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

Have you tried loading up the shopping cart at powernotebooks and going to check out to see if there is sales tax? You may be able to get some slightly different options through the reseller than what you can get from Alienware directly, but otherwise it is the same machine.

The main thing I would want to verify if I were in your shoes is that the advanced warranty options from Dell are identical if you buy from the reseller. They probably are, but it would suck to have to send your machine to the depot for repairs instead of having next business day on-site/in-home parts and/or repair. Be sure to splurge on the advanced warranty. If you need it, having it is priceless.

 

Hi just wanna share my joy with you guys. I haggled for 2 weeks and just today when I'm about to give up I found the right deal "THE BEST DEAL" for me. The guy rep was so nice though I didn't get a freebie.

System Color Alienware M17x, Soft Touch Stealth Black
Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit
Processor Intel® Core™ i7 2670QM 2.2GHz (3.1GHz w/Turbo Boost, 6MB Cache)
Memory 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz (4DIMMS)
A/C Adapter Alienware M17x 240W A/C Adapter
Display Panel 17.3-inch WideFHD 1920x1080 120Hz WLED w/ NVIDIA 3D Vision Bundle
Video Card 2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 580M
Hard Drive 1 TB RAID 0 (2x 500GB) 7200RPM SATA 3Gb/s
Nameplate Personalized Plate (KATOINK27)
AlienFX Quasar Blue
Adobe Reader Acrobat SW Adobe Acrobat Reader
Optical Drives Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BR-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
Sound Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio
Wireless Intel® Advanced N + WiMAX 6250 a/g/n 2x2 MIMO Technology
Security Software No Anti-Virus Software Selected
Service 1 Year Advanced Plan
Pre-Installed Software Steam and Portal™ Factory Installed
Pre-Installed Software World of Warcraft Preinstall Edition
Pre-Installed Software Eve Online, Factory Installed
Alien Wallpaper Alienhead Glow
Standard Nameplate Trigger Thank you for Purchasing Alienware

Regular Price: $2740
I got this for $2150 including taxes cheers!

 

Man, can't believe I missed the 25% off, crushing sadness.

Anyway, if anyone has one of those coupons please PM me. I am looking at an expensive config and would pay $$$ for one of those 25% off.

In general, without an amazing coupon, what is the max discount you guys generally haggle out. If I have a $2600 config, how low should I aim to get it?

Also, what are the chances of a new amazing coupon soon?

 

my system cost about 2740 but i got it for 2150 including taxes. you just have to find the right rep to work with you ^^ BTW what's your spec?

 

System Color Alienware M17x, Soft Touch Stealth Black
Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit
Processor Intel® Core™ i7 2670QM 2.2GHz (3.1GHz w/Turbo Boost, 6MB Cache)
Memory 16GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz (4DIMMS)
A/C Adapter Alienware M17x 240W A/C Adapter
Display Panel 17.3-inch WideFHD 1920 x 1080 60Hz WLED
Video Card 2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 580M
Hard Drive 256GB Solid State Drive
AlienFX Quasar Blue
Adobe Reader Acrobat SW Adobe Acrobat Reader
Optical Drives Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BR-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
Sound Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio
Wireless Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000
Security Software No Anti-Virus Software Selected
Service 3 Year Advanced Service Plan
Pre-Installed Software Steam and Portal™ Factory Installed
Standard Nameplate Trigger Standard Nameplate
TOTAL: $2,692.00

That price is including:
Limited Time Only! Get 16GB for the price of 8GB.
Limited Time Offer!
- $200.00
Limited Time Only! Get a Solid State Drive for more than 60% off.
Limited Time Offer!
- $250.00
Alienware M17x Price Includes $100 Total Savings for a Limited Time!
Limited time offer!
- $100.00
Save $50 off any Alienware laptop purchase $999 or greater
Expires Tuesday, January 31, 2012
- $50.00

I feel like with $200 off the ram is not a bad deal, especially since it will be under the 3 year warranty.

For $250 off the SSD is a steal (assuming it is a good SSD with good performance).

