WD RED 2.0TB Arrival for My Home Custom NAS

Finally, my long awaited first Western Digital 2.0TB RED has arrived! Yeah, I know its stupid making a big deal out of it. But hey, this is WD RED version we are talking about and not to mention the most reasonable price in Brunei. Of course, you need friends and sources in order to avoid getting chop.

Now, why using ‘chop’ word in my writing? First of all, I have been holding the anger when the local computer shops claimed to be distributor for the brand they are selling would cost around BND180+ to 260+ (NAS version) for 2.0TB? The Thailand flood was already long over and even before global oil price fell happen. Higher US dollar exchange rate won’t affect too much to the pricing, not to mention we don’t have GST tax (yet).

In order to find out some sense to this pricing issue, I asked few of my friends working in local computer shops why would they go such extent to price like that? Simple answer, others do it we all follow. Sad to say, they underestimate the power of internet and the attitude ‘you can go elsewhere’ no longer applied these days to the customers. Of course, building good relation with customers is another way keeping business going. But if you can’t sell, it becomes an eyesore stocks and don’t forget there are distributor limited time warranty as well. If the customer can’t get their 2 years warranty claim after register online, you better be ready for cash refund.

I admit, not all local prices are terrible. Currently both 500GB and 1.0TB for both internal and portable are listed acceptable price. Sooner or later, the 2.0TB HDD (mind you, 3.5” size) will consider standard storage size in the market thanks to the blooming affordable NAS file server. I was surprised internal 1.0TB HDD already start replacing 500GB and ridiculously low price in Singapore. So how will local computer shops going to play out. It’s hard to see at the moment. I for sure will not buy from them (except my friend) if they don’t do anything about the overpriced starter 2TB HDD first.