Frequently Asked Questions
On this page:
Buying |
Pricing |
Computers |
Other Products |
Support
Buying
Pricing
Computers
Other Products
Support
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Send your question by e-mail to computer.showcase@umich.edu. We try to answer questions within 24 hours!
Buying
When is the best time to buy?
The best time to buy is when you need the product. Prices often go down or features go up over time, but waiting too long when you need to start using a product does not make sense. We do offer special promotions throughout the year. Discounts during the summer and back-to-school time periods are typically highest due to the high sales volume.
I'm a parent. What should I know about purchasing?
Thank you for visiting the online Computer Showcase. We know that many of you are shopping for your son or daughter's computer system and would like to purchase products from us directly. Our business rules (associated with the educational discounts and licenses provided by our vendor partners) dictate that we must match each sale directly to a registered U-M student.
The easiest way to purchase is to come in with your student at the time of pick up so that we can charge your credit card. Please note that your student will be required to show UMID and sign U-M's software licensing agreement(s) at that time.
The only way we can release a student's order to another party (including a parent) is for the student to sign the software licensing agreement in advance AND tell us who will be picking up and paying for the order. Your student should send this request (using his/her U-M mail account) to computer.showcase@umich.edu.
Parents who are not on campus and wish to pay for their student's computer package may do so by authorizing the purchase over the phone at the time of pick up. We will need to talk to the cardholder personally. For security reasons, please do not give your student a credit card number to use (that is not his/hers) or send us credit card information via e-mail. Please contact Marian DeTone, 734-764-9216, if you have questions about credit card authorizations for Showcase purchases.
All of our communications regarding purchases (confirmations, back-orders, etc.) are directed to the student's U-M e-mail account since we consider the student the official "purchaser."
I'm a new student. What should I know about purchasing?
New students often seek help selecting a system for use at the University of Michigan. We provide a set of general recommendations, and some schools and colleges have their own recommendations or even requirements. For these recommendations, see our
Computer Systems for Incoming Students page.
Can temporary employees, retirees, or alumni buy software? What are the rules?
You must be a faculty or regular (not temporary) staff member
or a student to purchase from the Showcase. Emeritus faculty may also purchase from us. Retired staff and alumni are
not permitted to buy. See our
eligibility page for details.
Can I make a departmental purchase at the Showcase? Do you accept PCards?
In most cases, departmental orders should go through the departmental ordering process. However, as a convenience to departments, we are able to sell many of our products on a limited basis. See our
departmental orders page for more information.
We cannot accept a PCard, as it is intended for use outside the University only.
Do you accept credit cards?
Yes, we accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover credit cards.
Do you offer payroll deduction or loans if I purchase a computer?
Yes, our payroll deduction program is available to faculty and regular staff only. For more information, see our
payroll deductions page. The Computer Showcase does not arrange financing for computer purchases, although the U-M Credit Union may be able to help you.
What is your return policy?
Returns must be made within 10 business days with original packaging and your receipt. If a product is defective, a replacement will be made. If you changed your mind about a product, a 10% fee will be deducted from the return amount. Please note that Microsoft, other licensed products, and open software are
not returnable.
Are you ever open on weekends or holidays?
We are open selected hours on Labor Day weekend because that's a very busy move-in period for Fall term.
Pricing
What kinds of discounts do you offer?
On items we stock, our discount typically ranges from 5% to 20% for hardware, and 20% to 80% for software. Keep in mind we are a not-for-profit reseller and part of the University of Michigan, so markups cover the cost of our sales program only. The purpose of the Showcase is to serve the University of Michigan community, including students, faculty, and staff.
Do you have a printed price list?
No, because products specs and prices tend to change frequently. Current prices (and availability) can be viewed online at any time on our website.
Why is Microsoft software so inexpensive?
The University signed a campus-wide agreement with Microsoft, permitting great price savings on many of their products. You can read more on the ITS
Microsoft page.
Computers
What's better to use on campus, Mac or PC?
It depends on personal preference and your academic program. Many education, art, and music students favor the UNIX-based Mac OS, whereas many business, law, and other students prefer Windows-based computers. In any case, you can be successful on either platform. We strongly suggest that you check with your school or college to learn which is preferred in your academic discipline.
