Buying a laptop from a store? Here’s what you need to keep in mind

The convenience of online shopping in the comfort of our homes is hard to resist. But when it comes to expensive gadgets, opting to buy from a store offers several advantages over online shopping. One such gadget is laptops, bearing in mind how they are fairly large, long-term investments used for various purposes, including work, entertainment, and education. Here are a few advantages of purchasing a laptop from a store. 

Hands-on experience

One of the most significant advantages of purchasing a laptop from a store is that doing so allows one to get a feel of the device. Unlike online shopping, wherein one has to rely on product descriptions and images, visiting a store allows one to get a better idea of its build quality, as well as portability, amongst other things. 

Expert guidance

Visiting a store gives one access to salespersons, who have the  requisite knowledge and information required while purchasing a laptop. They can explain their features and offer personalised recommendations based on one’s needs.

However, do not disregard online buying guides, as most retailers provide comprehensive guides to help people understand their own needs better, and consecutively, the options available to them.  

Immediate availability

Accept it, nobody likes waiting for their products to be delivered. More often than not, you also end up paying exorbitant shipping charges. Purchasing your laptop from the store helps avoid the same. However, in case you don’t have access to stores nearby, certain e-commerce portals also offer same/next-day delivery services.

Flexible return and exchange policies

If you encounter any issues with your laptop, which require either repairs or an exchange, stores typically provide for a smoother experience while getting the same rectified, as they often have more flexible return and exchange policies. Additionally, doing the same via a store gives one a fixed point of contact, who helps facilitate the process and make it smoother.  

ALSO READ: 6 hacks to save money while buying your new laptop 

Free accessories and services

When finalising which laptop to buy and purchasing a laptop from a store, one may often avail free peripheral accessories such as a mouse/mousepad, laptop bag, etc. free of cost, which may otherwise not be available online.

Furthermore, stores also offer services such as backing up and transferring your data from your old to your new system, and setting up your new system’s operating system and apps as well.

Speaking of which, consider purchasing Croma’s ZipCare Setup plans for laptops, which, for up to three years from the date of purchase of the laptop, provides a demo of the system, setup, and configuration, the creation of an operating system recovery drive as well as data transfer from your previous system, anti-virus setup, and printer and networking setup.