Tech Purchasing Assistance
Looking for Computer related or stereo/Hi-Fi or home theater component equipment, but not sure what to buy, nor where to buy?
We can help. Vincent has been in the PC computer and Hi-Fi/Home Theater arena for over 40 years in both arenas, and is very knowledgeable in these industries. Share what your goals and budget are, and we'll search our sources for the best option. Your ideal solution may not be as hard to find as you think. While we do not have any formal agreement or relationship with any manufacturer, el Consulting will consider your recommendations if you have some. We put your interests first. We actively look for the best deals given the price, quality, features, and service provided by their manufacturers and make our recommendations accordingly. This applies equally to the computer related software and hardware as well as the home theater/audio-video arena.
Getting started
Contact us. We'll start by discussing your goals and reviewing the different type of options available. Sometimes enhancing PC performance can be solved by upgrading memory, storage, a video card, or other components without purchasing a new laptop or desktop to achieve the performance enhancements you seek. Likewise, listening to music or watching a movie with the best sound system may simply involve upgrading speakers, not the receiver. We can help you determine which avenue makes the most sense given your objectives and finances, and help you find the best the system/equipment for the best price.
Computer related equipment:
(Note: el Consulting does not have a formal agreement or relationship with company products displayed below. Images reflect the type of products that we recommend or can help you select when needed. All third-party trademarks and images are properties of their respective owners.)Computers: Desktops & Laptops
Printers & Memory
Software: Misc & Security/Office
Storage: Internal, SSDs, external USB HDDs & Flash drives
Home Theater related equipment:
(Note: el Consulting does not have a formal agreement or relationship with company products displayed below. Images reflect the type of products that we recommend or can help you select when needed. All third-party trademarks and images are properties of their respective owners.) Be assured - we recommend the best products for the level of audio/video desired at the best prices!TV-HD, 4K
32" to 75"
Receivers
Surround Processors Power Amps
Speaker Systems
Mains, Surrounds, Center & Subs
Projectors
Screens
DVD Players
Factors to consider
If you're interested in computer related equipment:
What type of tasks do you do on your computer? (i.e. play games, surf the internet, email others, other)
If you're interested in upgrading or replacing a current system, what features do you like and dislike about the current system?
If you're purchasing a system for another, what features are they seeking?
If you need to improve computer performance, consider:
Computer memory - it may not be sufficient for all the tasks you like to do together
Internal or external storage - you might need faster internal storage, or USB 3.0/ 3.1 external storage
Malware or Virus - it may be inhibiting your computer's performance as well.
Maintenance type tools, such defragging software
If you're interested in home theater related audio/video equipment:
What type of music do you typically listen to? (The type impacts speaker selection.)
Do you want to see movies or TV on a larger, more clear screen in HD or UHD (4K)?
Do you want to watch Netflix or any of the other streaming channels, which your TV does not provide?
Do you want better sound? (speakers, receiver, CD/DVD player, 5.1 or 7.1 Surround sound, etc.)
Would you like to connect your computer to your big screen for pictures, videos, music, general computer use?
The nitty gritty
Once you know the answer to the above questions, it's time to dig in to specifics. Below are some of the aspects to think through when purchasing or upgrading your computer audio/home theater system:
For the Computer World
portability & upgradeability - laptop vs. desktop
weight range & capability - laptop, desktop or tablet
screen size - laptop and/or monitors
video card - level of gaming needs will help determine this
Replace TV sound
Hi quality sound for music and/or TV and movies
Have the capability for many sources of sound and/or TV and movie sources
Choose between DVD players, DVRs, streaming sticks, and Smart TV, and old stereo sources (CD player, Tape, vinyl, tuner)
processor - Intel vs AMD, speed vs. cost
memory - today 8GB is a good minimum
storage - internal SSD vs HDD, external USB or NAS
application support - purchase or 'lease'
Here's where we can help
Our company can guide you when it comes to purchasing and placing an order. With nationwide sources, we can find great deals to meet your needs. We can even configure your new system to meet your specifications - whether it's an entirely new system or if it's just adding components, like memory, storage or printers. If it's home theater equipment you desire, we can help find components - receivers, video players, etc. - at great prices and help you sort through the features that make the most sense given your budget. If you have a target for either a Windows computer based system,or any of its components, OR a home theater system or home theater specific equipment, to augment a new component or to upgrade an existing piece or pieces, send an email with your requirements or expectations, and it will promptly be answered, and we discuss how to proceed from there, all at no cost or commitment to you, up to this point.
Purchasing logistics
el Consulting provides several methods of purchasing hardware.
1) The customer purchases the hardware directly themselves, based on el Consulting's suggestions, using their own payment method and wholly retains the purchase receipt as well for proof of purchase for warranty purposes.
2) The customer has el Consulting purchase the item(s) and payment is made UPON receipt of the invoice from el Consulting. The order is placed with drop-shipment to the customer's address. A PDF file of the order is emailed to the customer on the day of the order, along with the expected delivery date, if one is provided by the retailer. When el Consulting purchases an item for you, we will likely purchase it from an online retailer, who may or may not charge shipping costs and taxes. If such costs are incurred, these costs will be passed on to the customer for reimbursement, which a;; appears on the retailer's purchase invoice that is forwarded to you.
