Where to go purchase a microcomputer?

The following three factors should greatly influence where you purchase a microcomputer:
The company’s reputation
The warranty agreement
The price
Since each of these factors influences the others, they can’t be described independently. If a local computer store has been in business for a few years, you can be reasonably confident that it has tested the waters and won’t go out of business. When deciding where to purchase a computer, consider the following:

 Manufacturers generally support warranties on computers sold through dealers. Should anything happen to the computer in 6-12 months, parts and labor are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, or agreement between the manufacturer and purchaser, if a computer has a problem, you will likely experience it in the first 6-12 months anyway, so this warranty is a fair deal. If a computer is sold through someone other than an authorized dealer computers sold in this way are referred to as gray market computers many manufacturers ignore the manufacturer’s warranty.

When purchasing a computer from a local store, you have a convenient place to take the computer if it needs to be serviced. However, even if you purchase a computer from a mail order company, you can often pack up the computer in its original box and send it back to the company for service.

When you purchase from a local computer company, you have the advantage of establishing personal contacts at the computer store should you have questions about you system.
You can also purchase a microcomputer and peripheral equipment from a mail order company for a substantial discount. Make sure the hardware you purchase is supported by a warranty before purchasing it. Computer magazines all contain advertisements for mail order companies. Although many mail order companies have solid reputations, some don’t. Do the following homework before buying from a mail order company:

01  Check back issue of the magazine to see if the advertisement has been running regularly of it has, the company has been paying its bills.

02 Check the ad for a street address. If no street address exists only a P.O. Box it is possible that the company may be a temporary operation.

03 Compare the prices offered by different mail order companies if the price you are eyeing is more the 25% lower than the competition, you might like at something that is too good to be true.

04 Make sure the system’s price includes all the features and peripherals that you want. For example, make sure the price includes a monitor and a keyboard.

05  As mentioned preciously, make sure the system you purchase is covered by a manufacturer’s warranty. Some major computer manufacturers don’t honor warranties on computers sold through mail order companies.

06 Pay by credit card. If you have an unresolved complaint about the product, U.S federal law says that the credit card company can’t bill you if you report your complaint to them promptly.

v In addition, you may want to check with the better business bureau or local consumer protection department in the company’s area to find out more details about company.