Buying a computer online will soon become as simple as picking up a CD, as trends are beginning to indicate. Hardly a surprise too, taking into consideration the number of websites offering great deals, discounts and quick delivery. And, notwithstanding the Indian consumer's habit of touch-feel-buy, big companies are jumping into the fray as well.
Compaq is one such cool customer. Its buying section is highly interactive, with a step-by-step guide to buying a computer online. For novices, especially, this is an excellent section. Not only does it tell you what to do about things such as payments, brand and product selection, and assembly, but also guides you with the kind of machinery you will need in different set-ups.
For instance, there are different and readymade configurations for machines that could be required at home, home-offices, small and medium businesses, and corporations. Detailed and relevant information is also available on Internet and mobile devices, services, peripherals and upgrades.
All of which precedes the actual procedure of how to go about buying a computer online. Here, everything from payment and delivery to taxation, service centres to details on warranties and guarantees is included.
Compaq is the major brand name that got into selling online. However, other players venturing slowly but surely into the arena are hardly far behind.
There are, for instance, sites that focus largely on offering advice and guidelines, like ITrama which claims to be 'India's most comprehensive buyer's guide to IT products'. Not only does this site classify every single thing, almost up to a screw you might need, by quality, brand and ratings, it also gives insightful, detailed information about the products.
Also, the range of products offered by some websites is staggering. CyberITmall, for instance, boasts over 3500 IT products in its 'Superstore'. Computers, software, peripherals, networking consumables, telecom, books, VCDs, built-to-order PC series…you name it, it's there. The site also holds competitive auctions for its members, who can dictate their own prices. If you're comfortable enough, there's also a buy and sell option. The margins these sites keep for themselves are so nominal that it barely affects either party.
Another place where auctions hold centre stage is ITnation which claims a member base of 14,000, split into 7,500 IT manufacturers/importers, distributors, resellers, end-sellers, 1,200 institutes and 3,400 individuals.
"On ITnation, several market mechanisms are offered to enable members to trade. To list these are 'Requirements and Quotes', 'Auctions' and 'The Plaza'. As a marketplace, we facilitate trade for our members. Auctions is a recently launched product, and we have, so far, successfully completed 14 auctions," says Pavan Sood, Managing Director, ITnation.
Furthermore, the site also has institutional buyer categories that are able to put up equipment on demand.
ComputerLeLo is another option for excellent auctions. "There are times when you can get some really great deals," says Arvind Nayak, of Interactive Design Studio, a company that creates Java-based applications. "I know of this person who bought a fantastic configuration for as little as Rs 31,000, for equipment and software that might ordinarily cost close to Rs 50,000 in the market. He bought it at an online auction," he adds.
Almost every site has a 'Good Deals' section. Here, you can build your own PC, or check comparisons of various products, companies and categories made by other users. The prices of individual products remain fixed, but specifications may vary. In IT lingo, these are known as 'specs'. Certain companies like CyberITmall also add benefits such as a corporate card, which smoothens the buying process for big business houses. And most companies cater to people in all categories, from dealers to institutes, corporates or individuals, both buying and selling.
In spite of the choices, however, there are still some who feel a bit apprehensive about buying online. While picking up software or music is a good enough proposition, buying serious hardware makes these guys think twice. "I would first find out where the company selling it is based. If I buy equipment and it causes problems, I would prefer to have the seller close at hand, so that it can be taken care of. I wouldn't go too far away," says Anup Mhatre, Systems Administrator, Interactive Design Studio.
To counter this are websites that offer country-wide support on buys, such as SmartSourceIT. For everything you buy, wherever you buy it, this website claims a solid infrastructure that will spring to your support. Other companies that claim similar infrastructures are 01Markets and ITnation.
Even as usage is constantly on the rise, the trend to buy online is growing, feel most people who offer the option. Pavan Sood says that, "Going forward, we hope to offer our members more value-adds. It will be a while before end-users will be comfortable buying a PC directly off the net. But this trend is growing and, as net penetration increases, comfort levels of buying online will also increase. Internationally, PCs are among the first online high value purchases net users make. This is because a PC, unlike a stereo system or a couch can be commoditised by specifying certain configurations."
His peek into the future is heartening, but still cautious. "As customers become more familiar with the net, we believe India will move towards online purchases. But that is not to say that the channel will be wiped out, as many fear. The Indian PC user is still a technology-shy person who would much rather trust his neighbourhood supplier than take the task of identifying the right machine for himself. This psyche will take a long time to change."
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