Building a custom PC in India? Whether you’re investing in a powerful gaming rig or a high-end workstation, it’s important to be aware of some common scams and shady practices that could cost you big. Let’s break down the most common scams in the Indian PC component market and how you can avoid them.
Scam 1: Dumping Leftover Stock
One of the most common practices—selling outdated or leftover components under the pretense that they’re “good enough” or “perfect for your needs.” Some sellers may aggressively push you to buy something that’s either not worth the price or already obsolete.
Tip: Always do your own research. Don’t blindly trust the seller unless you’re buying from a reliable source.
Scam 2: No Boxes, No Warranty
Some shopkeepers may sell you components without the original packaging. It might seem harmless until you realize that many manufacturers require the box (especially the barcode and serial number) to honor warranty claims.
Imagine spending lakhs on your dream PC and having no warranty because of a missing box. Always ask for the original packaging—it’s your right.
Scam 3: Wrong SKU Numbers
It is not exactly a scam but many times just a letter change on the SKU means you’re getting a completely different product.
For example: Intel i9 14900KF vs. i9 14900K
The “F” means no integrated graphics, so if your GPU fails, your PC won’t have any display output.
Tip: Know exactly what you’re buying. That tiny letter can change everything.
Scam 4: Changing Parts After Taking an Advance
Unfortunately, this still happens. You pay an advance expecting one set of components, but by the time your build is ready, cheaper parts have been swapped in—without your knowledge.
How to avoid this? Always ask for a GST invoice and insist on detailed build documentation. It’s your build, and you deserve transparency.
Scam 5: Parts Swapped During Repairs
This one’s especially concerning. Even reputed service centers have been reported for swapping high-quality parts like RAM or SSDs during repairs and replacing them with cheaper ones.
For instance, a 1TB NVMe SSD that costs around ₹6,000–₹7,000 might be swapped, and you’re charged ₹15,000 for a replacement.
Tip: Always double-check your components after a repair, especially if you didn’t go through an authorized and trusted service channel.
Scam 6: Pre-Owned Marketplace scams
Buying PC parts from Facebook Marketplace or sketchy online listings can be a huge risk. Not all sellers are scammers, but the chance of being misled or sold fake/defective parts is high.
Conclusion
- Check Google Reviews – Legit businesses usually have solid customer feedback.
- Check Their Socials – A reliable store will have an active presence on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter. It shows they’re engaged with their community.
Our Promise at theMVP
At theMVP, we pride ourselves on honest service and transparent builds. With great reviews across all four of our locations—Hyderabad, Mumbai, Gurgaon, and Bangalore—we’re committed to making your PC building experience stress-free and satisfying.
Whether you’re building a powerful VFX workstation or a next-gen gaming PC, we know how to get it done right. Thanks for reading—and please, don’t buy your PC components from Facebook.
