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

is it possible to do epp without using their build?

 

some people say to spec it out on the main dell site then call the EPP salesman. Some people did that with the m11x cause they didnt want the 500gb HD and so on.

 

exactly

10char

 

yup!
just call em and say u dont need all those extra cheesy stuf..
u shuld be good at talking though
and if u r lucky enugh to get a good rep on phone ,u are good to go

 

i need to order my m11x already! so any new discounts guys? let me get it straight is there still a $50 off one? or only EPP now and 3% if you got DPA?

 

I tried doing that, but the guy said it wouldn't let him do it. I guess the problem is if you try to go get a discount, for a price that is already $800-$900 to begin with. Basically he didn't do much more than click on the web. I was on the phone with him for ~30mins. He did mention I could get some few % discounts if I order through him but would only apply them if I agree to buy it. (lol )

The other thing he mentioned is that SU4100 CPU is NOT dual core even though Intel's website says it is: http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=43568 .

Discounts: there is a new $50 off if you buy it through the EPP website. But even with 10% EPP and $50 off I can't see that price being good value.

 

This is what ALL the sales reps will tell you. Simply because they don't want to go through all the procedures and the time they spend on you - then end up getting nothing.

It's all depends on you though, (should you not feel guilty), you can anytime turn the sales rep down if you can get a better offer later on!

 

Well, sometimes, it's not the matter of "helping" or not. It's all depend on your skill, and your luck on getting a good sales agent.

You can anytime turn the sales rep down, and try to get onto the new one.

 

Thanks for the tip! I'll play some more with them then, I think I am getting the hang of this. In any case, I have his extension (it seems they give it you every time) so I can return to him any time then. But I shouldn't spend that much time talking to other people, otherwise the extra discount will easily cancel out with the extra charge on my phone bill.

To answer what other people have been asking here -- can you get 10% EPP off on base conf? I can tell you even after bugging him for 30 mins, he wasn't willing to go below $800 range [so, no]. So read again this thread and see what kind of conf and laptop people actually bought and got huge discounts, it was mostly >$2k m17x. I had a feeling I could push him for something like $100ish in discount if you go for conf that costs ~ $1200. It was also possible to get something like 20% (can't remember correctly) on extended warranty plans etc. But to get him to do +10% EPP + (-50$off) on base price... hmm I didn't seem to get even near that.

Oh and BTW, thanks to Dan for the epic thread!

 

This thread is very useful to me. Kudos to the author. I've just placed an order and was able to shave around 200 dollars. I was not able to get the next day delivery when I spoke to a sales agent.

However, I was able to get the NDD when I called a customer rep to change an information in my billing address. She gave it to me as goodwill from dell.

 

That's right! Usually you will get more offer when you purchase a more expensive system.

 

same goes for me. thanks to the thread i just saved $50 on a $999 build.

not much, but still nice. plus I have 50 from epp

 

Hmm maybe i should just seal tht deal.. its same as urs.. i am just a bit jealous/greedy that other guys could also get 100$ off the deal we got .
I ll just give a shot 2mmorow one more time and then settle with my $869 price tag.
It seems my rep is out of town.. i get an automated response :|

BTW AT&T sucks! poor jenny... she tried to call several times.. i cudnt get any and all was directed to my voice mail I just cant reach her ext no and she just cant reach me.. this is sad.

 

yeah i'm not gonna lie i'm a little disappointed but it's better than nothing. What was your original build?

 

^^ its 1,019$ and tax shud be like 90$ more

 

yeah the tax is a bit high

when he said free shipping, which option do you think he meant?

 

i guess the normal one... I didnt yet talk abt the next day shipping... that we can call and make em hurry after we confirm with the overall price.. but first i am tryin to get down the price as much as i can... and then i ll worry about the shipping.
What abt u?

