WT: Free or Cheap Computer for Mame-ONT, Canada

[Demon-Seed]

Hey Guys
I am near Hamilton,ON...looking for a computer to run mame and to test rotating monitor.,,,
Let me know if you can help me..... I will be buying a faster one once all is made.. so looking for L-Chepo

thanks
Jim

[JDFan]

Not sure what you would consider "CHEAP" but you could check ArrowDirect.com -- THey currently have a Refurbished DELL Optiplex 745 (1.6GHZ Dual Core with 80GB HDD and 1GB RAM) Full system (THey say no OS but usually have an old COA on the system that activates) and with their current PROMO "Reddit" which gives a 30% discount and Free FEDEX Shipping ( Yes that is to Canada also !! ) the cost is $35.49 US
( NOTE : the systems available change constantly so keep checking back if this one is sold before you get this ! ) 

[Demon-Seed]

great deal... but will i get hit on duty? fedex charges brokerage etc? anyone confirm?

[Generic Eric]

great deal... but will i get hit on duty? fedex charges brokerage etc? anyone confirm?

I don't know, but there is an option to get the estimate, you just need your country, province and postal code.  try it out.

[JDFan]

great deal... but will i get hit on duty? fedex charges brokerage etc? anyone confirm?

Not sure how they work it -- but you could give their CS line a call and ask before placing the order (I'm sure they ship enough items to know what other fees you might be charged.) IIRC there are ways for you to self clear items to avoid the extra fees (you still have to pay the GOVT. fees but not the inflated prices some shippers charge for doing it.) But since I live here in the US I've never actually done this so not sure. 

[Demon-Seed]

Hey guys
Well I emailed them and they tell me they do not ship to Canada at the moment even though the site has the option for it....

[bleargh]

Well I emailed them and they tell me they do not ship to Canada at the moment even though the site has the option for it....

http://arrowdirect.com/ ??

They ship to Canada.

I'm out in BC, and I've ordered from them before.  Couple of times.  Ships via Fedex Ground, and usually arrives within a week of placing your order.

[keilmillerjr]

RaspberryPi. It doesn't get much cheaper than $35 for a brand new computer that can run mame.

http://www.element14.com/community/community/raspberry-pi

[jennifer]

     I'm just not understanding, If this duty no shipping thing is such a problem how can a Canadian business even function? don't they just order stuff from anywhere on the globe too like Jennifer?, Yes shipping is a little high, I get that much, But not buying an import really would hinder choices, (not to mention certain creative freedoms),  If you need it whatever, click the buy it now button and just deal with it.

[Demon-Seed]

I agree about if you need it buy it, however I will not buy something for $40 then pay, $40 for import fees and duty... thats the issue there....  Free trade is not so free ) we get shafted.
Weird they told me they did not ship to Canada.. When those ordered from Canada did you get pimped with duty/taxes and brokerage fees? if so how much. That just will help me decide if I try it or buy local off kijji. Any sites like arrowdirect in Canada?

[JDFan]

     I'm just not understanding, If this duty no shipping thing is such a problem how can a Canadian business even function? don't they just order stuff from anywhere on the globe too like Jennifer?, Yes shipping is a little high, I get that much, But not buying an import really would hinder choices, (not to mention certain creative freedoms),  If you need it whatever, click the buy it now button and just deal with it.

From what little I've read on it the problem isn't the fee overall - the import fee is only about the same =/- as our State sales tax but the problem is the shipping companies also add a fee to handle the paperwork for you (that they do not tell you about ini advance but want it paid at the time of delivery - and that fee the shipper charges can run as much as the item ordered so at times you order a $40 shipped item from a US company and it is sent UPS or FEDEX and when the order shows uyp at your door they tell you that you owe processing and duty fees of $40 or more on an item you already paid for and the shipping. making that $40 shipped item wind up costing $80. You can usually avoid the fee by paying the Duty and telling the shipper you will self clear the item (then you go and pay the 5-8% duty at the govt office) but many of the shippers do not tell you in advance and require payment upon delivery. It's been a problem for Canadians for some time but so far nothing has been done to limit or stop the practice.

[keilmillerjr]

Worried about import fees to canada?

BOOM!
http://www.buyapi.ca

Just ---smurfing--- buy some thing in canada already.

[Demon-Seed]

Hey
Yes I think I will stay in Canada just to prevent issues. Anyone recommend place here?
I looked at the raspberry, its small and cheap however I found the videos I watched it was not the look I was after for an arcade... I did not like how when games were loaded it showed the linux command line.. looked tacky.

[pbj]

I looked at the raspberry, its small and cheap however I found the videos I watched it was not the look I was after for an arcade... I did not like how when games were loaded it showed the linux command line.. looked tacky.

Are you me???

[Demon-Seed]

LOL... you know what I mean.. with linux you see the command line etc on load. I am looking into hiding it.. seems there is some work going on with it. I admit I need to learn more in regards to its capabilities.

