Updated and cleaned-up. Thanks to all that added to the Thread I started awhile ago.
Don't get SHAFTED when buying Online!
www.pricewatch.com
This is a great site to check on what the cheapest prices are out there on Computer related equipment. BUT BEWARE! Just because a site has great prices, doesn?t mean it?s a place you should do business with. That?s why you should use?
www.resellerratings.com
Check here first before buying from a 'questionable' reseller. This site has a culmination of reviews from actual buyers who?ve had dealings with the companies and have posted their experiences.
Watch for the Bait-N-Switch
They advertise an item (an item they DON?T have in stock) to get you to go to their Store (The Bait)... But when you get there and find out it?s not in stock, they try to talk you into buying something else, usually more expensive (The Switch). 1 of the first things I find out when visiting/calling a site is if they have the item I want in stock. If that item was all I wanted and they didn?t have it in stock?I leave immediately without them being able to try to sell me something else.
The FALSE, AMAZINGLY low price Pt.I
Let?s say you want to purchase a certain item. You?ve checked several, reputable sources and now know a general idea of what you should be paying for it. Next thing you know, you find a Store that?s selling it for WAY LESS! Well, see how hard they press you to buy 'accessories' or Warranties. That's how they make their margin back, by WAY OVER charging on the accessories. So, buy ONLY what you intended on, get the other items (for CHEAPER) elsewhere. Another compensation for low price is...
The FALSE, AMAZINGLY low price Pt.II
Are they B-goods, grey-market goods, refurbished, etc.? Does it have a US warranty? Another, rather sneaky way, of offering an item to you SUSPICIOUSLY cheap is that the item came from a foreign country and doesn?t have US Warranty, or it?s a refurbished item. When something seems ?too cheap? make sure you know what you?re getting.
The FALSE, AMAZINGLY low price Pt.III
That amazing price isn't so amazing anymore when you have to pay a STEEP amount for shipping. Anyplace that isn't forthcoming with their shipping policies and prices, you should AUTOMATICALLY suspect. I recently purchased a MiniDV Camcorder (about 5 pounds with the other items) with a final cost of $1,415 and my shipping cost was $15 (that's FedEx 2nd Day AND Insurance included). Don't be fooled by Salespeople telling you it costs so much because of 'Insurance'. The real reason is that's one of the ways they are able to advertise such low prices? They compensate in shipping cost.
Is it in stock?
Ever called a store and asked if the item you want is in stock, and the person right off the bat says yes? EVERYTIME you get a quick answer like that, be wary! They're likely just telling you that to get the phone order, when in fact they really DON'T have it in. Some resellers will just spurt out the yes to get the order/money and then they themselves will order the item from their wholesaler. This saves them having to keep the item in inventory. This is a balancing act that the reseller plays but if the wholesaler doesn't have the item, you (the consumer) get shafted on having to wait (ESPECIALLY if you paid extra for quicker delivery)
Use reliable Credit Cards
I've been a Citibank card member for 10 years now, and on more than several occasions have had to dispute charges, they've ALWAYS been on MY side and backed me up. Having a reliable CC company when buying is THE BEST BACKUP WEAPON you have against getting screwed online. Another CC getting a lot of merit is the Amex Blue card, that?s capable of giving you a different Credit Card Number for each transaction (no chance of someone stealing the number, cause the number is good for ONE USE ONLY).
Rebates
When a Manufacturer offers a rebate on an item, it makes it VERY attractive to buy. But be warned, they are COUNTING on the fact that you will NOT remember to submit the rebate on time! Also, rebates take MONTHS to receive. There have been cases where you might not even get your rebate unless you specifically call and inquire?Again; they are counting on you forgetting that you have a rebate coming.
Protect yourself; Keep a photocopy of EVERYTHING you sent (Rebate Forms, Receipts, UPC symbols). Also record the date you sent them out and the dates when they become overdue. If you?re submitting a large rebate (say for a $50 rebate or more) it may be wise to send it USPS (US Postal Service) delivery certification?So they can?t say you didn?t send it.
OEM vs. Retail
Buying OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) merchandise versus buying Retail merchandise is a tough decision. There?s no straightforward answer.
OEMs are cheaper because they come to you BARE! No software, no Cables, no NOTHING just the item. But as such you don?t know for sure where the item?s been and in some cases you get ONLY a fraction (if ANY) of the original Manufacturer?s warranty. If you don?t mind taking the risk and don?t want/need all the fluff from a Retail item, OEM merchandise can usually save you quite a bit of money.
Retail cost more because everything is included; Software, Accessories, all warranties and the item is in its intended (and usually sealed) box. No worries with this purchase?But retail can cost as much as 30% (or higher) more than OEM.
