You’ve heard about petrol stations jacking up prices overnight. You’ve seen the headlines about supermarkets squeezing consumers. But right now, laptop retailers are at it just as hard, and it’s barely getting any attention.
I’ve been warning you about this for a while. From AI driving up the cost of computer parts, to my laptop price increase warning, and most recently the Intel and AMD CPU price hikes confirmed just last week. That warning has now fully landed. Prices have moved this week, and it is not pretty.
This Is Not Just Passing on a Cost Increase
Let’s be clear about what’s actually happening here.
Yes, Intel and AMD have pushed through CPU price increases. Yes, HP has confirmed price rises. Yes, component prices have risen sharply global. Yes, there is a conflict in the Middle-East. Those are real, and price movement at retail is expected.
But what we’re seeing right now goes well beyond that. Retailers, and we mean many, many retailers, are repricing stock that has been sitting on their shelves for months. Stock they bought six months ago (maybe even longer). Stock they paid the old price for. Stock that has already been paid for and warehoused long before any of these increases hit.
They didn’t pay more for it. They are just charging more for it because the market gives them cover to do so.
We’re talking price hikes of 10% to 30% on existing inventory. On some models, even more. That is not cost recovery. That is gouging, full stop.
Everyone Is At It
Don’t assume your favourite store is playing it straight right now. Both the big-box retailers and the independent specialist IT stores are doing this. Some are being more aggressive than others, but the pattern is widespread.
Prices that were perfectly reasonable just a few days ago have been quietly updated overnight. No announcement. No explanation. Just a higher number where a lower one used to be.
This is exactly what happens at the servo when oil prices twitch. Prices go up immediately and come down slowly… The laptop market is doing the same thing right now, and consumers are copping it.
What You Can Do About It
Here’s the good news. You don’t have to just wear it.
Haggle. Seriously.
Most people don’t realise you can negotiate on laptops, especially at independent and specialist retailers. Walk in, or call up, and ask for their best price. Ask for a written quote. Then use that quote at another store and ask them to beat it.
Don’t be shy about saying:
- “This model was cheaper two days ago, what happened?”
- “This stock has been on your shelf for months, you didn’t pay the new price for it.”
- “I have a quote from [competitor] for less, can you beat it?”
You would be surprised how often a retailer will come down when a customer is informed and pushes back. The worst they can say is no.
Do your homework before you walk in the door.
- Check Staticice and Google Shopping to see what a model has been selling for recently, not just what it’s listed at today. Google Shopping can even give you historical prices for many items – very useful
- Look at whether the price has changed in the last few days. If it has jumped recently, that’s your leverage.
- Officeworks offers a 5% Price Beat Guarantee, which can work in your favour if you find a lower price elsewhere.
Don’t get pressured into buying quickly.
Retailers want you to feel like you need to act now before prices go up further. That urgency is a sales tactic. Take your time, compare properly, and negotiate.
The Bottom Line
What’s happening in the laptop market right now is the same story we see at the servo and the supermarket, just without the media coverage. Retailers are making the most of a messed up PC market and inflation pressures to quietly boost their margins on stock they’ve had for months.
You have every right to push back. Ask questions, request quotes, and don’t be afraid to call it out. An informed buyer is a retailer’s least favourite customer, and right now that’s exactly what you need to be.
