Need some help- Office equipment

[Ronin13]

So as many know, I work for my old man in the insurance industry (we're a small independent broker), and man, he's tight with his money here... We have outdated phones left over from the cold war era (seriously, they were made in the 1980's), and our computers are roughly 10 years old (ancient in modern computer standards). So I'm being proactive, despite the boss man's extremely frugal nature (understandably so), and seeing what it would cost us to upgrade our systems, we need 3 desktop computers (maybe 4), and 5 multi-line (4 lines) phones. I've looked at TigerDirect for Business, but I've never looked for package deals before when it comes to computers. Anyone know where I can go to get some new, not top of the line, just capable, systems from a distributor that deals with small businesses and can give good deals on buying more than one?

[daemon]

Try Microcenter. I've had really good luck with Powerspec PC's, which is their house brand. They are located near the Tech Center.

[mountainjenny]

I'm not sure about the computers, but if you are looking for other stuff I would try craigslist. I have never bought computers from craigslist, so I don't know if that is a good idea or not. I have almost completely furnished my office with stuff from craigslist for dirt cheap. Some of it is older stuff, but perfect for my one person company.

[Wulf202]

Get a quote from best buy. Present it to the old man and shock him. Then concede to getting less top of the line stuff. That's how I have to negotiate for stuff at my work. And bitching for 12+ months.


Frys is pretty good. New egg has some good sales on stuff thats been sitting around since y2k

[ruthabagah]

+1 for microcenter. you can get new/refurb desktop for cheap and they work great.

[alxone]

go to action computers on colorado blv. (denver area ) run by members here , ask for mark i think his screen name is nitroxboss

[Cthulhu]

Grab a friend that's in IT and head to MicroCenter. Look for the least expensive white box PCs you can find. I'm not sure what you're paying for those POTS lines but it might be worth looking at SIP. If you go that route, you may as well just run VoIP in your office and get headsets for the new PCs vs. buying new station sets. A SOHO setup like this shouldn't really be that expensive and I bet you could pay for it with the delta in MRC in your phone bill. Just my 2 cents.

[tmleadr03]

Another place to try is see if you know anyone in IT departments in large companies. They swap out computers like crazy and just recycle the old ones. They may be willing to off load them for a few bucks and they would only be a year or two old.

[BushMasterBoy]

I have had good luck with Dell Outlet. http://www.dell.com/outlet

[MarkCO]

I've been through this multiple times with several businesses. If the old man will get high speed internet, then you can go a VOIP route and get rid of a phone bill, which can save some $.

I have bought at MicroCenter, Egghead and TigerDirect. Over the years, the service and value from TigerDirect have been good enough for me to stay there for most of my PC choices and you can buy a simple phone system as well.

That is not to say don't compare, but once you build a shopping list, you can then compare with MicroCenter, and Egghead simply. Try Amazon as well to compare.

Make sure you get the software you need on the PCs. Having them all the same is worth it. I have tried used/rebuilt systems, but you likely won't be licensed for the software which creates all sorts of hassles. In most cases, for the same money, you can get as good a new system from TD as used elsewhere. I'd think you should be able to get everything in the range of $2-3K based on what you posted.

[glenncal1]

As long as I get to keep the "Good" stapler..............

[Ronin13]

As long as I get to keep the "Good" stapler..............
That Red Swingline? Uh yeah, I'm also gonna need your stapler... yeah, great. [LOL]
Thanks guys, wow, lots of +1s for MicroCenter... I'll check them out. We would prefer new, and MarkCO- problem is $3k is a bit much right now, maybe the phones will have to wait, but I'd think 3 PCs for under $1,000 is possible, right?

[MarkCO]

That Red Swingline? Uh yeah, I'm also gonna need your stapler... yeah, great. [LOL]
Thanks guys, wow, lots of +1s for MicroCenter... I'll check them out. We would prefer new, and MarkCO- problem is $3k is a bit much right now, maybe the phones will have to wait, but I'd think 3 PCs for under $1,000 is possible, right?

Probably.

[losttrail]

I buy most of my computers from the Dell Outlet. Scrath & Dent can usually be had for 50%-70% of retail.

[MarkCO]

Here is a decent one from TD: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7473497&CatId=2628

Add this monitor: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2340995&Sku=H94-1970

Times 3 you are at about $950 shipped.

[Teufelhund]

Another +1 for microcenter. Office-use desktops don't have to be to of the line, so they can be had pretty cheap.

I suggest you don't change the computers and the phone system at the same time. You will have to deal with an adjustment period for any new technology, with bugs you'll have to work out. The boss man will be none too happy about spending money for new tech and then having his business grind to a halt.

[asmo]

Get rid of your multi-line phone system and just go to a VoIP provider (Jive, RingCentral, Bandwidth.com, phonebooth, there are about a jillion of them out there).

+1 on the Dell Outlet for computers. Don't buy white-box crap. Buy something that is supported. Its a fricking business - act like it.

[Ronin13]

Get rid of your multi-line phone system and just go to a VoIP provider (Jive, RingCentral, Bandwidth.com, phonebooth, there are about a jillion of them out there).

+1 on the Dell Outlet for computers. Don't buy white-box crap. Buy something that is supported. Its a fricking business - act like it.
We can't go VoIP, much as I would like to, we just signed a new contract to have internet, phone and webhosting (for about $1 more than our previous separate webhosting and Century Stink phone/internet bundle). I don't understand, white-box crap? Support? Are you talking about Dell's absolutely splendid Indian tech support? <Sarcasm- I freaking hate 90% of all computer companies support centers, they're all in Delhi! [Mad]

[bigshane]

Just watch out when buying older computers to do a little googling with the model name/number, and the term "bad capacitor" and verify that you're not getting into a huge mess. By the time the Dell Optiplex 755's were out they were mostly fixed. Definitely avoid any GX 260/270 you see. For a little light reading: The Capacitor Plague (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague)