Personally I wouldn't do it and never have with new computers, but if you feel unsecure about doing it yourself then your peace of mind might be worth $40.

Yes have them do it Sony Pe-installs a lot of software there one of the worst and a lot of runs at start up..

How much would would it be to wipe the hard drive and just install an operating system?? That's probably asking to much..

and once you get it done if there is anything left you want to clear off use pc decrapifier
The PC Decrapifier

Don't forget PC Decrapifier

Here is a link that might be useful: PC Decrapifier

I just bought a Sony Vaio about a month ago and it didn't seem to have much bloatware on it. I probably spent 10 minutes using the Remove Programs feature of Windows. Then I went online and got a copy of McAfee Internet Suite for $15, removed the 30-day trial version that was on the computer by using the McAfee uninstaller, and installed the new copy. That took about 20 minutes. Personally, I would never pay to have anyone do this for me; and, even for a novice, I don't think there's much chance of messing up. If you're unsure about something, call up Sony Tech Support and have them walk you through it. You'll save $40, and you'll learn something.

Alternatively, remember that stores are anxious to make deals these days. My approach would be to say: "I'm very interested in making this purchase, but to clinch the deal I'd like you to remove the software I don't want for free." You're only asking for a few minutes of some tech's time, not a free printer. If the salesman won't agree, nicely ask for the manager. If the manager won't agree, take your business elsewhere.

Thank you all for your replies.

kudzu9 -- Your reference to the McAfee reminded me of another question. Is there always some type of anti-virus protection already on the computer to protect it while you go online to purchase a different tool? They sell the Kaspersky 2009 which we could purchase with the money we save in doing the clean-up ourselves.

not always but when buying a name brand like Sony I would guess there will be a trail AV like Norton or McAfee.
I personally would not activate it and have them go ahead and remove it and either buy your Kaspersky 2009 or use another pc to go to AVAST or one of the free sites and download it to cd or dvd or flash drive and put it on the new pc from that, then once installed go immediately to update the AV and windows updates. You will definitely want to get your windows updates because if it does not have the update to stop the conficker worm you will have a big chance of being infected. The KB number for that update is KB958644 MS08-067 .
Be sure you do have your windows firewall enabled.

I had McAfee free and kept it for a long while and when I finally got rid of it I found out all the problems I had been having with my pc, that no matter what, I could not fix just disappeared. I use AVAST now and have no issues.

ravencajun -- Thank you for your suggestions. I can't believe I didn't think of installing AV from an exe on a flash drive copied from another PC!

We use AVAST on our current PC and have never had a problem.

So, here's the order of things as I understand them:

1. Turn it on. :-)
2. Remove trial AV
3. Install new AV (from purchased CD or by running exe copied from flash drive)
4. Be sure windows firewall is enabled.
5. Install AV updates (if necessary)
6. Install windows updates (if necessary)
7. Run PC Decrapifier
8. Remove unwanted programs.
9. Install Ad-Adare and/or Spybot and/or ????

Our email is accessed via browser (Gmail and verizon.net), hence it does not download to our computer along with nasty attachments.

Regarding the Windows firewall: We use free Zone Alarm on our current PC. Again, no problems. Is the Windows firewall adequate?

Am I missing anything? Since the laptop will be wireless, I want optimum security.

If it's Vista the fire wall should be adequate.

jenn-
I don't know which particular Sony laptop you're buying, but I would guess that it will come with a trial version of something, probably McAfee. Mine did, and it was something like $70-80 to pay for the 1-year subscription at the end of 30 days. Since there are always deals and rebates on antivirus software at places like Frys.com, Buy.com, and Amazon.com, it makes no sense to pay the higher subscription, even if you like the software. If you like McAfee, you should still go to the Control Panel to uninstall the trial version before installing your new, cheaper copy. (This may help to prevent the computer from prompting you to pay for the trial version, even after you're installed the new one. Also, since there are several versions of McAfee antivirus, an uninstall will help prevent complications if you choose a different version from the one already on your computer.) On the other hand, if you are going with some other antivirus software, it would be best to go to the McAfee website and download their free uninstaller which will likely do a better job of removing all traces of the program.

