Why Pay More? Don't shop CDW!
Written: Sep 14 '01
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The Bottom Line
CDW is good at convincing you that you're getting good service and a good deal, but you probably could do better.
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You will pay a premium price at CDW. What does that buy you? Nothing special, that's for sure.
To establish the basis for my claim that CDW's prices are too high, let me tell you how I shop for computer components online. I like to use a combination of www.pricewatch.com and www.resellerratings.com (I'll start using epinions after there are more epinions on merchants) to find the lowest prices at reputable establishments. There are plenty of stores out there that advertise rock bottom prices that will make your life miserable, but there are a few gems out there that sell for decent prices and have great customer service. CDW is not one of them.
For example, pick an item and do some price comparisons. I picked a motherboard from CDW's web site mostly at random (I just picked one off the first page of motherboards on their site). The Abit KT7A motherboard sells there today for $148. I was able to find plenty of vendors, including some from whom I've purchased components before, and from whom I'd readily purchase again, that sell the same motherboard for just shy of $100. That's a 50% markup! I've had the same experience with numerous products at CDW. Occasionally, they will have items that are at a reasonable price, so that they can advertise them (they can afford to do so from the markup on their other items), but chances are that you can do better.
As for their customer service, well, it's not the worst in the world, but it certainly doesn't merit the extra cost you pay.
For example, they happen to have a few showrooms in the area, and I was in desperate need for an unusual item and did not want to wait for it to be shipped, so I called them up to find out if the item was at one of their showrooms. I spoke with a seemingly helpful sales person who put me on hold to go look for it. The item I wanted wasn't there, but he directed me to another item that was in stock, and assured me that it was there. I asked detailed questions about the item, to make sure it would suffice, and he answered my questions to my satisfaction. I had him double-check that they had it in stock. I asked him to check the shelves, just to be sure, and he put me on hold and did (supposedly), and said they did have them, and told me how many. Happy, I drove 45 minutes out to the showroom.
When I got there, the item was not on the shelves at all. I asked them, and they checked their records, and the number matched the one he told me on the phone, but the numbers were wrong. Obviously, he had not actually checked the shelves at all for the subsequent item. They did sell me a third item that was more than what I needed, and cost more money. To keep my business, they offered to sell it to me "at cost", and gave me a modest discount on the item. I was pleased that they were willing to do that, and bought the more expensive item. However, later, I checked the price for the expensive item, and there were plenty of places that were selling it for far less than even the "cost" price.
Not long after that experience, I found out that a coworker of mine used to work for CDW, so I related my experience. He said that that sort of thing was not at all unusual. CDW marks their items up dramatically, and when there is a problem, they offer it at "cost" when in reality it is still an average price at best. The customer thinks they are getting a great deal, but they are at best getting a reasonable price.
They do have a fairly good selection of products, but I just don't have confidence in their knowledge of those products, nor do I think that they offer these products at a fair price. I think that they pull off looking like they are providing good service, and they treat you nicely, but it's more facade than fact.
If price is important, you are better off shopping around, and checking the quality of the stores with the lowest prices. If service is important to you, there are other stores out there that are more reliable and more knowledgeable.
Recommended:
No
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About the Author
Member: Keith Engwall
Location: Chicago, IL
Reviews written: 67
Trusted by: 66 members
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