Tech for Less

Full review
I work for a company that is afraid of modern technology: we still use those huge 1960’s cash registers and there is just a single-line telephone in the entire store. I decided to help push us into the 21st century and buy a cordless phone, however I didn't want to spend a lot of money. While searching a few local retailers here in NC, I found that most of the inexpensive business type phones offered neither the quality nor the options that I was looking for. The Internet offered a much better variety of phone systems, but a lot of the well known business type phones were way out of my price range. After searching many online stores (including eBay) I eventually narrowed my search down to an AT&T business phone from eTronics and an Ativa 5.8 Ghz phone system from Tech For Less. I ended up gambling and going with the Ativa phone system from Tech For Less.

What can be found at Tech For Less:

Tech For Less is a relatively new online store that stocks a variety of electronic and computer related equipment. The difference between Tech For Less and many electronic/computer online stores is that most of the merchandise at Tech For Less is not suitable to be sold at retail cost due to the merchandise being refurbished or sold with less than perfect packaging. Though much of the stock at Tech For Less isn't fit to be sold at full retail price, Tech For Less does feature some electronic and computer equipment that is in new “factory sealed” condition. So, if refurbished goods or open box items aren't your gig, you still might be able to find something of interest here.

Selection:

Tech For Less isn't a small online store by any means, but it certainly doesn't come close to matching the massive selection of electronics and computer equipment found at competing online stores, i.e. Buydig.com, The Buzz, or eTronics. The selection at Tech For Less is decent, however. With some exceptions, Tech For Less offers an adequate amount of products and a variety of popular name brands in most of its 30 some-odd categories. I do have my rants with the selection at Tech For Less, though. My biggest rant is the ridiculously low stock in some of its product categories. For example, if you click on the "books/documents" link, the only product offered is an off-topic book by Donald Trump about real estate. If an online store is going to feature only one product in its list of main categories, it's probably best if they just clump the item into another category or sub-category until they have a decent stock available.

Navigation:

Although some of the main categories at Tech For Less could have been combined to reduce clutter, overall it's a neatly organized online store that is simple to navigate around. Tech For Less allows you to shop by brand, category, key words, or you can use their excellent search engine. Tech For Less also features real-time product availability. Before you commit to buy a product, Tech For Less lets you know how much of that exact item is in stock, so you'll never get stuck buying something only to find out days later that the product you purchased has been sold out.

Though I am impressed with how easy this store is to use, I do have my gripes with some of Tech For Less's format choices. For example, although Tech For Less offers plenty of literature about their merchandise, they fail to use adequate photography of their products. Because shopping online limits our five senses to just sight, it would be beneficial if Tech For Less could provide some better photography of their merchandise.

To finalize a purchase from Tech For Less, you have the option of becoming a registered user (requires you to fill out your credit info/ personal info, and acquire a password/login name) or you can proceed to checkout without creating an account (only requires you to fill out your typical billing information, i.e. credit info). Whether or not you create an account, checking out is painless and should only take a few minutes of your time. Payment methods at Tech For Less include most major credit cards, debit cards, or you can even use your PayPal account.

Prices:

There is no irony in this store's name: Tech For Less truly does offer technology for less. Because most of the items sold at this store are refurbished or have damaged/open packaging, you can literally save hundreds of dollars on many products versus retail. My Ativa phone (in open box condition) came to just under 49 dollars - or approximately half of what I would have paid had I bought this phone directly from the Office Depot in new condition. Although most of the dramatic savings can be found with refurbished and open box items (savings anywhere from 30-80%), Tech For Lessalso offers excellent deals on its brand new factory sealed merchandise.

Shipping:

Shipping charges range anywhere from excellent to downright nasty. While many items at Tech For Less receive free UPS ground shipping, some items have crazy shipping rates. I am currently on the market for a new office chair, and was able to find a great deal at Tech For Less, but the shipping charges ended up being over $400! Needless to say, the chair wasn't such a great deal once I took shipping charges into consideration. The occasional outrageous shipping charge aside, shipping rates are generally fair and many times totally free (for UPS ground shipping). If ground shipping is too slow, Tech For Less offers a host of faster shipping methods for an added cost. Note: Tech For Less will ship internationally.

Return Policy:

Tech For Less offers an adequate return policy. If you have any problems with your purchase, Tech For Less allows you to return the defective merchandise within 30 days for a full refund. The only gripe I have is that if the product is not defective, you could be charged up to a 20% restocking fee!@# If your purchase does arrive damaged, however, there will be no restocking fee and Tech For Less will pick up all costs, including return shipping. I am happy with my purchase, but had I found that my phone simply wasn't up to my standards, I would have been a little P.O’ed had I been charged a 20% restocking fee.

How long did I have to wait for my product?

These guys are fast! Shortly after I placed my order I received a confirmation e-mail and in just four business days I received my order. Considering I live nearly 2,000 miles away from Tech For Less's headquarters in Colorado Springs Colorado, four business days is quite impressive.

Product Condition:

Other than perfume, I haven’t purchased many items online that have been in "open box" condition, so I was a slightly worried that my phone would arrive in less than perfect condition. When my order arrived it was professionally packaged and the phone itself was neatly repacked in its original box. Actually, I could not tell that it had been opened, as its original packaging appeared to be factory sealed. It was also refreshing to find that there was nothing missing from the box; all the literature and all the accessories were included. I am also happy to say that the phone system works wonderfully.

Customer Service:

One of my biggest issues with many new online stores is the lack of a good customer service department. Tech For Less, though it’s merely an infant in the online world, offers excellent customer service. Though a 1-800 that is open 24-7 would have been appreciated (the current 1-800 number is only good Monday- Saturday until 6 PM), the customer care representatives are always helpful and I have never had to wait more than a couple minutes to talk with a live customer service rep.


Final Verdict:

Tech For Less is probably one of the best new electronic/computer stores in cyberspace. Though the selection could be improved (and I'm sure it will in time) and the main categories could use some polishing, Tech For Less is a refined online store with excellent price tags, great customer service, and super-fast shipping. If you don't mind refurbished/open box electronic/computer equipment, I highly recommend this store. If you only buy “new”, you still might want to check out Tech For Less before making any final buying decisions. Recommend 100%.

-Thanks for reading!