This Thursday, August 13 from 10pm Tony Delroy and I will have a look at whats on offer for computer buyers.
We’ll be looking at the best deals, whether it’s worth waiting for Windows 7, the pros and cons of netbooks and how to get the most from cashback schemes.
If you’d like to listen, tune in your local ABC station or listen online at the Nightlife website.
We love listeners comments, questions and opinions so call in on 1300 800 222 and have your say.
At last night’s Mobile Monday Sydney, I was a chatting to a serial entrepreneur about business success and failure.
One thing we both commented on was just how important failure has been in the process.
The main thing we’d both taken from the stress and heartache of being in a failing business you learn who your real friends are and how they can be trusted in a crisis.
Some of your friends turn out to be totally rock solid while others go to water. A few surprise you with unexpected talent and genius while some disappoint you at critical moments.
Whatever happens, it’s a great test that help you select the right people for future ventures.
I have to admit it must be nice to hit a home run on your first business venture and be lauded as a genius for the rest of your life, but for most of us mortals failure is part of the learning process and often it’s a painful but essential lesson.
I’m no fan of cashback schemes. Having dealt with them on behalf of customers in my old IT support business, I’ve seen too many people messed around by them.
So the news that the Officeworks chain will stop offering them is welcome and hopefully will see the industry move away from these often unethical and unfair practices.
The main reason for offering cashback schemes is to keep commisions up for salespeople. If a TV or laptop vendor simply cut prices by $200 they would find the salespeople steering customers to more expensive competitors.
So it’s no surprise to see which stores aren’t following Officework’s lead.
If you are offered a cashback, ignore it while negotiating a price as it’s none of the store’s business what you do with it and most certainly won’t help you if there’s a problem down the track. Treat any cashbacks as a bonus and don’t factor it into your purchase.
Or better still, avoid electronics stores staffed by commission driven sharks.
You know you’re addicted to the Internet when you’re having a root canal drilled and you think “I wish I could use my iPhone”.
I’m not sure what I’d have Twittered about while under anasthetic, but I know it would have been interesting.
Image courtesy of Carolyn Schweitzer