"Would you like some fries with that?"
Oct 02 '00
This is my second column on buying your first computer or buying a computer for beginners. This post is mainly written to help take the worry and frustration out of a major computer purchase. Simply put, "Buyer beware". Service is the biggest issue when buying a computer. No matter what brand you buy, you want to be sure you are covered for repairs and service.
First of all, everyone knows that you can order a computer the internet and many times it is less expensive but more often than not, it costs more because your computer is custom built to your specifications. This is great if you know exactly what you want and are willing to pay extra to get it. Beginner users most times do not know exactly what they want. Therefor, I suggest buying your first computer at a retail store.
That last line may get me a few NR's but the truth is that most retail electronics and computer stores do not commission their sales people anymore, so you don't have to worry about them pushing the most expensive product so they get a big fat payday. They do however have a "quota" or "budget" they must meet everyday. The best thing to do when you go shopping for a computer is to take a computer savvy friend with you to assure you that you are being guided to the right product for you.
Another reason I recommend buying from a retailer is the service plans that are available. Most retailers provide service plans on their computers. Your computer savvy friend may nudge you in the ribs and shake his head when this service plan is offered, but I strongly recommend the service plans to people, especially beginners. That friend may be shaking his head, but is he going to come to your home or have you bring over your computer every time you have a problems with it? Maybe a few times but not for 3 years!
Sales people in the retail business jokingly refer to service plans as "Cheese", and it is a lot like cheese in a way for the retial stores. Service plans are pure profit for retailers until they are used. This makes them a lot of money, similar to the fast food restaraunts idea of adding a slice of cheese to a burger and charging $.25 more for it. Even though, the service plans actually have value to a consumer.
If you purchase a computer and do not opt for the service plan, you take a risk that the computer will not have any problems that you can't take care of or that the manufacturer will automatically cover any problem. The sad truth is that computer manufacturers do not cover anything but defective equipment. If your computer gets dusty and the dust clogs the processor fan and it overheats because of it, the manufacturer will replace the processor but will charge you the total cost. A service plan will cover routine cleaning and repair damage from dust, humidity, heat and even power surges which the manufacturers also do not cover.
Most computers made now are non-proprietary or very close to it, meaning they are almost 100% interchangeable with parts. Even so, you can't take your computer to a retail store and have them replace a name brand part under manufacturers warranty. In most cases you would have to pay for shipping to send the computer to the manufacturer and then if the problem is due to user error, you would pay for the repair.
A service plan would eliminate this worry completely. You just return it to the store you bought it from and if the problem is major, they will usually replace it from store stock. If it is not a major problem they will either repair it in the store or send it to a service center where more delicate repairs are done. Also, if the computer has a problem covered by the manufacturer, the retailer (under the service plan) will act on your behalf with the manufacturer to get the parts and/or service work done so you never even have to talk to the manufacturer.
When buying a computer either from the internet or from a retail store, I strongly recommend getting all the details of the service plan offered. The computers now-a-days are almost all high quality (with the exception of a few) but the service makes all the difference in the world to a beginner or technically challenged users. Even if you know how to fix a computer, if you buy a name brand you still have to replace the part if your not covered and that in itself can be expensive.
On a side note, make sure you get all the peripherals you need so you don't have to go out and make another trip to get them later. For instance, if you get a printer you'll need to get a printer cable and paper. No inkjet printer comes with a cable or paper. If you buy a laptop, get a protective case for it or you will have trouble carrying it around. Make sure you have what you need to make the computer work when you get it home.
If you buy an open box discount, make sure everything you need is in the box. Most open box computers are computers that were returned once for one reason or another and usually are ok, but sometimes the box will be missing items that are essential to the computer like the restoration CD that has all the software on them or the manuals, or even the warranty card. Most retail stores offer the same service plan on open box computers as they do on the unopened ones.
Don't be fooled into thinking "I don't need the service plan". Maybe you won't, but chances are you will. Most people who buy a computer will use a service plan at least once in three years. Most of those will have major repairs done to the computer. Think hard before turning down the service plan.
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