EPP Discount Changes for M17x

Here is the conversation with Dell Customer Service:

ok, now I was looking on my company EPP site and the M17x with core i7 is not yet available. Is that something you can do for me or do I have to wait until it is availabe on the EPP website?


5:15:35 PM BE_PR1_Rep_Judy_B You will have to wait. The discounting process has changed for that program. It is no longer a percentage off on top of current promotions. There are configurations specifically for that program with the EPP discount that you can upgrade but not downgrade.

5:16:01 PM Charles oh ok, so there is no longer the % discount then

5:16:30 PM BE_PR1_Rep_Judy_B right

 

Well I'm glad I got my 10% in then.

 

well guess im not getting a M17x...(looks at M15x website)

 

Will there be any EPP discount at all now?

 

i get it for all alienware right now except for the m17x refresh

 

Just got done ordering mine, and they wouldn't give me the EPP discount after 1.5 hours on the phone with the sales rep. They gave me a random $50 off and free expedited shipping if that even does anything....

But ya, they said they have changed their policy for EPP and the refresh.

 

It's a shame they're changing EPP now. The 10% off was great while it lasted. Looks like the only good deals to be found from Dell after this will be on the outlet.

 

i still can get epp for all alienware laptops right now except for i5 and i7 M17x systems. guess its just for those laptops

 

It seems the previous M17X is no longer available at the outlet.

 

Are you sure? The stock tends to fluctuate a lot.

 

Will the "no EPP discount" also apply to the m11x when it comes out?

 

People have been adding 5 at a time to their cart and shopping from their cart it seems. Refresh the page for 15 mins until their carts empty and watch it go from 0-76 in no time.

 

I'm hoping that the reps are wrong because that is screwy. I'm hoping that they just haven't put it up on EPP due to limited quantities or they think they can sell more before allowing the 10% off.

 

I just ordered 10 minutes ago through Dell EPP on the phone.

 

But how was the discount done? % like before or $ off? I think that's what they wanna know.

 

It's now been removed from the drop-down list of outlet laptops as well.

 

Yes, percentage off.

 

Just out of curiosity, did they give you the normal 10% off? I ordered one through EPP on the phone yeseterday, and they only gave me around 5% off. They made it up by throwing in an extra discount for using the dell financing, but now I'm wondering if I should have gotten more off.

 

Yes 10%.

/10 char

 

Didnt we have this problem when the M17x first came out? They gave us the same line and if we ordered by phone in most cases it went through as it should? I just think it's due to it being new and they "hopefully" don't know what they are talking about.

Thanks Mandrake!!!

 

I remember problems with the warranty when they first released it. It took 3 days just to be able to order the complete care warranty.

 

Just pushed my order in, tried really hard to get them to give me 10% off of the $2178 I had configured but after going back and forth for an hour they gave me $150 off plus free shipping.

They are moving towards packages now for EPP and while I wanted to wait a few more weeks but I went ahead and pushed my order now so I got it configured the way I wanted. Not anything near max but it'll meet my needs for now. I do work for a OEM system builder and I get parts dirt cheap so I can upgrade CPU, RAM, and HDDs later as needed.

Here's what I got and mind you it smokes the 4+ year old Inspiron 9300 I've been stuck using, lol:

M17x-R2 i5 540M, 4GB DDR3 1066, 250GB SATA 2 HDD, 1920x1200 LED RGB Screen, Single ATI 4870 1GB. Est. Delivery Date: 2/4/2010.

 

It will appear on the EPP site eventually.

Just have to give it time.

 

They are coming, but it seems they are now going to offer preconfigured packages instead of being able to customize them like you can in Home/Home Office. One of the things I had to work through for over an hour when placing my order to get the exact config I wanted...

 

I'll believe that when I see it.

The original M17x (and every other system for that matter) is still configurable.

Doesn't make much sense for Dell to change up their business model to that degree.

 

When I ordered this morning and told them I couldn't configure it through EPP they told me to configure it through the home site and put it in my cart. From there she received the info and put my order through.

 

^

Yup.

EPP will ALWAYS match home.

 

Precisely what they had me do. Though they gave me a fixed $ amount off ($255 for the configuration I came up with). I ended up deciding to wait though. With al lteh talk of the potential changes to GPUs in the coming months and the fact that I mostly console game, I can afford to wait a while.