Don't get SHAFTED when buying Online!
www.pricewatch.com
This is a great site to check on what the cheapest prices are out there on Computer related equipment. BUT BEWARE! Just because a site has great prices, doesn?t mean it?s a place you should do business with. That?s why you should use?
www.resellerratings.com
Check here first before buying from a 'questionable' reseller. This site has a culmination of reviews from actual buyers who?ve had dealings with the companies and have posted their experiences.
Watch for the Bait-N-Switch
They advertise an item (an item they DON?T have in stock) to get you to go to their Store (The Bait)... But when you get there and find out it?s not in stock, they try to talk you into buying something else, usually more expensive (The Switch). 1 of the first things I find out when visiting/calling a site is if they have the item I want in stock. If that item was all I wanted and they didn?t have it in stock?I leave immediately without them being able to try to sell me something else.
The FALSE, AMAZINGLY low price Pt.I
Let?s say you want to purchase a certain item. You?ve checked several, reputable sources and now know a general idea of what you should be paying for it. Next thing you know, you find a Store that?s selling it for WAY LESS! Well, see how hard they press you to buy 'accessories' or Warranties. That's how they make their margin back, by WAY OVER charging on the accessories. So, buy ONLY what you intended on, get the other items (for CHEAPER) elsewhere. Another compensation for low price is...
The FALSE, AMAZINGLY low price Pt.II
Are they B-goods, grey-market goods, refurbished, etc.? Does it have a US warranty? Another, rather sneaky way, of offering an item to you SUSPICIOUSLY cheap is that the item came from a foreign country and doesn?t have US Warranty, or it?s a refurbished item. When something seems ?too cheap? make sure you know what you?re getting.
The FALSE, AMAZINGLY low price Pt.III
That amazing price isn't so amazing anymore when you have to pay a STEEP amount for shipping. Anyplace that isn't forthcoming with their shipping policies and prices, you should AUTOMATICALLY suspect. I recently purchased a MiniDV Camcorder (about 5 pounds with the other items) with a final cost of $1,415 and my shipping cost was $15 (that's FedEx 2nd Day AND Insurance included). Don't be fooled by Salespeople telling you it costs so much because of 'Insurance'. The real reason is that's one of the ways they are able to advertise such low prices? They compensate in shipping cost.
Is it in stock?
Ever called a store and asked if the item you want is in stock, and the person right off the bat says yes? EVERYTIME you get a quick answer like that, be wary! They're likely just telling you that to get the phone order, when in fact they really DON'T have it in. Some resellers will just spurt out the yes to get the order/money and then they themselves will order the item from their wholesaler. This saves them having to keep the item in inventory. This is a balancing act that the reseller plays but if the wholesaler doesn't have the item, you (the consumer) get shafted on having to wait (ESPECIALLY if you paid extra for quicker delivery)
Use reliable Credit Cards
I've been a Citibank card member for 10 years now, and on more than several occasions have had to dispute charges, they've ALWAYS been on MY side and backed me up. Having a reliable CC company when buying is THE BEST BACKUP WEAPON you have against getting screwed online. Another CC getting a lot of merit is the Amex Blue card, that?s capable of giving you a different Credit Card Number for each transaction (no chance of someone stealing the number, cause the number is good for ONE USE ONLY).
Rebates
When a Manufacturer offers a rebate on an item, it makes it VERY attractive to buy. But be warned, they are COUNTING on the fact that you will NOT remember to submit the rebate on time! Also, rebates take MONTHS to receive. There have been cases where you might not even get your rebate unless you specifically call and inquire?Again; they are counting on you forgetting that you have a rebate coming.
Protect yourself; Keep a photocopy of EVERYTHING you sent (Rebate Forms, Receipts, UPC symbols). Also record the date you sent them out and the dates when they become overdue. If you?re submitting a large rebate (say for a $50 rebate or more) it may be wise to send it USPS (US Postal Service) delivery certification?So they can?t say you didn?t send it.
OEM vs. Retail
Buying OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) merchandise versus buying Retail merchandise is a tough decision. There?s no straightforward answer.
OEMs are cheaper because they come to you BARE! No software, no Cables, no NOTHING just the item. But as such you don?t know for sure where the item?s been and in some cases you get ONLY a fraction (if ANY) of the original Manufacturer?s warranty. If you don?t mind taking the risk and don?t want/need all the fluff from a Retail item, OEM merchandise can usually save you quite a bit of money.
Retail cost more because everything is included; Software, Accessories, all warranties and the item is in its intended (and usually sealed) box. No worries with this purchase?But retail can cost as much as 30% (or higher) more than OEM.
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