Four Tips For Buying Electronics

Whether you're after the hottest electronic gadgets on the market or simply looking

for a new television set, you can save money and find exactly what you want by avoiding the add-ons, buying "previously-owned," being selective about your retailer, and carefully considering all aspects of the item, ratings included.

Be careful about add-on packages and extended warranties. Many retailers will try to get you to purchase fancy accessories that cost twice as much as the standard option but rarely perform any better. As for the extended warranties, most electronics are durable enough to last past the warranty's expiration. And when repairs are needed, they usually cost about as much as the warranty would have anyway. So you aren't saving anything with a warranty; in fact, you're probably losing. Besides, some credit cards, retailers, and wholesale clubs will extend or double the manufacturer's warranty for free.

One way to cut back on the cost is to buy a refurbished or open-box item. This can save you thirty percent or more of the price of buying new. Refurbished items have been returned and restored by the manufacturer, then resold through a retailer. Open-box means that the item was returned in working order, and the retailer is simply putting it back on the shelf. If you go this route, make sure you purchase from a reliable retailer that will allow you to bring the item back if there are any problems.

Choose your retailer based on what you're looking for: broad selection, good service, best prices, etc. If you want a cheap price, warehouse clubs are usually the best bet, although sometimes retailers run sales that offer even better deals. Independent electronics stores are the place to go for excellent service, but the price can be a little steeper. Don't rule out buying online, either. Some of the highest-rated electronics retailers are actually web sites. Often they provide free shipping, allowing you to skip the hassle of fitting a bulky box in your car.

Finally, review the ratings an item receives, but be sure to evaluate all of its features. For example, don't buy an electronic just because it has high specs. Sometimes electronics tout high resolution when their contrast or color is below par. Extend your search to low-res models as well, since these often make up for what the others lack in color, etc. On that same note, new, top-rated models will always introduce the current standard. That means the best-ranked electronics are often the most expensive. Often you can get something that's ranked a little below the highest bar but that is perfect for your needs and comes with a better price tag.

by:Art Gib

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