 

Probably meant next business day shipping. But if you call back and let them know that your going out of town, and really need it, you can request NBD shipping as a favor. Let them know that you've enjoyed your experience with dell and you plan to recommend then to your family/friends. Flattery and the pontential for more business goes a long way.

 

and if your order is delayed in anyway, definitely ask for next business day, it'll most probably be granted, and maybe even ask for a $50 coupon after that.

 

My recommendation is that you pay it off as soon as possible. This prevents you from being charged any interest if you end up not paying the full thing off in 12 months. Also, be careful not to miss a payment, or make a late payment. This may void the 0% interest. If this happens, it can easily result in having to pay more money then what it saved you when you signed up for it.

In all reality, it is a way for dell to offer an incentive to get people to sign up for it. It allows people to buy computers that they can't neccisarily afford, and they earn extra money from it when people are late or don't pay it off completely in 12 months. So if at all possible, pay it off at once, as soon as you can. Just have to be smart about using it.

 

So I've currently been able to get 10% EPP / 3% DPA (without opening account) and $50 coupon -- I think I can aim for an additional $100, figure I'll call up friday and tell em I found another laptop for about 100 less... see if he bites.

redhidus, I would suggest telling the agent you do not want to open another line of credit and push for them to just honor the 3%, assuming you do not want to charge it.

 

Hey tell me what you guys think about this deal?
Here is the config for my M15x
Alienware M15x, Cosmic Black
i7-720QM Quad Core Processor 1.6GHz (2.8GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache)
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
3Year Advanced Service Plan plus Lojack
512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 240M
15.6-inch WideHD+ 1600x900 (900p) WLED
8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz – 2 x 4096MB
320GB SATAII 7,200RPM
Slot-Load Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
Primary - 9-cell (85Watt) Lithium-Ion Battery
WIRELESS CARDS Wireless 1520 802.11n Half Mini-Card
SOUND OPTIONS Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio
BLUETOOTH Internal Bluetooth 2.1 Mini-Card - 2.1 Enhanced Data Rate

The orginal price is $2,397 and with the discounts its about $1,907 tax not included. Should i take the deal? lol She is going to call me back tomorrow and I'm really considering in getting it. This is my first sales rep btw. I think her name is Sophia or something. So wat do you guys think?

 

Looks like a good deal to me. Thats 20% off. Nice work.

 

DR650SE you rock! haha thats about $490 saved so far =D. Imma try to ask for a free carrying case and the next business day delivery tomorrow. Any tips on how i should go about on doing that?

 

I got no clue what it means.. man :|

 

Not sure on the carrying case, but worth a shot to ask if they can throw it in. For NBD I would stress that you need if for work, and see if they can throw that in as well.

 

Haha never hurts to try right? ill get back to you on how it goes

 

I will be ordering another Alienware laptop in the coming weeks (waiting for them to credit my dpa for my m17x R1 that I returned). I can't wait to try some of the techniques found here in this thread. Will post how much I saved once I place my order.

 

remember to read all of the thread theres good info spread throughout its enirity and you can alawys compare the deal other people got to yours for comparison!

 

Yea, I started from the beginning, it took me about an hour to go through and read all the post. Definitely worth reading, good thing I am here at work.

 

So true. I think NBD is the easiest of all the stuff I asked for. If you have ANY hicup at all (whether in ordering, if they cancel and you reorder, if funds don't go through etc) then demand it. The rep gave it to me with no questions asked.

 

thanks for the advice

 

I have a question,,
When we talk to a new rep...is it good idea to mention the previous rep's deal>>??
or should we just start over the config from start??

 

I wouldn't, for a similar reason I wouldn't start the conversation with a girl in a bar by talking about my ex-girlfriend (to draw the analogy with the one in the original post ).

 

Wahahhahahhaha!!!!! My Alienware M17x.... FINALLY IS HERE!!!!!!!! Dell is pretty efficient tho!!

 

Yes and No.

