Negotiating w/ Dell reps

Has anyone called Dell to get a better deal by talking to a customer service rep? I've priced out an Inspiron using the $300 coupon; I have to admit it's a very good price, but I want an even better one In all seriousness, I would actually have a point to make, which is that despite being disappointed with my most recent Dell laptop (screen failed), I'm willing to give them another chance. Any thoughts on whether they'd lower the price and/or throw anything in for free (upgrade, extended warranty)?

 

After my long conversations with Dell, I find it hopeless. The reps I spoke to wouldn't even budge and only offered me FREE 1 day shipping. I would just be thankful that you got the $300 coupon and stick with that.

 

it doesnt hurt to try. a lot of times, the phone reps will be able to give you some freebies or cheaper upgrades since they want to make a sale.

 

Durmat, Just now, I got off the phone with a sales rep. I'd configured a system last night (online) for $1003, having applied the $300-off coupon. I'm satisfied with the price, but was wondering what might happen if I called Dell sales on the phone.

Basically, if they offered to throw in either a 2 or a 3 year warranty upgrade, I'd buy, there and then.

Anyway, was on the phone for 45 mins approx, configured the system all over again, then made my request, stating that with a warranty upgrade thrown in, I would buy. I kept making ref to a Lenovo T61 that I'd configured for under $1100 with 3 year warranty. But the Dell sales rep would not oblige, stating that my system for $1003 did not have enough profit margin to justify a free warranty upgrade.

She would not budge on price. I asked her would she mind getting a manager's approval, but was told, again politely, not enough profit on my sys as configured to even warrant such a request. Seems there's a price below which Dell would not sell, (hah) as there's a price above which I won't buy, and never the twain shall meet, at least in my instance.

Frankly, I thought they might oblige just so as to make the sale, but I guess profit margins are profit margins.

Maybe, with a more expensive system, you'll have more luck.

 

Dell reps are almost as bad as Best Buy salesmen. Just buy it online, the most they offered me was $20 off and that was after talking to him for an hour.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm wondering if they're more willing to budge on smaller items- for example, wireless N, bluetooth or the remote as upgrades. If I try, I'll report back and let everyone know.

If anyone has the name or extension of a Dell rep that gave them a good deal, I'd be very interested in hearing it. Thanks!

 

Consider yourselves lucky. What I would do for my 1520 to be even under $1500.

The American deals you are getting are more then adequate!

 

I'm gunna try going to a Dell kiosk here in Toronto, with my ethnic dad, who will not take "there is nothing I can do, sir" as an answer.

And if they do, we'll just walk away and order online, or through the phone.

 

Just be happy with the deal you're getting, no other company would let you do half of what dell does.

 

Dell doesn't "let" any buyers do anything. They are in the business of selling computers for a profit. Whether they carry a 20% profit margin on an uninformed customer or a 1% margin on an informed customer, they still want to make the sale. That's absolutely as it should be, and it's exactly what other companies do as well, regardless of how much more or less their notebooks may cost than Dell's.

 

Apparently the new Inspirons are backordered; they're already selling them as fast as they can make them, so I wouldn't expect them to negotiate much at this point.

 

Where did you guys get the $300-off cupons? that would be really sweet to get, more money for much wanted upgrades.

 

that is a very good point. there will prob be less will to negotiate from the reps since they are matching or even exceeding their predictions.

 

i called and expressed my concern about it not being shipped for almost 3 weeks.. i said i will prob be buying 3 or 4 more if we like this new one when we get it i said this it kind of a "trial" one.. i ended up with a 50$ off credit and overnight for free... i guess it depends keep caling till you get someone in india thats what i did and she was very nice and said yeah sure no problem

 

I'm purchasing a 1720 right now with a base price of $1,534 (-$300 = $1,234). They're giving me $100 Dell dollars, free next day shipping, $20 color option (as opposed to the $50 it now costs), and quite possibly (working on it right now) a free IR remote! Pays to be informed!

 

dajoip, did you do anything in particular to get those deals, or just call and be persistent?

 

what are the specs of that one dajoip?? thanks

 

@ Durmat: I probably ended up calling at least 5 reps because the first time I ever called in, the rep made me an incredible offer ($100 instant discount on top of the $300 coupon + $200 Dell dollars + next business day shipping) and I ended up getting disconnected from him. I had his email and extension but was unable to ever get back ahold of him. Anyways, I kept calling reps until I finally got one that made a decent offer. I ignored all the other ones that laughed at me and what I was asking for. But this rep was extremely personable and helped me with everything I asked for. She told me it wasn't possible to add next business day shipping or the remote, since I was already getting a great deal. However, once the order was complete, I had these added through the use of Dell Chat. I didn't encounter any problems doing this whatsoever.

@ zfactor: check my signature-

 

dajoip- do you have the name and/or extension of the rep you spoke to? Sounds like he/she was much more helpful than the ones I'm getting. If you could post or PM me that info, I'd be grateful!