OCUK Mark Up's?

kazuya1337

kazuya1337

kazuya1337

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Joined
14 Apr 2014
Posts
632
I am long time and loyal OCUK customer, I'm not particularly techy so I don't build my on PC's and my last pre-built was from OCUK and I was looking for a new PC.

I was advised previously that OCUK are open to build systems from parts selected from the storefront so I was building my basket and waiting patiently for parts to become available.

Then OCUK dropped a pre-built pretty much identical to the system I was putting together but not as good, Non OC GPU, Less storage, Unnamed ram so could be anything etc however the pre-built system is a 27% mark up on my basket, I understand there is build costs, warranties etc but considering that this a seriously high end PC a 27% mark up is a serious amount of money.

I am quite deflated now because I doubt OCUK would build a better PC for less money for the pre-built.
 
What's stopping you shopping about for a better deal if you can get one. Or saving a serious amount of money and simply plugging some components together.

Even if you need a youtube video open for company as you put together some pieces you haven't done before you're up to save a lot.
 
We all started off in the same boat. Building your own first pc is a great experience and the first time you switch it on and everything works is a great feeling. You gain experience and confidence with each build and before long you will be wondering why you were so scared of doing it. Buy your parts (all in one go, not bit by bit) and build it yourself. If you get stuck there are loads of guides on youtube and we are always willing to help because that's what we do, help people. I must have built 20-25 pc's now and upgraded many more and everytime there's one thing that takes longer than building the actual pc aand that's cable management although I am quite a stickler for it. Some cases are better than others for managing cables so choose wisely. Pick your parts carefully, don't hamstring a pc by spending too much on one component only to skimp on another that will hold it back, likewise don't go buying a expensive gpu only to match it with a lesser cpu that could bottleneck the gpu. Match everything up for a balanced pc and always, always use a quality psu. If you put your basket together and post it up on here (when you have the things you need in the basket copy the BBCode and post it here) we have experts like Tetra's, Craig_D1 and others who will go through it and suggest any changes that may be needed. Give them a budget, usage and gaming resolution (if that's the main purpose) and they will even put a post up a basket of components for you.

I wouldn't be and am not loyal to one retailer instead going wherever I can get the best deal for my money. Same thing with manufacturers, go with whoever gives you the most bang per buck rather than sticking to one brand. It's not as if the manufacturers or retailers think anymore of you for sticking with them as you are just a sale. You need to put you and the best you can get for your money first.
 
Think of what building a PC requires

A room to seperate and store PC components
Opening up each component
A work space
Employees, plus training
Time for employee to build the system, opening up boxes, building, installing windows, setting bios, testing, repackaging, putting back into a "systems complete" area informing customer it's ready etc. Ensuring it won't get damaged in transit (I dislike the idea of heavy CPU cooler and heavy GPU being in a computer during transit)- tbh if I was a seller I'd fit CPU HSF and GPU on site at customers site.
Extra processes on the system (deduct from stock hold in "pre built" database)
Insurance
Risk of occasional damage during build by employee
Determining what systems will sell, and product refresh every now and then.
Disposal of packaging, extra cost for waste

just build your own. Plus any extra bits might not be included, like the left over parts from a Noctua HSF, instructions, boxes etc.
 
I think OcUK have a fixed fee for building PCs plus a small percentage, so it may be that the fee is a bigger proportion for lower budget builds.

It's more than I'd like to spend but if you are either not confident or don't have time to do the build (literally need a finished product in your hands), I get it. There is also a long warranty on the build this way.

For me though the build is the first bit of fun where I start enjoying the thing I've spent money on.
 
Sometimes local places will put together a build for you with your own components for a set fee. A place in my town does it for £80, for example, which includes testing etc. Perhaps it's not as common as a service as I think it is t hough.
 
LuckyBenski said:
I think OcUK have a fixed fee for building PCs plus a small percentage, so it may be that the fee is a bigger proportion for lower budget builds.

It's more than I'd like to spend but if you are either not confident or don't have time to do the build (literally need a finished product in your hands), I get it. There is also a long warranty on the build this way.

