Best savings in New York?

May 23, 2007 9:29 AM

Recently in the New York Times, there was an article here about where to buy no-frills kitchen equipment in New York. What are some other stores/types of stores like this in New York for bulk/no-frills/cheap essentials? Specifically does anyone know of a place to get cheap and generic computer parts and cables? Or Audio/Video cables?
posted by idledebonair to shopping (8 comments total)

You could try cablesandchipsinc.com down by city hall, though I haven't been there in a few years as I buy most everything online now.
posted by JulianDay at 10:20 AM on May 23, 2007

Avoid Cables and Chips. I've been there several times and have never found what I'm looking for. Plus "duh" service.

For finished cables and the like, Radio Shack is the place to start, followed by Lafayette. J and R also has a decent selection of cables, but don't let them sell you the expensive stuff.

There used to be a bunch of electronics parts stores along 45th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, but they may be gone. There are a couple on West Broadway down by City Hall and along Canal Street, but these are definitely places where you buy little bits and make it yourself.

Harvey's has high-end cables and knowledgeable salespeople, though not the best prices. At a slightly lower level in advice and prices, try Audio Exchange.
posted by KRS at 11:12 AM on May 23, 2007

is the article about the part of bowery where they have the kitchen stores, then the table stores, then the light stores? if so, fulton mall in brooklyn is similar. every single store sells gold, cell phones and sneakers. some of the stores sell other things in addition to these three things. i almost always buy my sneakers there. i have never bought gold or cell phones there.
posted by snofoam at 11:15 AM on May 23, 2007

The reason that the NYT article points out the place on Bowery is because a whole class of cookware exists to serve commercial places that is completely different from consumer goods. Most restaurants order from a catalog, but NYC has a large enough food service industry to justify several wholesale stores like this. That's the key difference- it's not a matter of finding incremental savings on consumer goods.

The CAT-5 cables, for example, that you use to wire your home are the same CAT-5 cables that are used to wire offices; there are no "commercial grade" cables, just longer ones. Unless you're buying in bulk, you're just not going to find anything better than what you can get online. IT guys here buy online; if they need it quicker, they go to Cables & Chips or the nearest Staples.

The one suggestion I do have is for spices- Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn between Court and Clinton has several Middle Eastern stores (Sahadi's, most notably) that sell every spice under the sun for practically nothing. So buy your spice jars on Bowery, and fill them up for pennies.
posted by mkultra at 12:20 PM on May 23, 2007

mkultra: there is a difference between plenum cat5 and other cat5, however, which may be relevant (legally) in commercial spaces
posted by rbs at 2:52 PM on May 23, 2007

Look for anything that has a "district" and you'll find low prices (if you will haggle). Cloth and fabric, and flowers, and fish -- these can all be had in their respective districts for cheap.

Seconding Sahadi's as a place to buy cheap food. I live a few blocks from it, and I'm always amazed at how little I spend there compared to the grocery stores in the neighborhood. And the quality is out-of-this-world, especially the kalamata olives. They sell dry grains in bulk, as well as candy (chocolate-covered anythings are awesome.)

Man, that place is awesome.
posted by Bookhouse at 3:44 PM on May 23, 2007

Kam Man Food Company has some restaurant-type equipment too, but the ceramics/sushiware type stuff is beautiful, and cheap. It's on Canal.
posted by Brian James at 6:18 PM on May 23, 2007

Kam Man also has great deals on all sorts of plates. You won't find super high-quality stuff, but for everyday it can't be beat.
posted by mkultra at 8:29 AM on May 24, 2007