I am not a technical person.

Let me first paint a picture: I still have my IBM Selectric typewriter with carbon paper. I prefer writing with a pencil and paper - I have a favorite lead pencil.

As far as gathering research - I miss the old fashion card catalogues at the library. Remember when you'd pull out a drawer and take it back to your table? The mysteries that could be discovered in the drawer DEA-DRO - were immeasurable.

However, I own a business and know, in my head, the importance of being current with technology.

And so it was at the beginning of the summer that I realized I needed to upgrade my computer. My son would benefit from my existing laptop and I would get something new.

I am not a procrastinator by nature, but you'll notice that summer is coming to an end - and until yesterday, I had not made the purchase.

Why?

I didn't have a clue where to begin.

All of the computers in our house are Dell and so I figured I would start with their website. They have a fun little "build your own" feature, kind of like Build a Bear where you add a little of this and a little of that, make a wish and presto chango - you have a computer.

Here's the problem with that - how do you know if you are buying the right amount of techno-junk necessary so it does what you want with room to grow?

I filled out the little survey two different ways - coming up with two totally different computers both roughly $3,500 in price. Holy smokes - that's a lot of money to spend and not know what you are buying.

Thus, the reason I haven't hit the PURCHASE button.

But in the mail on Friday I received a Dell flyer with information of which I'd previously been unaware - they have stores with real people!

So yesterday I took my daughter shopping - I brought my daughter because even though I was shopping for a computer - she heard "shopping" and was sitting in the car before I'd even found my shoes.

Off we go to the Dell kiosk and I just have to say THEY WERE WONDERFUL.

Ciara was my salesperson and she listened and asked questions and listened some more and only after she'd listened to all my answers did she begin to build my computer with just what I needed and not too much more.

When there was an option to add, she'd ask clarifying questions before determining if I really needed the option. Never in the 30 minutes that we spent together did I feel pressured or SOLD to. In fact, I had to stop myself from hugging her at the end of the transaction.

Why? Because she took a challenging, unpleasant experience and made it enjoyable. Not only that but she saved me $1,000! Of course my daughter heard that and quickly led me to the Limited Too.

Here is the lesson. There is hope for us Techno-phobes. There are still real people who will spend the time to listen to your needs and find just the perfect product to meet those needs!

Thanks to Ciara and to Dell for building those little stores.

Of course the next challenge will be opening the boxes...but we'll save that for next week when they arrive.

Am I the only non-techie out there? Should I assume that because you are on the computer, reading blogs and posting your own that you are comfortable with all of the techno-babble associated with making techie purchases?

Do you have recommendations for others like me? Be nice.

Click here to find a Dell Direct store near you.