For me though the build is the first bit of fun where I start enjoying the thing I've spent money on.
Click to expand...
It might have changed
But £150 plus 4% of total cost
Is what i remember
Though as always my memory isn't the best lol
 
kazuya1337 said:
I am long time and loyal OCUK customer, I'm not particularly techy so I don't build my on PC's and my last pre-built was from OCUK and I was looking for a new PC.

I was advised previously that OCUK are open to build systems from parts selected from the storefront so I was building my basket and waiting patiently for parts to become available.

Then OCUK dropped a pre-built pretty much identical to the system I was putting together but not as good, Non OC GPU, Less storage, Unnamed ram so could be anything etc however the pre-built system is a 27% mark up on my basket, I understand there is build costs, warranties etc but considering that this a seriously high end PC a 27% mark up is a serious amount of money.

I am quite deflated now because I doubt OCUK would build a better PC for less money for the pre-built.
Click to expand...
It's actually a lot more than 27%. It's their buy cost that is their true cost, not the price they sell it to you. There's already margin in the components sale, then additional margin in the build.

The more accurate interpretation is that their margin is at least 27%.
 
there's a huge difference between selling parts, and selling a whole PC. I mean at the most simplest level, you want the PC to work, right ?
 
aaronyuri said:
The more accurate interpretation is that their margin is at least 27%.
Click to expand...
Except it isn't, and given the ever increasing pay rises that everyone seems to want, a large part of that will be staff costs for the time to actually build, install, test etc
 
Bassmansam said:
I got an ocuk build that can be partially customised. No way am i taking a chance on damaging a £400 cpu or an £830 gpu and being liable for the costs.
Click to expand...

Why should you damage a GPU pushing it into a PCI-E slot? Most tricky part for mine was getting the three PCI backing plate "fingers" into the loop of metal, my case has a little catch thing. I had to bend the end part of the backing plate from pointing back to totally flat. Worked ok after that.

Fitting CPU is fine also, just carefully lower CPU into socket even weight ensuring it's in the groove.
 
hornetstinger said:
Why should you damage a GPU pushing it into a PCI-E slot? Most tricky part for mine was getting the three PCI backing plate "fingers" into the loop of metal, my case has a little catch thing. I had to bend the end part of the backing plate from pointing back to totally flat. Worked ok after that.

Fitting CPU is fine also, just carefully lower CPU into socket even weight ensuring it's in the groove.
Click to expand...
Because its possible and for me the stakes are too high
 
hornetstinger said:
Why should you damage a GPU pushing it into a PCI-E slot? Most tricky part for mine was getting the three PCI backing plate "fingers" into the loop of metal, my case has a little catch thing. I had to bend the end part of the backing plate from pointing back to totally flat. Worked ok after that.

Fitting CPU is fine also, just carefully lower CPU into socket even weight ensuring it's in the groove.
Click to expand...
He'd clearly rather pay a bit more for the peace of mind and no stress. I'm sure there's plenty of people who buy a custom build for that or similar reasons. This isn't a fun hobby for everyone, some people just want a good system that works, and don't enjoy the process.
 
aaronyuri said:
Show me the numbers that place their GP at less than or equal to 27%.
Click to expand...
Show me the numbers that place their GP as greater than or equal to 27%


There absolutely will be a decent margin in their pre-built PCs (especially when things like CPU's will be OEM versions, and other components are available as "Bulk" versions cheaper as don't have retail packaging etc), but I think you are vastly underestimating how much labour costs will play a part in the overall cost of a pre-built.
 
Armageus said:
Show me the numbers that place their GP as greater than or equal to 27%


There absolutely will be a decent margin in their pre-built PCs (especially when things like CPU's will be OEM versions, and other components are available as "Bulk" versions cheaper as don't have retail packaging etc), but I think you are vastly underestimating how much labour costs will play a part in the overall cost of a pre-built.
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OP already did this with the component sale price being 27% higher than the pre-built buy cost. That's sell price to consumers, not what price point they buy at direct from manufacturers/distributors. Add on bulk pricing discounts and they are easily reaching a healthy GP. Guesswork at its finest.

Yes, you can attribute an employee's/employees' salary(ies) to the build cost, but it would go above the line on the books.

Your "except it isn't" statement is as much guesswork as anyone else in here.
 
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