Compuplus - Do great prices, prompt delivery, and a good selection offset high shipping costs?
Written: Jun 02 '02 (Updated Jun 02 '02)
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Comp-U-Plus is one of oldest vendors of computer hardware and peripherals on the internet (www.compuplus.com), offering the leading brands in a complete and diverse range of categories. Comp-U-Plus also carries a few of the more popular digital electronic items, including mp3 players and digital cameras, and a few software items, operating systems and office suites. The Compuplus target market appears to be computer enthusiasts and knowledgeable "home upgraders/system builders" who know what they want to buy. The website does include a few AMD computer systems which seem to be more appropriate for corporate customers than for enthusiasts.
HOW DOES THIS WEBSITE WORK?
The Comp-U-Plus home page is not the most aesthetically pleasing web page, but it is very easy to find items quickly. Usually it only takes two clicks to get to the description and pricing for any item. On the left side of the screen is list products (from AMD systems, CDROMs, CDR/CDRW, up to Wireless Networking), followed by a list of manufacturers. Clicking on CDR/CDRW's, one of the biggest categories, takes you to a list of 35 internal and external models of cd writers from 9 manufacturers, as well as name brand and generic blank cd's. If you are interested in only Plextor writers, you can instead select Plextor from the list of manufacturers, and be taken to 9 different Plextor products offered. There is also an effective search engine which you can use to find items.
Across the top of the home page are links to Order Tracking, Customer Service, a page with links to rebate forms for items offering rebates, your shopping cart, closeouts, and a full product list.
In the middle of the page are site ad's for 8-10 aggresively priced items, usually cpu's, cd writers, and other items computer ugraders are likely to purchase. On the right side of the page are links to items which have recently dropped in price. Most of the home page is geared to attract customers with Comp-U-Plus' aggresive pricing and to make it easy to find something to buy.
The Comp-U-Plus Website is very efficient, is kept up to date, and all the links work. There are some nice extra's, including a page offering links to rebate forms and another page listing manufacturer phone numbers and web site links. Most Comp-U-Plus items are priced aggresively, kept in stock, and shipped out quickly. But the low prices and excellent website must be weighed against Comp-U-Plus' high shipping/handling fees.
MAKING A PURCHASE FROM Comp-U-Plus
Selection
Comp-U-Plus carries items in just about every category you can imagine, but the selection in each category is usually limited to offerings from a few top suppliers. The selection is adequate, but Comp-U-Plus might not have that hard to find item. For many items, Comp-U-Plus offers a mix of retail box and OEM versions, particularly for CPU's, operating systems, and video cards. (OEM versions usually offer shorter warranties, and less installation hardware and/or software) OEM or Retail Box is always clearly listed in the item listings and descriptions. When you select any item from the list for each category (hard drives, for example), you are taken to a page for that item which includes a brief description, a picture, availability (in stock?), a list of accesories or special bundles offered, and a button to add the item to your shopping cart. Comp-U-Plus seems to do a great job of keeping items in stock, but the descriptions of a few items are too brief, and the special bundles are not often what I would have liked to have seen. The web site offers no reviews of items.
Pricing
Comp-U-Plus' claim to fame is low pricing. Pricing seems to be adjusted almost daily, usually down, but sometimes prices go up significantly. For example, On May 14th, I ordered a Rio Volt SP100 MP3/CD Player for $106 ($91 plus $15 shipping), a very good price. Two weeks later the same item costs $34 more ($125 plus $15 shipping). Still, Comp-U-Plus usually does a good job of adjusting prices on cpu's, video cards, and other items to stay competetive as prices drop. Even with shipping included, Comp-U-Plus' prices are usually on the low end of whats available on the 'net. Since Comp-U-Plus' prices do vary up and down, buyers should always comparison shop before buying from Comp-U-Plus.
