Shopping For A Computer

[porkchop]

Why can't you get a price for a computer, same Make, with the EXACT same specifications in other stores? In other words, every outlet has a different model of the same computer for sale but not of the exact same specifications. For instance i was looking at a computer EAN number 196800579737 in a certain outlet but no where could i find it at another store. So what is the point of shopping around for a better price as you will never get the exact same computer for sale in more that ONE outlet. Sort of a cartel at work?

[Xeronema]

It's a tough one. There are websites that help with such problems, designed to help a person decide between certain computer components. The downside is that a lot of the information can be too technical and can easily confuse.

I know that certain places select different components for different reasons. One being money of course, and that they may be able to get a GFX card cheaper than another store can so they'll incorporate that into their machines.

My advice would be to drop the list of specifications here and links to other places you've looked and maybe one of us can look through the specs.

You're right though, it's a nightmare for most. My OH builds all our desktops and servers. She spends hours looking through specs of each individual components, I just let her get on with it :)

[barry1010]

A few years ago I noticed the same thing with white goods, identical washing machines, fridges, cookers with very minor differences such as different colour knobs. I concluded it was to defeat the price match promise of various stores.

[porkchop]

A certain outlet selling a desktop has a caption "Best price guaranteed", How can this be correct if no other store sells the same product?. What a joke, could this be called false advertising?

[Tuvok]

Having just been through the process of sourcing a laptop it is possible to find the same model in different shops.

I used Argos, Currys, John Lewis, AO, Amazon and the various manufacturers sites when doing my comparisons.

[barry1010]

Exactly the same specs, Tuvok?

[Tuvok]

Yes - and John Lewis was £470 when the others were selling it for £600.

John Lewis also gave a 2 year guarantee.

[barry1010]

I like John Lewis. May I ask which one you bought?

[Tuvok]

https://www.johnlewis.com/asus-vivobook-15-x1500-laptop-intel-core-i7-processor-16gb-ram-512gb-ssd-15-6-inch-full-hd-silver/p109521945

Price has risen since I bought it at the end of November

[barry1010]

You bought it at the right time

[porkchop]

It is very confusing to compare with so many different specifications on each model. Would it not be a good idea if each individual product had an EAN (European Article Number) so that it could be easily be identified and compared. I note that Argos always quote the EAN number at the end of describing any electrical product for sale and this is very helpfull.

[barry1010]

It would be useful, I agree. You need to be sure of the specs you want before you start looking. Have you considered having one built ratherbthan buying off the shelf?

[Tuvok]

Actually bought it twice - first time it never reached Royal Mail - got tracking number which stuck at “we’re expecting your parcel”

[ZebuSanctuary]

WoW Tuvok.

No more whirring hard drive disc. 16GB RAM.

That's a big bad boy you've got yourself there.

Best you wear your big girl's breeches when starting that thing up!



T

[Canary42]

Well done porkchop, you've recognised Marketing is Evil.

[barry1010]

I am thinking of buying a new mobile, same make as this one, a OnePlus 10T with 26GB RAM. Bit of an overkill? My old one has 6GB

[barry1010]

I put SSDs in all my machines, best way to upgrade any pc

[theprof]

MrsProf recently encountered this situation when she decided to buy a Liebherr fridge/freezer. It seemed the model was available for exactly the same price at a number of online retailers but she wanted to see it first and discovered it was in stock at our local Currys. It turned out that Currys wanted close on hundred quid more for it in the store than the online retailers. When she asked the store to price match the product, it turned out that the one they were selling had an additional letter at the end of model number. This meant that it didn't meet the terms of their "price match" guarantee thus rendering the whole concept of price matching null and void at a stroke.

I've since spoke to a chap who knows a thing or two about electrical retailers and he tells me that the entire electrical retailing industry knows about Currys pulling these stunts. Seems they tell the manufacturer to add these extra numbers or letters to render the whole price matching concept useless to the buyer and they never have to refund the difference or whatever promises they make.