The rest are just average discounts. What is really killing me is that with a 25% off I would save roughly $700 making this config around $2000. If I could get a price like that I would bite today. I do have a DPA so I guess I get 3% more on top of what I have so far (is this true if I used the 12 month interest free? is it either the discount or the offer? or both?), but it is still $500 or so higher than I really want.

Just to put it in perspective I ordered the Envy 17 3D before Christmas with the 33% off coupon, saved almost $900, $2600 config for $1700. However, at the time I did not realize they had enabled Optimus for higher-end GPU's (last I checked it was disabled on everything above a 555M) which was a big part of picking the Envy (I thought it was the fastest switchable laptop, since it is faster than a 555M).

Now I learn I can get an M17X, no 3D obviously, but with a much faster GPU and similar battery life. If only I had caught the 25% off I would be so set.

EDIT: The price with no discounts is listed at: $3,292.00

EDIT 2: Do you think I could stack the $50 coupon mentioned in this thread with the $50 Alienware discount?

 

that's one hell of a laptop. me too if i have known about the coupon I would have gotten this for a much much lower price. Why don't you try calling different reps and see how much they can give you. just tell em that you only have this *amount of money*, *i really can't afford that* or *blah blah*. remember the ball is in your court. or else you should just wait for another coupon if you don't want to haggle. ^^

 

I don't mind haggling, the problem is I am planning to use the 12 months interest free DPA offer. Thus, most of the "I can only afford X" strategies go out the window because the bloody DPA has like a $5000 limit.

Still, I may call in and give it a shot, I suspect they will just throw the savings I already have back in my face and refuse to budge very much.

 

ow. I didn't think about that, sorry man. if you want you can try talking to my rep. I'm not just sure of how much he can help you out. ^^

 

If you had good success with him then I would give him a shot. I don't have any favorite rep or anything.

 

How can I PM you my reps info? haha i'm just a newbie here. ^^

 

I'm gonna be ordering my M17x tomorrow and I'd appreciate if anyone could hook me up with a good rep to deal with. I'm not expecting a whole lot of freebies, but I'd like someone that's at least willing to haggle a little.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

Guys if anyone of you needs a good rep just shoot me a pm. olright?


just one condition guys. don't give my guy a hard time. )

 

I think I might be too new to PM. . .or, I just can't find the option. Would like a good rep to deal with, please Hoping to take advantage of the SSD and RAM deals, but get a couple hundred extra off (as built 2600, hoping to get it down to 22ish).

Thanks in advance, I'll post the results!

System Color Alienware M17x, Soft Touch Stealth Black
Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit
Processor Intel® Core™ i7 2760QM 2.4GHz (3.5GHz w/Turbo Boost, 6MB Cache)
Memory 16GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz (4DIMMS)
A/C Adapter Alienware M17x 240W A/C Adapter
Display Panel 17.3-inch WideFHD 1920 x 1080 60Hz WLED
Video Card 2GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon HD 6990M
Hard Drive 256GB Solid State Drive
Nameplate
AlienFX Terra Green
Adobe Reader Acrobat SW Adobe Acrobat Reader
Optical Drives Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BR-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
Sound Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio
Wireless Killer™ Wireless-N 1103 a/g/n 3x3 MIMO for Gaming & Video
Security Software No Anti-Virus Software Selected
Service 1 Year Basic Plan
Pre-Installed Software Steam and Portal™ Factory Installed
Pre-Installed Software World of Warcraft Preinstall Edition
Alien Wallpaper Alienware Logo
WirelessHD Internal WirelessHD Technology - FullHD Video Transmitter
Standard Nameplate Trigger Thank you for Purchasing Alienware

 

I got pretty much the exact same config with 4 years of advanced warranty ($538 value) for $2842. That means without the warranty I hit $2300 for the config you have. I used EPP through my University, and had to go through 2 managers to get approval. I still feel like they could have given me a bit better deal (the coupons allowed 28% total discounts, I only got $740ish in discounts, versus 28% being $940ish), but I need the laptop soon, so I probably won't fight it.

