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    O boy! LOL! I had a horrible experience trying to 'negotiate' with Dell!

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by Ryu Hadoken, Jul 7, 2009.

  1. Ryu Hadoken

    Ryu Hadoken Notebook Consultant

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    Wow! LOL! :D

    First of all, I called a customer representative last week and just asked a general question about the XPS16. And when I was about to hang up, the customer rep. said "hey, please call me back if/when you are going to make a purchase and I will make sure you get the best deal possible!"

    So today I tried to call her, and someone else picked up and said "she isn't here right now but I work with her and I can be just as helpful."

    So I customized the XPS16 to around $3182(yes, I know its overdoing but I was thinking of getting some % off) and put it in my cart. I mean, spending that much, you would expect SOME sort of deal. NOTHING! The rep. offered me nothing!

    The rep. said the only way to lower the price is to downgrade. So then the Rep. gave me some potential configuration and yet the prices WERE THE SAME as if I were to buy them online. I was like "I was promised a deal, that is why I called.... I could have gotten these same exact prices online by myself." And the rep. said something like "Well, I do think you know how we work, we cannot offer any discounts like that. We can only help advise you. Even the rep. you originally wanted to speak to wouldn't be able to do anything different than me."

    I mean, they offered me no discounts at ALL!


    LOL!


    Now what?
     
  2. Derrida

    Derrida Notebook Deity

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    Actually, Dell is notorious for having multiple prices for the same configuration available in different locations on its Website in the States.

    Look for the online version of the flyer sent to the homes of those who have already purchased Dell products, for example. Entering through that portal changes the prices for configurations that are being featured that month.

    Of course, you can also mosey around NBR which is "in tight" with Dell to find Dell coupons -- you can enter coupon codes online or on the phone to lower the price.

    And check to see if your union or employer or educational institution offers a Dell discount. And some models are cheaper in retail, like at Staples or Best Buy.

    Alternatively, you could recognize this treatment from Dell as a sign of what customer service with Dell will be like and decide right now to check out Dell's competitors. I did -- and found a world of difference with Sony and its Vaio products.

    Good luck....
     
  3. Ryu Hadoken

    Ryu Hadoken Notebook Consultant

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    ^^ Thanks m8.
     
  4. gengerald

    gengerald Technofile Extraordinaire

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    Ryu, as Derrida has said, that representative has fed you a load of bs. I have called on three separate occasions and gotten lower prices than online...all three times. I initially wait till there is a coupon or even two (stackable) and I will run them online. Then I call, email my cart to them. This is where they say how great of a deal this is and I ask them if they can see if there is anything I can do to get this a bit lower, even asking them to speak to a manager. I have had a positive experience every time. The key, in my opinion, is to be firm and utilize the phone's off button when necessary. I only support Dell if you buy their monitors or their 100% complete care warranty for their other products. Best of luck! use NBR, Techbargains, Google, etc. for coupons :)
     
  5. Fragilexx

    Fragilexx Get'cha head in the game

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    Yes, but Vaio machines do tend to be a bit pricier than their Dell counterparts.

    I myself prefer Sony laptops. Only got a Dell because it was "what I was allowed", and those I've had before were due to work discounts.
     
  6. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    Hey you!

    That's just wrong. Dell does give further discounts, and the reps *are capable* of doing so. Sounds, like this one just wanted the *sale* from the other rep, and wouldn't budge at all.

    Call back, and be *firm* and ask to speak with the Rep that helped you.
    Do you have his 7 digit extension? Thats one way to get to that person.

    Don't give up on Dell. Dell does provide great Service, and I know you really want that 1640!! *Yes, I'm a admitted Dell Fan Gurl* :p

    Sometimes you have to try more than one rep/one call to get the deal that you want.

    I'm not saying a word about other Brands, as it has nothing to do with Ryus, thread topic at hand! ;)

    Have your order configured and *saved to cart*, and call back and get that deal that you want! (oh, and the 1640).

    Trigger words like: I'm ready to buy, whats the bottom line deal you can give me, so I can order right now? Or, what incentive can you provide...to make me want to purchase this 1640*..things like that do work! :)

    Good luck ~ don't you give up~

    Cin ;) :)
     
  7. Ryu Hadoken

    Ryu Hadoken Notebook Consultant

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    :D :D :D :D :D :D


    Thank you guys so much! Always giving me hope!


    Yeah, I got his 7 number extension and I was told he will be back "a few days later." So "a few days later", I will call back again.


    But regardless, this forum has been GREAT. Especially, but not limited to, CIN! Thanks a mill!
     
  8. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    :D :D It will work for you, I'm fairly certain.

    When you call his extension..and you get his voice mail. Leave a message like: *Hello, Mr. Smith..you asked that I call you back when I was ready to order, so you could help configure & give me the best deal. Well, I am now calling back to advise you that I am ready to purchase a healthy system that I configured to start at nearly 3K!! Please call me at your soonest and very earliest convenience, so we can discuss my *configuration, pricing, and potential sale at the end of our conversation* :D

    And, you could add: * My intentions are to have my 1640 ordered by 5pm, tomorrow* ;)

    :D


    Cin ;) :)
     
  9. Fragilexx

    Fragilexx Get'cha head in the game

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    This is great advice, listen to Cin and follow these instructions and hopefully you'll get some sort of deal.

    Many years ago I worked in sales (actually, where haven't I worked come to think of it). If I had a call like this, it would have had me on the phone to you 9:15am (allowing me time to hear the message) the very next day I was in.
     
  10. Ryu Hadoken

    Ryu Hadoken Notebook Consultant

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    hey cin, do you mind if I say that to the customer rep. word for word? :cool:
     
  11. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    Nope not at all..go ahead! :)
    If a Rep wants a sale, they will work with you.

    Good luck!

    Cin ;) :)
     
  12. Ryu Hadoken

    Ryu Hadoken Notebook Consultant

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    Do other notebook companies let you bargain, or just Dell? Cuz if they do, I can use that as a sort of leverage also.
     
  13. Ryu Hadoken

    Ryu Hadoken Notebook Consultant

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    Also, lets say I call the representative and he offers me a deal that I want. Then what do I do? I ask for a quote first, and then while on the phone, I check my mail and make sure everything is correct? Then do I say, "ok, I checked the quote, that is what I want" and then give him my information and credit card #? How exactly will the procedure work?


    Thanks in advance.
     
  14. Fragilexx

    Fragilexx Get'cha head in the game

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    You can try to barter with any sale. Back when I was at college, I had one woman try to barter with me when I worked on a checkout at a supermarket.

    Remember, the price quoted anywhere (except on an order confirmation, an official quote or any form of contract) is not contractual. This applies to pretty much all consumer goods.