There are still advantages to being able to look at the package before you buy, so I usually check out CompUSA before making a purchase. For some things they can't offer an in-store price that can't be beat on the web; but they're often "close enough" to justify the local purchase.

I have a "current problem" with Lin's sewing machine, which is theoretically able to import "programs" so that she can flip the switch and then brag about being "creative" after the machine does it all. Unfortunately, it came with a "dongle" for the parallel port, and when she bought it we didn't own a computer that had an available parallel port (other than the one in-use). While I could have "synthesized" a port, there wasn't an IRQ available that wouldn't have conflicted.

She recently "won" a doorprize consisting of a program to "make the programs" for the sewing machine, and it has a USB dongle. That's not much help when the sewing machine has only a serial connector, the computer doesn't, and you still have to have the parallel port dongle on the computer for the main program; but I tripped down to CompUSA and found some "minor accessories" necessary to connect her up with her "free" program. (We still don't know if it will work.)

(I'm amazed at the professionalism of the sewing machine people, who have produced a program that will run only on Windows, protected by a dongle that prevents primary functions in Windows from being functional, with instructions that can only be read using Apple QuickTime, but that's a side issue.)

List price of about $148, and at the CompUSA "business desk" I got out for $104, so I can suggest that they do make an effort - if you can be creative enough to "be in business." Even without the business discount the prices were fairly competitive.

(Discounts aren't always that good, but I got an eager young kid to ring it up this time. He didn't even have his business cards printed yet, so he had to add his name to a generic one - (but in crayon?).)

The closest other "almost a computer store" in my town is Best Buy. After a couple of trips in (unsuccessfully, to my great surprise) for the "Bait" in their usual "Bait and Switch" ads, and having listened to them "work" a few customers, I can attest that they'll sell you $2,000 worth of stuff for $1989 and make you think you got a good deal. The problem is that they'll sell you $2000 worth of stuff and make you think you need it all when all you really need is a $29 plug-in for the system you've got. They have the best trained, and most thoroughly polished, cut-throat/predatory sales crew I've seen outside the local used car dealerships. I dont' buy much there.

Actually, thinking back, I haven't bought anything there, and it's unlikely I ever will.

John