Deciding to buy a new laptop can lead to a lot of frustration. Consumers often purchase a new system only to discover that the same model falls in price by hundreds of dollars only a few weeks later. Just how can a laptop shopper avoid the pain of realizing that he or she has paid too much for a new computer?
The best solution is to get the best price available when buying a new laptop. Of course, the timing of when to buy a new system is a key factor in finding the "best" price. Different computer manufacturers and chip designers introduce new products on a regular schedule. Older models usually go on sale just before a company introduces a new system. If a buyer can hold off on buying a new laptop until one of these favorable times, he or she can save a large amount of money. This article will examine many of the common questions people have when they are looking for a new laptop.
The 5 Important Questions About Getting a Sale on a Laptop
1: Is Buying a New Laptop Necessary?
A: If a customer has an immediate need for a system due to their old one breaking or requires a capability that their current system lacks, then waiting for new products to come onto the market isn't an option. However, if a customer can "get by" with their current system, then he or she can access periods when manufacturers offer the best prices for their products.
The key here is to be creative in "getting by" with current equipment. If money is tight, buyers can connect a cell phone or tablet to a Bluetooth keyboard to handle current tasks. Only the consumer can decide when the buying need is urgent, depending on available funds, need, and potential savings.
2: When Do Stores Offer the Best Prices On Laptops?
A: Typically, the best times to buy laptops are the black Friday deals just after Thanksgiving. The entire holiday months of November and December offer favorable deals. The other good buying period is July and August due to "Back to School" sales. For people who are Amazon Prime members, Amazon Prime Day is another favorable time to buy. The problem here is that Amazon Prime Day can vary from year-to-year. Typically, Amazon Prime Day is in September. However, sometimes it comes as early as July. Amazon will advertise Prime Day at least a few weeks in advance. As summer hits, a laptop buyer can save hundreds of dollars keeping an eye out for Prime Day notices.
3: When Do Computer Manufacturers Introduce New Models?
A: Another favorable time to buy systems is when manufacturers introduce new models. Often, old models go on sale just before the new versions hit the shelves. MacBooks typically "refresh" in September, while Microsoft introduces new Surface Pro systems in October. Consumers can search the web to find out when manufacturers update their products.
4: How Can Consumers Know They Are Getting a Good Price?
A large number of sites, tools, and apps help buyers compare prices. A simple Google Shopping, eBay, or Amazon search can help consumers get a rough idea of the prices currently available for laptops. Remember to use the "high to low" price filter to quickly find the best available deals. Buyers can also check sites that show a product's price history. CamelCamelCamel is a good place to track prices for a specific product over time. Consumers can install coupon apps such as Honey, Rakuten, and Drop on their web browser to ensure they are getting every discount available. These apps search the web for all available price coupons for millions of products.
5: How To Identify "Fake" Sales
A: The first, and best, way to sniff out a fake sale is to use common sense. Is the price too good to be true? Is the price substantially lower than any other offer on search engines? If so, the smart consumer will immediately suspect a scam. A legitimate online vendor will have numerous consumer reviews on sites like Trustpilot. Another way to identify a phony sale is using a domain age checker to find out how long a website has been active. If the site is only a few weeks old, it's an immediate red flag that the out-of-line low price is fake.
