Have you got any links that would verify what you are saying?? I am NOT disputing what you say, but sometime just because a company buys out another one doesn't mean that it will change anything.
"Look at the linksys BEFSVP41 router, it is identical to the cisco that costs 3x as much." Where can I see this comparison???
If what you say about Chevy & Toyota was true about them, you would see Chevy's ratings start getting better. And I haven't seen that.
I am hoping that Cisco IS putting their quality, reliability, & knowledge into Linksys. That would be another reason to keep using them & recommending them.
Thanks!!!!
Are you absolutely sure about the "the linksys routers have EXACTLY the same BIO programming as cisco"??? I have been using Linksys for a long time & have been satisfied with them. And I have ALOT of respect for Cisco & would like to use them more, but if what you claim is true, I won't need to change from using the Linksys. Have you got any links that would verify what you are saying?? I am NOT disputing what you say, but sometime just because a company buys out another one doesn't mean that it will change anything.
"Look at the linksys BEFSVP41 router, it is identical to the cisco that costs 3x as much." Where can I see this comparison???
If what you say about Chevy & Toyota was true about them, you would see Chevy's ratings start getting better. And I haven't seen that.
I am hoping that Cisco IS putting their quality, reliability, & knowledge into Linksys. That would be another reason to keep using them & recommending them.
Thanks!!!!
scrathcyboy, have you ever used a Cisco?
You don't really need to find a place with a good price, you need to find multiple places and get them bidding against each other. You'd be amazed how low the prices get when you call up companyX and say "CompanyY is giving me that for $100 cheaper, what can you do?" Then you call back companyY saying X is now beating them. Repeat this until you've squeezed them dry. Obviously the more equipment you need the more leverage you'll have, but it can work for a single switch or router.
I do this with cdw, dell, tigerdirect, and every IT company that calls me wanting my business. I've heard that the big telcos (verizon, sbc, *bell) actually can get the best prices on stuff like cisco switches and routers because of the amount they buy for their own networks, and therefore can sell them cheaper to you. I've never actually called any up asking though.
I do this with cdw, dell, tigerdirect, and every IT company that calls me wanting my business. I've heard that the big telcos (verizon, sbc, *bell) actually can get the best prices on stuff like cisco switches and routers because of the amount they buy for their own networks, and therefore can sell them cheaper to you. I've never actually called any up asking though.
Have you considered ebay?
You can get the best bargains if you have in house expertise to cleanup and setup the equipment.
You can get the best bargains if you have in house expertise to cleanup and setup the equipment.
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>The linksys routers have EXACTLY the same BIO programming as cisco (for NW hardware in the same class) --
right...
Cisco even designs some of the ASICs in house, whereas Linksys mostly buys OEM designs from Taiwan.
right...
Cisco even designs some of the ASICs in house, whereas Linksys mostly buys OEM designs from Taiwan.
ASKER
>Cisco even designs some of the ASICs in house, whereas Linksys mostly buys OEM designs from Taiwan.
Public, I would sure like to see where this info is!! Could you give me a link??
Thanks!!
Public, I would sure like to see where this info is!! Could you give me a link??
Thanks!!
ASKER
>Keep an eye on http://www.fatwallet.com
Thanks, gbirkemeier, this is one I have looked at in the past & had forgotten about!!
Thanks, gbirkemeier, this is one I have looked at in the past & had forgotten about!!
Oh ya, http://www.slickdeals.net is good as well.
I check these sites daily. You never know what you need untill someone posts a deal on it.
I check these sites daily. You never know what you need untill someone posts a deal on it.
ASKER
Some good suggestions here so I split the points.
Thanks!!!
Thanks!!!
Thanks Chris,
--Rob
--Rob