Buying tech in 2017 is quite a hassle, there are so many different brands to choose from, different configurations, price range and the sort. As if that’s not enough, mischievous retailers are always on the lookout for ignorant buyers to swindle. The risks even seem to have increased with the advent of online shopping.
So, if you read the back-to-school tech article, you should totally check out these guidelines to help you shop better. You can also apply these to other shopping scenarios.
Make a list of what you want to buy before heading out to the stores. This list should contain the items you want to buy, price estimates and maybe the brands you’d want to consider.
Do some research. Go online, compare prices from different online retailers before you head out to a physical store unless you want to make your purchase online. Read reviews of the device you want to buy from other users or you can ask someone who knows. Check out videos of how to differentiate the original unit from the fake/refurbished one.
Shop early. If you’re trying to get back-to-school or seasonal products, always start your shopping on time, else most of the good products will be out of stock by the time you are ready.
Always buy from certified stores. Getting your gadgets from a certified store or the brand’s store (maybe a Hp or Apple store) will remove worries of getting a fake device. Although most brand stores sell devices at higher prices than other stores, you’ll be sure of quality and there’s always warranty in case things go wrong
Cheaper isn’t always better, always go for quality first. We all love cheap stuff, but when things start getting too cheap (like buying an iPhone 7 for 30k, really??), something just might be wrong. Don’t buy electronic devices on the road from hawkers, it’s not gala. You’ll just buy yourself a whole lot of trouble.
Check for originality. Every new gadget comes in a box or pack. Check to see if the seal is intact, or if it has been tampered with. They’re also stickers and stamps on the box that show originality. The name of the device matters too. Ensure you check for the correct name and model number from the manufacturer’s website before buying.
Scan the Barcode. Most device boxes have a barcode on the body. Using a barcode scanner app on your phone, scan the barcode and it’ll redirect you online, then you’ll know if the device is real or fake. If the barcode reader doesn’t detect the barcode, something might be wrong.
Test the product before leaving. Ensure the product is tested before you leave the store. As such, any possible fault will be rectified or the device replaced with a good unit. Some stores will also help set up the device or help you with home installation. Sadly, you can’t-do this when shopping online.
Don’t be fooled by brand names. When it comes to tech, they are popular brands that rule the game (HP, Apple, Dell for laptops; Samsung, Apple, TECNO, etc for phones), and buying popular brands has its advantages: originality, warranty, reparability, and so on. But if you can’t afford the big names, go for the not-so-popular brands. You’ll find out that the unpopular brands still offer you great products, probably the same configuration as the bigger brands but at a cheaper price. But if you can afford the big names, don’t hesitate to go for them. There’s a reason why Apple is Apple and HP is HP. You’ll only find out if you buy them.
Look out for discounts. Most stores give out discounts from time to time. Be sure to keep your ears open so you can buy products at cheaper prices.
