Major price drops at Dell Outlet for M11x. Sign of a big sale or M11x refresh?!?!

I noticed a major price drop on M11x R2 models.
I've been monitoring the Dell outlet for a few weeks now,
since the 25% discount, and I'm contemplating on buying a M11x.

Some examples:

i5 | 160GB (5400 RPM) | 4GB -> $839...last night was $909

i7 | 160GB (5400 RPM) | 4GB -> $899...last night was $1019

No problem with those HDDs, just add a faster HDD or SSD.

Add another 25% discount, that's an awesome deal!
Even with the hinge issues.

Damn you Alienware....I'm being pushed to returning my new notebook
and getting an M11x!

 

25% Coupon does not work

 

the price drop is probably because there is no available coupon lol

 

I dunno, I got an Alienware M11x i7 w/ 4GB RAM and a 500GB 7200RPM HD for $975 shipped from the Dell Outlet. You do know these laptops are refurbished, or dent/scratch returns though, right? I was lucky and was able to use a 20% discount on mine, in addition the the already discounted price. I think they're probably just trying to get rid of stock.

There was a REALLY sweet fully loaded M11x i7 with an SSD and 8GB RAM for around $1300 or so last time I was on there. If I could have afforded it I would have grabbed it.

 

They are sold from Dell Outlet as either refurbished, or dent and scratch stock. I bought a refurbished model, because I assumed a dent and scratch stock would not look new.

My refurbished M11x R2 was in like new condition, aside from the big "Refurbished" sticker on the bottom... and the fact that it didn't come with the nice fancy packaging you get when ordering a new one. But there was "Refurbished" and "Sratch and Dent" stock. As I replied to the previous post, I assumed that the "Scratch and Dent" selection would not look as nice as the "Refurbished" one, so I paid a little bit more to get one that was refurbished, and I guess I got lucky, mine looks brand new.

 

i guess i smell the next revision coming with a new GPU. hmmm an ATI card would be a good change.

 

The list prices are lower, but the purchasing prices are higher. I found the exact system I bought using the 25% coupon:


Alienware M11x R2 Laptop
Intel Core i7-640UM Processor (4M Cache, 1.20 GHz)
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
320 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
4 GB DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz (2 DIMMs)
1 GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 335 M
Today: $949
Last week: $809 (using coupon)

Based on what I've read about negotiating with Dell over the phone, I still think you could probably call a rep and get the same price if you're nice and persuasive. It might help to bring up the hinge issue and reference the thread here with ~100 owners who've had repairs done (some multiple times).

 

Yes, with the decreasing prices
plus an additional 25% off coupon code equals
awesome M11x bargains.

The specific cofiguration you mentioned
with today's price of ($949), if there was a 25%
coupon code would be a great price of ($711.75).
That would be awesome!

I'm eagerly awaiting for a new 25% off coupon
code to be emailed or posted online, then I'll
make a purchase.

Thanks! I'll try a sales rep to add an additional 25%. Hehe!

Come on Alienware, lots of new M11x customers
just waiting for a new coupon code, ready to buy M11x refurbs.

 

True, that would be an amazing price, and it might be possible if the low list prices are actually an indication of an imminent platform refresh.

But (there's always a 'but' ) I still think the coupons are only a gimmick to create a false sense of urgency and a false impression of savings. With a coupon nearly expiring, the average consumer would think "This is a HUGE discount, and I only have a few days left to get it! I don't have time to decide, but I can't afford to miss this great opportunity".

I've never tracked prices vs. coupon availability myself, but many people say there is a direct link:
Coupon available = High list prices
No coupon available = Low list prices

 

Oh, okay.

So you're one of the many that purchased an M11x refurb and it's
in excellent condition. That's great, awesome!

See, it's a post like yours, and many others, that gives me the confidence
and have no worries in buying an M11x refurb. Thanks!

If there's any damage/defects, then I'll take advantage of the excellent
Dell/Alienware warranty.

 

I've been following M11x prices
since late Sept up to the present.

During that span, there have been two 25% coupon
codes. When those codes ended, there wasn't a drastic
price increase.

I've noticed a gradual price decrease during that period,
then a significant price decrease yesterday. An example
is the price from one day of $1019 to $899. A $120 price difference.

