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Online best for buying electronics, and 6 more tips for electronics shopping
Consumer Reports has released its survey of electronics stores and, for the second year in a row, online retailers have come out on top.
The survey, which is being featured in the December issue of the magazine that came out Monday, Nov. 2, was based on more than 35,000 purchases of electronics, including flat-screen TVs made between January 2008 and June 2009.
Vanns.com, a newcomer to the ratings chart, was among Consumer Reports’ Recommended retailers along with Amazon.com, Newegg.com and Beachcamera.com, which all stood out for great prices and more.
As for the more traditional shopping end, Costco edged out other walk-in warehouse stores like Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale, with better marks for price and product quality.
For those of us without a Costco nearby, at least Sam’s is a good option.
If price is not paramount, CR said independent stores, such as Apple, Ultimate Electronics, and Ritz Camera, all offer strong service and product quality.
The survey listed Target and Walmart at the bottom of the list, based on product quality and customer service.
Consumer Reports also rated 448 products in the December issue and offered these six ways to save money when shopping for electronics:
Check for early sales and monitor prices. Traditionally, Black Friday offers the first blowout sales of the holiday season. This year, consumers should expect to see electronic retailers cutting prices a week or more before.
Don’t rule out multitasking models. For the most part, products that multitask don’t perform their secondary tasks as well as the best stand-alone models. But Consumer Reports has found that some multitaskers are worth considering.
Consider online retailers. Most people still buy their gear at walk-in stores, but as noted earlier in this post, the best online retailers outscored the best walk-in stores according the Consumer Reports.
Beware of store policies with gotchas. Pay attention to return policies and exclusions on certain product returns such as laptops, which is the most common exclusion. Beware of restocking fees, though they are usually only applied if a box has been opened. Most retailers will not accept returns on any item if a rebate has already been filed with the manufacturer.
Skip the extended warranty. Generally they are bad investments, most electronics will not need a repair and if there is a repair needed Consumer Reports survey data shows the average repair bill is comparable with the cost of the warranty.
Consider haggling. With electronics sales down, retailers are willing to negotiate, yet fewer than one in five tried. Of those customers who asked for a better price, more than half were successful.
Consumer Reports also notes what are expected to be the top electronics sellers this holiday season in an Oct. 30 blog post.
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