⌛ Buying a computer? Here or There

For laptop buy in hongkong. The only common sales talk local store has is their said local warranty, But what if the price is too much? Better settle for the cheaper one, then reserve the money save for future repair. Its much better to send items to their local service center than keep waiting on months of slow local store warranty.

 

I strongly recommend Ace Logic for your local purchases. Carlo, the proprietor, is very easy to talk to and goes the extra mile for your warranties (and beyond). I've purchased a lot of items from him including my dslr Canon cams accessories etc.

Yes, warranty is an issue since everything breaks down so better have the piece of mind of not having to travel to the nearest town , like Cebu, to get it fixed or replaced. Price, well yeah, there are some stark contrasts but at least here we have some really good generic brands that come out really easy to maintain in the long run.

 

Next time

Given my experience with my imported Asus and locally purchased HP, I think next time I'll go with a local assembly. They shouldn't need three weeks to replace a hard drive.
I shopped for a laptop in Hong Kong back in '02. Talk about buyer beware. Had a deal completed and handed over my credit card when the clerk asked me if I wanted the optional recovery disk. I asked if the machine had an inbuilt recovery program I could make a copy from. "No sir if it crashes without the optional recovery disc that's it." He was reluctant to return the credit card and cancel the sale.
You pay your money and you take your chances.
Kenny

 

Well if hongkong is not ok, then buy in the US if possible. Why buy localy in dumaguete with price 30% to 40% higher. Like just for example these item ASUS Eee PC EPC1000HE its around $383 in newegg and thats around 18K in peso, Try any store localy and see prices 23k-25k. If i can buy at 18K why not. If warranty is the problem a could just drop to Asus Service Center in Cebu where warranty maybe greater than 1 year as local stores offer.

 

Richard,

For a difference of 5-7K pesos(30-40%, you say?), I would buy in Dgte anytime.

Why?

1. Help the local economy (I know its BS, but what that heck)

2. I like having the product I'm buying, right in front of me, before my money comes out.

3. The hassle of bringing/sending your item for warranty repairs to cebu(or manila) is not worth the 5K difference. Its not worth it(time/effort wise). It's not worth it, money wise too. One has to spend money and time, going to Cebu/Manila....then ...doing follow-up calls (if they don't fix it the same day).. and so on and so forth.

But then again we all have different priorities in life. I tend to value my time. Money one can re-coup, time is forever lost.

 

Richerd, I looked up the notebook model and it is 20K here in the PI. not that much of a difference to the US, so definitely no need to buy it somewhere else.

Aying, even you buy it at a local shop, they most likely send it to Cebu, and you will have the same follow-up hassle anyway.

I use a pricelist of a shop in Luzon, look up what I need, go with the list to Carlo from Ace Logic and ask him how close can he come to that price.

He usually is only slightly above what is fine with me. 2 - 3 days later I got the stuff I want. Last item 2 x WD My Book 1 TB external HD, 5350 PHP each.

Did the same try in other mentioned shops, Nobody came under 6000. The franchise companies Micro Valley and Octagon are useless anyway unless you wanna buy cheap ink-refill

 

Yeah, you're right on that Rhoody. But at least, if you buy locally, you can bring it back to the dealer. Makes it a bit easier than if the dealer is outside the Philippines.

And as you've mentioned, the difference is not that much.

 

Still better to

Buy it locally hate dealing with the problems that are far way. Just give it to the local guy tell him to get it fixed. Go have a cold beer it will come back when it comes back. no worries. It is hard to yell at a guy on the cell phone away. But that is just me. I learned nothing happens in a hurry here. so why get upset..