I'll definitely observe if the price increases up to $120
when the next 25% promo coupon code is released. Hopefully
that big increase doesn't occur. Since late Sept, after two 25% coupon codes,
I haven't noticed prices raised $120.

 

It seems to me discounts on new versions would signal a refresh, not on refurbs. They're always going to have refurbs for sale (since they break and are refurb'd probably every day), so why bother discounting them just because a new version is coming out?

IIRC, when the R2 came out, new R1s were discounted. An R1 with bluetooth, 320gb hd, 4gb ram was $704 shipped a week or two before the R2s were released.

 

I remember that. I was just one click away from ordering one... when I had a sneaky suspicion that something new was right around the corner.

 

with the holidays closer its not uncommon for dell to drop prices to encourage holiday shoppers to spend money now.

 

Dell Outlet emailed subscribers a 15% coupon code several hours ago, I received the same coupon.

I made screenshots from the Dell Outlet Laptop Inventory price listings every other day or so, since late Sept., to monitor prices.

I compared the current prices with the screenshots from the last few days, and there weren't any price increases when the 15% coupon code was released.

So the criticisms that many people say that the Dell Outlet raises prices prior
to releasing a coupon code is incorrect. Well, that's my observations only
from late Sept to the present.

I'll be monitoring prices through Black Friday, Cyber Monday, & Christmas
or until I make my purchase. The prices are getting better and better.

 

Actually, you just fell for the marketing gimmick that I was explaining This is a great example of their tricks in action though.

While the list prices were higher, there was a bigger coupon (25%). Now that the list prices are lower, they've released a small coupon (15%). In the end, it's exactly the same price.

My system was $1,079 before applying the 25% coupon, and it is now listed for $949.
1079 * .75 = $809.25
949 * .85 = $806.65
Savings = $2.60

It's as close as they could possibly come to the same final price while still having a list price that ends with the number "9" (another old marketing gimmick). For all intents and purposes, the prices have not changed at all.

 

As I mentioned in my previous posts, I've been monitoring prices
since late Sept.

In that period two 25% coupons were released, no
where did I mention any other coupons.

No drastic price increases, but a gradual price decrease.


Why are you comparing the 15% coupon and calculating final prices with that
when in my previous posts I've been doing comparisons with the 25% coupons.

I only mentioned the 15% coupon, because you claim that there's a price increase whenever there is a coupon. Well, that price increase did not occur.

Let's wait now when the next 25% coupon is released if there is a drastic price increase.

Just like your system, you say it was $1079 when there was a 25% coupon.
Now the current price is $949. A price decrease of $130. Will the price
increase up to $130 when the next 25% coupon is released? We''ll wait and see. Hopefully not.

What's your point in comparing a 15% coupon with a 25% coupon? All I've been comparing are 25% coupons and the gradual price decrease.

Let's wait and see to do price comparisons and price increase/decrease
analysis when the next 25% coupon is released.

 

this is funny, interesting to say the least. Any time Iv ever seen the outlet, the prices are always elevated before a good deal.

 

I'm comparing the 25% and 15% coupon because the purchase prices are still identical. They play some games with a few numbers, but the only number that really matters doesn't change. Maybe they'll release another 25% coupon, or maybe they won't... the actual value of the m11x decreases with every month that passes though, that's just how fast technology moves now.

Given the nature of computers, the price MUST decrease eventually if they want to avoid having stockpiles of old inventory sitting in a warehouse forever. Intel will be releasing their new line of processors in January (if I remember correctly) and that will instantly decrease the price people will pay for current computers. I'm sure we'll be seeing announcements about the "next gen" laptops any week now.

 

Yes, the prices are still identical, but the prices never increased.
That's the point.

You stated that whenever there's a coupon code released, there's an
increase in price.

You claim Dell is using a "marketing gimmick" and
"play some games with numbers". Well, since my observations,
from late Sept to the present, prices have decreased
and a bargain with the last two 25% coupon codes.

A price comparison between a 15% & 25% coupon is irrelevant.
My main points are 25% coupons with price fluctuations.

So, using your example of $1079 -> $949,
we'll wait and see when the next 25% coupon is available, if the price will
increase (up to $130) back to the $1079 range. Then that's when a comparison can be made.
And if Dell is using a "marketing gimmick" and "play some games with numbers".