| So you're thinking of buying a new computer...Where | | | | there is a significant amount of "wiggle room" on the |
| do you start? There are so many brands and models | | | | price.The reality is that most computer hardware - the |
| of computers available, and it can all be a little | | | | physical pieces like the computer, monitor and printer - |
| overwhelming when you start to look around.How do | | | | is sold at very low profit margins. Often, computer |
| you decide what type of computer you need? And | | | | systems are even sold at or below the dealer cost. |
| perhaps more importantly, how do you decide what | | | | When you're buying a computer, it never hurts to ask |
| the best value is?I have sold computers professionally | | | | for a better deal, but don't be surprised if you only get |
| for almost 20 years, and there are certain "tricks of | | | | a few dollars off, if anything.Over the close to 20 |
| the trade" that most computer stores and salespeople | | | | years I've sold computers, I watched the profit margins |
| use. Knowing these secrets can make your decision | | | | go from over 40% to less than 5%. It's almost |
| easier and will help you buy the right computer for your | | | | embarassing to offer a $20 discount on a $2500 |
| needs.1. Buy What You Need, Maybe a Little MoreOne | | | | computer system, but that could mean the difference |
| of the most important things you can do when buying | | | | between making and losing money on the sale.What |
| a new computer is make a list of the things that you | | | | you can do to get the best price is to do some |
| will be using it for. There are so many different models | | | | comparison shopping. Most computer stores offer |
| - with different capabilities - that you can easily buy | | | | price-matching guarantees, so if you find your |
| more, or less, than you really need if you don't.If this is | | | | computer for less at another store, most dealers will |
| your first computer, this can be a little tougher. Until | | | | match or beat that price, even if it means they lose |
| you've used a computer, it's hard to know exactly | | | | money.4. How Do Computer Stores Make Any |
| what you might want to do with it beyond the obvious, | | | | Money?You might be wondering how these computer |
| like connecting to the internet.Regardless, you should | | | | stores make any money if they're selling computer for |
| think about some of the things you might want to do. | | | | so little profit.Their money is made on add-on items. |
| Some possibilities include: | | | | The highest profit areas in most computer stores are |
| Connect to the internet | | | | cables and "consumable" products such as printer ink |
| Play games | | | | and paper.Printer ink is a huge money-maker for most |
| Digital photography | | | | computer stores (even more so for the printer |
| Digital video | | | | manufacturers). Why is this? Once you've bought a |
| Type documents | | | | printer, you're going to have to replace your ink at |
| Accounting | | | | some point, and continue to replace it as it runs |
| Design websites | | | | out.Most chain computer stores and office supply |
| Programming | | | | stores that carry a large selection of ink cartridges |
| Digital scrapbooking | | | | make more from ink than they do from the computers |
| Geneology | | | | themselves.Cables also have huge markups. A cable |
| Some of these things need more power than others. | | | | that costs the store $2-3 will often sell for $20-30. |
| For example, connecting to the internet really doesn't | | | | That's ten times their cost!If you're buying a new |
| need a lot of power. Even the most basic computer | | | | computer, you will likely need to buy some cables. |
| available will probably work just fine.Digital video and | | | | Some items - printers, for example - don't often include |
| many games need a lot more power. If you don't get | | | | the cables needed to hook them up.Many printers also |
| a fast enough computer with enough memory, you'll be | | | | come with "starter" ink cartridges that are only half-full. |
| disappointed with the performance.Knowing what | | | | You might also want to pick up some extra ink |
| you're going to be using your computer for will help | | | | cartridges.This is where you should be able to |
| your salesperson, whether they're on the phone, the | | | | negotiate a better price. Don't expect the salesperson |
| internet or standing in front of you, recommend the | | | | to throw them in for nothing, but they should be willing |
| best system for your needs.As a general rule you're | | | | to offer you a better price. After all, if you're happy |
| always better off buying more power than you need | | | | with their service, you'll probably continue to buy your |
| rather than less, but buying too much can be a waste | | | | ink, paper and other products from that store in the |
| of money.2. Warranty ConsiderationsComputer | | | | future.5. What Software is Included?The last secret of |
| warranties are one of the most confusing and obscure | | | | buying a new computer has to do with the software |
| parts of your purchase. Most manufacturers have cut | | | | that is included. Most new computer systems include |
| back on their customer service to the point where | | | | quite a few programs and sometimes the value of the |
| poor service has become a given.The three most | | | | software can be quite high.Something to watch out for |
| common options are onsite, carry-in or manufacturer's | | | | when looking at the included software is "trial versions" |
| depot service.Onsite service can be helpful, but think | | | | or "limited editions".Many programs that are preloaded |
| about whether you want to have to be available for a | | | | are either crippled versions that don't have all the |
| technician to come and diagnose your computer, and | | | | features of the full program, or trial versions that will |
| possibly have to come back with parts at another | | | | only run for a certain amount of time before they |
| time.Carry in service is a good option, but find out | | | | expire.Computer are often sold with trial versions of |
| whether the service center is factory authorized for | | | | the following types of software: |
| warranty repairs, as well as whether the technicians | | | | antivirus |
| are all certified.Shipping your computer to a factory | | | | firewall |
| service center can take a long time - sometimes a | | | | MS Office or other office suites |
| number of weeks. It also creates risk that your | | | | Accounting - both business and personal |
| computer will be damaged or even lost in shipping. In | | | | The computer manufacturers generally don't make it |
| some cases, the manufacturer will even replace your | | | | easy to tell whether the software on their systems |
| computer with another unit and ship it back to you, | | | | are trial versions or limited versions. This is a question |
| rather than repairing it. This can result in your losing any | | | | that you should specifically ask if you can't find the |
| information that was on your system and having to | | | | answer in their promotional information.If you're buying |
| reload all your software.Another aspect of the | | | | a new computer with trial versions of the software, |
| warranty to find out about is technical support. Find out | | | | keep in mind that you will need to pay to continue using |
| if the computer manufacturer offers a toll-free phone | | | | it after the trial period is over. This is an added cost |
| number and what the quality of service is like.The | | | | that you need to consider as part of your overall |
| better computer salespeople will be honest about this | | | | budget.These five "secrets" of buying a new computer |
| and tell you if a company's service leaves something | | | | are fairly common sense, but they are not always |
| to be desired. You can also do some research on the | | | | made clear up front. Knowing what to ask will help you |
| internet - most of the computer magazines like PC | | | | in two ways. First, you can be sure you are getting the |
| Magazine and PC World have annual customer | | | | right computer for your needs.Second, if the |
| service comparisons that rate the larger computer | | | | salesperson or company that you're dealing with |
| companies.Always find out how the warranty is | | | | explains these things to you without being asked, you'll |
| handled before making your decision. Even if it doesn't | | | | know you're dealing with someone who is honest and |
| influence your choice, knowing what to expect if | | | | upfront.Knowing you can trust the people you're |
| something does go wrong will save some nasty | | | | dealing with is an invaluable feature of your new |
| surprises down the road.3. Can You Negotiate the | | | | computer system.John Lenaghan offers |
| Price Down?A computer is a relatively large | | | | easy-to-understand advice at the Computer Help |
| investment - anywhere from a few hundred to a few | | | | Squad website. |
| thousand dollars. Many computer buyers expect that | | | | |