If you’re thinking of buying a high-tech gift this holiday season, keep these tips in mind.
1. Ask about price-matching and price guarantees. Electronics stores don’t always advertise it, but many will match a competitor’s price or refund the difference if the item you bought drops in price within a certain period after you bought it, typically 30 days. Some stores won’t match a price you found online that isn’t associated with a brick-and-mortar store. But they might match a price from a brick and mortar store in another city or state.
2. Choose the right credit card. Ask your credit-card company whether it will extend the manufacturer’s warranty on items you buy with that card.
3. Beware of accessories. Most tech gadgets require some kind of accessory such as a printer, speakers or cables, and you may experience sticker shock at checkout. But don’t automatically purchase the accessories when you buy the gadget itself. You can often get better deals for accessories online or at a discount store such as Target, Wal-Mart or Costco.
4. Consider refurbished and out-of-the-box items. Refurbished items typically have been returned, fixed and certified by the manufacturer before they’re sold again. Some good items to buy refurbished include MP3 players and computer accessories. If you buy a refurbished item, be sure to read the fine print and make sure the item comes with at least a one-year warranty.
5. Time your purchase. If you’re worried that the item you want to buy will become obsolete in a few months, find out how new it is. If possible, buy the newest, top-of-the-line item to ensure your product stays cutting edge longer.
6. Be wary of extended warranties. Consumer Reports advises declining extended warranties in most cases because its survey data has shown that on average, the cost of an extended warranty is roughly equal to the cost of repair, which you might never need.
One possible exception is rear-projection TVs, according to the magazine. It suggests buying an extended warranty if it costs no more than 15 percent of the price of the TV or the cost of one replacement bulb, whichever is less.
If you’re buying an Apple computer, it’s a good idea to spring for the Apple Care warranty, which gets you excellent coverage and support.
7. Use the Internet. Research the products you want online and then go into a store to see what they look like. To find the best prices, use shopping-comparison services such as Google Product Search, PriceGrabber and Yahoo Shopping.
Some online retailers offer coupon codes that can save you a lot of money. If you are looking for a product from a specific company, do a Google search with the company’s name and “coupon code.”
8. Don’t let rebates be the deciding factor. Rebates can save you money, but they’re also a pain to redeem.
9. Consider hiring a professional to install a flat-panel TV or other large device.
