AW/DELL Ordering Advice - How to save $$$

I heard from slickdeals that BCB will not work with EPP

 

Any chance that the Bing Cashback will stack with the $50 coupon you get if you sign-up for the Dell Home and Home Office Subcription Center? Also, does the Bing Cashback apply before S&H and taxes, or after?

 

I don't think it will work on EPP

 

I don't know about that coupon. All I have is $50 off builds on the EPP webpage. I hope it applies after, but I think it's not usual. It seems the only company that has enough balls to avoid charging sales tax is newegg (but they don't sell m11x).

I guess for m11x, it's not a big deal if it doesn't stack with EPP build. Since most of the discount is wasted on cancelling out crappy anti-virus (valued $85). That's not considering $50 off coupon though. EPP is a big ripoff in any case.

 

EPP for the m11x is a sham but for the m17x the discount holds up because there isn't a default configuration like the m11x.

 

I agree, good point. m15x is also pretty nice deal on EPP, you can get configuration starting from $1100 - with Intel i3 but still... not bad.

 

Think I´m gonna buy an AW M15X before I leave the US, right now I´m an exchange student. I have acces to the EPP discount and the DPA discount, and I hope I´m gonna be able to get some extra off like you guys !

What do you think I could get this system for and you think it´s good or should I change something? I don´t need the best because when I play a game I only play games like counter strike and warcraft 3 with some friends but I still wanna be able to play some newer games in case I would want to . Was thinking something like this:

Base System Color Alienware M15x, Cosmic Black ADBLKN [224-8215]
Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English AW7HP6E [420-6436][420-9691][421-1400]
Processor Intel® Core™ i5-540M 2.53GHz (3.06Ghz Turbo Mode, 3M cache) 540MA [317-3838]
Memory 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz 4GB [317-2403]
LCD Display 15.6-inch WideHD+ 1600x900 (900p) WLED LCD900 [320-0934]
Video Card 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 240M GT240 [320-0937]
Hard Drive 128GB Solid State Drive 128SSD [341-9755]
AlienFX AlienFX Quasar Blue BLUE [313-8792][421-1590]
Avatar Alien Cyborg AVITR4 [421-1584]
Adobe Reader Acrobat SW Adobe Acrobat Reader ADOBER [410-1883]
Optical Drives Slot-Load Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+-RW, CD-RW) DVDRWRX [313-8565][421-1304][421-1305]
Sound Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio IS [313-8944]
Wireless Wireless 1520 802.11n Half Mini-Card DW1520 [430-3774]
Automatic Updates Automatic Updates: On AUTOON [330-6348]
Security Software McAfee® VirusScan Plus – 30-Day Free Trial (English) 7MCF30E [410-0203]
Primary Battery Primary - 6-cell (56Watt) Lithium-Ion Battery BTTRY6C [312-0205]
Service 1Year Advanced Service Plan plus Lojack S1CCLJ [420-8651][421-1719][421-1721][467-7771][905-3017][906-0700][988-7347][990-8029][991-1139][994-3700][994-3730]
Factory Installed Games Steam and Portal™ Factory Installed STEAM [421-1360]
Wallpapers Alien Cyborg WAL4 [421-1594]
Bluetooth Internal Bluetooth 2.1 Mini-Card - 2.1 Enhanced Data Rate TM370 [430-0684]
Standard Nameplate Trigger Standard Nameplate

With the 13% off this will cost me 1534.13 dollars plus tax. How much do you guys think I could get it down to ? Awesome thread btw

 

Are there any working coupon codes out there? $50 off? $100 off? A percentage off? Anything... I've been trying random ones on the net and nothing works. I would like to get the m11x for around $850, and right now I have it at $892.80 with my config (after the bing 10% and no tax for New Hampshire).

 

Did you read the original post??

 

dr650se, who is that in your avatar? Looks like Kathryn Bigelow except younger.

 

Yes, I did, but I don't have much faith in my haggling skills. Seems like 10% off from bing and some other discount code would be much easier and a guarantee for me. Unless you think I can just call up and literally say, "I've been looking at this setup and want it for $850, give me that and I'll buy it right now," I don't see myself manipulating the sales person to get some discounts.

 

Thats why you have to go through EPP, and theres a link to sign up for discounts. When you do that they automatically send you a $50 off code. Besides, whats the worst that can happen? They say no. Not a big deal. Just call and get the discounts, after thats done let them know that your$30 short, and if they can offer it for $30 less your ready to pay. Don't be unreasonable, but you never know if you don't at least try.

 

The best EPP was willing to do for me was give me a 17 dollar discount because all the coupons have expired. So I called the regular dell sales line and got someone from Nashville. I know they work on commissions, so I basically said, if you want this to happen you are going to have to give me this configuration fo rthis price. Maybe I saved like 30-40 bucks including tax, but hey that is 5 starbucks coffees in NYC.

