Price Isn't the Only Feature of Your New Laptop

When most customers shopping for a new laptop come into my store, they ask where the lowest priced laptop is, make a purchase, then leave. This is a very easy process to follow but most new laptop owners are saving now but paying a high price in the long run.

Are you just spending money or buying a laptop?

Money is something that you either have or don't. The economy is going through a rough period and gas prices are high. During times like these, I understand the reluctance to spend a lot, but some things you can't skimp the cost on and still get a great value - e.g. homes, cars, computers or anything that requires you to depend heavily on its functionality.

When it comes to buying a new laptop, most customers are more concerned with the money being spent than the product being bought. If someone calls into the store asking for a new laptop, they mention the maker of computer and the price - sometimes just the price. The same customers that are happy to spend $300 dollars on a new laptop are the same customers that come back to the store angry at us or the computer company for selling them a "bad computer."

It's important to make sure that your new laptop has all the features you need at the lowest price; not just that the laptop has the lowest price.

Out of stock? What's the next lowest price?

If our store runs out of the lowest priced laptop (which happens often) most customers will ask "what's the lowest priced laptop, you guys have in stock?" It's odd that someone will allow their laptop choice to be selected based on availability alone. I wonder if these same people marry their spouses just because they happened to be around, or if they work at their current jobs because it's located directly across the street from where they live.

Sometimes I'm happy when we run out of the lower priced laptops because I know the customer won't just be buying a crappy machine. The really interesting thing is that if we're out of the lower priced laptops; the customer has enough money to buy the higher costing ones. This leads me to believe that they're just trying to spend the least amount of money, and they're willing to sacrifice functionality for price - even when they have the money. If they don't care about how your laptop will function; why buy a laptop at all?

Know what you're buying, not just that you're buying

If the lowest priced laptop was mad out of rocks and wood, the average customer wouldn't care or even notice - so long as it was able to turn on and boot up.

If I can slow the customer down enough to ask a few questions, I'll find out that they are trying to do something unthinkable on the extremely cheap laptops, like graphics or gaming. When I explain the different specs they'll need in a new laptop to accomplish these tasks, they are a little disappointed that they have to pay more but they're happy they didn't buy a laptop they really wouldn't be able to use anyway.

What's the rush?

I find it interesting that customers that buy lower priced laptops are quicker to get out of the store than customers that are spending upwards of $1,000 dollars for a new laptop. They rush into the store, rush the salesperson, and rush right out of the store, only to have to rush back into the store for a return. If these same customers would just wait a little longer and save their money, they'd be able have more options.

I understand not having lots of money. I'm saving to buy a laptop at this very moment, and I've given myself a 3 month timeframe. Even if I get the money together before the 3 months are up, I'll still wait until the 3 month time period to buy a new laptop, just to make sure I'm getting the absolute best laptop that fits my needs at the very best price.

The next time you're in a store buying a new laptop; look at the price, but let your eyes find the other features as well.

-What do you think about this article? Drop a line in the comment box.