Nghe An: Used computers 'attract customers' at the beginning of the school year

High demand

This school year, all levels of education are being taught online at home, so some families have had to buy two computers or two smartphones. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Ms. Hoang Thi Phuong (Thai Son commune, Do Luong district) is a primary school teacher, with 2 children who are both secondary school students. Entering the new school year 2021-2022, all 3 mother and children areonline teaching, accordingly, 3 computers are needed to use.

Ms. Phuong said: “The whole family has only had one computer for the mother to prepare lessons, sometimes the two children use it together to refer to some programs on the internet. Now that we are studying online, all three of us need this device to study and work. For now, I have asked an acquaintance to buy me a used computer for 4 million VND to study temporarily, and the other child still has to use a smartphone to study.”

There are families with 4-5 children studying at the same grade level, because they study at the same time, they need 5computer for study. Ms. Nguyen Thi Truc (Hung Dong, Vinh City) said: “My parents work far away and send my 5 grandchildren to their grandparents to take care of. This school year, according to the school's announcement, we will study online, so we have to buy computers for studying. After consulting, I found that new computers are beyond my financial capacity, so I am looking to buy used computers. According to the price list, each computer costs about 4-5 million VND, not including the cost of buying headphones, webcam, and installing the network…”, Ms. Truc said.

Laptops, tablets, and mobile phones are tools for online teaching and learning and online working. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Due to the prolonged epidemic, most companies, businesses and agencies have switched towork online,Demand for laptops and tablets for work has increased. Ms. Nguyen Thu Hien, a warehouse employee at a company in Bac Vinh Industrial Park, said: “Normally, I work at the company, using the company's desktop computer to enter data. Now, some departments that are not directly involved in the production line are arranged to work from home. This data entry job requires a computer, so this time I have to buy a computer to work.”

Old computers are out of stock.

Old computers are sought after by many people because they are suitable for the income of most customers. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Demand is high socomputer marketis very exciting, especially the old computers. According to the owner of a store specializing in old computers on Doc Thiet Street (Vinh City), old computers are currently being sought after a lot, customers are placing orders and closing orders continuously, sometimes there is a shortage of goods. Customers' requirements are cheap prices, durable batteries, no need for high configuration. Currently, the prices of old computers range from 3.2 to 6 million VND/computer. Most of the customers are parents in the districts, who have placed orders in advance.

“Old, low-end, low-configuration machines also have certain limitations. However, this type of machine is suitable for the finances of most customers, so many people are looking to buy it. When buying a used computer, buyers should research carefully, go to reputable stores, and avoid buying a machine that is too old and broken…”, said Mr. Hoang Dinh Kieu, owner of a used computer store in Vinh.

The price of used computers ranges from 3.2 million VND to 7 million VND in the mid-range segment, but the quantity of goods is quite small, not enough to meet customer demand. Photo: Thanh Phuc

On websites about used computers in Nghe An, the number of visitors coming to consult about the models, prices and making orders is quite large. There are many models that have just been posted for sale, less than 1 hour later, someone bought them and hung a sign: Out of stock!.

At this time, Vinh City is in the days of social distancing, all computer stores are temporarily closed according to regulations to prevent the epidemic. However, according to some stores and dealers, the number of customersOrder onlineincreased, even some models are selling well, customers have to deposit to hold the goods and some types have to wait for the goods. Retailers also admit that some laptop models are at risk of shortage due to increased purchasing power, while the supply is having problems due to the Covid-19 epidemic.

Since the beginning of August, the number of customers looking to buy computers has increased, mainly civil servants and students. Photo: Thanh Phuc (taken before the social distancing period).

Ms. Nguyen Khanh Chi, in charge of business of an electronics company on Le Loi Street (Vinh City) said: “Since the beginning of August, especially when agencies, units, and businesses switched to working online and the education sector decided to study online, customers have rushed to buy computers. The number of purchases increased by about 50% compared to before and doubled compared to the same period last year. Customers are mainly office workers, students and parents with children in high school. Most of them asked to buy mid-range laptops from 8-10 million VND”.

At retail stores in the districts, many parents are looking to buy online learning tools. Photo: Thanh Phuc

According to the company's representative, due to the epidemic, transportation is difficult, goods circulate slower than usual, so many models in the mid-range price segment are "out of stock", not available for customers to pick up immediately but must be ordered a week in advance.

Not only laptops but also phones and tablets are hot-selling items this time because for customers with limited finances, this is also a choice to serve their children's learning. "Tablets priced from 4 to 8 million VND and phones from 3 to 5 million VND/unit are selling quite well this time. On average, the store closes orders for 10 to 15 tablets and more than 10 phones each day."

Mobile phones, tablets, headphones, webcams... are also in high demand during this time. Photo: Thanh Phuc

To attract customers on occasionnew school yearRetail stores are running promotions for students in the following forms: 5% - 20% discount, free accessories, free shopping vouchers, 0% installment payments.../.

Thanh Phuc