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Consumer
Advisories
"Free"
and "Low-Cost" Computers: Beware of Unexpected Costs
When it
comes to computers, ads for "low-cost" or even "free"
PCs may ignore the fact that unexpected conditions or restrictions
can drive up your total expenses and nullify the so-called
bargain price. Look into details before you leap for a bargain.
Many computer
"bargains" require you to sign up for a specific
Internet service -- sometimes for a long time at expensive
rates. And low-price computers often depend on customers being
able to collect on rebates. For example, a consumer may pay
$600 for a computer and be promised $400 in rebates -- but
rebates may be slow to arrive, may not materialize, or may
require other costly expenses that don't make sense for you.
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out all requirements and details if you are shopping for
a computer: |
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Are
you required to sign up for Internet service, and for how
long? If you have to sign up for three years of Internet
service at $20-30 per month, that cost alone could total
over $1,000 and nullify any bargain price for the computer.
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Will
you have to pay long-distance charges to dial up the Internet
service? Or do you have to pay an hourly fee for the service-provider's
"toll-free" number? (Some service providers charge
$5-6 per hour to use their "toll-free" 800-, 877-,
or 888-number.) If a computer rebate requires you to sign
up for Internet service, check the access numbers and whether
you will have to make long distance calls.
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Can
you cancel the Internet service? If you cancel, do you have
to pay back some or all of the rebate or pay a cancellation
fee? (Most likely, you would have to keep the computer but
pay full price without the rebate.)
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Are
you required to spend your rebate check on other merchandise
from the manufacturer or retailer? How soon will you receive
your rebate check?
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Does
the "low-cost" computer price include every critical
component, such as the monitor and sufficient memory?
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Be
cautious. Some offers for low-cost computers can be good
deals, but others may be far more expensive than they look
at first glance. Be sure to know the details.
For more
information or to file a complaint, contact the Attorney General's
Consumer Protection Division, Des Moines, Iowa 50319. Call
515-281-5926.
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