More people buy computers in December than at any other time of the year, but where's the best place to do your computer shopping? Consumer Reports says you're generally better off ignoring tempting offers in ads from stores such as Best Buy, Circuit City, Office Max, and CompUSA, and instead buying a computer online or via catalog. Consumer Reports surveyed 78,000 subscribers who bought a computer in the past year or two and found that stores, as a group, rated lower than manufacturers and online merchants. The survey asked about overall satisfaction, as well as selection, service, and prices. Two of the biggest sellers of computers, Best Buy and Wal-Mart, were rated relatively low. The survey found people got the best prices for computers from Web sites like Amazon.com and PC Connection.com, but if you want to customize your computer, Consumer Reports says you're usually better off buying directly from the manufacturer. Apple.com and IBM.com were among the top rated. However, the return policies on computers can be very restrictive. So before you give a credit card number, check the return policy carefully. You can get free advice from December 5th though January 9th on what to consider before buying a laptop or desktop computer, including which features matter and which don't, at ConsumerReports.org/CRTV/ComputerAdvice. Consumer Reports has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor appearing on this Web site.
Consumer Reports: Where to Buy Computers
Computer sales peak in December. Consumer Reports rates stores and Web sites to find the best places to shop.
