Buying Electronics...just an FYI

Mikeymoto · 12-31-2003, 07:11 PM

Some stores will even do a price match with online vendors. We saved a lot of $ just by asking will you price match with online vendors?
Some will, some wont. It didn't hurt to ask and we saved.
MM

Cool Texan · 12-31-2003, 09:03 PM

Good point. Most will not though....but cant hurt to ask!

Cool Texan · 12-31-2003, 11:31 PM

Was just looking at the Wireless Router thread, and thought I'd pass along a quick tip. If you're looking to buy electronics, especially technology toys (computers, routers, software, etc), NEVER pay full price in your big chain stores. If you have the time, surf around and find the deals. There are a LOT of deal sites for various items...and while you may have to wait for a few weeks for the deals, you can save a tremendous amount of money.

Examples:

At Fry's... DLink router is $39.99 after rebates. I bought the EXACT same router for $19.95 after rebates, with free shipping.

Circuit City computer prices are a joke. Dont buy a PC from them.

Best Buy has great ONLINE laptop deals (same deals are not in the stores I dont think) for technologies they want to get rid of (celeron).

Sony camcorder at Best Buy...$799. I bought the exact same one online for $520 plus $40 for overnight shipping. Even with that expedited shipping, I still saved $240 on it.

Anyway...for what its worth. :grin:

Empire · 01-02-2004, 05:32 AM

If a big chain store wont match a price, ask them to throw in a bonus item. I bought a digital camera, and asked them to throw in an extra memory card. They gave me a 64mb card! Easy!

Corkie Monster · 01-02-2004, 09:00 AM

I found that Best Buy is expensive. I just bought a pair of Motorola GMRS/FRS radios from them. Their price was $69.99. Saw the same radios at other places for up to $20 cheaper. [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

CM

[ 01-02-2004, 10:01 AM: Message edited by: Corkie Monster ]

foxer · 01-02-2004, 12:12 PM

While I agree for the most part that you can get items cheaper online, there are a few drawback's. Most online retailers only offer a 30day exchange warranty. Most retail outlets offer 3-6 months. If it's over 30 days, you have to deal direct with the manufacturer. Usually takes between 1-3 months to get things replaced, if they dont tell you it was caused by abuse. As far as rebates go, you have 30 days for the vendor to receive you rebate claim. Not post marked, but 30 days. Anything over that and kiss your rebate goodbye. Also, count on anywhere from 2-3 months for you to get your rebate back. Once you get your rebate, you have 30 days from the date the check was cut (not 30 days from when you receive it) to cash it. If its 31 days, you are out of luck. There was a study done a year or so ago that showed that only about 20% of the rebates were ever actually cashed/approved. Onlin ebuying is not all it's cracked up to be either. Always use a visa/MC, never us a debit card.....

Cool Texan · 01-02-2004, 11:42 PM

CM, on the whole, yes, you are 100% correct. However I also know that for laptops, they run HUGE deals online for technologies they want to clear out such as Celeron processors. For most products though...yes....they are more expensive than online.

[ 01-02-2004, 12:43 PM: Message edited by: Cool Texan ]