How To Get The Best Deals When Shopping For Tech Gadgets
Walk into any major electronics retailer and you’ll be confronted with walls of TVs, notebook computers and tech gadgets of all shapes and sizes, as well as signs for cash back offers, extended warranties and the like. With so much choice it is difficult to be sure that you are getting a good, or that those flashy extras are worth the effort.
It is important to understand some of the sales tricks and gimmicks used to get you to spend more than you probably need to. The following tips will help you get the best value for your money.
Do Your Research And Shop Around
This is common advice, but it is surprising how many people don’t take heed of it. Allowing store staff to point you in the right direction is a recipe for disaster. While most salespeople will try to do their best, if you don’t have any idea what you need then you are asking to be sold the wrong thing.
Finding out what you want may mean asking a knowledgeable friend or relative for advice, or searching on the internet. Once you have done some research it is time to shop around. Comparing prices on the internet will give you a decent idea of the lowest prices available.
One tip for buying larger items that require delivery is to deal with one of the bigger chain stores. They should have experience with delivering large items and if anything goes wrong a bigger store with larger inventory may be in a better position to fix or replace goods.
Be Wary Of Cash Back Deals
These have become common with many brands in the last couple of years. Cash back deals generally require you to register and fill in an online claim form, print it out and send it along with a copy of the tax invoice for the device via standard mail to the manufacturer.
There are some traps to these deals, apart from the complexity of the claim process. First, you often have as little as ten days after purchase to submit your claim. Second, it can take as long as three months (sometimes longer) to get your payment. Third, you have to hand over personal details and in some cases this means you automatically consent to being sent future advertising from the company.
Online forums are rife with complaints from consumers who have had unhappy experiences with these cash back deals. If you are being offered a cash back deal in a big chain store check online pricing first – you may find a local retailer who will match the after cash back price without having to jump through all of the cash back hoops.
Are Extended Warranties Worth It?
There are three types of warranty: one is automatic, another is generally included in the price and the third is one you can optionally pay extra for. Before taking an extended warranty check the details carefully. Some extended warranties begin after the normal warranty period, while others start from the date of purchase.
Basically an extended warranty is a bet on whether you think the device is likely to fail some time after manufacturer’s warranty period. The question is how likely is it that the device will break down during the extended warranty period?
A $300 two year extended warranty on a $3000 TV is a 10% expense for two extra year’s peace of mind. Ultimately it is up to the individual consumer to decide whether that 10% is worth it.
Buying Gear From Overseas
The advent of EBay and the internet has seen an explosion in the number of people buying technology gear from overseas. The reason is that prices are often cheaper, even considering the price of shipping. There are a couple of things to consider, however.
Be careful about the power requirements for the device. Plugging a device into the wrong voltage power can blow it up as soon as you flick the switch. Also consider the warranty. Unless the device has an international warranty you can’t assume that the local manufacturer will help out.
Buying Second Hand And Factory Seconds
Be careful buying a send hand notebook or computer. It is risky to trust a second hand hard drive. Also most people have an inflated view of what their items are worth. Be aware of what you would pay for a similar item brand new.
Factory seconds are normally substantially cheaper because the device has had a ding or scratch. They are more common with whitegoods than technology items. Ensure that your device is still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty and get the warranty in writing – a verbal warranty is worthless.
Gary Brayshaw used to be a Adelaide real estate agent, but is now a widely syndicated consumer advocate and author on sites such as Business Australia.
Get practical info about the topic of internet marketing – study this web site. The time has come when concise information is truly within your reach, use this chance.
Related Posts
- Shopping Smarter With The AS-IS WINDOW STICKERS
- Common Troubles With Online Shopping
- Sure Fire Ways To Have Huge Savings Of Lots Of Money With Discount Coupons
- Cell Phones Price Comparison – Five Tips For Smart Shopping
- Winter Outdoor Shopping For Automotive Essentials
- Tips On Online Shopping
- Air Purifiers Basic Buying Guide
- Christmas Shopping For Children
- Discount Auto Insurance Four Simple Methods To Make Sure You Locate It
- Find Out Important Tips About Laptop For College