Just a note: if you are planning to use your M17x a lot the warranties are REALLY worth it. Dell has the best warranty around, I live out in the sticks and when my Alienware broke down they still had a tech out here the next day to fix it. With advanced no matter what happens you can get it fixed, and with a config like yours (and mine) that already has every part included, the warranty will cover every single part. The SSD dies, they fix it. The ram goes, they fix it. With advanced you could even accidentally drop your laptop in the toilet and they will fix it.

I just wanted to mention it in-case you thought the warranty was not worth it. I can assure you it is worth every cent, you would be hard pressed to find someone who bought the warranty and then did not use it.

Oh, and you need 5 posts (I think) for PM. However, if you can use EPP then just call the EPP number in the first post of this topic, I think every EPP rep is a US rep and they all have the same bargaining power.

 

Nice setup! I did just about the same thing, only with the 580m instead. I gotta say though... unless you've got a specific need, 16GB of RAM is overkill. Dell also really overcharges for memory. You can save a ton of $$$ getting the lowest amount of memory, and buying your own sticks off Newegg. If you've got the money though, I guess it doesn't matter.

 

Right now the 16 gig is a free upgrade. I got 16 also, but I agree with you, I doubt I will ever even see 50% memory use. Still, free upgrade right? Might come in handy if running multiple virtual machines.

 

Nice sewt-up dude if you have 5 quality post then i will give you my rep.

 

Ah, thanks! And yeah, no way I can see using 16gb of RAM but it is the same price as the 8, plus it's 1600mhz, which is good.

Price really isn't too much of an issue, but like any of us I'd rather get the best deal possible. Still kicking myself for not finding that 25% off coupon before the expiration. (Been lurking here a bit. . . really has a great deal of super information!)

I could knock it down a bit by going with the slower processor. . .any thoughts on that? And I'm wondering why the "Alienware Recommended" GPU is the 560m. I'm travelling a lot for work now and I'm looking for something that'll run newer games for a couple of years. The work laptop is a Lenovo 11 inch 2 pound (feels like it!) so I don't think taking an MX17 around too will be a burden (not too heavy). So...yeah! Thanks for your thoughts and support

 

even if price isn't an issue, it's better to get the system at a much lower price 2760QM is just right for me. if you have a high end graphics card, it's better to get a cpu that can match the power. just my thoughts though.

 

The 580M is the GPU to get for sure. Optimus with 5 hours of battery life, and the fastest mobile GPU available.

The processor is your call, I went with the 2760 for VT-d and slightly better performance. Intel also claims the 2760 is able to use 1600 ram while the lower model processor only uses up to 1333 ram (so it would run your 1600 ram at slower speeds). People on these forums report even the lower end processor seems to run the ram at 1600 speed, but who knows.

 

this explanation is good. I didn't know about that. I was more worried of bottleneck. I might exchange my system when it arrives. +rep!

 

Memory speed is only part of the equation though. The 580m is a very powerful card and will be doing the brunt of the work in terms of gaming. Some games are more processor dependent, but more and more games nowadays are relying more on a strong graphics card...which the 580m is without a doubt.

 

I got like a week or so before i order my setup, cause that is when i get my tuition money for school. But my setup is as follows, and price is in play. i might be able to squezze $1500 out but that is still more than i would like to pay, was trying to stay right around $1300 but as this system sits it is going to cost me right around $1400 with the 1 year advanced warranty and the AW mouse, as well as the highest wifi card i can put in there from AW.

Processor Intel® Core™ i5 2430M 2.4GHz (3.0GHz with Turbo Boost, 3MB Cache)
Memory 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz
A/C Adapter Alienware M14X 150W A/C Adapter
Display Panel 14.0" High Def+ (900p/1600x900) with WLED backlight
Video Card 1.5GB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M using NVIDIA Optimus™ technology
Hard Drive 500GB 7200RPM SATA 3Gb/s

Hopefully i can find a way to upgrade the cpu to the i7 and get like $100 more off. Then i would be totally happy.

 

i suggest you put up your system specs and negotiate with a rep for your budget. but if you really want that specs then you can get it for a much lower price.

 

Yah, the stuff i posted are the only things that i am getting that change the price of the unit itself besides the warranty and the Killer wifi card. But it would be nice to get it for about $200 less with the i7 cpu instead of the i5.

Is calling a rep the best way? Or is chatting just as effective?

