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