Many of you buy stuff regularly through the mail. You probablyhave a stack of mail-order catalogs sitting somewhere, just waitingfor you to tear through them in search of the right stuff, or atleast the cheap stuff. You might buy clothing, compact discs, books,food, maybe even a TV or stereo. But would you buy a computerthrough the mail?
To find out just how good mail-order computer vendors are, I setout some months back to check them out. By hooking up with friendswho were contemplating mail-order computer purchases and by making myown purchases, I've been able to draw a profile of just what you canexpect when you go computer shopping through the mail. As such, I'vealso put together Crabb's Survival Guide to Mail Order ComputerBuying, which you'll find below.
Buying a computer through the mail can be a big money saver. Italso can be a nightmare and a big money waster. The difference oftenturns out to be your state of preparation.
If you do the necessary research, closely examine your computerneeds and budget, and then diligently search for a mail-order companythat can meet your price and service expectations, you could come outof the process a confirmed mail-order freak like me. If you don't,you will rue the day you ever heard of the company you bought from.
Most people buy through the mail to save money. Don't assume,though, that this is always the case. Because of the intensecompetition in the computer reseller market, many local stores andnational chains (especially the big computer superstores) offerprices very close to the mail-order companies.
If you do decide to buy mail order (I've personally been verypleased with MacConnection, MacWherehouse, Egghead Software - yes,they have lots of stores, too - Whole Earth Hardware and PCConnection), use my 10-step survival guide to help you.
Chicago Sun-Times computer columnist Don Crabb writes everySunday. Write to him at Chicago Sun-Times, Financial NewsDepartment, 401 N. Wabash, Chicago, Ill. 60611. Please enclose astamped, self-addressed envelope.
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