The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Alienware Titanium vs. Credit Card

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by eckmoney, Jul 25, 2008.

  1. eckmoney

    eckmoney Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Quick question - anyone use alienware titanium and if so why did you open that instead of opening a 0 apr 12 month credit card?

    i feel like the fact that you cant pay online with the titanium account kind of stinks and they may be more stringent about credit than a cc company, but the truth is my credit score is really good so i dont really have any concerns, but am curious if someone less financially ignorant can chime in with why my logic of just opening a new cc doesnt make sense over titanium.

    ps. no need to tell me i should pay cash. if i put it on an existing card, i could pay it off in a month, but i PREFER not to - i only have 2 ccs as is and was considering getting an am exp since have visa and mc
     
  2. JCMS

    JCMS Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    455
    Messages:
    4,674
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Store CCs are usually if your score is a bit low or you really don't want to put it on your vista/master card/amex. They usually have higher interest rates so I'm not sure it's a better idea.
     
  3. eckmoney

    eckmoney Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Yeah, but I will have no problem paying it off during the Introduction period...in fact I will most likely aim to pay it off in 6 months..
     
  4. AlienContact

    AlienContact Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    368
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Do not open a AW card. If you try to pay it over the phone, the'll charge you a $14.00 fee. I just use my online banking to do auto bill pay for free. Other wise, expect a high interest after the promotion 0-12months.
     
  5. eckmoney

    eckmoney Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Thanks - I definitely wasn't feeling the no online payment. I love automating my stuff and hate writing checks. They should offer a discount if you open one though, hell for 10% off my purchase, I'd open one for serious.
     
  6. tacomenace21

    tacomenace21 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    75
    Messages:
    1,124
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    i used a titanium account and it does suck to have to pay by check but it doesn't bother me. Its a pretty good deal as long as you pay it before the 12 months is over
     
  7. suicideTone

    suicideTone Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    34
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    it is high interest, but make the effort to pay alot extra whenever possible and pay it off during the promo period. It is really ironic that I own an Alienware and it is the only bill I can't pay on-line.
     
  8. otaku

    otaku Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    99
    Messages:
    1,293
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I have an account, paying by mail isn't to bad but they should add online pay for sure asap. This is my first big credit card (previously 500 dollars) they gave me 2000 which I used to by my m15x strangely 1 month after buying they've increased my limit, almost wish they'd done so sooner so I could have ordered with an 8800...hehe. Hopefully next time I can go all out on my next aw (laptop/desktop?) gonna be at least three years though

    I can't seem to get a normal card high enough for a pc (or I might have went for something from voodoo or elsewhere) but since dell took over aw I was able to get credit, thanks to previous history (my family) with dell
     
  9. Qualao

    Qualao Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    125
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    In Canada it's offered through Dell Financial Services. I've gone through them before with my Dell laptop and my fathers Dell computer. It usually is a high interest rate, but i've found that taking out a bank loan after the fact and then paying it all off is useful and also a lot lower interest.

    Why didn't I just take out a bank loan before hand? Most of my computer purchases are spur of the moment and with the quick online apps, you have it bought that day. :p
     
  10. AtolSammeek

    AtolSammeek Tokay Gecko

    Reputations:
    204
    Messages:
    1,588
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Best trick of all is Never have a credit card. Most banks let you set your account so it has a credit card logo on it. So it can be use as a credit card.

    1 I do not have to make payments. So I pay with my own money.
    2 It forces people to manage there accounts better.
    3 Keep a emargancy Saving accout with $2,000 to $10,000
    4 I Tend to have more money then most people who use credit cards.
     
  11. Qualao

    Qualao Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    125
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I used to be CC free, but nowadays it seems they force you to have one if you need to

    A) Rent a car
    B) Purchase online

    :(
     
  12. AtolSammeek

    AtolSammeek Tokay Gecko

    Reputations:
    204
    Messages:
    1,588
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Hum I dont see that as a problem

    So renting a car or buying stuff like Alienware computers I never had a problem. The only limit I have to worry about is what I have in the account.
     
  13. Qualao

    Qualao Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    125
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Yeah Atol, I wish they would bring those programs to Canadian Banks :(