Siemens cash deal on PCs a boon for Vars

Siemens Computer Systems has launched its trade-in operation, which offers up to £345 off its own models through resellers.

The manufacturer will accept a wide range of brands for the trade-in offer, including Compaq, Dell, Digital, Fujitsu, Hewlett Packard, IBM and Toshiba.

The scheme is planned to run in conjunction with a number of other Siemens offers. The trade-in prices range from £5 for a 14in SVGA monitor to £345 for a Pentium II 233.

Ian Davidson, marketing manager at Siemens, said: "As a single purchase, this represents an excellent offer, but for those organisations looking to replace their remaining systems which are not year 2000 compliant - particularly local government and the education sector - the numbers are even more compelling."

A spokesman for Siemens added that it would be the easiest and most environmentally friendly way of updating PCs. "It is a very cost-effective way of replacing systems. For re-sellers, it's a good way to establish or cement a strong relationship with a client.

"The other advantage for the reseller is that they do not have to deal with the old kit. It is sent directly to us."

Davidson added: "Our reseller hotline has not stopped since the offer started. Resellers have been eager to get involved."

He claimed that the UK offer followed successful programmes that ran in Germany and Italy.

Davidson went on to add that the trade-in deal would run until the end of September.