Shopping for Tech and Electronics Around Irvine by Anthony Tsai

Shopping for Tech and Electronics Around Irvine

In this digital era, electronics and smart gadgets are indispensable in our day to day life. Here, I will include a list of resources that helped me when I shop. Hopefully, this list will help you too.

Online Mass Retailer

• Amazon: As implied by its logo, this website sells everything from A to Z. In addition, you can get a complimentary prime membership for 6 months and be eligible for student prime membership at a reduced cost if you link your @uci.edu email.
• Newegg: This online retailer based in California is all about the electronics. They also have a warehouse in the City of Industry. Many items are eligible for ShopRunner (complimentary membership can be obtained through AMEX credit card) that enables expedited free shipping and return.
• B&HPhotoVideo and Adorama: These used to be camera only retailer but then expanded to sell many other electronics. As far as I know, they do not help you collect consumption/sales tax California customers.

Community Postings

Ebay, Craiglist, and Facebook are all great resources. Always meet in a public place and request a bill of sale for your own protection against stolen goods.

Shop Local, Get it Now

Microcenter, Fry’s Electronics, and Best Buy all have stores located near Irvine. Besides offering competitive prices, they also offer to price match against major online retailers (look above). In other words, you can use them as an in-store pickup option for items with a lower price online.

Used Phones

Check Swappa. Although I’ve never used this website before, they are 3^rd party middleman that offers used smartphones and tablets with a verified clean IMEI. A clean IMEI will prevent you from getting a device that is blacklisted by the carrier (which often happens if the device was reported stolen).

Hardcore Electronics

Radioshack and Mouser electronics: Do you ever run into a situation where you need a 10KOhms resistor or a 5v voltage regulator? These two sites can help you.

Wait Forever for Your Purchase to Arrive

Banggood and Aliexpress are two sites that you can check. They sell all sorts of things that are manufactured and shipped from the other side of the Pacific Ocean. My housemate loves these two sites, but your mileage may vary.

Anthony Tsai Home Country: Taiwan The Henry Samueli School of Engineering Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Ph.D.