Living frugally and smart
By Debs_place
@Debs_place (10520)
United States
June 25, 2008 3:16pm CST
A few weeks ago my computer took a power surge, one mother board, a wireless modem and a new keyboard later my laptop is now back in business. But not wanting to be pennywise and pound foolish I went to buy a new surge protector.
So on Sunday, I started doing some power surge shopping, I went to a few places and found one relatively reasonable at Amazon - life time guarantee on it and $300,000 insurance for attached electronics made by Belkin - it was $24. I thought well worth it to save my computer.
Well, I did some more shopping - and the same surge protector at a place called THENERDS.NET was $14. I ordered it on Sunday, over the weekend the shipping and handling was only $4.99. I already received it on Tuesday. Less then 48 hours after ordering it.
I say this is a great place to order from.
Do you have places to recommend to us? Any comments??
1 person likes this
7 responses
@weemam (13372)
•
25 Jun 08
Here in Scotland pal we have what we call a catalogue shop called Argos , I get lots of bargains from them , What I like about them is if there is a fault you take it right back to the store and they give you a full refund and no questions asked , xx
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
26 Jun 08
That is the way it should be. I bought some software at a store one time and even though my computer met the minimum requirements and then some, it just did not run, I took it back to the store and they charged me a 25% restocking fee.
When a few weeks later I read reviews of the software, it was really hammered badly for performance issues. I took the receipts back to the store and got the rest of my money back and never shopped there again.
@creative_genius (992)
•
7 Aug 08
Can't get much better or cheaper than Argos! They also have very reasonable delivery costs, we recently got our fridge and a wardrobe from there.
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
26 Jun 08
It is a spike in the electrical power coming through your power lines. It can cause destruction to circuit boards on computers etc.
The main board on the computer is the first thing damaged by it, second is the modem. Both of mine were fried. Then they replaced my keyboard and the plastic case on my computer.
The surge protectors have computer chips that are designed to detect and stop your electronics from being damaged but in the process they deteriorate rendering them to be no more then a power strip.
Spending $15 on a surge protector is a cheap way to protect your investment in your computer.
2 people like this
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
26 Jun 08
I don't order online too much. I don't feel comfortable with the online ordering for the most part unless I'm using a small valued prepaid Visa or my paypal. I'll have to keep that place in mind though!
For me, I find great deals on books, dvds, cds, movies, etc at half.com.
It's a division of ebay but no bidding.
1 person likes this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
26 Jun 08
Well these guys beat ebay, overstock and everyone else I can find.
You may want to set up an account just for buying online and transfer money when you need it. It limits liability but gives you all that you need.
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
26 Jun 08
Wow Good thing you did your research. I usually just purchase my things like that at Staples. I am a card member so I get some money back and I get my product immediately. I like to see what I am buying when it comes to my computer and accessories.
I do a lot of online shopping for other things though
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
26 Jun 08
Well if I went to the belkin website the price was over $40. ANd comparable Staples labeled ones were over $40 when you factor in the cost of gas and time -- internet is the way to do.
You did very good on your research, you got a real good deal. I will have to check that site out myself. Thank you for that info. 
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
26 Jun 08
That is why I thought I would pass it on...I got the power strips in no time...figure to order it on a Sunday night and have it Tuesday afternoon is darn near as good as going to the store.
And it would have cost more at the local store plus gas.
@LouiseKnittel (4764)
• United States
7 Aug 08
Nice Job Deb! I am always happy to hear when anyone does there home-work or researches anything to save money! I am wondering if you still got the $3000,000.00 insurance with that one? Or how much insurance were you able to get? Also I am so glad thatyou were able to get it so fast! With these Gas prices I am sure that the shipping price beat the price that the gas in your car would have cost you!
@joyouskay (113)
•
28 Jun 08
I get a lot of stuff on Amazon. They have really random sales, but when something is on sale you can save a lot of money. They actually even have groceries now.
