How to Determine a Price Range When Buying
a Computer
Buying a computer can be confusing, especially because of the amount of choices
and the large price
range. You can buy a computer for anywhere
from $299 to $5,000 or more, depending on your budget and computing needs.
You can shop in a retail store
for a computer or shop online using a friend’s computer. Consider researching
different models and prices online and using that information to negotiate your
purchase in the store if you prefer shopping at the mall. Be aware, however,
that most retail stores have a small
selectioncompared to all you can find online on a
Web site such as Dell.com.
Some Web sites, such as
Epinions.com, allow you to compare several models of computers side by side,
and others, such as Nextag.com, allow you to compare prices on a particular
model from multiple stores.
Here are some guidelines to
help you find a computer at the price that’s right for you:
Determine how often you’ll use your computer. If you’ll be
working on your computer eight hours a day running a home business, you’ll need
a better quality computer to withstand the use. If you turn on the computer
once or twice a week, you don’t have to buy the priciest model in the shop.
Consider the features that you need. Do you want (or have room
for) a 20-inch
monitor? Do you
need the computer to run very fast and run several programs at once, or do you
need to store tons of data? Understand what you need before you buy. Each
feature or upgrade adds dollars to your computer’s price.
Shop wisely. If you walk from store to store or do your shopping
online, you’ll find that the price for the same computer model can vary by
hundreds of dollars at different stores. See whether your memberships in
organizations such as AAA, AARP, or Costco make you eligible for better deals.
Consider
shipping costs if you buy online and keep in mind that many stores charge a
restocking fee if you return a computer you aren’t happy with. Some stores
offer only a short time period, such as 14 days, in which you can return a
computer.
Buying used or refurbished is an option, though new computers
have reached such a low price
pointthat this may not save you much. In
addition, technology gets out of date so quickly that you may be disappointed
buying an older model.
Consider
going to a company that produces customized, non-name-brand computers at lower
prices — perhaps even your local computer repair shop. You may be surprised at
the bargains you can find (but make sure that you’re dealing with reputable
people before buying).
Online auctions are a source of new or slightly used computers
at a low price. However, be sure that you’re dealing with a reputable store or
person by checking reviews others have posted about them or contacting the
Better Business Bureau.
Be
careful not to pay by check (which gives a complete stranger your bank account
number); instead use the auction site’s tools to have a third-party handle the
money until the goods are delivered in the condition promised. Check the
auction site for guidance on staying safe when buying auctioned goods.