Comparison of Retail Stores vs. GrASP.
We just ask you to think before you spend.
The observations below are based upon the experience of
working for a major computer repair company for many years and also from
reading the "after sales" and "warranty" documents which are available from
retail outlets upon request. |
| Off the shelf/Retail PC systems |
GrASP custom built PC systems |
|
Overheads |
| Many wages: Marketing, Sales, Engineers, Telesales,
Couriers, Shipping, Accountants, Lawyers, Cashiers, Warehouse Staff, Publishers,
Cleaners, Trainers, Buyers and the Directors or Share Holders plus others. |
The engineers skill, time and travel +
components. Currently £70 + components. |
| Renting or building a store creates overheads such as electricity,
rent/build, heating, security, fittings, telephone systems and general upkeep. |
Dealing locally without renting a shop saves GrASP cash
which saves you cash too. |
|
Advertising (Overheads) |
| Television, Radio, Sponsorships, Newspapers and Magazines
(Nationally or even Globally), Flyers, Catalogues, Company Uniform,
Shopping Bags and Promotions, Internet Websites, Own Brand Products,
Display Products and more. |
We have a small advert in the yellow pages and
occasional advertise in the Leicester Mercury newspaper, we built and
maintain our own web site. Word of mouth
recommendations and our reputation are our main advertising tools. |
|
Components |
| Products including "built to order PC's" are
often displayed in the store or advertised for many months, depreciating
in value but not cost each day. In-store prices can change but this
seams to happen shortly after your purchase and only by a fraction of a
reduction in profit. |
Your systems components are ordered on demand at the current lowest trade price
which we calculate and quote for every system build. We do not hold stock, which keeps
the costs to a minimum.
We build and install your system then test,
deliver and set it up. |
| Complete PC systems and components are purchased in bulk
which allows savings at the time of purchase but causes overstocking with
old and expensive stock due to falling prices after the bulk purchases. |
Buying on demand at today's price avoids using overpriced
stock. |
|
Standard Warranty |
| The standard 12 month warranty does not cover
software, usually that's dealt with through premium rate help lines.
On-site support requires you to speak with an engineer over the phone to
decide if its a hardware or un-covered software problem, suspected
software issues are asked to phone the premium rate helpline (up to £1 per
minute).
If there is a hardware fault then an engineer visits usually within a
few "working" days at any time of his choice between 8am to 5pm with the
part you arranged to replace during the initial phone call. |
If it is a software problem we will resolve
it on the telephone (0116 rate) and answer any questions you have or
charge our "tune-up" price of £10 for call out + £20 each hour (£30 avg.
visit). If it is a hardware failure then we will arrange a replacement
with the manufacturer using your receipt. When the replacement part
arrives, usually next day, we will fit and test it at a time of your
choice before leaving with no charge. |
|
Extended Warranty |
| Manufacturers warranties over 12 months are sold back to
the manufacturer to keep profit high, this warranty is
offered back to customers at a higher price by
sub-companies if required. The sub-company often pays a commission from
your premium to the retailer who sold the extended warranty. |
Full manufacturers warranty supplied with components, most
hard drives and monitors come with 3-5 years as standard. Monitors come
with on-site manufacturers warranty. Advice and support is available on
email or telephone if you have any
problem with your hardware or software. |
| Onsite extended warranty costs a subscription
of up to £200 even if it is never used.
Premium rate or national rate phone calls are usually involved. |
We are a popular, small and respected
company, who are here to stay. We are expanding but will always keep
our commitments with each customer. Onsite service is within 2 days but
usually the same day at £20 (avg. visit) and is only
used if ever necessary. |
|
Software |
| Bundled software is often OEM (budget) or trial versions
and even discounted software adds costs especially when its not of any use
to you. |
Save cash on the system and buy the full retail version
software which you want, we can buy and install it before delivery and still save
you money. |
| Windows XP is at least 3 years out of date,
previous versions even more, when installed from CD. It takes about 3-6
hours at 56k to download the updates from Microsoft. |
Windows and driver updates are installed
before delivery as standard. |
| One "Restore CD" and no windows CD is included
which is fine if you want to reinstall everything again but is of little
use when customising or upgrading the system in the future. |
All CD's including the Windows CD are provided
as standard. |
|
Quality of product |
| When promoting a PC, the sales people understand that some
components will be eye catching brand names or specifications and promote
these whilst playing down savings they made elsewhere through weak
components. A favourite component to save on is the motherboard. |
Experience has taught us the dynamics of building systems.
Overall system performance relies on each components performance and each
component relies on the next, its all about the flow of information within
the system.
We design and build carefully with this in mind. |
| Bundles look good, a system with software, printer,
scanner, web cam and digital camera looks like a bargain even if it costs
a little more than you had originally planned to spend. There is no such
thing as "free" when your dealing with big business, bundled items are
often "home-brand" lower quality products which got over purchased and
need to be shifted before they depreciate in value by much more. |
You only pay for the items you wanted in your PC system,
we will only advise you of products which we sincerely believe may be
beneficial to you. We can provide quality branded peripherals
such as printers, scanners, web cams and digital camera's at low prices
and also set them up during delivery.
There is no pressure to increase your order, you can even come back
later if you require extra's at any time. |
| Salesmen find its hard to know about a system
they did not design or
build so often there will be gaps in the information or a rehearsed sales
speech regarding products. |
Design, Build, Sales are Installation are handled in-house
so we understand every systems details, we explain everything in plain
English in an honest and friendly way. |
|
Quality of Service |
| Too busy to help.... if there is no sign of a sale within
the first few minutes then sales staff usually move on to the next victim.
Advice is geared towards the products in stock and not always to your
actual needs. |
We do not have stock to unload or commissions to earn so
our advice is based on the best solution for your requirements. |
| Each time you want help you often get a
different person. The sales person in-store isn't usually very technical
or informed and is limited to the products available in the store. |
One engineer will build, install and even
order the parts for your computer system. The same engineer will
deliver and demonstrate the system and provide support whenever required
over email and telephone for the years to come. |
