NFIB

A Power Shopper's Guide to Buying Office Equipment
03/ 28/ 2002

by Melany Klinck

Family and friends know me as a power shopper. It's a skill born of necessity, I assure you. As guru-in-chief of a one-person business, I've had to learn to make savvy buying decisions and ferret out good deals under deadline.

For example, when my printer broke down recently, I didn't hit the road. Instead, I grabbed my mouse and started cruising. Within minutes, I had buying tips, product reviews, user opinions and price comparisons, all at my fingertips. I even ordered a printer online, picking it up at my back door two days later.

You, too, can be a power shopper. All you need is a computer connected to the Web and these tools of the trade:

Consumer Reports Online is the granddaddy of consumer advice and product ratings. However, most of the online content at http://www.consumerreports.org is only available by subscription. Subscribe for a month ($3.95) or a year ($24).

CNET.com (http://www.cnet.com) is the best all-round site for those seeking computer and electronic equipment. An extensive collection of product reviews and recommendations is enhanced by its side-by-side product comparisons. CNET's editors compile current prices from top online vendors, with hot links to each merchant's site. There are also e-mail "price drop alerts" and 50-plus online newsletters, which keep readers abreast of the latest deals and product developments.

Computer Shopper.com posts product reviews and a price-checking feature at http://www.zdnet.com/computershopper, although the number of vendors is limited. Its parent site (http://www.zdnet.com) has product reviews from Ziff-Davis publications.

DealTime.com (http://www.dealtime.com) is a comprehensive shopping site, providing comparative pricing and links to online merchants selling computers, electronics and all manner of consumer goods. Good search tools and interactive buying guides make this site a standout.

PriceWatch.com (http://www.pricewatch.com) is for serious penny-pinchers who know what they need. Product listings are loosely organized, but it often lists better prices than other sites, and it will notify you of price reductions.

Epinions (http://www.epinions.com) invites consumers to share their opinions of products they use. The number of opinions varies, but they're often surprisingly useful, since day-to-day users often have different criteria for judging a product than professional reviewers.

Consumer Review.com posts consumer's reviews at http://www.consumerreview.com and its interactive "Decision Guide" can help you pinpoint the best equipment for your needs.

BizRate.com (http://www.bizrate.com) ranks online merchants according to consumer satisfaction. Before ordering from a company you don't know, check here to see how it ranks.

Gomez.com (http://www.gomez.com) also rates online vendors by ease of use, customer confidence, and on-site resources. Its also offers helpful merchant reviews.

A few random tips

Look for good deals on office equipment at manufacturer's sites. Their online stores often don't show up in pricing guides, but their prices are very competitive. For big savings look for reconditioned products, which come with a warranty.

When comparing prices, don't forget to consider shipping costs. The lowest-priced merchants often boost profits by charging more for shipping.

Finally, don't assume the best buys are online. I often do my research online, but buy locally where it's easier to return items that don't work out.

---

Secure Your Wireless

Did you know that when you use your palm device to surf the Web, you also open yourself up to the often-damaging, always-annoying viruses out there? Now there's protection from the threats lurking in e-mails, files or on the Web. Trend Micro Inc. offers a free virus scan of your devise, as well as antivirus programs at http://www.antivirus.com/pc-cillin/products/wireless.htm.

---

This article originally appeared in the May/June 2001 issue of MyBusiness Magazine, NFIB's member magazine.

Small Business Sound Off
Does this story hit home?  Share your story with us