Just don't go crazy. Also, they will not honor the 10% EPP discount for custom alienware 11x. At least none of the 5 EPP reps I spoke to would. They just kept trying to convince me that the price they configured was already heavily discounted (which by the way I could configure myself without EPP)

GL

 

The EPP coupon expired Feb 28th BTW, and they will NOT honor. At least all the reps I spoke to would not.

 

I signed up for the EPP a few days ago, and got the discount code, but when I went to try and configure the system the code not only didn't seem to work, but the system was much more expensive with upgrades I don't want/need. You've convinced me though, I'll give them a call and use the EPP to get the 10% right off the top (work for someone that should make me eligible) and then with the $50 that should get me really close, you're right. I'll probably give it a shot tonight after work.

The config I'm going for is:
SU4100 CPU (don't need that extra 1mb cache for $100)
4GB Ram
320GB HDD
extra power supply
m11x sleeve
$1013.99

-10% EPP
$912.59

-$50 EPP
$862.59

Then try for a final price of $850 with free shipping. Sending to NH so no tax either.

I'll post back if/when I try tonight.

 

That should work. If you want a custom config, then you have to do it by phone. I wouldn't suggest any other way. They gave me the 10% for EPP. Just have to keep trying

 

If you get it down to $862 just tell them " If you take that down to an even $800 then I'll order right now from you", that seems to work for me, I got an additional $76 off.

 

No reply on my question but it´s not important, lol. Was thinking of what you said in the first post about getting warranty and atleast the advanced one because of the complete care. So my question is if the complete care covers an accident that happens outside the country? I´m from Sweden if that helps and matters.

If I can´t use it it would be a waste of money you know.

peace

 

As for the system your looking at, it looks good. I would try for $1450 and if they won't bite then an even $1500. Then try and get next business day shipping. The warranty, I think it would work for you, but I would call dell and ask first for clarification, just to be on the safe side.

 

Okey thank you ! You think it´s worth buying the i7 720 and gtx260 and skip the ssd because I can buy one later back home. Was also thinking of the value when I want to sell it and upgrade graphics and stuff like that in Sweden is really expensive.

Gonna make a script for my hostfather including all the stuff you guys have said in this thread lol. Didn´t realize you could save so much money, some people got amazing deals !

 

Yea, there were a lot of questions about deals so I started to compile a lot of it and work from experience. My job is basically based on manipulation. But yea I would skip the SSD. They don't offer the capacity as of yet. They may start getting cheaper eventually. I say this even though I have two 160GB Intel x25-M SSDs and two 256GB Samsung (dell oem) SSDs on the way. The reason I say it is because your going to see more benefit gaming with a GPU upgrade. SSDs will cut load times,but GPU will give you better frame rates and and graphics.

 

Okey sweet! Thank you for the advice man. This can save me some serious money, it´s really cool! I´ll see what I´m getting, not sure yet, and I´m gonna check with dell about the complete care part.

 

OK, I just got the e-mail from Bing. I can confirm Bing CashBack DOES WORK on Alienware.... IF you buy it from Home and Home Office store. It's pretty clear that it only applies to that. If you go through EPP, there would be no extra cashback. Cashback percentage does change daily though!

Also it appears it does stack with DPA (Dell Preferred Account) discount which I do not have since I don't have any credit rating in USA. I'm not sure if it can stack with any Dell Home and Home Office coupons.

The discount was applied to the price before taxes and shipping (shipping was $8 anyway so no big deal). Meaning I got $89.90 cashback on $899 configuration. I ordered m11x with SU4100, 4GB RAM, 250GB HD.

Oh and... I have no clue if you could have sales rep go through Bing and add the discount . And to be honest, I couldn't be bothered trying to explain. But hey, if you got a really good and nice rep... doesn't cost to try.

 

Got my Bing Cashback as well!
About $96.

Wish I had gone for 2GB ram instead of 4GB now, as I'm looking to purchase new RAM anyway.

 

I know unreal25 didn't use a coupon, but @dallow, did you use any coupon to see if the bing cashback would stack with that?

And @unreal25, if you didn't use the DPA, how do you know the two stacked?

 

Nah, no coupon for me on top.

DPA should stack as he mentioned though since I've seen mentions that it worked with other electronics sold by Dell. (from their PS3 Slim sale)

 

I was told about in this thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=465861

My _guess_ is that it stacks with whatever you can apply when you purchase something through "Dell Home, Home Office and Small Business" web site section. Which really isn't much.... only DPA? Bing took the 10% off, of the final price before tax + shipping. So I would _guess_ if you stack other coupons, you'll get 10% off, of your final discounted price. I haven't tried it myself.

 

I tried all of last week to get the EPP discount on a lower config with about 7-8 reps, no luck. I settled for the EPP config with about a 150 discount so it ended up around $1015 after taxes. Then this week there was Bing cashback so I just ended up getting the SU4100, 4GB ram upgrade for about 840 shipped.

 

AHHH!! This is driving me nuts! All I want is the m11x for a reasonable price. Two days I've tried now and they weren't there. They must go home early or something. I know they close at 6 EST, but I'm trying at like 545 (get out of work at 530). Add on top of that Bing is back down to 5%, I missed out on at least getting a guaranteed 10% off. Does anyone know how often Bing has 10% or better cash back at Dell? I might just be better off doing that.

