I LOVE a Good Bargain! » Electronics

Back into the World of Online Savings

Robin — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:19:40 +0000

Well, I guess I spoke too soon when I said that we were safely back from the hack — several weeks and hundreds of dollars later, I think we’re finally back into savings mode. Needless to say, I did my very best to fix what was broken at a discount, and was able to snag some help at all steps of the way, but it was a costly and upsetting process. My warning: Make sure you ALWAYS back up your computer, and be up to date on all virus software.

I have a Mac, and so don’t worry too much about viruses, but have been searching the web for the cheapest ways to keep up to date. First, virus protection: I found a free program called iAntiVirus for Mac (which is scanning as I write) from PC Tools, a company that my husband uses for his PC protection. They offer both free and low-priced solutions for all.

Now, let’s talk about back-up. I’ve been buying from TigerDirect for years, and have always been impressed with the prices and level of service. You’ll find consistently great prices on back-up drives and more. I have been buying from them for years — their packages on new computers often include lots of great accessories for practically nothing.

Another great place to shop online is called Big Crumbs. Big Crumbs is sort of a discount clearing house which allows you to shop at many online retailers to find the best price for the item you need, and then get cash back on top of it! It will also pay you a percentage back when you share with others. Definitely check it out. I bought my back-up drive through Big Crumbs a few months back — and trust me, restoring the computer and this site would have been a hundred times worse without it!

In the midst of all this, my back-up drive stopped backing up. In horror at not having a valid backup, I ran to my favorite local discount spot, WalMart (which also participates in Big Crumbs), picked up a back-up back-up, did my back-up, and checked to make sure that the back-up drive (purchased last year through EBay via Big Crumbs) was under warrantee. Although the manufacturer’s warrantee had expired, I was thrilled to find that the extended warrantee I purchased with Square Trade Warrantees would cover it. I found this warrantee company through B&H Photo, known throughout the New York fashion world as THE best place to buy cameras and more. A good link to keep if you’re in the market for electronics.

More to come, but for now, for more thoughts on saving on electronics, click here.

Happy October (a little late). Glad to be back!

Just the (FREE) Fax, Ma’am

Robin — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:41:45 +0000

Sorry for the bad pun, worse than usual, but I couldn’t resist.

Yesterday I received a bill for $139 for another year of my e-fax account ( a special rate for me as a current customer, now up to $169). Divided by the number of fax pages I actually receive, that comes to about $10 a page — really too much, as faxing, and fax machines, are just so passe. Combined with the fact that I just gave away my fax machine, I decided to search for other options. Which I found in an article by techie Bob Rankin on his site www.askbobrankin.com, where he answers tech questions in a way that even I can understand.

So, thanks Bob. In addition to eFax — which actually does still have a free receiving option — his favorite is Faxaway. In business since 1995 with a website that looks it, Bob says they offer ”rock solid” service. Faxaway has begun to charge a $1/month fee for the inbound fax service. Still, a lot less than $139 (or $169) per year.

Bob’s readers also suggest k7.net, popfax.com and jconnect.com.

There are tons of services for free outbound faxing. Visit Bob’s site, or just do a search (feel free to use the google bar above on this page).

But back to e-fax. Now, I joined e-fax several years back when it was free, but could no longer find the free option on their website. After a difficult customer service call to a call center far, far away, I found out it was hidden, and you have to dig through to their site map to find it. I did so and got a new account set up quickly and easily, although I had to change my fax number to be “downgraded”. But hey, 20 free inbound page a month should suit me just fine. Just be aware that you will get a non-local number, and if you receive more than 20 fax pages in any thirty day period, eFax may terminate or suspend your account if you do not upgrade to a paid subscription service.

We’re working now on info for free phone service. Meanwhile, for an interesting idea on all things free, click here.

Ask, and Ye shall…

Robin — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:57:37 +0000

Today’s story comes from a reader named Joy in New York, who had a satisfying ILAGB experience with Motorola. In her words:

I have a Motorola bluetooth earpiece for my cell phone. The on/off switch wasn’t working well, and then it just broke. I called Motorola and had a very nice gentleman help me. He asked how long I had this, since the warrantee was for one year. I told him that I had it for less than one year, and he said that they could replace it; perhaps even send me an upgraded model. All I had to do it mail it back with the receipt. But, I couldn’t find the receipt. I asked for his help. He agreed to give me a “one-time exception” and said that I could mail it in without the receipt. All I had to do it wait for an email with the mailing instructions and the RA#. He said it would take about 10-14 business days for me to receive the new earpiece. The email came the next day, I mailed the earpiece and received a brand new earpiece in less than 10 days. I’m happy to say I received the same model I had, since I liked this one so much. Moral of the story “it always pays to make that phone call”!

Thanks Joy! I does always pay to ask, and remember to be nice about it. People like to be acknowledged for their knowledge and power, and respecting that could be the difference between a yes and a no.

More next week on shopping New York like a Native — part 2: Street Vendors. Happy weekend

Save the Environment, Get Paid, Make a Difference — Everyone Wins!

Robin — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:33:19 +0000

I just won $100 from CellForCash.com! This is a fabulous resource for recycling that load of old cell phones clogging up your drawer AND get paid for doing it. The company will either pay you for your phone, or if it’s older, recycle it to a 911 phone bank for emergency use. They will send you a pre-paid mailer PLUS you can enter for a chance to win the $100 monthly prize, like I did! Even better, you can earn a commission on anyone YOU recommend who then uses the site. Clean out your closet, get paid for it, make a difference! Click here: