I;d Go for the freebies. If it breaks you want a factory authorized toshiba laptop repair to repair it,,, not circuit city, not Cosco repair contract place.

Don't buy an extended warrantee from the retailer. If you want an extended warrantee, but it direct from Toshiba. Read the manual, you might have up to a year to buy it, maybe only 30 days - depends on what warrantee you want.

I agree with Mikie re: the warranty. You get a 1 yr from Toshiba regardless. If you wish to buy the accidental insurance, you must buy that within 30 days of purchase. However, if you just wish to extend the normal warranty, you have to get that before the first year runs out. If it is going to be lugged about and especially used in a dorm where all kinds of accidents can happen ie spillage, dropping etc, it might be adviseable to look into the accidental insurance from Toshiba, then you are covered for everything. When you purchase it, go online to Toshiba.com (US) or Toshiba.ca (Canada)and register it. Keep the receipt for it tucked away where you can find it. I got into the habit of stapling my receipts inside the front cover of any user manuals I get for any appliance .

I am a fan of Costco in that you can take a system home, try it out, and if for whatever reason, providing you didn't damage the product, you can bring it back and get a 100% refund, or exchange it for a different system, up until six months of the purchase date, no questions asked. I bought a karioki machine from Costco. After about five months it stopped working. This is after five months of three young kids giving it a pretty tough workout. I brought it back, hoping that they would maybe direct me to the co's autrhorized service center, where I could have it repaired. They replaced with a brand new one, no questions asked. At Curcuit City, Best Buy and Target, the minute you cut through the manufacturer's tape and open the box, you are subject to a 10-15% restocking fee if you find that you don't care for the item and want to return it. This happened to me at Best Buy, I was never told about it, it cost me about $50, I filled out a service card and let them know that I would never again purchase another item from their store that is subject to a resocking fee. If you buy from Circuit City, make 100% sure that it is the item you want.
--John

I 2nd the comments about Costco, and you don't even need a receipt! Plus if you don't have a Costco nearby (we don't) they will send you a shipping label to print out and authorize and arrange for UPS to pick up directly from your home at no cost to you,

Pat

I'm missing something, if one doesn't have a Costco nearby, why would they have a membership?

Agreed on the return policy as a benefit, just like Sears used to do. Still, if you know what you want and you need the $200 worth of give-aways at Circuit City, why not buy it there, it is in fact cheaper.

I decided to get the computer at Circuit City. I ended up getting one that was $150 more at Costco, plus I got the freebies. Of course it took me 20 minutes to get someone to help me. I told several people that I was ready to buy a computer NOW, and was told it would be a few minutes until someone in that department could help me. If it hadn't been for the $$$ savings I would have left.

Maybe Circuit City is different in some areas?But around here the service seems better then what you report.When ever I walk into Circuit City there all over me wanting to help.

Also they have a repair center where thats all they do is repairs there not also sales people.I have never bought much from Circuit City.I seem to go with Bestbuy.I have alway bought my computers from Bestbuy.Because off the service agreements.The Gueek Sqaud does me right.I think Circuit city is comparable.

We do not have Costco around here.But I checked out there web sight a few times.I just could not buy a computer or anything else.From a store that sells Caskets.I would not set foot in a store like that.It seems freaky to me?

Caskets ? They deliver to the funeral home ? Caskets are expensive!

I on occasion will go into circuit city but usually have a specific need & they have it on sale, or an item no one else has.

Just bought a 32 inch tv at Circuit City. Walked in, walked around. Walked around some more. Didnt want to spend the day there.
Found a passing guy in a red shirt that matched a lot of other shirts in there. Figured he worked there.
Hey can you sell tv's ?
You want to buy a tv?
If you can sell them, yea.

Other than maybe five other words that's all he said. Mostly he pointed at his computer/cash register screen.

They never wait on me there.
You have to ask real nicely if you want to buy something. Crazy place.
Maybe its the flip flops.

We love Costco even though there isn't one close to us!
For us it is a great way to spend a day out have lunch and shop, and stock up at Costco.
We shop at Trader Joe's, have lunch in a nice restaurant. Then go to Costco and buy things that we know are the best quality with a full guarantee with no questions asked if we need to return the item and no problems-and no restocking fee! All before heading home and having a great day!
I wouldn't hestitate to buy anything at Costco!

Pat

Wonder if they allow returns on there Caskets?Like a 30 day trial period and if your not happy you can return it or exchange it?I still say thats freaky.Do they have them in the store?

johndeere -- I have heard that Costco also has a lay-away plan available.

No Costco here, but I am a member of BJs and have bought the HP notebook on which I am now typing, also purchased several printers there over the years. Latest pc was purchased from Dell. Tried to purchase a Avatec (spelling) sub-notebook for Circuit City and refused to accept UPS delivery, circuit city had the wrong name on the paperwork, discovered that from their shipping notice prior to delivery, and they couldn't do anything about it, save me going into the store (25 miles) and asking them to make corrections. That was a no-deal with me given the need for a valid warranty and about $300 in uncollected rebates at risk...bottom line best price, but couldn't deliver to my satisfaction, may have gone well had I walked into the store to purchase. When I do get into the store, have purchased a couple of items over the years, sales help is available.

Funny, I am from Canada, but looked in the Costco.com webpage and typed in a search for caskets, and all it came back with was an assortment of baskets. Didnt see anywhere in there where caskets were for sale

Well you have to order them before 2pm for next day delivery. I kinda like the painted steel one, but don't see an option for british racing green.

Link didnt work here Mikie

They must have had a run on my model.

http://www.costco.com/Common/Category.aspx?cat=20595
and scroll down

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.costco.com/Common/Category.aspx?cat=20595

They must have had a run on my model.

http://www.costco.com/Common/Category.aspx?cat=20595
and scroll down

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.costco.com/Common/Category.aspx?cat=20595

Canada has a different web site from the USA, so what might be available in the USA might not be available in Canada....they operate under different rules.

I have bought every computer I have had from CC and had no problems at all. I used to go in there to browse and twice I saw clerks reformatting a customer's PC for him. They have stopped that. LOL

Sherwood, I know, thats why I went to .com and not .ca as I mentioned

Mikie, thanks for the link. Super weird

Put a window in the footwell, cut out part of the bottom, set one of those babies down over your riding mower. A little steering modification. Climb in, close the hood, and mow the lawn wearing a suit.

FYI, While Costco may have caskets on their website, they certainly DO NOT have them in the stores!

They replaced a dead LCD monitor my stepmother had for two years with no questions, no receipt.

Not exactly your question, but I'm amazed at how many people don't know this... If you are going to pay with a Visa or Mastercard (not sure if Costco accepts those), call ahead and find out what their warranty program is. Most of my cards will automatically double the manufacturer's warranty as long as I keep the charge receipt. Some cards require you to put the item on file with them when you purchase it. Just thought I'd pass it along....

Hey Mikie, check out the sweet caskets on the link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Windows powered caskets