You have found a so-called super deal at the local Big Box Store on that new laptop or desktop and you are thinking how could PC P.I.'s possibly compete with them. We'll it is a lot easier for us than you might think. The truth is that Big Box Stores do not stand a chance against us. The Big Box Stores do have low prices because they are like vending machines, you take your box to the counter and give them your money, then you're on your own. It's easy to offer crazy low prices if you offer no services, support, or benefits to the customer. The ones that do offer so-called service, want to charge their customers huge rates for them. Why? Because they know what these services are worth to you as a customer and what you will be willing to pay to get them. So by the Big Box Stores own admission, the free services we offer you far exceed the money you think you are going to save purchasing your computer from them. PC P.I.'s truly does offer the BEST VALUE, UNPARALLELED SERVICE and the most for your money, but don't take our word for it, let's run the numbers, shall we....

 

Definition of Value:

1. the worth of something compared to the price paid or asked for it.

2. equivalent worth or return in money, material, services, etc.

 

Let's look at what the Big Box Stores can offer you vs what PC P.I.'s will give you:

 

Big Box Store: Big Selection (cost = free)

vs PC P.I.'s Computer Store: Even Bigger Selection (cost = FREE) That's right, we usually have more computer choices than anyone around.

 

Big Box Store: Manufactures Warranty (cost = free, but this is really not a service they offer since it is the manufacturer who is really giving you this service). If you have to send your computer back to the manufacturer, just trying to get someone on the phone that you can understand can be a big hassle. You will most likely lose all your important data such as pictures, music, documents, etc. when you do send it back.

vs PC P.I.'s Computer Store: Manufactures Warranty (cost = FREE) The real difference here is that if you bought a computer from the Big Box Store then you will be making calls to a manufacturer and talking to someone overseas that you cannot understand. When you buy from us you just bring your computer in and we will fix it for you, or we will call the manufacturer and work out a repair solution with them on your behalf. If we have to send it back to the manufacturer for you, we will back up all your important data such as pictures, music, documents, etc. at no additional cost to you. When your computer comes back in from repair we will put all your important data back on your repaired computer at no cost. You want to know what this service is worth then just decide what all your important data is worth to you.

 

Big Box Store: Local Service (cost = Extreme, some Big Box Stores do have repair centers but you will find their price to be 100% - 300% higher than PC P.I.'s prices) Did we say local service? Well, actually, almost all Big Box Stores do not really fix your computer. They either send it off to a repair facility in another state or if it is a repair that they can do in-house such as virus removal. They have someone in another location (may even be from overseas) to connect remotely to your computer to fix it. Of course, some Big Box Stores do not offer additional services, so they will just look at you real funny if you ask for help or if they are smart they will tell you to come to see us.

vs PC P.I.'s Computer Store: Local Service (cost = FREE to Affordable depending on service needed) If you bring your computer in for repair we are the ones working on it, right here in our stores. 99% of all repairs never leave our stores and will only be worked on by a PC P.I.'s LLC staff member. The only time a repair will leave our stores, is if it is covered under the manufacturers' warranty and they request that it be sent into them for repair (In these cases it will go out fully insured). Also, if it must leave our store we will back up all your important data first so all your data is safe. We do this for FREE (see if the Big Box Stores will do that for you).

 

Big Box Store: Junk/Budget Computers (cost = $29 - $199) It will definitely cost you over time since every computer has to have a powerful enough CPU and enough memory/ram to accomplish the task you purchased it for. If it does not, then you will need to upgrade it to make it powerful enough (unless you like to wait on a slow computer) and that in itself could negate any savings you thought you had.

vs PC P.I.'s Computer Store: No Junk/Budget Computers (No Extra Cost) We do not sell any under-powered computers, so you will not have to make any upgrades to it over its life span to get it to perform the task that you purchased it for. But do not worry, we have a computer in every price point they have, but with awesome performance.

 

Big Box Store: Extended Warranties (It's gonna cost you = from $89 - $399) But don't worry, for your extra money you will still get the same inconvenient service and run around that you have come to expect from the Big Box Stores.

vs PC P.I.'s Computer Store: Extended Warranties (cost = FREE) We cover every computer we sell with a Lifetime Free Labor On Part Replacement Warranty. If you ever need a part replaced it will never cost you a dime for labor (this could save you hundreds of dollars over the lifespan of your computer). If you would like an extended warranty on parts we offer that too, for only $39/$69 (refurbished computer) - $89 (new computer).

 

Big Box Store: Transfer Data (Cost = on average $99) This is to move your data on your old computer to your new computer.

vs PC P.I.'s Computer Store: Transfer Data (cost = FREE) We will move all your data from your old computer to your new computer for FREE and best of all is that we put the files back in the same spot that they were in on your old computer. This also includes transferring your emails and contacts, if you use a software based email client, we will also set up your email account on your new computer.

 

Big Box Store: Setup (cost = Holy-Moly $99 - $139) And most will only remove the manufacturers' crap-ware and install their own crap-ware so they can continue to market towards you while you're at home at no additional cost to them.

vs PC P.I.'s Computer Store: Setup (cost = FREE) This is where we remove all the trial software and crap-ware from the computer. These programs will slow your computer down and after about 60 days they will ask you for money if you still want to be able to use them.