 

No idea, but "bargains" subforum here has some nice deals. That's also where I found out about bing 10%.

 

Wow great guide! I probably never would have thought about any options. One question about ordering by phone though.
I'm only 17. Are they going to ask for my age or anything important(besides the obvious) about me?

 

rememeber to read the entire post guys and read people storys and how they talked to and approched the sales reps

 

No they won't. Age shouldn't have an affect on anything.

 

Except credit

 

No one asked me anything personal.... and I spoke with I think 7 reps total. I think you should be more careful and not have them rip you off. For example, some of the blatant lies they'll try to tell you are (but not limited to):

- I am not allowed to take any extra % off
- m11x has only 1 DIMM
- SU4100 is not dual core
- you can't make any other external DVD to work except the one sold by Dell (seriously...even insulting my intelligence....)
- it's not possible anyone has gotten any higher discount
- EPP configuration is a good value for your money

I'm glad the thread has been helpful for some - for me it was complete waste of time. I wish I had spent that time studying for my exam.... Even had one rep hang up on me in the middle of the talk. I immediately cancelled (it took 30 mins on the phone btw!) my order when I saw Bing 10% off and reordered it online. What a joke...

 

Well you are going to need a credit card, or a bank account with a debit card to pay. Other than that, they won't have any issues about you age provided that you have the funds available to pay for the machine.

 

Actually while your suggestions are good, I'd take that a couple steps further.
-Don't waste your money on HDD upgrades. Any or them. The reason I say this is because a 500GB HDD can be had for $100 (or even less) on NewEgg.
-Dell sales reps can expedite your order if you give them a good reason to (I.E. I need this for work/school)
-There's a pretty big crackdown with discounts on the M11x now. However, some reps will honor expired coupons, and will stack them with other offers going on.

 

Yeah paying for it isn't gonna be a problem, I got some cash in my bank. And even they did ask I'd just lie. Being 6'2" helps with the whole deep voice

 

I originally ordered through EPP with a semi-decent discount but wasn't too satisfied and saw Bing cashback at 10% so I canceled the EPP order and placed one online through Dell Home. Does anyone know a rep that would be willing to give me NBD shipping? Currently at 3-5 day shipping right now.

 

Just call Dell's customer server and tell them you are not happy with your shipping method and will cancel the order if they dont give you NBD shipping.

 

Oh wow, I had no idea! I chose to upgrade 160GB to 250GB for $50. Now I feel pretty stupid though.... :-/

the good side is I use 160GB out of 320GB that I have currently ...

 

Wow, spent 45mins on the phone with "Rose" tonight and it was a complete waste of time. Both coupons sent to me for signing up for EPP and AAA were expired BEFORE I even received them in my email for signing up. Then she wouldn't put on the 10% discount for a non-EPP configured system. Looks like I'll have to call back some other time. Are they open on the weekend now? Its the only time I have time to call and sit on the phone for what seems like will have to be hours to get a good deal.

 

Just try again, you will get one eventually. I am trying to ask them use the $50 coupons. They said it expired on 2/28, but on the website it said 3/31. My rep said he is checking with the marketing department to check what happened. Still waiting for response.

 

hey i just got off the phone with a sales rep and think i have an okay deal. i would kinda like some input to see if you guys think i should go a bit lower or settle. Its for an M15x i7 720qm/4gb ram/Full HD screen/GTX 260m/320GB it subtotaled originally at 1919. but i got her to drop it down to 1593, this is including a DPA discount. Would u settle at this or try again?

 

Am i getting taken to the cleaners?

M15x, i7-820qm, 260m, 500gb HDD, 4mgb 1333 RAM, everything else standard... $1,860

What do you guys think?

 

hey i got my m17x for 1945, add one more option then ill say youll be taken to the cleaners

 

I had her before. She isn't that great if you are looking for a good deal. If you call, do it around 10am CST (This almost guarantees you an American rep)

 

Well I don't work every other Friday (yea makes for a nice schedule) so I know what I will be doing 10am CST this Friday. I really want one of these little machines, hope I can get everything sorted out and get what I want. I'm going to use the inconvenience of receiving not 1, but 2 coupons in the mail that were already expired that I am eligible for as ammo to get a little extra off. Wish me luck and I'll post back with anything that I find that could possible help someone else.

 

BTW m11x is on some kind of dell daily deals discount on EPP web. It seems that now with EPP configuration you can choose Hard drive and not have the anti-virus.

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/7451/imagehz.jpg

The price still seems pretty high though.... CPU is non-negotiable SU7300, bluetooth is included as well. No idea what else they put but the configuration that's most similar to what I ordered is again over $150 more expensive (that's NOT including Bing 10% off I got).

Still... it is a little bit less of a rip-off.

 

Signing up for Alienwares Arena thing on their site gives you a $50 off coupon to your email for systems $1899 and higher.

Just signed up today for the heck of it and got that email, worth a try for anyone looking to order