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Topics: Computers Etc. |
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| Finding Computer Deals |
Submitted by:
Tempos Mom 01/23/2009 8:02 PM
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First decide what computer make and model you want. Go to geeks.com, Buzzzillions.com, among others, for reviews. Go to retail sites and check reviews by people who have purchased the computer your want. You may change your mind, or change models. I learned that there was an “international keyboard” that made touch typing harder than a standard American/English keyboard on some models of the netbook I wanted. I searched for models and checked out the keyboards in the photos to make sure I got what I wanted.
Look for discounts and price drops at shopping bots such as bountii.com, pricespider.com, froogle.com, etc. Sign up for email alerts to dropping prices. And sign up at individual stores that seem to have the better discounts for their own price drop alert emails.
Check your rewards programs. Credit cards with rewards, airline rewards programs, hotel rewards programs all are joining with Internet shopping sites for extra bargains. You might be able to use your accumulated points/miles to buy your computer without shelling out cash. On the other hand, the deal with your rewards program may give you miles/rewards for every dollar you spend at a particular retailer’s Internet site. Either way, you win! Some programs will even give you cash for your points, or gift certificates to a particular store, or a discount on the price of your computer!
Check to see whether your professional society or alumni organization has discount buying programs. They don’t always promote these, but you would be surprised at the deals. For instance my State Bar (yes, I’m a lawyer) has a growing list of discounts available to members.
Consider “open box” discounts. These can be returns, and there may be a scratch on the machine, or missing documentation, etc. I had great luck with this. I was given an email alert from a shopping site, the open box price was $305 on a machine that retailed for $499!! When it arrived I saw why it had been returned unopened—-there was a smashed end of the original mailing box. The original seal was intact. The computer and all of the CD-ROM documentation, cables and cords, and even the carrying case were safe in their Styrofoam packing. And there wasn’t a scratch on the computer! I personally think this is safer than getting a refurbished machine, although friends have had luck with those, as well.
Check cash-back web sites. I only recently discovered MSN Live Search and there are probably others. My retailer didn’t participate, but yours might.
Finally, if you have the best price, and you can’t get cash back, then go to petgive.com and the listed retailers will donate a percentage of the computer's cost to your favorite pet charity! In my case, Guide Dogs of America received a donation of 1.75% from the retailer—just by me going through the petgive site!! You will get a great feeling, if not cash back.
Good luck! If you find better ways to get a computer for less, add it through a comment to this suggestion.
Editor's Notes:
To learn more from TipHero Tempos Mom on ways to save on computer purchases, click here: Buy a Computer for Less
To learn more about taking advantage of credit card rewards programs, click here: Finding Your Best Credit Card Match
If you are interested in finding out more about MSN Live Search Cashback, see this TipHero tip: Up to 20% Cashback with MSN Live |
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