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