Best retailers for key products

Here are some retailers to consider first depending on what you're buying:

Computers. When you compare electronic retailers, check out nonmanufacturer Web retailers such as PC Connection, Newegg.com, TigerDirect.com, and Amazon.com for a wide range of brands. But you'll probably have less flexibility to customize than when buying from the manufacturer. Apple ranked at the top for direct Web sales by manufacturers and for retail stores. Regardless of where they bought, computer buyers also found it very useful to go to manufacturers' sites, which offer detailed comparisons of models within a brand.

TVs. Amazon.com, Crutchfield.com, and other top online retailers, along with independent retailers and Costco walk-in stores, ranked higher for satisfaction than familiar national chains such as Best Buy and Circuit City. But compare electronic retailers and you'll find that Tweeter, an audio-video chain with stores on the East Coast and in Illinois, Texas, and Arizona, matched the independents across the board. (The chain was recently sold.) Video Only, a TV-focused chain with stores in California, Oregon, and Washington state, was comparable to Tweeter in overall satisfaction, though it didn't score quite as high in product quality. Both chains stood out for customer service and checkout speed.

Digital cameras. With a camera, there's even more reason than with other major electronics purchases to compare electronic retailers and buy from a top online site such as Crutchfield.com or Amazon.com. Shipping costs are less of an issue than with TVs and bigger items, and the online advantage in selection was even wider in our surveys.