Don't buy cables at BestBuy, Target, Walmart, OfficeXXX, etc.

Save your wallet. Save your sanity. Network/video/audio cables at most retail stores are a complete scam.


Examples from Best Buy (OK, these are worst cases, but some rubes must be buying these):


25ft Ethernet Cat6 - $30
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Geek+Squad%26%23174;+-+25'+Cat+6+Network+Cable/6801268.p?id=1091099783878&skuId=6801268&st=network%20cable&cp=1&lp=3


Monster Cable THX 35ft HDMI cable - $250 (this is just insane!!!)
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Monster+Cable+-+THX+100+35'+In-Wall+HDMI+Cable/9346433.p?id=1218088665497&skuId=9346433&st=hdmi%20monster&cp=1&lp=1


The truth is that generic cables work every bit as well as the name brands (Monster, Belkin, etc.). And they are FAR, FAR cheaper. (And unless you are running 10 gigabit or greater Ethernet, which no home user does, Cat5e performs just as well as Cat6 cables.)


There are LOTS of places online to buy cables cheap. Sometimes at 1/10th the price of big box retail stores.


Here are some of my favorites:


http://www.cablewholesale.com ($34.02 for a 35ft HDMI cable, $3.96 for a 25ft ethernet cat5e cable)
http://www.monoprice.com ($23.48 for a 35ft HDMI cable)
http://www.deepsurplus.com ($3.60 for a cat5e cable, and in quantity, price drops to $2.70)
http://www.meritline.com
http://www.newegg.com


Newegg is generally the best source for computer/networking components. Their prices on cables are usually a bit more than some of these others. But if you're buying from Newegg anyway, it may be cheaper after shipping is added.


Prices will rise as well, as stores may have minimum orders, taxes, and shipping costs. But in general, prices will still be a small fraction of big box retail.


Fry's and Microcenter are a bit better, but still overcharge. They sometimes have generic cables on sale that are decent deals, however.


Locally, here in San Jose, CA, I've found that Action Surplus is a decent source as well.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/action-computer-and-surplus-sunnyvale  (Their website is dead, but their brick-and-mortar store is still very alive.)


Don't forget dollar stores, too (99cents only, Dollar Tree). They often sell USB, shorter Ethernet, and basic audio/video cables for a $1. And yes, these cables do in fact work. Just fine in fact. (OK, if they fail, you're out a $1. Big deal...) And Belkin cables appear at these stores time to time as well. (Just don't buy USB 1.1 cables!)


Shop around!


More info here:
http://consumerist.com/353938/monster-cables-monster-ripoff-80-markups
http://www.theguruguys.com/news/the-truth-about-overpriced-cables-again
http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2007/02/7116.ars
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/top/the-truth-about-monster-cable-+-grand-finale-part-iii-282725.php