Buying by mail order is becoming more common, and can mean very competitive deals because direct vendors have centralised delivery mechanisms, without the need for expensive high-street locations.
Mail order is generally pretty safe, and horror stories about companies who take a stack of orders before disappearing are very rare. However, protecting yourself is relatively easy. Always buy from a reputable company - you can tell these from most computer magazine reviews, which look not only at the merits of hardware but also at the delivery, support, and service a manufacturer provides.
Another tip is to pay by credit card. If the computer you've ordered does not arrive, the Consumer Credit Act states that the card issuer is jointly liable for any private purchase between £100 and £30,000, ensuring you get your money back. However, this protection does not apply to credit cards first issued before 1971, nor to most debit or charge cards (for example, Switch and Visa Delta).
Many computer magazines will offer a Mail Order Protection Scheme (MOPS) for purchases made from advertisers within the magazine. Although a worthy idea, MOPS does not offer a great deal of protection against an unscrupulous manufacturer. It is hedged with restrictions, and a strict cash limit is imposed for claims against any one vendor.
Favourites (IE)
Print This
Email This
