How To Save Big Bucks On A Laptop Computer

If youre a bargain shopper looking to get the most bang for your buck, youll find no shortage of deals on the Internet.

And thats particularly true in the fast-changing world of laptop computers, where youll find three bargain sources right at your fingertips:

1. Clearance Sales

Just like many brick-and-mortar retail stores, many computer manufacturer websites have clearance sections. On these web pages, you can find great deals on last years leftovers.

These are all new products unless otherwise stated and carry their original warranties. The only difference is that the price has been reduced.

Of course the manufacturers arent the only ones with clearance merchandise.

Major electronics and office supply retailers also include clearance sections on their websites, where you may be able to find the laptop bargain of your dreams.

2. Refurbished Laptops

Factory refurbs represent another great bargain opportunity. It works something like this:

• Joe Blow buys a new laptop, but decides a week later he doesnt like the color.
• He takes it back to the store within the stores stated return period, so the store is stuck with it.
• Since they cant sell the laptop as new, the store sends it back to the manufacturer to be "refurbished."
• The factory inspects that laptop to make sure everything works right, and then ships it out to a retailer that deals in refurbs.
• The refurb retailer then sells it to you at a great discount off the original price.

Buying a refurb can literally save you hundreds.

3. Online Auctions

You can always logon to an auction website and find a great deal on a used laptop. However, beware!

Buying anything used carries with it some risk. Buying a used laptop carries more risk than most people should be willing to take.

When you buy a used laptop from a private party, you dont get any sort of warranty beyond DOA.

DOA stands for "dead on arrival", a common auction term that means the seller guarantees the item will work when it arrives at your house.

But what happens if your laptop dies two weeks after it arrives Youre out of luck, thats what.

There are enough bargains available on warrantied laptops that all but the most meager budgets should be able to avoid buying used.

Stick to clearance and refurb machines and youll save yourself hundreds on your next laptop computer.

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