About to order, need suggestions on my ordering plan.

Hey guys,

Ok, bare with me here, I seen the thread on ordering from Dell and doing it via phone as this gives you the opportunity to haggle and get deals and bonuses. I've bought a Dell four years ago, but it was by site and only briefly by phone and I wish I knew I could haggle, as I could have possibly saved lots of money or had it delivered sooner.

So my intended system of purchase this time is an Alienware M15X, Core i7 740M, ATI 5850, 4GB ram for now, 1080P screen, all the good stuff. No intentions of gaming just want a really blazing quick system for graphics and 3D design, rendering animation all the media creation type stuff.

My haggling experience is next to none, so this is new to me and I feel so uncomfortable about it but at the same time the savings is to opportune to let stupidity get in the way. Any thoughts or advice you can give based on my planned story would be so appreciated.

Ok, so I was thinking start off, mentioning I'm looking to buy two laptops possibly today (no rush ), one for my son's birthday (wink wink) and one for myself in a few weeks once I get paid (to make things simple on my account I've add the laptop I want and a second laptop to my cart). From there go on to say that I like the Alienware's but I've come across a marginally better spec'd Asus for only $1400 before taxes (my laptop I want is $1900 before taxes) and was wondering if there they'd be willing to come down to a more tempting price or make me a deal. Than hopefully the haggling commences from here and I either walk away with saving the cost of the taxes or more. Worst case hang up and try another rep.

Than once I get a price I'm happy with throw the card in "I'll need it soon as his birthday is in the next X weeks/days" to get some free faster shipping.

So thoughts? Does it sound like a solid plan? I don't want to sound needy as than they can push me into things and jam me into prices. I also want them to know I'll buy "today" if they cut me a deal. The second laptop idea will just entice them to want to give me a better deal if they want another commission. What I like best about this is I don't come off as I'm in trouble but I can sneak in the expedited shipping for a valid reason to guilt them into more savings if it' delayed for freak reasons.

 

They were having $250 discount for every alienware system until yesterday. You missed a big chance.

 

Thanks for the information but when I was on dell site, I still saw the same price for that, how can I get this discount? thanks in advance!

 

The $250 off seemed to be a very good deal.
I called on Monday, had a saved config in my profile. I tried two chats and two calls before I got a gem that really wanted to sell me my M15x.
I must say, with the $250 discount, they all said that it was a great deal and they did not have much room to work at all. I believe them as I know it was a good discount. However, I still had an issue.
I simply told the rep my problem.

I had my system config picked out, credit card in hand, but was over budget with tax and shipping. Rep met me about 1/2 way. Enough to make me happy.
I felt I did good with realistic expectations and being honest.

With the discount and my rep, I saved a little over $300...I am not complaining at all.
I have a EPP with my company, but discounts didnt apply to that. and this deal was far better then the percentage off.

 

I've seen discount about 308 euro on dell.fr but on config site I don't see core i7 740qm anymore, if someone from France and be a student can go on http://op-rentree.com/ for a good deal!

 

Read through this thread.
People were able to get some pretty big discounts.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/456885-aw-dell-ordering-advice-how-save.html
Up to roughly 20% off on the high end i think.

 

@ kaizenmx - Prices haven't changed so I may not be affected (it was an INSTANT savings reflected on the prices correct?), I noticed the prices dropped on the two higher configured models though. (I select the cheapest M15x and configure it as I don't want the 9 Cell battery, have no intentions of battery gaming or being loose from the rope long anyways, plus don't want as much memory or as big of a drive either).

@ robo74 - My model will cost $2145 after taxes, if I can just slide away with $2000 on the money I'll be bursting at the seams with excitement. I really can't throw extra money at this purchase unfortunately, so I sincerely hope "a" rep will be willing to meet me half way.

I'm hoping it being "near the end of the money" they'll be cracking deal left and right trying to meet a quota or something like they do at Car Stealerships.

@ Aryantes - Thanks, that's EXACTLY the thread I seen all the uber deals people were getting as well as amazing tips (that thread should be made into the Dell haggling bible or something).

 

Last minute thought, anyone know any rep's that serve Canada they can share info on?

 

Canada Reps and US reps are different? I ask only because I didnt know that.

From what you posted (not full specs), but the only thing that differs is the LCD as I picked the standard one. With that being said, I paid $1399(US) before taxes and free shipping (I ordered 8/23). This is with the $250 savings they had at the time, plus a great rep who helped me some more.

Rob

 

I'm under the impression each "major" country may have it's specific own HQ? Perhaps not, though I did have a previous impression everything was more or less overseas with the odd exceptions being within US/Canada. Not much facts that I'm aware of, just speculations. Do clarify if I'm wrong!

The system I'm getting: M15x Lunar Silver, Core i7 740M, 4GB Ram, ATI 5850, 250GB HDD, 6 Cell pack, 1080P screen. No accessories or warranty changes = $1899 + Taxes

I'm compromising on HDD/Memory as I can upgrade as needed and trying to keep within budget (had TWO auto accidents today so free spending funds will be less and less). As for the battery I'm only on it when power is out, otherwise I'm always on AC.

There are no mention of instant savings unless you go for one of the other two "pre-configured" models to select from. I'd build off one of them but due to the savings I may miss budget and be unable to haggle it lower. Still $1399? What the heck, cheap

Taxes here are 13% on the dollar.