What Consumers Can Do

This is not the first time I've stated the steps you can take, but I'll state them again just in case you missed one of my earlier articles; I've also added a few new ones:

• General consumers and computer enthusiasts alike need to quit rushing to the "slaughter house", patience before buying will save you in the long run



• Put more credibility in those reviews done by that handful of sites that actually evaluate off-the-shelf products and not manufacturer supplied "engineering samples"



• "Put your money where your mouth is", in that if a manufacturer's recent product(s) have not lived up to their advertised standard buy from one whose products have



• If you feel wronged by a purchase avail yourself of various consumer rights groups and let your story be known, there are likely many having the same problems and there's strength in numbers



• Be aware of local, state, and national consumer protection laws that protect you from consumer fraud, yeah I said fraud! If a product is knowingly misrepresented by the manufacturer it's quite simply fraud and again there's strength in numbers



• Let others know of the problems you are experiencing before they make the same mistake



• In your efforts to help the rest of us, please always be honest about any blame that you may share in what happened (or in some cases didn't happen)



• Stop creating a venue for the marketing hype, if you don't expect a product until it's properly completed, chances are much better it will be just that



• Remember you are the consumer, make an informed decision on what to purchase realizing your hard earned $$ are dear to you and also very necessary to assure the manufacturer and vendor's success



• Readily suggest to manufactures and vendor's changes you'd like to see in there product for its betterment…where possible work as their partner and not their adversary



• Volunteer to help! Beta test their hardware/software acting as a partner to help them make it better