 

Big Box Store: Important Programs (cost = Whatever the software cost + $29 to install it) They will sell you whatever software you want and charge you an additional $29 just to install it (talk about service).

vs PC P.I.'s Computer Store: Important Programs (cost = FREE) we replace all that trial software that we removed with programs that do the same thing but will never expire or ask you for any money.

 

Big Box Store: Protection Software (cost = Part of the Setup service above) The biggest problem here is that they usually add an anti-virus solution that will bog your computer down even more.

vs PC P.I.'s Computer Store: Protection Software (cost = FREE) We add free protection software including anti-virus and malware protection that will never expire or ask you for any money and most importantly it will not slow down your computer.

 

Big Box Store: Add-on Component setup (cost = $49 - $250) Buy a new router or printer with your computer and you better be prepared to set it up yourself, because they don't offer this service or for the ones that do you will pay a hefty fee to get it done.

vs PC P.I.'s Computer Store: Add-on Component setup (cost = FREE) Buy a new router or printer from us and we will set it up or install it free of charge so that when you take it home you just plug it in and it works (like magic). If your new item needs batteries we include a new set at no additional charge if that new printer needs a USB cable we will include one as well, and you guessed it, at no additional charge.

 

Big Box Store: Disclaimer after Disclaimer (cost = who can figure it out, not me, I'm no mathematician) The story here is that if they see a scratch on your case they may void all your warranties, don't believe me, all you have to do is read the Disclaimer.

vs PC P.I.'s Computer Store: What Disclaimer (cost = FREE) Of course we have no control over the Manufacturer warranties, but as far as our warranties go, they are what they are, we will give you free lifetime labor on part replacement even if you drag your new computer down the street on a chain attached to your car (although we do not recommend this, it WILL NOT VOID our lifetime free labor on part replacement warranty).

 

Big Box Store: Basic Information (cost = $49 up via the internet or $149 for in-home training) This is not a service that a lot of Big Box Stores can even give you, because they do not know the answers. If you happen to go to a Big Box Store that does offer computer repair services then you can pay for it or if you are lucky you might find a knowledgeable staff member who is willing to take his time to help you.

vs PC P.I.'s Computer Store: Basic Information (cost = FREE) purchase your computer from us and have a question about how something works or what that button is for, no problem come in and see us and we will be happy to go over your computer and its features again at no additional charge.

 

Big Box Store: Discounts (cost = ?) Look through your local newspaper and you might find one.

vs PC P.I.'s Computer Store: Discounts (No Extra Cost, even saves you money) You can get that new fancy laptop bag at 20% off and remember that you will also get a discount on any service that is not covered under your initial part warranty or your lifetime free labor warranty on part replacement (such as virus removal services). These discounts are permanent and do not have an end date or require you to find a coupon, they are a free service we offer our customers just because they purchased their computer from us.

 

Big Box Store: Average time Big Box stores spend on your computer and with you (their customer) during your purchase. (time = Less than 10 minutes)

1 minute to unload the box off the truck. (cost = no extra cost)

1 minute locking it in a case. (cost = no extra cost)

1 to 2 minutes unlocking the case to get out your computer (We are not going to count the 10 to 15 minutes you have to stand around waiting for someone to find the right person and the keys to unlock that case) and to walk it and you to the nearest register (and they say chivalry is dead). (cost = no extra cost)

5 minutes at the register ringing your purchase up and trying to up-sell you on a bunch of overpriced warranties & services. (cost = Tons of extra CHARGE$$$$)

vs PC P.I.'s Computer Store: Average time PC P.I.'s Computer Store spends on your computer and with you (our valued customer) during your purchase. (time = Over 4 hours) (That's right, an average 240+ minutes has been put into each and every computer we sell!) Sounds unbelievable, but it is the absolute TRUTH.

2+ hours are spent on every computer that comes through our doors, removing the trial software/crap-ware, getting updates, adding programs that will replace the trial software we removed, but that will not expire or ask you for money and then tweaking the computer so it is blazing fast. (cost = No Extra Cost)

1+ hours finding out what your needs are and identifying the right computer for you. Going over the computers features and benefits with you, going over all the awesome FREE services and warranties that you will receive and showing you how to use your new computer (if needed). (cost = No Extra Cost)

1+ hours transferring all your important data (pictures, music, documents, etc.) from your old computer and putting them on your new one, setting up your email if you use an email client and installing your printers and programming your router, etc. so that it all works beautifully with your new computer. (cost = No Extra Cost)

5 minutes taking your purchase to your vehicle for you, shaking your hand and thanking you for your business (Just to show that we also have something that only takes 5 minutes). (cost = No Extra Cost)

 

Conclusion: Big Box Stores have to price their computers low, because they could not get you in their store any other way (they do not offer you any services or benefits). Most of them want to sell you all these services at a premium price, that we do for FREE.

Think PC P.I.'s Computer Store must be expensive to offer you all this awesomeness? Think again!

The average price for a laptop sold by us is only $349. Our laptops usually start at $199.

Unlike the Big Box stores, we REFUSE to sell underpowered cheap junk computers (with Intel's Atom or Celeron processors and AMD's C or E series processors) with an average usable life span of 1 to 3 years, if you are lucky (Where is the VALUE?). The average lifespan of a PC P.I.'s computer is 4 to 6 years (That's VALUE!).

 

For answers to questions such as; Why can't PC P.I.'s Computer Store price match the big box stores price? visit our Frequently Asked Question page here.