Buying recovered and refurbished equipment is gentle on the budget, but
it's not always to find a reliable vendor. Those in the Baltimore area
don't have to worry--PCRetro is in several locations, and backs up its
promises. Christopher Scott, chief operations officer, chats about
testing machines, and refining the price and product mix.
How did PCRetro get started?
PCRetro was founded with the intention of offering inexpensive options
to the high cost of computers. We supply business class machines that
have been recovered from corporate America to the general public and
small business owners. Our company has grown to a staff of 35 in four
locations, with three retail stores, from Glen Burnie and Beltsville in
Maryland to Falls Church, Va. We have two sister companies that come
under the same umbrella, Computer Warehouse in Virginia and Capitol
Asset Recovery, which is the purchasing arm. Central to the whole
business are our tech departments, who thoroughly test and check each
machine so we are able to offer a 90-day warranty on all the equipment
we sell. This is unique in our industry with the low cost of machines we
have.
Why do you feel there's a need for what you provide?
Customers vote with their wallets and it is that support that makes us
what we are. The fact is that many applications do not require the
latest and greatest systems on the market. Often a used system will cost
a fraction of a new system price. The money saved can often translate
into more workstations and business applications.
How does the company fit into the used equipment market?
PCRetro has grown to become the largest computer reseller in the region.
There are no other used resellers that can even come close to both the
quality, the selection or the prices available at PCRetro. Our sister
company, Capitol Asset Recovery, constantly sources and identifies
companies who are in the process of replacing equipment. We offer a full
service of audits, data-wiping, delabeling and pick up, while being able
to pay the highest recovery in the industry.
Have you found that companies and individuals are more interested in
refurbishment now than in the past, due to environmental issues, etc.?
Occasionally people do realize that we are not only offering low cost
computer equipment, but we are also keeping the amount of IT that ends
up in landfill to a minimum, and when that's important they thank us.
Generally, though, what drives customers is the price and product mix
although service can also be a factor.
What kinds of challenges are there for your business?
Falling cost of new equipment coupled with rising prices of labor and
all other commodities is making this a progressively difficult market.
Fortunately we have found ways to increase efficiencies and keep the
equipment moving. We do not look to make huge profits on the equipment
we sell, just move it quickly to the public.
What do you like best about what you do?
Helping people gain access to the promise of information technology at
an affordable cost. We have a very loyal customer base who have been
coming to us for years. Helping people from all walks of life and
expertise gain access to affordable technology has so many rewards,
there is just no way to describe it.
do you know a local company we should cover? Let us know about it.
Send your local profile candidates to emillard@computeruser.com.