 

It's better through phone. they don't give good discount in chat. Use the PHONE as what they said in here. get the i7 dude. i'll give you my rep if you have 5 post. he might be able to help you out. :

 

hi i just joined this forum and this is my first reply. i'm trying to get m17x by using saveology 25% coupon. i was trying to use $50 off welcome code as well but it expired. hey Katkatorts27 can you pm me or help me out how to save some more on purchasing m17x?? perhaps your rep help on this one?
thanks in advance

 

I don't wanna post my reps info here. but before i can pm you, you need to have 5 quality post in here.

 

i don't have problem with posting but the thing is do you think your rep can help me out save more on m17x?? id really appreciate

 

He can definitely help you. I just don't know by how much. just make sure you stick with your budget and he might give in. Just tell him that I refer you.

 

You won't save more than 25%. I am pretty sure the reps discount ability stops at around 20%. I fought and fought and could not get higher than 22%, even going through 2 managers.

If you have the 25% just use it, sign up for a DPA account and get 3%, and be happy with 28% which is the highest possible discount you can get on an Alienware.

 

very nice..thank you so much.. and does he know about saveology coupon?? cause i think ive talked with several actually more than 8 dell sales representatives and they were not familiar with saveology deal and their knowledge about comp and they couldn't make any good deal ..id think if he knows it is way easier to talk and get a good deal from him

 

Have you ordered your beast? what's the spec and for how much?

 

i see...i should've used $50 code as well...i really regret that i didn't make puchase about 2 weeks ago.. i'm planning to use 3 gift card two promo and one consoldated gift card. so i think i have to give up on 3% DPA discount

 

You can still get a discount but not as much as you wanted it. but if you know the trick plus using your VERY convincing and pleasing voice the rep might give in that's what I did. HAHA.

RE: I just don't know if he knows about saveology.

 

do you mind if i ask you wut configuration did you get on m17x? and the price? i have around $1300. hm...i hope he can get me a good deal. hey katkatorts27, is there anything i should know about how to get good deal from him? let me know plz

 

Yea, I got mine on order, the specs I got were:
225-0536 1 Alienware M17x Soft-Touch, Stealth Black
317-8448 1 Intel Core i7 2760QM 2.4GHz (3.5GHz w/Turbo Boost, 6MB Cache)
317-8465 1 16GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz (4DIMMS)
331-1347 1 Alienware M17x 240W A/C Adapter
320-1933 1 17.3-inch WideFHD1920 x 1080 60Hz WLED
320-1940 1 2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580M
342-2221 1 256GB Solid State Drive

Normal price: $3024
I got it for: $2304 with free express shipping ($20 value)
Total savings of $740 which is actually close to 25% off the machine price.

However, I also got the 4 year advanced warranty ($538) so my total was $2842.

Counting the warranty my savings were closer to 21%, which is a bummer, one of those flat 25% coupons would have saved me another $200 off the whole package.

They still have a $50 code, BHW1L0MX0D?MCX for $50 off Alienware. They also have an SSD and Memory special which are pretty sick. You are still getting an amazing deal, I would have paid $100 or more for a 25% off coupon to use on my order.

 

dude just tell him your budget and stick with that. you just have to talk to my guy nicely. you got 5 post!! yipppeee! i'll pm you.

 

sup all,

first timer. I missed that 25% deal as well and in the market for a laptop.
I used Dell EPP program and it gives 300 off alienware m17x r3 and another 2% off and I configured the system which comes out to 2249 with the discounts not including tax...

then I went to the regular alienware site and configured the same system and it was 2179 before taxes... so what gives lol?

also what is the number to talk to a US alienware representative? the online dell reps seem to have zero powers in the haggle department.

thanks!

 

They still have a $50 code, BHW1L0MX0D?MCX for $50 off Alienware. They also have an SSD and Memory special which are pretty sick. You are still getting an amazing deal, I would have paid $100 or more for a 25% off coupon to use on my order.[/QUOTE]

unfortunately, that code does not work in dell.com/saveology. in order to use 25% code i have to order from dell.com/saveology and they blocked that code..