3) The customer's credit card is used for the purchase made by el Consulting, and the product is again drop-shipped directly to the customer's address. A PDF file of the order is emailed to the customer on the day of the order, along with an expected delivery date, if one is provided by the retailer.
Pricing
Our company only charges for the time to find the best solution at the best cost to meet your needs for non active customers. Most products can be found within 2 hours. Final pricing is based on the greater of:
Researching product(s) and finding the desired option: $15/hour (one hour minimum)
OR
3% of the total cost of the product(s), not including shipping costs or taxes*
*Note: For customers using our tutoring services already, we provide/suggest/recommend product(s) at no additional cost, excluding shipping costs or taxes. This means that there is no additional fee for purchasing or suggesting any hardware for existing, active customers.
Return policy
Product purchased from third parties. Products purchased by el Consulting on your behalf from third parties (such as Amazon, Newegg, Fry’s Electronics, Best Buy, etc.) are returnable according to the third party's return policy. Most vendors have a 30 day full refund return policy. El Consulting can assist with returns when requested and when it makes sense for the client. If el Consulting purchased the product on the client’s behalf, el Consulting will take the lead on the return.
To return products to a vendor, the product and accessories should be:
complete and in similar condition to when they were received
in the original box with the shipping materials provided at the time it was received (when possible)
el Consulting products. el Consulting will give the client 10 days to return el Consulting products, except when the product has a unique individualized key code for obtaining the product. This is to ensure that key code products are not purchased and "returned" when actually they are still retained and used.
Billing and account information
While we welcome your business, we reserve the right to refuse an order you place with us. For instance, we may limit or prohibit orders that, in our sole judgment, appear to be placed by dealers, resellers or distributors. There may be times when we may limit or cancel quantities purchased per person, per household or per order to satisfy third-party requirements. These restrictions may include orders placed by or under the same customer account, the same credit card, and/or orders that use the same billing and/or shipping address, and/or there is a history of non payment or to other reason we determine pertinent to the order. In the event that we make a change to, or cancel, an order, we will attempt to notify you by contacting the e-mail and/or billing address/phone number provided at the time the order was made.
All orders are made with your written permission prior to purchase or acquisition. To complete an order, you must provide current, complete and accurate purchase and account information, which generally includes your email address, credit card billing address, phone number, and credit card numbers and expiration date.
Late Payments. Late payment (over 15 business days from purchase notification or order completion) for products purchased on the client's behalf incur a weekly 5% surcharge until full payment with any surcharges incurred included.
Our promise
We do not have any formal agreement or relationships with any manufacturer so we are not biased in our recommendations. We put your interests first. el Consulting is privy to many online sources, so researching a product includes finding the best outlet source !
The customer holds all warranties on the equipment ordered, backed up with the purchase order PDF file, which is sent to the customer if the order is placed by el Consulting. If requested or needed, el Consulting will act on behalf of the customer for returns and/or warranty issues. The goal is to make the customer satisfied!
You can rest assured that el Consulting will you get you the best deal. With extensive knowledge of the PC industry and home theater market, we keep up with new products and trends, receiving 10 - 15 'hot deal' notifications daily on discounts from many different sources.
"In addition to Vincent’s computer expertise, he is very knowledgeable with hi-fi and Home Theaters systems and equipment. He came over one day and spent all day setting up my home theater and will upgrade this as soon as I can afford it. Whenever I’ve run into a problem that requires help, Vincent has been a phone call away in helping me find a solution. "
Shirley H.
Long Beach, CA
"During my long time with Vincent, he has actually ordered and sent me a desktop computer, a very fine and fast laptop PC (with a carrying bag) , a monitor, and several USB flash drives for backup. I was previously using a 15” laptop, which had low capacity and it was slow. This new one has been terrific!"
Graham Baxter
Reno, NV
"Vincent at el Consulting not only is a great tutor, but also has bought for me a printer (which I love), several flash drives, cables, etc. Recently, my laptop of 4 years old would not power up any longer, and the next day Vincent ordered a new one and I received it in 4 days from the old laptop's death, and this one is so much better in so many ways!"
Pat K., R. N.
Long Beach, RN
"I purchased a computer with Vincent from el Consulting, and in doing this, he walked me through the complete setup. Throughout all of this, he has been patient and always there to help with all computer questions."
Gloria Lelonek
Minnesota
"Also.... he has actually ordered and assisted me with ordering desktop computers, monitors, storage, a local network, and even linked my computers together."
Raoul
Houston, TX
"I originally owned an all-in-one PC, and it was quite slow and froze up a lot of the time. It would take forever to boot up, and it took a long time to accomplish just about any task. Vincent ordered me a laptop as a replacement at my request, but I could not read the letters on the keys. He suggested that I consider a desktop again since I do not travel, and that it would be much faster and easier to use. So, I agreed, and after returning the laptop, I decided to go for another desktop. Before the new PC arrived, Vincent had saved all my files and identified all the programs I had on the old computer. This new low cost desktop PC is fantastic. He loaded all my apps and set up my email to be launched with just the touch of a key now, instead of taking about 2 minutes to bring up on the old computer. I went from thinking of a computer as a necessary evil to now enjoying using it a lot. Thanks so much!
Art Fichtner,
Phoenix, AZ