Computers & E-Learning

When you build a computer, you are boss at this job. You make the first decision and the final one. You have the power. Along with this power, you also have the opportunity to save a bit of money. With pre-built computers, someone else is the boss. They have the power. They make the decisions and you pay them for those decisions. If you are first, willing seize that power and secondly, have the patience to be a smart shopper, I will show you 4 Ways to Save Money When You Build a PC.

Buy OEM - If you read my article "How OEM Parts Can Save You Money on Your PC Build or Upgrade", you know that I explained exactly that. If you didn't, buying Original Equipment Manufacturer or OEM parts for short, is an excellent way to save money. Basically, manufacturers sell certain items in bulk to resellers. These items are not retail packaged and typically do not have user manuals. By eliminating the cost for packaging, the cost for the product drops, sometimes drastically. Don't concern yourself with manuals or software, because you can download these from the manufacturers website.

Rebates - Rebates are another way to save a few bucks when you build a PC. Now, be mindful, rebates can sometimes take as long as 8 weeks and even longer. It's not instant savings, but more like putting your money into a savings account that has a 0% interest rate. Manufacturers may offer rebates for new, discontinued, hard sell or basically any item it manufactures. That's irrelevant. What's relevant is the savings. Some rebates offer a 100% savings. I have to warn you though, rebates are tricky. Manufacturers are banking on the fact that you will either not submit the rebate, or not comply with the rules for submitting the rebate. Click Here for a great article I wrote about submitting a rebate form and getting your rebate check. It's a good read.

Open Box - Open box items are essentially brand new items that have been removed from their retail packaging for some reason or another. Sometimes it's a display item. Sometimes it's been returned, but never used. What ever the reason, open box item prices may be ridiculously reduced. With that being said, here are the pros and cons. Pros: reduced cost, same warranty, new item. Cons: may be missing parts (ie. cords, adapters etc.), may have been used, may lack literature. It's really boils down to you, Boss, to weigh the pros and cons and make the decision.

Sales - I know this seems obvious, but it's not. How many times have you purchased something, just to see it somewhere else on sale? I'm not talking $5 off, I mean a good sale. This is where planning, research and patience plays an important part in you saving money. The first computer I built was so expensive, because I "failed to plan", so I "planned to fail". I didn't fail in building the computer. The computer is beautiful. What I failed in was saving money. Don't you make that mistake. Search out sales, be it at local computer stores or online. Plan. Be patient. Shop. Save.

So, there you have it. Four incredibly easy ways to save a substantial amount of money, building your own computer.

Lee Jones is a computer enthusiast who enjoys building computers in his spare time. To get your FREE Computer Build Budget Worksheet, FREE tips, advice and suggestions, Check me out at: PC Builders Delight

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Build a Pc - 4 Ways to Reduce the Cost of Your Pc Build