 

whoooaahhh! sweet deal man! *clap* *clap* how are you able to get the 4 yr. warranty? dang. I only have 1 yr. advance. help me man with that. I also want the 4 yr.

 

yoda so you haggled 20% off by talking to a rep? do you have the number? did u also use MPP or EPP by chance?

 

EPP will match and beat the normal site. Call the EPP reps, the number is in the first post of this thread. You will get an American rep, have your config from the normal site, the 2179, saved to your cart. Ask them to beat it and they will.

Call in, say you want to make an order with the saveology coupon and the $50 coupon. The phone reps should be able to make it work.

I don't know, it was just something he was able to do. I already had the 3 year on my config, he went and got me a 4th year free as part of my savings. It was basically a choice for a manager approval, he could get me like $70 more off the price, or the 4th year free, but the warranty was worth $120 so I went with the 4th year free.

 

I used EPP through my University.

I used the EPP line, which is all American reps. I configured on the regular Dell site, applied all coupons and discounts I could (which was basically just the $50 plus the SSD and memory deals) and then I called in. He could see my cart, I asked him to beat it, then I sat on the phone and played hard ball for a LONG time. Really though, they do hit a point and they just cannot (or will not) go any lower. That is when I tried for the free shipping and got that. I really feel like 20% off the order total is about the reps maximum ability to discount.

For US based EPP Members:
For new purchases, product inquiries, or to change an existing order (Sales representatives are available daily between 8am and 9pm CT). 1-800-695-8133 - Option 3

One page back you can see my breakdown. Basically I got 25% off the machine price, or around 21% off my order total.

 

I got a really good deal from a Dell rep, and I gotta be honest with you guys... If you start the negotiation with "I want 25% off" you're not going to get anywhere. You need to have a conversation with the rep, explain your budget, possibly make some concessions... and above all, be polite and don't play games.

The Dell reps *will* work with you, and they are authorized to give significant discounts. However, if you just call them up demanding discounts you're probably not going to get very far. Just sayin'

 

hmm.. I might ask my guy if he knows about the saveology but I'm not gonna ask him for more discount. I would be more than happy if he can give me more years of advance warranty. i still love the discount that I got.

 

im not a good haggler but ill give it a go tomorrow. did u guys see on the site about some new alienware coming out on jan 18th? u think its a new model laptop with the 600 and 7000 series gpus?

 

What kinda spec and price did you manage to grab? Seeing other peoples achievements will help future people know a good offer when they see it.

I disagree with your idea that you shouldn't just be upfront with your negotiation. You gotta remember this is a job for these guys, they get a commission by convincing you to buy a computer. They don't want a friend, they don't need someone to talk to, you are on the phone to get something done.

I would recommend calling up with a spec premade and discounted out in your cart. Get it just as you want it, and as low as you can make it with the discounts on the web. Call the reps, ask them to beat it. They will ask a budget, give them the price of the machine with 28% off (it will be lower than they can go). The rep will make some noise about how that is so low, Alienwares are not discounted blah blah. At this point I explained that there have been deals of 25% off coupons and 3% DPA for a total of 28% off, and that I was shooting to get my price as close to that as possible, I also had the exact dollar amount of discounts that I was trying to hit, when the rep would give me some discounted price I would say "Yea, that is good, but we are still only at $650 in discounts, I am aiming for...".

Be sure to mention competing machines, and don't be afraid to walk away. Make them feel like Alienware is just one of your choices, you are totally cool with one of the other gaming laptop brands. In the end it should be obvious when they hit their limit. I decided my guy was truthfully maxed out on discounts when he could not offer me anything more, even when I basically said I was gonna hang up and go with the competition that had a better price after he had been selling me for 40+ minutes. At that point he is invested, he wants to close the sale and get his commission. Maybe I am wrong, but I feel certain if he had any more discounts he would have done it (and in fact he did offer the $20 shipping upgrade at that point, which I guess was the last ditch effort).

 

i see your rig in your signature, could you give me the price so I can kind of aim for that? how long was your phone call? was it more than one call to get your deal? oh and do u have the 120hz screen?

thank you

 

I can send you the info of my rep. They say it will be a new desktop and not a laptop