Yes, because that way you most probably can a better offer. (They compete among themselves)

No, because it's rather unethical, and you feel guilty for it.
But I'm slightly disagreed with what unreal said, business world and "girlfriend" world are different after all.

By the way, I suppose there is one sales rep contacted you today right? Keep me updated on what's going on

 

so far i've got $50 off and free shipping on a $999 model.

should I try again with a different agent?
and if i want NBD, how should I phrase the question?

 

I would and heres why

When you get a quote from the first rep, make sure you have them email the quote. It should be good for 3-5 days or so. (It's in the Original post, quotes section)

Now when you go and call another rep you can say rep "Jimmy" offered this price, he sent me a quote. Now you have concrete proof of what has been said. They may ask you to send it to them. When you do, it will give them incentive to try and reduce it, even if it's another $20. If they can win you over and they make the sale, then they have earned another commission. It's a competition among the reps. Theres nothing to feel bad about it and it's perfectly fine. Think about it, you do this when buying house's, cars, you shop for the best deal. Even stores do it, in the states, stores often will beat another stores price for your money. If you bring in an ad or proof they honor the price and beat it by a little. This wins the customers money and creates a good relationship between the customer and the rep. Now that rep has earned a future customer, as well as those to whom he reccomends the good rep to.

Have at it and get the most for your money

 

Let them know that you need it for work as soon as possible, and if they can throw in next business day shipping you will be set to pay.

 

I have to assume they know you've called in/spoken to other reps. I noticed everytime I recieve a quote my customer number does not change. The very first rep I spoke to spelled my last name incorrectly and it's been that way ever since. Even after they new rep verfies my info and I respell it out for him/her.

 

i love how they always say the same stuff.

welcome to dell, what can i help you with?
new computer
"You've come to the right place sir"


also no matter what you ask for, weather it be a lump a s**t

"good choice sir that it one of our best products"

 

The operators? Yeah, I got a chuckle out of that too.

 

Hey... for those who are afraid of loosing mins when u speak to rep.. Use skype.. its clear and no disconnections or worrying abt mins..
Atleast it came handy for me as AT&T connection sucks near my area. and i got frequently disconnected ..once when i was in middle of a good deal..damn!

 

And one more:
"Sir, you can get this price only if you purchase the system today from me"

 

Hey BTW.. I made upto 839 for now and free next day shipping... and i said i ll buy it rite now if u can give me free upgrade to next HD.. 320GB (25$)... now on hold... so exited

 

oh youll get it

 

I got this from a rep after sayin my name:
"aaaah! what a noble name" .. i was like "W T F??"
But frankly women are givin more offers than men.. i guess we are hard

 

Just 15$ off tht harddisk upgrade.. so 25-15=10$ for that.. I ll try tht 3% off..
this lady is really sweet... everytime i ask something she rushes to her manager..
She said she did her best and was literally begging her manager (felt bad). atleast i am getting 30+15=45$ off the old offer rite?...
I shouldnt be more greedy. I ll just mail the old rep who replying me like "What u want more discount?? GFY!!" and i ll now say him "GFY" !!

 

Good job, redhidus. Which m11x are you getting?

Basically there are 3 upgradeable parts -- CPU (and according to the online reviews it doesn't seem much of an upgrade; besides the official name ), then there's RAM which I'd def go for 4GB and HD (but since I already have 320GB from the other laptop). And neither of these it seems offers significant performance upgrade; well unless you are getting SSD but that one costs like 50% of the laptop itself.

 

ya..just the CPU upgrade,4GB and 320GB_ bluetooth and next day shipping..
I am tryin to apply for tht dell proffered account and see if i can 3% off... they are supposed to gibe that off the current price rite?? can i demand that?? she said it was final price she go with.. i donno if she ment i cannot add more official discount or such :|
What do u guys think??

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thers slight difference (not 100$ worth i guess) but i donno if u can overclock the other one. Upgraded cpu is givin good results when overclock.. though few faced some BSOD when overclocked.