Does Microsoft Office or any other software come pre-installed on new computers?
It varies with the manufacturer, but we often ask manufacturers NOT to include software since it adds to the price and we can usually sell the software to you at a lower cost than they can. At various times of the year, we do offer computer packages that include an uninstalled copy of Microsoft Office with the purchase.
Other Products
What is the difference between academic and regular software versions?
The short answer is: only the price (plus, you must be eligible to purchase an academic version). Licensed software often comes only with online help resources (i.e., no printed documentation).
Why is Microsoft software so inexpensive?
The University signed a campus-wide agreement with Microsoft, permitting great price savings on many of their products. You can read more on the ITS
Microsoft page.
Is the U-M campus wireless accessible?
Many parts of the campus offer wireless connectivity. Please note that most residence hall rooms feature Ethernet (not wireless) access, although common areas in residence halls often do have wireless. The currently recommended network card is IEEE 802.11a/b/g. The next generation will be USB 802.11n. U-M has a website devoted to the
most up-to-date campus wireless information.
Which types of printer cartridges do you sell?
It's challenging for us to stock cartridges due to the variety of printers on the market. However, we do stock
some HP ink cartridges.
Support
What kind of warranties does the Showcase offer on new computers?
See our
warranty information page.
Where can I turn for help with my computing questions?
The telephone consultants at 764-HELP are trained to assist with questions related to the campus computing environment. They can answer operating system (OS) questions pertaining to connectivity problems, virus issues, U-M wireless access, and U-M provided services (such as e-mail, printing or file-sharing). Questions pertaining to commercial software and hardware products should be directed to the vendor's product support hotline or website. Residence Hall Ethernet questions are handled by ResComp consultants (764-6208).
Do you repair computer hardware?
Yes, our
Computer Support & Repair Service offers in-warranty repair on Dell and Apple computers as well as a variety of support and maintenance services for all kinds of computers, in warranty and out.
Do you do data recovery?
Unfortunately, we don't provide this service. However, the Cell & Developmental Biology department runs a
Data Recovery Service for both Macs and PCs.
Can you help with software repairs or upgrades?
Yes! We also offer a reasonably priced software troubleshooting and hardware/software upgrade service. However, we cannot work on notebooks unless we have the AC adaptor (charger) and the original system discs that came with the computer. Read more about our
Support Service.
Can you install software and/or memory for me?
Yes, the usual fee is $15 for the first application or installation. You would need to purchase additional memory from another vendor (we don't sell memory) and/or software (which we do sell). For more information, see our
Support Service page.
I need help with computer maintenance (virus scanning/removal, hardware upgrades, data backup, etc.). Can you do this for me?
Yes, we offer a software troubleshooting and hardware/software upgrade service. For more information, see our
Support Service page.
I'm having problems installing the Microsoft Office product I bought from the Showcase.
Be sure to remove all prior versions of Office (Mac or Win), including trial versions sometimes included by computer manufacturers. Then reinstall the Showcase-purchased version, and enter the serial number or keycode when prompted.
I'm having problems with a product I recently purchased from the Showcase. Who can I talk to?
Call our store (734-647-2537) and talk to any of our consultants. If you are unhappy with the purchase, ask to speak to a manager.
Returns must be made within 10 business days with original packaging and receipt. If a product is defective, a replacement will be made. If you changed your mind and no longer want the product, a 10% or $100 fee (whichever is less) will be deducted from the return amount. Microsoft and other licensed products may
not be returned.
How do I contact the Showcase?
The Showcase uses one e-mail address, computer.showcase@umich.edu for all correspondence related to Showcase business. Mail is read frequently and routed to the appropriate staff member for action. Please use this address for all correspondence regarding purchasing, current or past orders, warranty or licensing questions, employment inquiries, or other business.
Please do not send credit card information via e-mail: we will contact you with other instructions if credit card information is required.
Phones & Fax:
We are not always able to answer our phones when we are busy with customers. However, please leave a message and we'll return your call as soon as we can. We apologize for the inconvenience. Your patience is appreciated.
Showcase Central (Michigan Union): 734-647-2537
Showcase North (Pierpont Commons): 734-647-9678
Showcase FAX: 734-763-4840
Judy Dean (734-763-8939) is the manager of the U-M Computer Showcase.
