How to Get the Best Price on Computer Software

Price variations on software from retail stores and Internet retailers are small, but you can get legal-to-use programs free or find other ways to save money.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Web Design Software
• Anti-virus Softwares
• Database Software
• Publishing Softwares
• Spreadsheet Softwares
• Word-processing Software

1. Use Internet search engines that find the best price on specific products.

2. Get software free from your employer. Many businesses purchase multi-computer licenses and are only too happy to have you work from home.

3. If you will be using the software for a home-based business, ask a large retailer for a business price.

4. Buy a 'works' program (one program with various functions) or an office suite (a set of related programs) instead of individual word processing, spreadsheet and database programs if you plan on using most or all of the programs.

5. Buy the upgrade version of Microsoft Office instead of the full version if you already have any of these programs: all office suites, Microsoft Works, WordPerfect, Lotus 1-2-3 or any Microsoft program included in the version of Office you want.

6. Consider shareware or freeware programs or buy a basic program instead of a professional program if you do not need sophisticated features. Search the Internet for programs of the type you want.

7. Buy an older version of a program at a deep discount after the newer version has been released if you don't need the new features. If you change your mind, you can often upgrade inexpensively.

Tips & Warnings

• Be aware that most software manufacturers offer upgrade prices to users of competing software.
• Most chain retailers will give you a price adjustment (usually between 100 and 150 percent of the difference) if the price on a product is reduced (by that store or a local competitor) within a week or two of purchase.
• Remember to add shipping costs when comparing prices from Internet and other mail-order retailers.
• If you think your computer was infected with an e-mail virus that mails itself to people in your e-mail address book, phone those people and tell them not to open the messages or attachments.
• Avoid sending out any e-mail messages until you have properly eliminated the virus; many viruses attach themselves to outgoing messages without your knowledge.
• Generally, deleting the file that caused the virus isn't sufficient to eliminate the problem, since many viruses can create new files or corrupt existing files.