I want to buy a keyboard, but on the internet they are cheaper, bit like everything else! But, it's an expensive item and I was wondering if anyone else has bought off internet? I have been quoted a cheap price with in a store, but they can't match internet, but I'm wondering about is guarantee and after service etc. Any views? Is it worth paying bit more? anybody know any music shops that close match internet with in Sheffield?

I had the same problem as you just a few months ago. I wanted a piano and had done my research before going to any high street stores. like you said internet prices are so much better! anyway, i went into fox's and looked around, the staff did approach me almost immediately but the girl was quite helpful.she did her best with price and in the end came up with a good deal. so i bought from there.

I've bought far more things off the web than from shops in the last few years, and have never had a serious problem. Some of that comes from being careful about where to shop though - if you don't know a good retailer, try and get recommendations. Can't help with musical items though! :) My personal rule of thumb is to think about buying it in person if (a) I need it there and then, or (b) I wouldn't fancy the hassle/expense of shipping back if there was a problem. Plus the occasional (c) when the price difference is small anyway!

lots of people have bought of the internet before, sales now rival that of the high street for certain segments.
There are things to be aware of, but generally you are just as well protected by guarantees and warranties as if you'd bought in a shop, and in some cases more protected (ie distance selling regulations).
If the price difference is enough then i'd go the internet way, the most i've spent is around 1k buying various computers.
And apart from one problem with returning a camera (sorted in the end) and a few delivery problems, i've not had any real issues in the 6 years since i've been buying things that way.

I've bought small things before, but a keyboard is a big item. I'm thinking mainly of any repairs that would need doing and support after of how to use and stuff. would it cost me a fortune to send back?

I bought my computer of of the net. As long as its a decent company I see no problem really.

i wouldn't buy a computer of the internet cause of the cost of them, i would get it from the high street and then i'd know what im gtting and if anything went wrong its easier to take back without having all the hassle of the internet people. basic stuff of the net is good when cheep but expensive things i would never get:D

Originally posted by laura21
i wouldn't buy a computer of the internet cause of the cost of them, i would get it from the high street and then i'd know what im gtting and if anything went wrong its easier to take back without having all the hassle of the internet people. basic stuff of the net is good when cheep but expensive things i would never get:D

you'd pay a lot more without much to show for it then.

bex - that's one of the things you can check. Any decent online retailer should pay for the carriage costs if it needs repairing under warranty.

Originally posted by laura21
i wouldn't buy a computer of the internet cause of the cost of them, i would get it from the high street and then i'd know what im gtting and if anything went wrong its easier to take back without having all the hassle of the internet people. basic stuff of the net is good when cheep but expensive things i would never get:D

its a lot cheaper from a lot better company with better support.

you still ha ve to ring a support line if something goes wrong. Try ringing PC World's 50p a minute one

Grrrrr! As some of you know, I am in the throes of writing my MA dissertation. I needed to get a new printer cartridge in order to print the silly thing out; looked online last night, cartridge £18.99 at WH Smiths. Daddy Kooky has kindly agreed to help me out with the costs of printing/binding as, at the end of 12 months, my loan's long gone and money is tight. So I let him know how much it is, he transferred the money to my account... stroll down to Smith's this morning, they've got it in stock, only thing is, it's flipping £26.99!!!!! :o I queried this with the chap serving me (who was very helpful otherwise) only to be told, quite feebly, "oh well the website's run separately". So what?! It carries the same name as the shop I was standing in. Outrageous.

Ok ok I know it's partly bad planning on my part, as I've left it too late to order one off the internet, and lack the time to shop around, and maybe I'm a little on edge owing to stress and sleep deprivation, but C'MON! £8 more?!? That's a considerable mark-up, even taking into account the overheads of running an shop as opposed to online trading. And it's Smith's, FFS, not a small independent retailer. Which is where I'll take my custom next time. :rant: :rant: :rant:

try Maplin, they do a range of replacement cartridges for most printers with prices starting at around £6.

I've bought loads of high value items on the internet.

Providing they are "new" things then they come with warantees, just like anything you buy from the high street, and the process for getting repairs done is often the same i.e. ring them up and they send someone around or tell you the nearest place to take/send it.

The only internet buy I've had a problem with was our widescreen TV, and the company arranged for someone to come out and replace the blown tube (or whatever it was!).

If it's cheaper online, and you're not in a mad rush for it, then buy online!

I've spent thousands through the internet, the largest single purchase being a laptop at £800+... I've got much better deals than local stores could offer, plus the opportunity to reject goods within 7 days for any reason whatsoever under the rules of the 'Distance-Selling Act'. This gives plenty of time in which to examine the goods, be sure that they are as described and aren't faulty in any way...

Reputable on-line dealers have a faster turn-over than local retailers, meaning that the models are the most current ones, you're far less likely to find that you've bought an end-of-line item, or one that's been out on 'demo'.

Their reputation is extremely important to them and they know that a dissatisfied customer can do them far more damage more quickly and efficiently than can the average high-street shopper, who usually tells their friends and very few others about bad service recieved...

Word of the merits or demerits of on-line traders spreads via the 'Net like wildfire and has killed more than a few disreputable buisnesses! The good ones are aware of this and will usually go out of their way to meet a customers' requirements.

I find buying through the 'Net is safer, more convenient and gives far greater rights to return the item if it isn't suitable.

The High-Street is rapidly losing business to the 'Net traders... And given the above, it isn't too surprising!

For clothes/trainers I prefer to go to Leeds/Manchester/London and visit real shops (I've all but given-up on buying clothes etc. in Sheffield), but for almost anything else I'll buy online if I can, we sometimes get our weekly shopping from ASDA online if we can't be bothered to go there in person.