AVA Direct Custom Computers

Sorry for the repost from the sticky thread...haven't heard anything yet and I'm waiting to pull the trigger...


Has anyone had good/bad experiences with AVADirect Custom Computers? I read through this entire thread and didn't see them mentioned.

They have a 9.6/10 on resellerratings.com and are BBB accredited. I only ask because they seem to have more options in Clevo customization than most of the other sites I've checked. However, I do understand (I think) that if they don't have reps that are active in these forums they might not be mentioned.

AVADirect Custom Computers: Gaming PC, Desktop PC, Gaming Notebooks & Laptops, Workstations and Servers

 

AVA is a big business which has been around for a long time. There isn't much else to say, really.

 

My $0.02 - highly recommended.

Try searching the forum... http://forum.notebookreview.com/sager-clevo/638577-advice-reseller-specs-2.html#post8242775

or the web... site:forum.notebookreview.com ava-direct - Google Search

 

Just be aware that AVA direct is ALOT more expensive than alot of the smaller resellers that advertise here on the forum. We are talking hundreds to thousands more dollars too..............

 

- Either you have them confused them with someone else, something has changed, or perhaps it depends on the model. In my experience this was not true.

FWIW, when ordered, my x7200 (see sig for exact components) from AVA Direct was $300 cheaper than any of the other resellers/builders found in these forums. My recommendation is to build multiple configs on the resellers/vendors you've narrowed it down to, and go w/ you think is best choice.

 

$300? Really, you must have missed something, that insane.

 

I've put together a few dozen x7200 quotes with a few difference resellers, and AVA Direct has always had the best price for whatever reason. I found this strange as people usually did not talk about them on any of the forums I frequent.

 

At the time I bought my P170HM, AVA direct was something like $800 more than Sager/Mailibal.

 

In the past, many of NBR's official Clevo review units have been supplied by AVA Direct. Although as mentioned above, they are not a popular choice mainly because they are not actively on these boards (they may be lurking and listening to customer feedback though). But their inactivity here does not mean they are a poor reseller.

 

Hi folks,

If you have any questions, please let us know and we'll respond in timely manner.

Regards,
Misha Troshin
CMO
AVADirect Custom Computers

 

Nope. I'm extremely thorough when it comes to both software and hardware. FWIW, price differential started to get bigger and bigger as I added better CPU, more disk drives, better RAM, etc.

 

it's good to see people bringing up AVA actually.....been on this forum for a few months off and on, and there was no mention of them. I've been a costumer of theirs for over 4 years now.
First bought my now close to 4 years old MSI gx720 from them.....still running, but the vidcard started going in and out about 3 to 4 months ago...before then no hicups.....got it from ava 4 years ago.
because of that, I went back to them 2 months ago and got my new P170Hm......so far it's been a great purchase.
and yeah, I agree w/ "jclausius".....they were cheaper then the other resellers I've looked as well....as a matter of fact I did a pretty detailed matrix table of the various costs for about 6 to 10 retailers before deciding on who to buy from....not to mention I had a good experience w/ them w/ my gx720.....and the fact that they are still around in this industry, w/ the recession and all, says something too.

The only thing I'd say is that they do take a while, seems longer then other resellers, to deliver the order. probably waiting close to 3 weeks for my p170...that said, they do seem quite through as far as their testing goes, and I did change ram speed, from a 1066hz , to 1600, which bump the order back a few days....

I also liked the suggestions/interaction w/ the seller staff....very professional, and helpfull, and good suggestions, as far as things that work/dont work, hardware-combo wise.....for example I had picked originally an OCZ ssd as part of my config, and they pointed out to a number of tests they did, suggesting that the Intels were better/more reliable.

another thing about their site, like someone suggested, is that they have a much better config options setup then most other resellers out there, as far as choices one can make components-wise.....I personally liked that...

Anyway, had the lappy for over 2 months now, and no problems whatsoever. Another thing, I've been happy w/ the monitors for both orders...never a dead pix or any issues w/ the LCD either....

for what it's worth, hope this helps...

 

Im sure the company is good in terms of service, but their pricing is terrible. I just randomely priced up a dozen different configs on 3-4 different laptops. AVA direct was hundreds of dollars more expensive on every mock up. On the P180HM it was $500 more than going through a place like Malibal or Prostar or Xotic. Plus they dont seem to have those CLevo/Sager rebates either. Again, I think their pricing is terrible.

 

Agreed. I looked up several builds, and they were clearly overpriced, even on their "base" config. Definitely not in the running for the prices they charge.

 

Sorry. Not necessarily seeing it. I just built a p180hm vs. np8180 (w/ upgraded CPU i7-2860QM, 500GB Momentus XT Hybrid drive, 8GB RAM 1333MHz , Intel Ultimate 6300 N WiFi, Win 7 Pro, and dbl checked everything else the same.)

I'm not seeing what other people are saying in regards to pricing

Spoiler

AVA Direct - $2333.21 One of the vendors named above - $2329.00** - [edit]I just noticed a ~$100 rebate on anything over $1500.00 on the page. So that would make the pricing $2229.00. If there is a rebate or coupon, that may tip the scales, but not by too much.[/edit]

Back to the OP, in the role as a smart shopper, everyone should do builds on multiple builders/resellers. If you have a particular builder/reseller you like, still create configs on other sites, and contact them. It wouldn't hurt to ask any one of them for a price match.

HTH

 

I appreciate all the replies. As far as pricing, I've spent the past few months neurotically building configs at a half dozen resellers and the prices are pretty similar across the board. My budget is under $1300 so maybe the pricing begins to differentiate with the higher dollar systems. Regardless, I am looking for a good price but won't sacrifice good service. That said, it looks like all of these companies do have a pretty good service record. Try getting that from Dell, HP or any other number of "mainstream" laptop companies.