THE Buying Game.

Offers advice for purchasing a personal computer. Results of a survey of 'PC World' readers' shopping experiences; Comparison of buying computers from a retail store, over the Internet, or by phone; Comparison of buying a computer at Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, Gateway Country, Office Depot, and Staples; Variety of computer selection by shopping over the Internet; Benefit of assistance from real people when buying over the phone. INSET: Store Detective, by Harry McCracken.