On a gadget trail: Alok Kejriwal

I am a compulsive technology and gadget buyer. Earlier, I used to feel a bit guilty splurging on gadgets. But hey, women buy dresses and shoes, too. So, what’s the harm in getting a few toys once in a while? The places I frequent when it comes to buying gadgets are:

The Sony Store (India)

Despite lousy sales folks, intimidating use of technological terms and just a vast display of everything, the Sony store is still a recommendation from me. Why? Because it helps in discovery of their product and getting the best price. How? Well, it involves a bit of hard work. So, go to a Sony store, check out the gizmos you like, get them to play with it and then if you zero in on something, note the model number and the MRP down carefully. Next, take the card of the Sales Manager and keep it safe in your wallet. Now, do a small tour of ‘electronics street’ in your city. In Mumbai, that’s Opera House, where you can compare prices of the Sony product you have your eyes on. Negotiate with the Shop Owner and get the best price. Now, play your trump card (pun intended) — take the visiting card of the Sales Manager of the Sony Store out, call him and tell him that you are getting the same product outside at a better price. Please don’t give him the store’s name. Typically, Sony stores have ‘monthly targets’ to fulfil, and sometimes they give you a spot discount or ‘scheme’ just to tickle the sales register! I got my Bravia, digital and video cameras using this trick.

The Apple Store (US)

If you don’t use any Apple product today, you’ve probably been living under a rock. The iPod is surely in your possession or with someone in the family. My absolute favourite store to buy Apple products is — the Apple store. The best stores I have come across is the one at Santa Monica (LA - California), Market Street (San Francisco) and on 14th Street (NYC). These are smaller than the flagship stores, give you personal service and explain things that befuddled you. The products are all available to try and experiment with Internet connection. Of course, the highlight of these stores are the ‘live classes’ that go on all through the day and teach you about how to use the devices and even learn about websites (like Twitter) that you didn’t know about.

In India, I don’t really recommend the Apple Stores. The sales guys behave like warehouse folks rather than front-end store owners. The best bet is to find the MRP of the products and then do a small Google search on the ‘distributors’ of Apple in India — or get your IT department to find out. These distributors will actually get you a better price on Apple products and deliver home and even install.

The HP Stores (India)

As family computers, printers, scanners and the works get into probably their third cycle of purchase, I recommend that you buy stuff from the original HP stores. They are friendly neighbourhood stores, the staff can come over and help you install gadgets and connect up stuff (wi-fi, etc) and avoid the frustrating follow-up with the ‘Computer vendor’ from the local kirana market who always screws up. My mom swears by the HP stores!

The Best Buy Stores (US)

Best Buy stores give you an unbelievable variety of electronics at absolutely the best prices. The best concept I have come across are these ‘Best Buy’ kiosks that you see all over the airports in the US that actually make purchasing electronics like buying a bar of chocolate or a can of Coke.

If your USB drive has failed or your headsets are making your ears tingle, then just buy kiosk-style and stop waiting in those long queues for such simple tech ‘replenishments’.

Heera Panna (Mumbai)

Good old Heera Panna! What would we do without those tiny stores that seem to have everything you have ever wanted in technology and gadgets? My recommendation: Buy all your gaming stuff from these stores — the Nintendo Wii, smaller hand-held devices, etc. Also, do ask for a ‘bill’ — this usually makes the purchase official and also gets you support for a gaming device that is otherwise not represented in India.

Alok Kejriwal, Founder of the 2win Group and blogs at www.rodinhood.com. The views expressed here are the author's own.