One last thing. I forgot to mention that I did have one problem with my otherwise simple cleanup of my computer. After I installed my new copy of McAfee, it worked perfectly, but wouldn't register with the McAfee web site. I kept getting prompts to activate it -- which is necessary to keep up-to-date with antivirus updates -- but the activate tab wouldn't work. After spending about an hour online with their tech support, the tech had me go into Windows and rename some obscure file that interferes with McAfee activation when you're using Vista. It had nothing to do with my uninstall/install. It's just some quirky little incompatibility that doesn't happen all the time, but took a Level 2 technician to figure out.

Thank you again for your additional replies.

kudzu9 -- What do you mean by "pay the higher subscription"? Do you mean a subscription for additional features? Since free Avast has been good to us on our desktop (wired) PC), I'm willing to stick with it for AV on the wireless laptop.

I am very reluctant to try to bargain on the purchase at Best Buy to remove the extra stuff at no cost, since they didn't put it on there in the first place. If possible, I'd rather do it myself, with the help of this forum. I'm VERY cautious about this type of thing so I'd check if I'm not sure (or Google it for an answer, then come here if I can't find the answer elsewhere). After using PC Decrapifier, would I go through the list of programs and remove the ones I don't want? Is it as simple as that????

if you are paying the $40 for them to remove the stuff you don't want why not just have them remove the loaded AV programs too then you are ready to just add your AVAST when you get it home, remember for AVAST you do have to do the registration but it is free and they have very good info on the AVAST site in a user pdf. If doing it your self depending on if it is Norton or McAfee we can give you some uninstall help both companies do supply a free removal tool which I used to get my McAfee off my pc and it works well. Let us know if you decide to do that.

Yes pc decrapifier is pretty much as easy as that and you can use it to do it yourself also very good is REVO uninstaller which is also free and would probably be a good addition to the decrapifier should it miss anything.
They have excellent user manuals on the REVO site too.

Revo Uninstaller
REVO also contains other very good helpful tools you can read about there on the site.

I no longer use AdAware or Spybot there are 2 others that are superior and are free they are
SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
if using these free versions you do have to remember to open them once a week hit update then run full scans on your pc and let them clean what they find.

I also always advise adding spywareblaster to every pc it adds blocked lists and blocks some nasty stuff from ever getting to your pc, no scans to do just open it once a week hit update then hit the enable all protection button so the shield turns green that is it.
SpywareBlaster

the other thing you will want on your pc is the secunia tool which lets you know if you have any other out of date stuff on your pc that could be dangerous it is free in an online scanner version or one you can install on your pc.
Secunia Online Software Inspector
the link to the PSI version is on that page at the top.

that will get you started and hopefully keep you clean and safe.

Just be sure to get that MS critical update I mentioned earlier that conflicker is wrecking havoc all over the place on pcs that did not get the patch.

I don't know how valuable your time is, but seems to me I'd save the $40 and spend an hour cleaning it up myself. They're not going to install the other things for you. You'll have to do that yourself anyway so why not just do it all yourself? Take that money and put it toward more RAM or a bigger hard drive or maybe a backup hard drive?

#1 for me is Windows Updates. Use the feeble Windows firewall.
#2 for me would be something like Comodo firewall
#3 for me would be AVG antivirus. Many like Avast. I don't see an advantage to paying for an antivirus anymore. Naturally, update it immediately.
#4 is SpywareBlaster,
#5 is a decent browser or two. I put on Opera, Kmeleon and Firefox. Then get the extensions for Firefox you want.
Next is Spybot, Codestuff starter, Winpatrol, CCleaner, DriveImageXML, Foxit PDF Reader, Premio, Irfanview, Jetaudio, Media Player Classic & codecs, Metapad, and a calculator replacement.

But that's me. Then I'd put on the software I use often, like OpenOffice, MS Office, etc. That's what I can think of offhand. There's likely more that needs to be done. Other little tweaks like shell mods, setting up download folders, etc.

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