How Much Should Your New Computer Cost
A short while ago, I was at one of the mega
computer stores browsing the networking section. On the other side of
the aisle, a customer was talking with one of the sales reps about which
computer they should purchase. The customer was an elderly women who
was purchasing her first computer and had little experience dealing with
technology, and how much a computer should cost. The sales rep was trying his best to convince the women
that she needed a particular computer that was not the most expensive one on
the floor but was darn close. Computer Cost Should Equal Computer
Need
When the sales rep walked away I approached the
women and asked her what she intended to use the computer for (something I
never heard come out of the sales reps mouth). She told me that she
wanted to be able to get on the Internet and e-mail her family, browse the
Internet, and possibly do a little writing. I showed her a
significantly less expensive system that would provide her with all she was
looking for and room to grow.
I then informed her that once she made her
decision she should be prepared to deal with the "Extended Store
Warranty" sales pitch. The computer I was showing her had a 3 year
warranty with the first year being onsite and years two and three by
shipping. I informed her that in most cases this warranty was more than
enough and she should make an informed decision about purchasing the
extended warranty.
She thanked me and told me she was going
to tell the store manager he was lucky to have an employee who was so knowledgeable and cared about their customers. When I
informed her that I was a customer just like her, she looked surprised,
smiled and thanked me.
If you're in the market for a computer, whether
you are upgrading from an existing one or purchasing your very first computer,
be sure to do some homework up front;
- Determine what it is you are
looking to achieve with your new computer;
- Do a little research or ask a friend /
associate with some computer experience to help you;
- Don't let the sales rep at the store
push you toward something you really don't need and in most cases, that
includes the extended in store warranty;
- Once you purchase your computer, make
sure to fill out all the registration cards, register online with the
manufacturer if possible, and keep all your receipts and warranty
records in a safe place.
Remember, being an educated consumer can
save you a lot of time, money, and headaches in the long run.
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