Shipping
If you read about Comp-U-Plus at vendor rating sites like Bizrate or Resellerratings.com, you'll find Comp-U-Plus gets high marks, but there are numerous complaints about shipping charges and policies. This is because:
1. Comp-U-Plus only offers 2 or 3 shipping options, and none of these is a low cost ground transport option (Comp-U-Plus does use ground shipping for heavy items, at their discretion). For the MP3/cd player I purchased, the options were:
2nd day delivery for $14.95
Overnight service for $19.95
Priority Overnight for $24.99
These prices apply to just about all items Comp-U-Plus sells. Heavy items, like 6 piece computer speaker systems cost a lot more to ship. No explanation is given for the difference between overnight service and Priority Overnight. In all three cases, Comp-U-Plus said the order would ship in 1-2 days, never promising same day or next day shipment.
I have placed 5 orders with Comp-U-Plus in the last 2 years, and most, if not all of my packages have been delivered by Federal Express, and all were received within 4 days of placing the order. Comp-U-Plus often ships items the day after orders are placed, and almost always within 2 days.
Combining several items into one order does not reduce shipping costs/item as much as you might expect. In the case of my cd player, if I also had added a 80 gb hard drive to the order, the shipping costs would have been:
2nd day delivery for $24.25
Overnight service for $31.89
Priority Overnight for $39.89
Adding a 3rd item, even if it were a second identical cd player, would have increased shipping costs another $9.00.
2. Comp-U-Plus requires someone to receive and sign for packages.
3. Shipping charges are not refunded on returns.
4. Even with these high shipping prices, Comp-U-Plus does not offer to ship items the same day or guarantee to ship the day after an order is placed.
5. Comp-U-Plus does not let the customer chose which shipper they use (ie Comp-U-Plus usually choses FedEx, but if you prefer UPS 2nd day air, there is no way to ask for it).
Comp-U-Plus has always shipped my items promptly (within 2 days of ordering), the orders have been packaged well, and Comp-U-Plus has emailed a tracking number as soon as each item was shipped.
Return Policies
Comp-U-Plus offers a "limited" 30 day money back guarantee (with no restocking fee!) on all items. Key limitations are:
1. The amount refunded for an item will be either the price you paid or the current selling price if lower.
2. Shipping is not refunded
3. An additional $3.95 shipping charge is made for shipping out replacements
4. Returned CPU's must not be attached to motherboards
5. CD Writers must be returned in 7 days
6. No returns on open software or closeouts
7. All hardware, cables, software, and packaging materials, including the box, must be returned.
This return policies are fairly restrictive, but are cleary explained, and allow Comp-U-Plus to keep their prices low. If you are not sure the item you are buying is what you want, you should consider purchasing from a store or web site with more liberal return policies. Comp-U-Plus offers a form on their website to request return authorizations.
CONCLUSION
Comp-U-Plus is a reliable supplier of computer hardware, and often, but not always, offers the lowest prices available. Shipping charges are high, and must be taken into account when making price comparisons. The website works well, Comp-U-Plus ships quickly, and provides accurate tracking information promptly. Shipping options are typically limited to 2 day and next day air, and you must be home to sign for items received (or pick them up at the FedEx store, as I have done). I have never seen Comp-U-Plus offer $10 off coupons or "free " shipping specials like you see occasionally at Amazon or Buy.com.
Products are organized logically on the website, and are easy to find. Item descriptions are accurate, and usually complete, and prices are updated often. Product selection is good, but I find I sometimes wish Complus carried items from more manufacturers. The ordering process goes smoothly and is secure. Shipping charges are clearly listed on the shopping cart page, and it is easy to switch between your cart and the item lists and descriptions.
Over the past 2 years, I have ordered two MP3 players, a motherboard, cpu, video card, and sound card from Comp-U-Plus. In each case the delivered price was the lowest I could find among vendors I trusted, and each item was delivered promptly, in working order, and exactly matched the website description. If Comp-U-Plus' delivered price matches your budget, and you are sure the item is what you want, then you should have no qualms about ordering from Comp-U-Plus.
Recommended:
Yes
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