awaiting delivery of XPS M1530 in Australia... then Dell advertises extra discounts on the website!

After much research into my options (and many thanks to the people who post on these forums), on 11/01/08 I placed an order for the M1530 with the following specs:

CPU: T7700 2.4Ghz
RAM: 4GB
GPU: 256MB 8600M GT
Display: 1400x900 WXGA+
HDD: 320GB @ 5400rpm

With my EPP discount code, the final price came to A$2271.83, which I thought was pretty reasonable at the time. They also threw in some stuff that I have no use for/does not affect my decision to buy e.g. Dell 926 printer, USB speakers, SB Audigy software.

Today, I logged into my account to check the order status, and out of interest I had a look whether prices/offers have changed over the last week... and to my surprise they were offering a free upgrade to the T7700 (this is worth close to $200 rrp), and they are now throwing in the same stuff as I got with the exception of the printer. The price for the same build is now A$2102.54.

Obviously, I called the Dell rep straight away to see if anything can be done about my order. While I understand that Dell have specials all the time, and it may just be my bad luck that I missed out on a better offer, I feel that it is somewhat unfair, considering I haven't even received my laptop yet! In other words, my brand spanking new laptop has depreciated $170 from the time that it was built to the time that I am *close* to receiving it?!

The rep gave me the typical crap about "there are sales on all the time, if you miss out its unfortunate blah blah blah", and in all honesty she was trying her best. She's also going to "talk to a few people" to see if any adjustments can be made to my order.

I guess I'm ranting because I feel hard done by the fact that I received a *free* printer that (a) I don't need, (b) was advertised for $69 anyway, (c) I tried to haggle and ask for a discount if I didn't take the printer and (d) is honestly not a very good printer at all. Like most people, I see more value in a CPU upgrade that is worth more (in terms of RRP), and feel that at least I am entitled to the difference in price, considering that its only been 7 days and my laptop is still on a plane somewhere over the Pacific Ocean!

In any case, I realise I have the option of sending the laptop back as soon as I receive it (Monday) and order another one straight away with the better offer, as the offer end on the same day. However, that would be way too inefficient... wouldn't an easier option be if I sent them the printer back and they refund the difference in system value? It is a system with exactly the same specs after all...

Anyway, I've also told this to the rep, so fingers crossed she will give me some good news... from my experiences this would be highly unlikely though...

 

Two words.

Bad luck.

 

dell always tends to offer great deals once in a while...its all about being patient and getting lucky....btw how did u apply the EPP discount??? i though they dont apply to XPS m1530???

and if u ask most people on this forum i think they will all agree that no one really needs 4GB RAM....but it was still a good deal

 

Can't you cancel your order before shipping, and reorder the whole thing?

 

You can get one now if you live in the states. I don't know about other countries. Not only that, but you can use a stackable 10% discount along with it. Check this out:

https://holidaycoupon.dellsavings.com/welcome.html

1. Single-use coupon code. Offer valid 1/7/08 10am CT - 1/24/08 11:59pm CT. Good when you purchase XPS M1330 $899 and above, XPS One $699 and above, and XPS 420 $699 and above (before taxes, fees, shipping and handling). One coupon per customer.

2. Single-use coupon code. Offer valid 1/7/08 10am CT - 1/24/08 11:59pm CT. Not Valid on XPS systems. Good when you purchase Dell™ Inspiron™ desktops priced $699 and above and Inspiron notebooks at $899 and above (before taxes, fees, shipping and handling). One coupon per customer.

I had them e-mail me the coupon codes, then went to the normal EPP entry point. It worked for me.

http://www.dell.com/content/segmenter.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=eep&cs=6099

 

Jeff,

I must have cancelled six orders before they shipped for various reasons. Couldn't make up my mind on the config, looking for better price, etc. It's all a gamble. You puts down your money and takes a chance. Living where you do, I would just concentrate on getting a decent machine. If you get a nice one, I would keep it. Best wishes!

 

hey man im in Australia too you still got a much better deal than me...

i qualified for eep discounts but they wouldn't allow any epp discounts for me whatsoever at the time as they said all xps models were ineligible.... and i have the 1280x800 screen too i also didnt get a free printer, usb speakers and whatnot either. and i paid $AUD 2491 for mine and im not very satisfied with the quality of my notebook either (especially the cpu whine) but such is life, this is the first and probably the last dell i will buy using my own money.

The special on at the time i ordered was the wifi card upgrade worth about $25... now do you still feel hard done by? hehe im the one feeling hard done by!

 

I was lucky enough to get the EPP because in Australia, only the M1330 is excluded from the EPP discounts.

In regards to the 4Gb RAM, I decided to go with this option because our wonderful Australian tax system allows for "salary sacrifice", meaning the purchase price of a laptop can be deducted from our taxable income... in essence one can save nearly $1000 from the purchase price. If I decided to buy the RAM aftermarket, I will not be eligible for this.

Cheers

 

yep, the salary sacrifice bonanza is why i've gone the whole hog with my laptop - bluray, 4gb ram, t7800 processor, tv tuner, etc etc!