Buying computers? Invest on peace of mind

MANILA, Philippines - Considered a first in the country’s information technology (IT) industry, computer retailer Accent Micro Products Inc. has started offering extended warranty of additional 1 year or additional two years  to buyers of computer brands it carries as the company sees increased consumption of  notebooks and desktop computers in the local market.

“As an innovation to information technology retailing, we are offering extended warranty protection plans  to our consumers as more and more Filipinos today use laptops or notebooks and desktops for personal or business purposes,” said Derick Yu, president of Accent Micro Products Inc..

Research firm IDC predicted early this year that a “revitalized and sustained growth” in the country’s information and communications technology (ICT) spending in 2011 would boost local IT spending, which is expected to reach USD 3.63 billion.

IDC Philippines said that “political stability and upbeat direction of the economy has fostered confidence among vendors to spend on marketing efforts,” while consumers would spend as the both the economy and their purchasing power improve.

“Getting connected is also a major growth driver for personal computer users in the country as more Filipinos go online and rely on computers for information and entertainment,” Yu said.

Yu said that customers of Accent Micro and PC Live can get either a one-year or a two-year protection plan against mechanical and electrical breakdown for their notebooks, laptops and desktop computers on top of the one-year manufacturer’s warranty coverage. The company will pay for the cost of repairs, replace the product for its “sudden and unexpected” failure,  up to  its original price or current fair market value.

Accent Micro customers who experience a product breakdown only need to present the product and their Accent Micro Protection Plan to the company’s service center together with the original purchase receipt.

“It is a good long-term investment especially for Filipinos who, according to one study in the United Kingdom, hold on to their computers for as long as seven years. Companies can also benefit from the computer protection plans as more of their workers are mobile or off-site and need computers that can handle their productivity needs,” Yu said.