The Laptop Buying Guide

Part 4. Laptop Buying Tips
Laptop Buying Advice

Shop Smart, Not Quick

There is no better way to get what you need at a good price than to price identically configured systems. That should be your focus. First, determine exactly what you need, THEN look to buy. Not before. Here are a few things you should always look for:

A Money-Back Guarantee - Always look at their return policy. After all, you might change your mind! Never buy a computer or any other important purchase without a full money-back guarantee. If you're buying a laptop, pay special attention to the return period. Some sellers now have a very short return period.

Restocking Charges - Make sure the store has no "restocking fee" for returned merchandise or low restocking fees. If the store has a high fee, I suggest you look elsewhere.

Warranty - Make sure you get a one-year warranty as a minimum for all parts and labor on all components. (Longer periods are better, but only if there is NO extra charge.)

Extended Warranty - Note: Retail stores will push hard to get you to pay extra for an "extended warranty." Such warranty's are very profitable to the store because they are almost never used, and they are NOT CHEAP. However, should something go wrong with a new computer, it will almost always show up soon after purchase- while it's still under the original one-year warranty. Extended warrantys are almost never a good idea.

The exception: You may wish to consider an extended warranty if you plan to carry your laptop around with you, or you plan to do a lot of travelling with your laptop. But only consider an extended warranty if you have one of the more expensive laptop models.

Technical Support - If you don't have a good friend or relative that knows computers well and is willing to help you, you will want good tech support.

Pay by Credit Card

Never pay for any major purchase with cash or check.  Should you have trouble with your purchase, and want to return the laptop, it is much easier to reverse charges than to get a store to refund cash or return a check. 

Also, do not use a Debit Card.  Any store can issue a request for payment and ALL banks will automatically pay them, even after you have reversed charges! 

Getting back to credit cards, unfortunately, some laptops don't always come in working order. Sometimes an order may not arrive, or will arrive damaged, or with parts missing. You never know if a retail store will be interested in your complaint. Sadly, not all manufacturers and merchants act in an ethical manner.

If a store seems unwilling to make sure you have a working laptop, the last recourse is your credit card company.

In the USA, you have 60 days after a purchase to make a complaint to the credit card company. While not obligated to do so, many credit card companies will look into the matter for you.  They disapprove of poor business conduct, so after they investigate, they will make a judgment about the merchant. If they side with you, a "charge-back" will be issued and you'll get your money back when the defective, late, or otherwise unsatisfactory product is returned to the merchant.

Buying in Retail Stores

Many people look at computers and laptops in their local neighborhood computer stores or other large stores. The temptation to walk out with a laptop can be hard to resist. After all, if the laptop you want is in stock, you can take it right home.

But is that a good idea?

Almost never. Things done quickly or on the spur of the monent are never smart moves.  It is usually more expensive. Be aware: purchasing from a retail store has its negative aspects. Here we discuss two things I hate: 

1) Pushy Sales People

Sales people are trained. They are trained to use logic in a way to turn a "maybe" to a "yes". They are trained to disprove your every objection, wear you down, and make the sale. Many will try to sell you more expensive models than you need. Their only goal is to sell. They are trained to close sales.

In any computer sales environment, truth and fiction have a way of becoming blurred. Fiction is inadvertently created because far too often, sales people often lack a solid technical understanding of computers. So take what you're told with a grain of salt.

There's no question that you put yourself at the mercy of someone you hardly know when you depend on that person to help you with your computer selection.

There are some sales people that are knowledgeable and they will gladly help you.  But most are not. Most are interested in only one thing- to sell you ANY computer.

In my opinion, pressure tactics are manipulative and should not be tolerated. If at any time you feel undue pressure from a salesperson, leave the store and look elsewhere.

2) Online Store Prices VS. Neighborhood Store Prices

Is there a difference in price between online stores and offline retail stores?

Of course there is. Your neighborhood computer store differs from any online store in one huge way. The retailer must buy or lease, and maintain a "real" retail store located in an expensive shopping plaza or mall. After they buy or lease the store, the retailer must decorate the store and have expensive computer displays. They have to pay much higher salaries to train their sales staff in the art of pressuring people to buy now, and buy big! Retailers also have to buy higher public store insurance, theft insurance, and pay for a huge customer parking lot. This is all extra money over the costs of an online store's simple warehouse. So of course, neighborhood store prices must be higher than online store prices.

If you're on a tight budget, always looks around for a better deal online. Use our suggested online stores and it won't be long until you find exactly what you need.

Online, you will find every computer that's available, including rebates, factory refurbished, and closeout sales at liquidators. So online you'll find a wider choice than any retail store and always at a better price. Remember, online you have everything.

Keep in mind that many people order new laptops online everyday. If you really like a laptop you see at an online store, you'll find it easy, quick, and very safe to order it online.

We recommend the following online stores:

• Overstock - If you're on a tight budget, this will be the first place I look.

• Tiger Direct - Always has a good selection of computers and laptops at sale prices.

• Computers4Sure - Has a wide variety of laptops.

Good luck in your search for your perfect laptop computer.

If you have not yet connected with the Internet, then I suggest you read Part 8 in the Computer Buying Guide, Connecting to the Internet for information about different ways of connecting.

• Laptop Buying Guide Table of Contents •
• Part 1. Laptop Parts •
• Part 2. Laptop Components •
• Part 3. Laptop OS & Other Stuff •
• Part 4. Laptop Buying Tips •