Hardware for Consignment Businesses

There may be 2 reasons to buy hardware from the software provider: 1) To be sure to get the correct hardware, and 2) convenience. There is 1 good reason not to: excessive mark ups.

The name & model # of a hardware piece is all that is needed from the software provider. Search Google for the hardware make and model # and compare prices. Huge price differences.

Nothing is gained by purchasing hardware from a software vendor. The warranties and guarantees are the same. Shipping time will be the same (or longer with an unnecessary middle man added to the mix).

Here's one example: The Zebra 2824 Thermal Printer is available online with shipping and cable for just over $200. The exact same printer is listed at $399 by one software vendor. Add $14 more for the cable. An inflated $21 shipping charge is tacked on at the end. Total cost? $435. Markup for the vendor: 100%. Added benefit to you: Zero.

Some software vendors are actually in the 'fee business', not the 'software business'. Didn't buy the hardware from them and need help? There's a minimum charge of $75. Want to network computers together? Five additional copies of the software will cost $1,475. Your data needs refreshening? $69. Data recovery? $120 PER HOUR.

On the subject of fees, in addition to annual services up to $2,339 (not a typo), there's $100 PER HOUR for 'telephone training', $75-100 'per incident' for anti virus and Windows support, and for that "easy-to-learn software" - $2,500 or more to explain it at your place of business.

  Hardware for Consignment Shops...