How to get dell to give you free stuff?

So I tried to buy a dell today hoping that I could at least get a free case or mouse like most people have but the person at dell wouldnt give me anything. So I decided to hold out on buying it hoping there are specific things you need to do before the dell salesman will offer you something for free.

Any tips?

 

I mean they don;t just give stuff away that would make no sense. How about you just order your computer instead of trying to sucker a company.

 

I had written this post elsewhere which has been followed with alot of success. Cut and pasted for you. Good luck!!!

START
Its not so much of getting money back as it is getting add ons for your inconvenience. Ill take the time to explain a bit, which will be a sort of preface for a similar topic, when my systems arrive.

Dell understands there are alot of mistakes and delays that hurts them to an extent and you must believe they have ok'd upgrades and to a certain extent, further discounts.

I have found that the greatest success lies in someone on customer support who is closer to you and during business hours. That is not to say the deals cant be found online in foreign Dell markets that service dell Canada and USA.

Next, when you call, approach it from an angle that you are frustrated, which you are, but never never demean them.

There are several cancelled orders that have regret here because people cancelled in the moment rather than sitting back and thinking things out.

In my experience through several years and just under a hundred purchases with Dell, warranties are the easiest free upgrade. Always try for complete care. Next in line seems to be cheaper things such as soundbaster or bluetooth followed by Vista upgrades. Remember, a gratis Ultimate upgrade is 180 bucks in your pocket.

For those who dont think Ultimate is worthwhile, it is the only Vista edition that allows full system backups, an extremely valuable tool.

Bags have been a popular throw in lately but I find that processor and ram upgrades are the most difficult followed only by monster graphics adapters in desktop systems.

I have seen others who have gained discounts on accessories (the best being a 24" Dell monitor for 299). I almost puked because i helped him with this but he deserved it greatly trust me.

I guess in closing, I will pass on something a very close friend at Dell said to me once, "You never know unless you ask right?". Also, yes they keep records of every conversation you have with them. they know if there dealing with a genuinely upset person or a jerk...

If you plan on ever dealing with Dell again, you dont want to be marked...

Can I also ask...Leave a comment at the end of the post so it bumps it to the top for the next guy to easily find again.
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Does car sales man give you free stuff AFTER the deal has been made?

You may threat to return the system for a refund if you are still in the 30 day grace period, but if Dell thinks you had a good deal to begin with, they will just take back the system.

 

I have had luck with a free mouse, a free warranty upgrade when the model I ordered was backordered 2x, and a $50 off for another delay. I have a rep assigned to me though so that might help? I don't know.

 

i got $75 for them sending me the wrong replacement hard drive.

 

You should be more concerned with getting the laptop you want and not what freebies you can milk from Dell. Why do you feel that you're entitled to free stuff?

 

It's not the entitlement to getting free stuff versus the incentive to buy thier product. I could of spent my hard earned money on a Sager with SLI etc but I went with a Dell because of the discounts. It's much like shopping for a new car. You just don't go and 'buy a car'. You look for the best deal and what the dealership is going to do for you. The same principle can be applied to computers. If I am looking for similar notebooks and I call for a price quote (which is what I recommend) then they start throwing stuff at you to entice you to buy now. I just said I wanted a bag and the servicewoman told me "Oh that will be for free". In the end I had a XPS 1730 2.4ghz, 2gb, 200gb Raid0 (200gbx2), 3 year warranty and a $150 bag for $2800 not too mention the $200 gift certificates.

So I guess my point is, it never hurts to ask because you are the consumer and the consumer is always going to go with the better deal. It's the sales reps job to get you to buy thier product and they will use whatever means to do so, including freebies. Everyone likes freebies.

 

Gunpoint.

*filler*

 

Why do we always jump into this when someone asks the same...and for the most part it may be because they misworded their intent.

Any posters from European countries can jump in here but, in many countries, bartering is a part of life. Its actually an insult if you do not barter. Dont believe me...hit SOHO village, the little retail tent market on Broadway and watch them laugh as you pay full price for perfume.

Next, I have to ask how many have bought a car at full face value? If you did SHAKE YOUR HEAD. When your done SHAKE IT AGAIN!!! Hear anything? NO and that because $%^& sticks. (lol little joke there).

On the premise that a car already has a sticker, we shouldnt try and get it cheaper if we follow the rule many are trying to put in place here.

I have assisted in the purchase of well over 50 cars...and I can say it is a terrible system that we live in. Full price stickers are meant only for the elderly and those who dont want to or know how to ask for a lesser price? I actually believe it is a form of elderly abuse.

Dealers should be forced to display the real dealer cost of that car. Do you know what they pocket off of a brand new car? Would you blame a guy for trying to better his deal if he just learned his friend got the same deal for 7000 less?

