> I live in NYC now, and fortunately we still have Micro Center which is still fun, though I do worry that it might go the way of Fry's Electronics soon enough.
When Fry's died during (not because of) the pandemic, basically half the comments on articles were "oh no, what about Micro Center?" to which the immediate response was invariably "they're all completely packed" (partially due to the pandemic meaning everyone wanted better computer gear for WFH). During the height of the GPU shortage, it was often said that your best chance of getting a GPU was going to the nearest Micro Center. On all of my more recent trips, Micro Center has seemed to do pretty strong business.
Somehow, Micro Center does seem to have found a strong niche that makes it survive as a brick-and-mortar store in an increasingly online store (hell, Micro Center's website is pretty notorious for looking like a 90's webstore). Part of that is probably knowledgeable salespeople (something Fry's was known for lacking). And I think there's also a savvy psychological rationale behind its expansion policy--its stores always come across as just a bit too small, and its locations too few, but the flip side is that you don't have cavernous spaces you need to fill (like Fry's did).
The Microcenter near me always seems busy. There's always a steady flow of kids(I see more girls than boys interestingly) with a cart full of PC parts and a fat grin.
I always check there first when I need some kit. I much rather drive over and get what I need same-day. Routers, adapters, deoxit, solder, PC parts, generic flash drives in bins at the checkout like they're candy.
Their electronics section leaves something to be desired, but where else can I just grab a Pi zero w to-go for 10 bucks or some random sensor I've been meaning to play with to add on to whatever I was already buying. I cant even be mad at the markup because it's so valuable to have same-day.
That and the old-school sticker from the salesmen for commission means they tend to actually be nerds looking to help and I'm always happy to slap the sticker on whatever I'm buying to give them a piece.
If you have a Microcenter in your neighborhood, give them some business. I can only describe the feeling like you're a kid walking into Toys R Us again.
Can confirm. Finally got the GPU for my new PC in 2020 by (first) showing up at Microcenter on days when deliveries were expected, then eventually joining a discord where people posted daily updates when stock actually showed up (once I got tired of driving a half hour there and back a few times).
In the end, a helpful discord member was already at the store, purchased a GPU for me, and held it until I could get there and buy it off him. Due to the shortage there was no risk of him stuck holding the "bag" but it was a huge favor from my end. Wasn't scalping but I still threw in an extra $20 just for helping out.