Why buy a computer from us?                      

The three places to buy a PC
You can buy a computer mail order, from a chain store, or a computer store.

Mail order PCs include Dell, Gateway, and a host of smaller, lesser known companies.  They offer fairly attractive prices in their magazine ads, but often charge extra "shipping and handling".  These costs can add $150 to the price of a system, which makes our selling prices more than competitive.  Like a computer store, their sales staff is usually knowledgable.

Chain store PCs include those sold by Radio Shack, Office Max, Sears, and WalMart.  Prices are often very good, sometimes lower than a computer store, but many times the consumer is paying for a product that is out of date.  The salespeople in department stores are hardly ever knowledgable (speaking generally, sorry to paint you all with one big brush) and support is non-existent.  All service is done through service depots and 800 numbers.

Computer stores, like the Creative Computer Solutions., specialize in computers and software. This is our only business.  We assemble them from quality components, test them thoroughly, sell them for competitive prices, and offer expert service and support.

Local service
Service is important.  A computer is a complicated piece of equipment.   It is not a commodity like a VCR or a radio.  PCs have electronic components that may need replacing or upgrading, they have operating systems that need maintenance and upgrading, and need software to function, which requires installation, configuration, and upgrading.  The best place to get these things done is a local computer store.

This site is on the world wide web.  If you found us by searching the internet, my advice to you is to study this page carefully and then look in your area for someone like us. After all, if we were to sell you a computer, we would not be able to include our most important product... local service.  If you cannot find anyone local to you who you feel you can trust, contact us and we will, of course, be glad to help you. 

The two kinds of PCs
There are basically two kinds of computers you can purchase, namely name brand and generic.  Name brand  computers and usually proprietary, meaning that many parts and service must come from the manufacturer.  IBM, Dell, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, and Packard Bell are all proprietary name brands.  They have about 45% of the PC market.

Custom builders, like the Creative Computer Solutions., have 55% of the PC market.  These computers are often referred to as "white boxes" in the trade.  Most computers stores offer their own line of PCs for several reasons. 

First and foremost is quality.  We guarantee our PCs ourselves.  If something breaks or goes wrong, we fix it.  Therefore, a computer store will avoid components known to be troublesome.  We also don't mind spending a little more to purchase quality.  After all, if it costs us $50 more to build a PC using good parts, we won't have to fix it as often!  (Do you think the same is true of a volume manufacturer?   If they can save $50 per PC by using questionable but cheaper components, spread over 500,000 units, do you think they will?).

We also have a kind of unfair advantage over mass producers.  Good computer store PCs are built using the latest technology at the latest (lowest) prices.  By the time the mass produced PC gets throught the manufacturing and distribution channels to the department store shelf it may be several months old.  Computer months are like dog years.  It could be obsolete and overpriced before it's sold!

Second is lower cost!  Believe it or not, we shop just as hard for computer components as you do for the computer!  We presently have over 100 wholesale distributors to choose from.

Third is maintenance costs.  The following are recent examples of the difference in price between standard, off-the-shelf components and proprietary ones.  There is no difference in quality.  The big PC manufacturers learned from the old mainframe computer companies that fantastic profits can be made on replacement parts if they are designed so that standard parts will not fit.

Fourth, and probably most importantly, is service.  We have expert PC technicians on staff to answer questions, perform upgrades, and make repairs.   No packing up your computer and shipping it to a service depot, no hours waiting on the telephone.  "Please wait... your call is very important to us.  You are number 12 in line.  Expected wait time is 45 minutes.   Please wait..." etc.  You can bring your PC to our store's fully equipped service department for an accurate diagnosis of a problem, or an assessment of your system's capabilities, or a demonstration of your computer's functionality.  Try doing that on the telephone!

We have many different models of computers to fit just about any budget.  We'll be glad to send you our latest computer price list.  Just E-mail us your requirements , and we'll reply right away.

518-848-4122