Hobbies And Interests
Finding Replacement Parts
When searching for replacement parts for the Nintendo Wii, the consumer has three possible avenues through which they may be obtained: directly from the manufacturer, from a third-party retailer, or through a peer to peer transaction (as in an eBay auction, for example). Each methods has its pros and cons, regarding cost, shipping time, risk and reliability.
Ordering From the Manufactuer
Nintendo has its own store for replacement parts, along with a variety of other related goods and accessories. See References below. The store offers a wide range of parts and replacement accessories for the Nintendo Wii, ranging from AC adapters to additional controllers to battery cover cases for the controllers. Some goods can be purchased either new or refurbished, which allows the cost-conscious consumer to save a few pennies. The only real problem here is the possibility of lengthy ship times. Nintendo offers a variety of shipping options, ranging from US Ground all the way up to UPS Blue and Red expedited, but on all shipment options the processing time is estimated at anywhere from one to three days (two to four for Canadian orders). So, if time is of the essence, ordering directly from the manufacturer might not be the best approach.
Ordering From a Third Party Retailer
Third party retailers offer a number of advantages over ordering directly from Nintendo, but the most obvious one is the additional range of goods that can be purchased. Here, the tech-savvy consumer who is not afraid to undertake his own repairs can find exactly what is required, from replacement DVD-ROM drives to WiFi boards to replacement drive motors and lenses. Prices are fair, though not so low as peer to peer transactions, and the consumer usually has the choice between new, used or refurbished goods. Ship times are a variable--different retailers will offer different options, but if there is a serious hardware malfunction with your Wii and you possess the technical savvy to attempt a repair, you will still come out ahead time-wise as opposed to shipping the system back to Nintendo. All in all, third-party retailers are a viable choice for one looking for Wii replacement parts.
Ordering Through a Peer to Peer Transaction
For a majority of the population the first name in p2p transactions mean eBay. Performing a quick search for "Wii replacement parts" through eBay will net a plethora of possibilities, encompassing the wider range of third party parts (DVD-ROMs and the like) as opposed to strictly the essentials offered by Nintendo. Prices, as one would expect, are often lower than through a third party retailer. The only hangup which prevents wholehearted recommendation of p2p transactions for all your Wii replacement part needs is that eBay is still a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to consumer experiences. Transactions can run smoothly or become logistical nightmares, depending upon with whom one chooses to deal. But for the cost-conscious consumer who is not adverse to a bit of adventure, eBay (and other p2p methods) is a fair route.
Conclusion
The three main methods for locating and purchasing Wii replacement parts each have their advantages and drawbacks. If you need a basic part, do not mind waiting a bit longer for it and want a guarantee of reliability, ordering from Nintendo is the way to go. If you are looking for something a bit more esoteric, have the tech knowledge to perform the repair himself and do not want to wait for a repair through the manufacturer, a third-party retail purchase will suffice. And if you are bargain hunting with a healthy sense of adventure, eBay and other p2p transactions can provide some buried treasure.
Happy hunting.