[OT] PC Bundling at Best Buy

[gaf-mNDKBlG2WHs at public.gmane.org (Jerry Feldman)]

On 12/08/2008 07:26 AM, jkinz-+hffLmS/kj4 at public.gmane.org wrote:
> On Sun, Dec 07, 2008 at 02:07:31PM -0500, Jerry Feldman wrote:
>  =20
>> A friend of mine who owns a small diner in South Boston went to Best B=
uy=20
>> to check on notebook prices, and they told him that he would have to b=
uy=20
>> not only the notebook, but pay an additional $300 for the software.=20
>> Since he is not computer literate, I want to see what is happening wit=
h=20
>> bundling Windows with PCs these days. I'm seeing notebooks currently i=
n=20
>> the $300-$400 range with either Windows XP Home Edition or Windows Vis=
ta=20
>> Home Edition, and a few with Linux. I'm wondering if the extra $300=20
>> might be for Windows Vista Ultimate and/or Microsoft Office.
>>    =20
>
> Hi Jerry,
> sounds like a total rip job, like the stuff the "finance guy" does
> to unknowing car buyers
>
> floor mats $400,
> special paint sealant $300
> special warranty $$$
> etc..
>
> There is no way its reasonable to double the price of the unit
> for any regular OS or software. IIRC that the typical cost of the
> OS bundled with an OEM unit is $15 (but that was 10 years ago)
>
> get the model number from your friend and we will investigate!
>
> Maybe he would be better off buying from a Mail order house.
>
>  =20
That is exactly what I told him. I also suggested a couple of low end=20
systems at Micro Center. My concern with him is if there is something=20
wrong, he can bring it in. Personally, I've done most of my computer=20
shopping online.

--=20
Jerry Feldman <gaf-mNDKBlG2WHs at public.gmane.org>
Boston Linux and Unix
PGP key id: 537C5846
PGP Key fingerprint: 3D1B 8377 A3C0 A5F2 ECBB  CA3B 4607 4319 537C 5846