[yotsuya]

Hey
Yes I think I will stay in Canada just to prevent issues. Anyone recommend place here?
I looked at the raspberry, its small and cheap however I found the videos I watched it was not the look I was after for an arcade... I did not like how when games were loaded it showed the linux command line.. looked tacky.

Yeah, I'm with you there. That was kind of a turn-off when I was messing around with the PI and EmulationStation.

[keilmillerjr]

Hey
Yes I think I will stay in Canada just to prevent issues. Anyone recommend place here?
I looked at the raspberry, its small and cheap however I found the videos I watched it was not the look I was after for an arcade... I did not like how when games were loaded it showed the linux command line.. looked tacky.

Your ---smurfing--- with me, right? Using a front end to select 1 of thousands of games isn't authentic to begin with.

[yotsuya]

Hey
Yes I think I will stay in Canada just to prevent issues. Anyone recommend place here?
I looked at the raspberry, its small and cheap however I found the videos I watched it was not the look I was after for an arcade... I did not like how when games were loaded it showed the linux command line.. looked tacky.

Your ---smurfing--- with me, right? Using a front end to select 1 of thousands of games isn't authentic to begin with.

Sure, but seeing the actual code running is definitely tacky. A seamless FE->emulator setup isn't arcade authentic either, but it sure looks good.

[jennifer]

    After much thought.... This is a two way issue, American wire, orange juice, glass, ect  find its way to your country just fine and you buy it everyday, But  a used computer (for example) is where you draw the line?  It still makes little sense to me. It could also be said if I buy from Canada my dollars perpetuate the problem,  I can/will delete any Canadian vendors from my rolodex  if you think it will  help you out. 

[Demon-Seed]

OMG this is not a big deal...I will keep looking, thanks for all your input.

[BobA]

I'd send you one for free but the cost of shipping due to Canada Post would be more than you would have to spend to get one from the US.

[Demon-Seed]

lol yes CanadaPost sucks

[JDFan]

lol yes CanadaPost sucks

USPS isn't any better !! -- Still can't figure out how they can deliver products ordered from china for a few pennies but if a US based business tries to get the same thing delivered to my house it costs a minimum of $5-$10 shipping for that same $1 item with the same tracking. (and they wonder why everyone orders their small electronics from China rather than going to the local Radio Shack !!)

[jennifer]

     Hold on here, Its been my experience venders from the orient are pretty awesome, Friendly, Quality products and they try to please their customers, shipping times lag a bit, but go figger, its all hung up at the ports in some random container.... My anti Canada thing already hit a snag however, apparently you guys make a Rom dumper (GQ4x) up there that supports a chip on my workbench. So How should I do this? just wait for a used one to pop up on my side of the border? Or just don't buy it at all?

[JDFan]

     Hold on here, Its been my experience venders from the orient are pretty awesome, Friendly, Quality products and they try to please their customers, shipping times lag a bit, but go figger, its all hung up at the ports in some random container.... My anti Canada thing already hit a snag however, apparently you guys make a Rom dumper (GQ4x) up there that supports a chip on my workbench. So How should I do this? just wait for a used one to pop up on my side of the border? Or just don't buy it at all?

Don't take me wrong -- I have nothing against the orient what the problem is is that the USPS has an agreement with China for e-packet delivery which gives them a distinct advantage in mailing small items over US businesses.

For example say a chinese company is mailing a 2 oz. product through their agreement they can send them with tracking through the HongKong mail and USPS with tracking for a flat rate of approx $19.30 per Kilo (approx 35 ounces) so say they ship 35 seperate items @2oz. per piece to 35 locations in the U.S. they pay a total shipping cost with tracking on each package of $38.60 or about $1.10 per unit. If a US company want to ship the same product from within the US to a US destination it costs $2.35 + $1.05 extra for tracking per package or approx. $119. (It's even worse if the item weighs only 1 ounce as the US cost is doubled and the China price remains the same for double the count since they pay per Kilo. !!)  SO how does a US business compete in these small items ?

[Demon-Seed]

Hey guys
I did not mean for this to become a country bashing thing. Right to with shipping costs and the low Canadian dollar it makes sense to stay in Canada. When our dollar is better i support us as we'll and in fact I am a cross border shopper. The issue that pisses me off is why does the price for something cost 50 percent more to me even though I am only an hour away from USA? Our government gouges us. Ok no more complaining I is what it is, so let me bring this back to the reason for my post. Besides the usually kijiji advantage any one recommend a shop, person or other place to get used and or cheaper computers in my country? I find kijiji is hit and miss and thought maybe there is something like arrowdirect but in Canada that members have used and have had a food experience with?  Thanks... Jim

[jennifer]

    Well you do make a compelling argument... However if you step back a bit and look at it from a business standpoint, The Chinese are amidst an industrial revolution, they can produce the bulk without fear of carbon taxes,  labor unions, cow fart penalties (yes that's a thing) And whatever else.... So to utilize their shipping rates and reship locally (US/Canada) passing the 35 item costs on to the customers makes good sense.