Hewlett-Packard has completed its tie-up with web reseller Supplyzone, allowing consumers to buy computer hardware online as they would the latest best-selling novel from Amazon.com.
But the computer manufacturer is making sure the tie-up will not upset its distributors by including them in the process and maintaining itsexclusive deals with retailers for the home PC range.
The "Shop in Shop" will carry most Hewlett-Packard products online, with registered users having the choice of lease-to-own options or paying by cheque or credit card.
Supplyzone director Neil Taylor said the online reseller worked with Hewlett-Packard's distributors to arrange delivery nationwide for $8 an item.
Orders placed early in the morning could be delivered that same afternoon.
The bulk of the site's content comes from Tech Pacific and Hewlett-Packard, which provides content and Flash animations from www.hp.com.
Several more online tie-ups with resellers worldwide will follow as part of a drive for online sales.
But home-computer buyers will not find much of interest at Supplyzone just yet. The entire Pavilion PC range is restricted to retail outlets and the company's own web offering, such as www.hponline.co.nz.
However, Hewlett-Packard's business PCs and notebooks are available online.
Mr Taylor says there will usually be little difference in price between Supplyzone and retailers, but a browse of comparative sites showed reasonably competitive pricing.
Online buyers can pick up a Hewlett-Packard CD writer 9900ci from Supplyzone for $856.32 plus GST. That is more expensive than competing online supplier Acquire's $825 plus GST, but vastly better than the $1483 including GST advertised at Hewlett-Packard's online shopfront.
