Where can I buy an inexpensive USB micro cable?
March 25, 2010 11:09 PM Subscribe
Where are some brick-and-mortar places to get micro-USB cables relatively cheap?
I know that serviceable cables can be as little as a couple of bucks if I had the time to buy ones online, but I don't. The only places I can think of -- consumer electronics stores like Best Buy -- are generally asking for around $20 for a cable.
I'm currently in central Virgnia, USA.
Piggyback question: where, in general, can I buy cheap cables (audio, video, computer, etc) and adapters?
I know that serviceable cables can be as little as a couple of bucks if I had the time to buy ones online, but I don't. The only places I can think of -- consumer electronics stores like Best Buy -- are generally asking for around $20 for a cable.
I'm currently in central Virgnia, USA.
Piggyback question: where, in general, can I buy cheap cables (audio, video, computer, etc) and adapters?
Response by poster: More specifically, I'm in Charlottesville, Virginia and I'm visiting and don't have my own car.
posted by Deathalicious at 11:33 PM on March 25, 2010
posted by Deathalicious at 11:33 PM on March 25, 2010
Best answer: Most likely there aren't any. Never buy cables from B&M stores. You're probably better off buying them from Monoprice. and paying for the 2-3 day shipping which will still put you under $10.
If you need one ASAP, just buy one at Best Buy and return it once your online order comes in.
posted by wongcorgi at 1:31 AM on March 26, 2010
If you need one ASAP, just buy one at Best Buy and return it once your online order comes in.
posted by wongcorgi at 1:31 AM on March 26, 2010
Best answer: Are you near the university? There's probably a computer store on campus, or within the book store. I don't know any specifics about UVA, but that has been the case at other campuses I've been to.
posted by mullacc at 2:34 AM on March 26, 2010
posted by mullacc at 2:34 AM on March 26, 2010
Best answer: Computer stores on campus, in my experience, will sell you cables that are as close to outrageously-overpriced MSRP as possible. I'd pick up what you need from Radio Shack or Best Buy in the meantime, buy a bunch of stuff from Monoprice, then return the expensive cables.
I place a Monoprice order every few months, and there's always something I forget.
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 4:37 AM on March 26, 2010
I place a Monoprice order every few months, and there's always something I forget.
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 4:37 AM on March 26, 2010
Best answer: Oh, and always buy way more than you think you need from monoprice. When USB cables are 99 cents or whatever, why not buy 4 or 5? Pick up some ethernet patch cables, maybe an iPod dock or two. I always order for one thing, but end up spending $30. Funny how that works.
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 4:38 AM on March 26, 2010
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 4:38 AM on March 26, 2010
Best answer: Its been my experience that Big Lots at least the ones in our area have an unusually large selection of USB cables and adapters pretty cheap.
posted by jmsta at 4:42 AM on March 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by jmsta at 4:42 AM on March 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Yup, the cheapest I've ever seen USB cables, including monoprice, is Big Lots. Nasty store, cheap cables.
posted by TomMelee at 5:31 AM on March 26, 2010
posted by TomMelee at 5:31 AM on March 26, 2010
Best answer: Perhaps you can do slightly better than $20 at a cellphone store?
posted by JMOZ at 5:42 AM on March 26, 2010
posted by JMOZ at 5:42 AM on March 26, 2010
Fry's? Target?
Also, Amazon. I ordered an Amazon-branded cable once, picked the free 2 day shipping, and got it *the same day*. For $3.41.
posted by jrockway at 6:25 AM on March 26, 2010
Also, Amazon. I ordered an Amazon-branded cable once, picked the free 2 day shipping, and got it *the same day*. For $3.41.
posted by jrockway at 6:25 AM on March 26, 2010
Response by poster: Returning it! Genius. Just like buying the dress for the prom and then bringing it back the next day. I just have to make sure my goofy friend doesn't puke all over the cable or spill wine on it and I should be good.
There's a lovely Big Lots near me as well and I'll check that out too.
posted by Deathalicious at 7:27 AM on March 26, 2010
There's a lovely Big Lots near me as well and I'll check that out too.
posted by Deathalicious at 7:27 AM on March 26, 2010
Response by poster: Also:
I ordered an Amazon-branded cable once, picked the free 2 day shipping, and got it *the same day*. For $3.41.
In all fairness, you live in Chicago, right? I wouldn't be surprised if there's a distribution center nearby.
posted by Deathalicious at 7:29 AM on March 26, 2010
I ordered an Amazon-branded cable once, picked the free 2 day shipping, and got it *the same day*. For $3.41.
In all fairness, you live in Chicago, right? I wouldn't be surprised if there's a distribution center nearby.
posted by Deathalicious at 7:29 AM on March 26, 2010
We've had the "use it and return it" discussion on here several times. Lots of people frown upon it, but I'm pretty ambivalent. I call it "The Wal-Mart Turnaround."
In my younger days we'd car camp with 5 or more people but we all owned backpacking tents, so we'd buy a massive piece of garbage tent at walmart w/ cash, use it for a week, and take it back. really their effective usage was about 4-5 nights anyway before they were totally trash. more recently I have purchased items at auction only to discover they were broken, purchased identical items at walmart and returned broken item in new box. Evil, evil, lying cheating stealing bastard.
posted by TomMelee at 8:01 AM on March 26, 2010
In my younger days we'd car camp with 5 or more people but we all owned backpacking tents, so we'd buy a massive piece of garbage tent at walmart w/ cash, use it for a week, and take it back. really their effective usage was about 4-5 nights anyway before they were totally trash. more recently I have purchased items at auction only to discover they were broken, purchased identical items at walmart and returned broken item in new box. Evil, evil, lying cheating stealing bastard.
posted by TomMelee at 8:01 AM on March 26, 2010
Response by poster: Buy and return is my last resort but I feel less guilty about it since they are knowingly fleecing me.
posted by Deathalicious at 9:43 AM on March 26, 2010
posted by Deathalicious at 9:43 AM on March 26, 2010
Response by poster: Okay, so Big Lots had adapters that fit perfectly for just $7. But, they made my Droid behave as if it were possessed (without touching the screen, clicks were popping up everywhere). So I'm now using a Best Buy cable and considering a Monoprice purchase.
I do have a legitimate reason for returning the cable, though. It is frikken short, like maybe 1 ft. Seems a bit much to pay $15 for a 1 foot cable.
posted by Deathalicious at 8:33 PM on March 26, 2010
I do have a legitimate reason for returning the cable, though. It is frikken short, like maybe 1 ft. Seems a bit much to pay $15 for a 1 foot cable.
posted by Deathalicious at 8:33 PM on March 26, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by zsazsa at 11:31 PM on March 25, 2010