[ The PC Guide | The PC Buyer's Guide | Understanding PC Sources, Vendors and Prices | Vendor Evaluation Factors ]

Factors Affecting Pricing

The general pricing level of a vendor is based on the type of source they are and their overall business strategy, as well as how much competition they have. Regardless of what the list price is for an item you are buying, however, it usually does not represent the total amount that you will end up paying for your order. There are usually additional charges that are added to the list price--and there can also be ways to reduce the regular price of many items.

In this section I discuss several important factors that influence the net price you may end up paying for PC systems, peripherals or components. This includes a discussion of shipping and handling charges, sales tax, coupons and rebates, and short-term sales.

Note: Also see the section discussing general pricing and selection issues.

Next: Shipping and Handling Charges

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