How to buy for a gadget junkie

Consumer Reports

A Consumer Reports survey rates local independent electronic stores higher than most chain stores when it comes to customer service and checkout speed.

Every year, our professional shoppers buy some $850,000 worth of electronic products for testing in our labs. And every year since 2004, we?ve surveyed our readers about their experiences with electronics retailers during the preceding several months. This year, we?ve combined intelligence from these two sources to help you navigate the ?where? and the ?how? of gadget-and-gear buying.

BEST PLACES TO BUY

According to our 2006 survey of nearly 20,000 Consumer Reports readers, online merchants and independent local stores may be your best bets for buying electronics. The Internet, in particular, is becoming the go-to place for many types of electronics, including large and expensive items.

In this year?s survey, respondents reported that online buys accounted for 15 percent of the nearly 30,000 purchases they made between January 2005 and June 2006. Among the best Internet retailers, they said, were:

? Crutchfield.com. It received top marks for selection, product quality and customer support, but only average scores for price.

? Costco.com. It was strong on price and product quality, but weak on selection and customer support. The warehouse chain?s liberal return policy was second to none. Membership costs $50.

? BuyDig.com, Amazon.com, Buy.com and Jr.com. These were also low price and selection standouts, although BuyDig?s 10-day return policy is a drawback.

As for walk-in retailers, local independent stores had a decided edge over most of the chains for their selection, product quality and service. Chains that scored high for price (but low for selection) were Costco and BJ?s Wholesale, another membership-required warehouse club. For the best in-store service and product selection, our readers liked Ritz Camera, Tweeter and Ultimate Electronics.

SAVVY WAYS TO SHOP

Our shopping pros ? who purchase products anonymously in the same places you might shop ? also use the Internet, often opting for pickup at the retailer?s nearest brick-and-mortar store. This hybrid approach, they?ve found, may get you the product sooner, while avoiding shipping charges. Other cost-saving tactics used by our shoppers and readers include:

Save that receipt. Most stores? price guarantees say that if the price of your item is reduced within a specified period of time ? typically 30 days ? the store will refund the difference. Some retailers also promise to match a competitor?s lower price during that same period, or beat it by 10 percent. You will most likely need to bring your receipt back to the store to get the refund, so hang on to it for at least a month.

Ask for an upgrade. If the model you want isn?t available, try asking for a free upgrade. A salesperson who sees you?re ready to buy may be more willing to make a deal to get the sale. And if he or she isn?t, ask the store manager.

Rethink the rebate. Some advertised prices are accompanied by fine print indicating the price is ?after rebate.? That means you?ll have to pay the full price at the register, then send in for your rebate, which will usually take at least six weeks to arrive. It?s almost always better to pay less up front than to bother with the rebate.

And, of course, a smart electronics shopper will save money by not spending it on the extended warranties that retailers pitch for their products.