Computer and Office Auctions
© Reginald Vickers
If I had to do two things over in my life it would have been to keep my Fiat 850 convertible and not purchased a computer from an auction on the Internet. Maybe that statement is a little strong. I put a lot of work into that Fiat. I guess I am glad I sold it. Now that I think about, my Fiat and my computer had a lot in common. Neither ran (as in case of the Fiat) or runs (as in case of the computer) well. They were both temperamental. As for my Fiat, I would be driving down the road and then it would just cut off- for no reason. The same is true with my computer. I'm just typing or surfing and all of a sudden, it reboots. All the experts have given me clues but none of them seem to work. They both were always in the shop. But I'm a die-hard. I believe that one-day, miraculously, the computer will be ok. Until then, I'll just save my work after typing two words.
But the auction does not have to be a bad experience. First, buy from reputable and trustworthy dealers. Second, buy a name brand system or a system with quality parts. You get what you pay for. Third, remember they are selling the computer to make money, and your bargain probably really isn't a bargain. Fourth, use an escrow service when purchasing from someone you don't know, like iEscrow or Internet Clearing Corporation. Fifth, shop around. Don't get auction fever and make your purchase without thought. Check out the prices locally as well as from other sites, before you have to make that last minute decision. Sixth, wait. If you're trying to save money, wait for what you want instead of buying the latest and greatest. If the price is too high today, buy it tomorrow. It will come down. Seventh, know your warrantee and who will pay for shipping. And speaking of shipping, figure in that cost. And finally, men always listen to your wife or mother. Women always know what's best.
Now, if I haven't scared you away from buying a computer on the Net, then read on. I would recommend that you use a service like Auction Watcher which watches the prices of computer items on more than one auction site. Also, last week I listed general auction sites in an article called Auctions Revisited. Every one of these except one has a place for computers. If you don't find what you want there, check out these great computer, office and electronic auctions.
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