Discount Apple Parts?
I was troubleshooting a customers system with Scannerz using its Diagnostics Mode and it started indicating that the logic board was faulting, so I suspect there's a problem with the I/O controller, which of course means the logic board needs to be replaced. When I informed the customer of this she said, "Oh, that won't be too expensive, we can just go down to such-and-such computer store and get a new one…that probably won't be any more than 80 bucks right?" I told her that we'd probably have to order it from Apple or one of the other online sources, and when I started showing her prices she went through the roof. Typically I order from iFixit, Powerbook Medic, OWC, or Apple (links below on all this stuff for anyone interested) and she started insisting I hadn't done my homework. I know there are other sources of parts but all that seem credible are all charging similar prices.
Is there such a thing as a "Discount Apple Parts Store?" I've seen "discount" parts on Amazon sometimes but I suspect they're really parts scavenged out of an older unit, and quite honestly the few times I've ordered from some of their vendors some of the stuff I've received has been pretty bad.
Applicable Links:
Scannerz Test Software: http://scsc-online.com/Scannerz.html
iFixit Webiste: https://www.ifixit.com
Power Book Medic Website: http://www.powerbookmedic.com
OWC Website: https://www.macsales.com
Comments
I think that the discount Apple parts stores are iFixit and OWC and the like. Any logic board new will either come from Apple or be a very rare one that will be priced within a few percent of Apple's price (or perhaps a bit more!). You will really be rolling the dice on any supplier that isn't well-known. It would be coming from a buyer that "parts out" old equipment.
Sure, some of the parts could come from any computer store. Hard drive and RAM are the notable ones.
It sounds to me like your customer is confusing cheap PC motherboards and prices with Apple parts. I have no idea what a motherboard for something like a Dell laptop would cost but I bet it wouldn't be any $80 (or whatever).
If she insists on doing it cheap you could probably get a used board salvaged from something that had other damage, like a cracked display.