 

That's exactly what I did and went on and on for over an hour about how they only have packages in the system for EPP and she was trying to match it as close to my order as she could. Then she came back and said the closet she had to work with had much higher end hardware. So after telling her many times that was the only config I wanted and haggling over price I pushed the order in.

I guess we'll have to see if the % deals go away or if they do switch to preconfigured packages. This is the 5th M17x I've ordered and I know that there can be a lot of confusion from sales rep to sales rep based on my past experiences. In the end I was able to work out the config I wanted at a price I was good with so I'm happy.

 

On my third call with the EPP folks in the Philippines. Wish me luck!

 

I would not have ordered if I had that kind of trouble. The only thing they told me no on was the Blu-Ray reader.

 

Must be a different department you went though, I've been using the Higher Education Division EPP program. In the end I'm only paying around $20.00 more than if they would have given me the straight 10% off so I figured that's good enough.

 

Okay truth be told I'm trying to squeeze an additional 5% from them in addition to the 10%. My company portal has the 5% coupon listed and it expires today. I'll advise on how things bode.

 

I've talked to 2 reps so far. They both state that they cannot do anything regarding EPP and offered me 50 bucks + expedited shipping.

They also said no bluray.

I work for a State/Local Gov, We also homeschool our kids through a federal k-12 program. We qualify on both accounts but the reps said that there has been alot of fraud on EPP. Mandrake feel free to pm me with your rep if they were more flexible on the EPP issue. I've spoken with jaqueline and stephan so far. no go.

In the end i think they just dont want to give in. So i'll be waiting for bluray and 5xxx series cards. And the jury's out on qx9300 vs i7's still.

I was going for the 820 but it doesnt appear that it's truly an upgrade over my qx9300 at 2.93 ghz.

 

im confused here has the m17 been released with the i7 already iv looked and dont see it with that avalable

 

Yes, the M17x is updated with the i7. Can't really miss it.

 

I wonder how this will affect me because my EPP is above 10% (normally 16%). I hope I don't get downgraded to the same EPP deals as everyone else.

 

16% + 3% DPA + Haggle = Awesome.

 

Wow. They're definitely playing hard ball with the M17x-R2. I usually get the additional 3% DPA but I can't complain since I just managed to get a flat $300 off my original subtotal of $2839. Also got the free shipping and he threw in the CompleteCare Accidental DamageProtection for 1 Year ($79 value). Oh and I asked to upgrade to a bluray drive but the rep said it wasn't compatible with windows 7. No biggy. Expected delivery date of Feb. 4th.

Here is what I ended up with:

Space Black - Anodized Aluminum
Intel Core i7 820QM 1.73GHz
4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz (I'll upgrade it myself)
17-inch WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 RGB LED (1200p)
Dual 1GB ATI Radeon Mobility HD 4870 in CrossfireX
250GB 7,200RPM SATA-II HDD

 

I have windows seven and a blu-ray burner. He's feeding you a line. I'm also returning this M17X though so I can get the refresh, but I'm going to wait a little, maybe till the new GPU's come out and they calm down at dell with the whole EPP and blu-ray thing

 

I hear ya DR! I'm just happy I got a new lappy.

 

Can I extend and upgrade my standard warranty to Complete Care anyone? Which number I need to reach?

 

I believe you can.

 

Same here, and previously 21% on a promotion. I'm curious b/c I'm interested in the M11x, I hope it shows up on the EPP site alongside the official launch of it on the alienware.com

 

Try this... you'll need your service tag.

Dell Warranty Extensions

I suggest checking this first (as a reference point). Once you have selected the options you want, print it out for reference and then contact Dell Sales and tell them you want to extend your warranty/purchase Accidental Damage/CC coverage.

Ask them to write it up as a sales quote. Once you have this info, have them email you the quote. Thank them and end the call.

Wait a day or so and call back. Give the rep the quote# and ask them if they are able to drop the price if you complete the transaction with them. Depending on the rep, this might be possible - they receive a commision of sales.

I have done this with a few other Dell systems and have saved a bit. Either way, the link is a good reference point in terms of what the cost is and you can extend the warranty without talking to a rep if you rather not deal with calling in.