In reality, what the OP is actually doing is better business and any smart sales rep will tell you that. Thats life!!!

Do you know what Dell pays for a typical laptop or computer including all the labour? You would puke!!

Lets just look at typical retail. Price and demand allows retail to price items so much higher because we will buy it at that. I, myself sold a PS3 at just under a grand!!!

Ok condemn me for it....but I would have sold it for much less. The consumer wants it and thats the way life works.

K..lets forget about me and my terrible admission just now and look at this from a business standpoint.

By the end of next quarter, Dell drops it marketshare to 20% from 33%. What do you think they will do???

They will lower their prices. Now, do you not think they have already tackled this through the bartering and deal angle? Did you know that any CSR has the ability to comp you 200 bucks worth of merchandise for no reason? Why is that.

Its because Dell wants customers and they will do what it takes to keep them happy.

They have long ago anticipated exactly what the OP is asking and prepared for it.

As a consumer, we now need to prepare ourselves in our own purchases. I have tried to help in 2 articles I have posted (How to/Getting Money Back). With the responses I have received back and realizing that thoses articles are read by thousands who arent forum members, I would say I have succeeded in saving consumers tens of thousands.

Yea for them! Dell will smile and say "Yea for us!!! Thats why we have 33% market share"

 

i think it really depends on your situation - it seem like, and please correct me if im wrong, that you just want something for free - nothing really happened to warrant any freebies, youd just like something thrown in

i dont think dell does stuff like that (especially considering you most likely got a pretty good deal on the laptop itself)

on the other hand, if youve been inconvenienced in some way (think of all the people who have waited a VERY long time for their laptops - one guy i read about is at something like 80+ days and STILL waiting) - then perhaps you are entitled to some sort of "freebie" (but again - this is only logical in that dell does something that inconveniences you, and then maybe they should compensate you for that)

 

He hasnt bought yet so he is looking for a small 'throw in' to make him feel like he got a great deal from Dell.

Ive advised many times...get the best deal you can throw ideas such as I have written below and then at the end of working it all out ask, "Ok now, what else can you do to guarantee my sale and a great CSR satisfaction email RIGHT NOW?. Can you throw in a mouse..or a bag...?"

 

Was this on an XPS system? I'm getting the impression that they won't budge at all on the m1330.

Thanks,
Andrew

 

They will budge on the m1330. You need to follow the thread and then check out a few diff sales people. Follow my advise on when to call and what to ask...

Hope it works...

 

Hello,

This is Richard from Dell's Online Community Outreach group. I just wanted to add that you do not have to bargain for deals or freebies. If you go to our website, locate Special Promotions (usually on right side or bottom of page). There are offers ranging from warranty upgrades, prices drops, and accessory items.

If you call to order a computer on the phone these promotion may not be available. Another option is to sign up for the email promotions. I know what you’re thinking, "Who wants more email stuff?" But, it is may be worth it if you find what your looking for.

Please keep in mind, I am not supporting or condemning the bartering for discounts or freebies nor am I promoting Dell products. I am just informing people that there are available promotions and where is find them because not everyone likes to ask.

Thank you very much for your interest in Dell.

Best regards,
Richard B
Dell Online Community Outreach

 

Hi flamenko,

Would you recommend calling home or small business? I've called home three times now and they refuse to budge even one bit (as in not even upgraded shipping).

Thanks,
Andrew

 

Have you tried to walk through configs as I suggested asking what kind of deal they can give with each option? personally, I have only ever dealt with home.

Maybe you should start by saying right off, " Hi my name is ________ (insert name here). Im looking for a system and I know exactly what I want but Im looking for a Rep that will go the extra mile and maybe help out a bit, just to guarantee the sale right now."

If they say they cant say thank you anyway and try again. I will concede that those who are happiest are those who have tried calling a number of times. Heck, someone almost beat my deal last week which had me nervous...and mine had mitigating circumstances.

 

I'm going to give it another try now and see what happens. I think you're right though it's going to be best to mention up front that i'm looking for a rep willing to deal.

Thanks,
Andrew

 

Well i just had a chat with one of the online sales advisors, told them that i had returned an M1730 because i had problems with it and was told to re-order.

I said i wanted to up the specification a little, but when i ordered originally i got that 5% Discount Voucher they had on all XPS systems. Well it expired on the 31st of October, so now im re-ordering i cant use it. Do they have anything else promotion wise for it as without the 5% the laptop is a little out of my budget.

Unfortunatly they just said "Sorry this is not possible and there are currently no promotions." which kinda sucks. I just said OK thanks and left.

Shame actually because had they given me even 2% off or something i would have ordered that minute. Now im still pondering what to go for, another DELL or wait on something else.

 

Thanks for all the help guys!