Fry's is Neat

Last week I was in Austin, TX working on a project. I needed to pick up some networks cables and a few other bits. I posted on the SAGE-members mailing list asking for recommended stores in the area.

In Canada, we have stores like NCIX -- you can order 7' network cables for under $1.00. Of course, you have to pre-order them, but they are still cheap. I was looking for something along those lines. The usue Best Buys, office stores and other electronic places usually want $12+ for a 7' network.

A lot of people suggested Fry's. We don't have them in Canada, so I had know idea what they were like. So, we went and checked it out. It was totally awesome! The store was the size of a Costco. They stocked everything you could imagine -- rack mount equipment, all sorts of cables, KVM's, batteries, 52 port gigabit switches.

The parts was all right there for me to buy -- I didn't have to order them. It was like a cross between Radio Shack and Future Shop. The sales staff were friendly and helpful. I wish we had something like it in Vancouver.

We ended up paying around $6 for a 7' cable. The price was ok, but finding the store was neat-o.