Act fast on deals from low PC sales
By Diane O'Brien, BuyerZone.com Content Writer
January 17, 2001
By now you've most likely heard the news: PC sales are down and have been for a few months.
This past holiday season brought sales so low they were record breaking. And the holidays
have been followed by a new year that isn't picking up the slack. But if you're shopping
for your business, these depressing sales may have you smiling.
Consumers and business buyers share the blame for the slow PC sales. On the part of
consumers, newer gadgets, such as PDAs, digital cameras, and peripherals for their existing
PCs seemed to divert their purchasing interest from computers. As for businesses, an
unstable market has caused purchasing cutbacks, especially when it comes to IT equipment.
In addition, computers are holding up longer than they used to - small businesses using
PCs that are a couple years old don't feel a dire need to replace them yet.
If, however, you require PCs for your business right now, you may be in luck. Slow
sales and warehouses stocked with unsold inventory have caused computer manufacturers
to offer some terrific deals. Slashed prices, rebates, and great package deals mean now's
the time to shop.
Compaq (www.compaq.com) currently lists 14 rebates on its Web site. One, which is effective
until April 7, gives a $250 mail-in rebate on a number of computer models. There are
additional deals you should look into if your office could use a new scanner or printer.
Log on to Gateway's site (www.gateway.com) to find deals from this manufacturer. Included
in their small business section is a coupon for $100 off a business computer system greater
than $1,399. If the system you want to buy is less than this value, Gateway will deduct
$25 from your total purchase price. There's no deadline given, but this deal is marked
as a "limited time offer."
Dell Computer (www.dell.com) has jumped on the bandwagon of lowering prices as well.
You'll find reduced prices on desktops and notebook computers, and be able to save as
much as $300 on certain workstations. Check out the sales and savings on their site (www.dell.com).
Although they have a different operating system, Apple didn't do any better with their
sales this holiday season. If you favor Macs, you'll be happy to know they too have reduced
computer prices (www.apple.com).
PC makers' sites aren't the only places you'll find deals, either. Check out retailers
for below average prices. There's no telling when PC sales will pick up, so take advantage
now. This may be one of the few times costly IT equipment fits easily into your budget.
