For the past 12 years or so, Paris, France, has been the location of a unique phenomenon (unique in Europe, at least): within a radius of 150 meters (about 500 ft), you can find over 60 shops selling computer parts at extremely aggressive prices. They even have a dedicated collective web site where you can search for the component you need and see where it’s available and at what price. Not all the shops participate in the site, but you’ll be able to drool at their shop windows when you stroll the “rue Montgallet” area (every computer nut in Paris – and possibly in France – knows where it is).

Most, but not all, of these shops are held by Chinese people from the same region in China. Some of the shops are very small (hardly more than a piece of corridor), some are respectably large. Some of them are very reliable – that is, they respect the prices they publish on the site and update the products’ availability at least once a day – and some of them will try to cheat you by offering more expensive substitute items, or the items of your choice at a higher price than publicized.

Some will give you good advice as to whether your choice of parts is consistent and efficient, and some will let you fend for yourself. Some (many) of these shops also sell complete systems, and almost all will assemble a system according to your specs at no extra cost – provided you purchase all the parts from the same shop, of course.

So, how do you take advantage of this? Browse the site for the parts you need/want, print out the results, and go there, trying not to get sidetracked by the other shops’ window displays

Once you get to the selected shop, get the page you printed out and try to get the exact part at the exact price. Most of the time it works (often you don’t even need to pull out the printed page). There’s a reliability index on the site, with user comments, so you generally avoid the shops with fewer than 3 stars unless they’re the only ones with your object of desire.

Just a word of warning: if you expect a full warranty, don’t go there.

In spite of French law, the rue Montgallet shops will only grant you “manufacturer’s warranty”; i.e., if the component you purchased fails, you’re on your own trying to get an RMA from the manufacturer, if at all possible. A very few of the shops will handle it for you – generally for a fee and often with poor grace.

If you’re squeamish about warranties, there’s also a more “traditional” computer shop (a large one, akin to CompUSA and NewEgg outlets) within the area, where they’ll make you pay regular prices but provide the legal 1-year warranty on parts and systems and handle the return procedures for you. They too provide online order and delivery.

Another word of warning: despite the fact that personal checks are still a common means of payment here, the rue Montgallet shops will only take cash or credit cards – but they’ll give you a bona fide invoice even if you pay cash.

One last word of warning: if you intend to purchase big or heavy components, such as a computer case or a complete CPU or a multifunction printer, don’t expect to park your car nearby. Rue Montgallet and all the streets around it are narrow streets, with no available parking lot closer than 500 meters (1,600 ft). The only wide avenue in the area is strictly no-parking.

You’d better come prepared, with a foldable trolley, or arrange for someone to come collect you and your errands upon a phone call (this is where cell phones can be really useful). Of course the shops will not deliver, except for a few of them, and for a price. These usually also have a dedicated web site with remote-order facilities.

Once you’re familiarized with rue Montgallet and its surroundings, you can expect savings of up to 20% compared to more “traditional” computer shops. That’s where I’m going to purchase the parts for my computer upgrade overhaul next Xmas … if my wife and my banker agree, that is.

If you ever decide to come shop for computer parts in Paris, be sure to let me know about it. We can have a coffee (or some other drink) together, and I can guide you to the most reliable shops.