haggling stories: m1330 in particular

I have heard of ppl getting this and that discount by giving dell a call and negotiating. So here is the place to share your successful and not-so-successful calls, not to mention sharing some tips with those who are looking at ordering an m1330 or any other dell in the future. The drake deal is a little too risky for me and I'm sure for many others; however giving someone some commission in exchange for a nice discount looks pretty tempting!

 

There is a technique to haggling:
1. You mention the specs and ask for the price
2. Say you realy like thje product, flatter him and say you like him/her BUT...
3. You dont like the price
4. They will ask why- equip yourself with the cheapest competitor prices for the same specification/ a laptop you really like
5. Ask them what they can do for you (pricewise).
6. At this point the rep is altercating in reducing the price
7. Tip it to your favour by saying how much you'd appreciate a good deal
8. Start haggling!!

 

I tried this with my XPS M1710 since they delayed it and changed it last minute! But i only kept getting through to freshies who dont sound from UK which i dont think they even understand the concept of compensation especially on such a large order like mine!

I had a good mind to cancel but this morning my order has moved on to production which has got me a bit happier!

 

Dell called to ask if I had received my m1210 alright because I had complained to them about not being kept up to date on my order status. Anywho, FedEx failed to deliver the package on time (in Hawai'i, one is required to pay for overnight delivery). FedEx always fails to deliver packages on the first try and I invariably end up getting my packages 2-3 days late. However, for $70, but I was expecting to have my computer in hand in ONE DAY. I know that I'm not really the FedEx customer, so I went down to their station to pick it up and didn't waste my time yelling at them. I told the Dell rep that I was very disappointed in their decision to ship with FedEx and related to them my ordeal. I ended up with free shipping which, for Hawai'i, is pretty good. I think that the key is not to be mean. Just convey your disappointment and they'll try to right the situation with $ (that is, assuming that you're disappointed - I don't condone lying).

 

Thats odd.

Dell never charges for shipping here in Australia..

 

Sent an email to my account manager for a £1700 spec. He knocked it down to £1100 straight away. I bought it. no BS required

 

Which system was that for? Been thinking of getting the M1710 myself, but I'm inbetween waiting for the new version to come out (reckon it'll be here begining of August) but may be out of my price range, whilst the M1710 is currently within.

 

If you work for a company they always want to keep you happy so they will work with you and give you good savings

 

well i wanted the m1330
went through drake (ya i actually go there)
that took off about $600 from the regular price
then i called in to downgrade the ram, got $150 back from that
and now im working on getting a $200 off coupon applied..once that happens ill be a happy camper! oh..ill try to get ON shipping free too, since its going to be over a month till they ship it lol

 

You can also get - for what it's worth - a 6% discount through most AAA club memberships. I also just found the following on Costco:

Operating System:

* Microsoft® Windows® Vista Home Premium

Processor & Memory:

* Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7100 Processor at 1.8GHz
* 2MB L2 cache
* 800MHz Front Side Bus
* 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 Dimm (shared)

Drives:

* 120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
* 8X DVD+/-RW Slot loading, double-layer drive
* 8-in-1 removable memory card reader

Graphics & Video:

* 13.3" UltraSharp™ Wide Screen WXGA Display with TrueLife™
*

Intel integrated graphics media accelerator 3000
*

2.0MP WebCam

Communications:

* Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 (802.11a/g 54Mbps)
*

Integrated 10/100 Network Card
*

Integrated 56K capable modem

* Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth connectivity (2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate)

Audio:

* Integrated High Definition Audio 2.0

Ports:

*

2 USB 2.0 compliant 4-pin connectors
*

IEEE 1394a
*

RJ45 Ethernet port (10/100)
*

Video: VGA
*

Video: HDMI
*

ExpressCard 54 mm slot
*

8-in-1 removable memory card reader
*

Audio jacks: Stereo in & headphone/speaker out (x2) dual digital array mics

Microsoft® Works 8.5:



* New dictionary tool: Look up definitions as you write. The new dictionary tool with thesaurus helps you find the perfect word.
* Share your documents: Works lets you share and edit word processing and spreadsheet files with Microsoft Word and Excel users.
* Enhanced calendar: the improved calendar lets you easily manage the entire household schedule with new appointment color coding and improved printing functions.
* View PowerPoint presentations: With the new PowerPoint Viewer you can read most PowerPoint presentations you receive from family, friends, or organizations.
PowerPoint viewer works with files created in PowerPoint 97 or later.
* Save and recover documents: auto-save and document recovery--newly added to Works--for the word processor and spreadsheet.

(Does not include Microsoft Word.)

Additional Software:

* McAfee 8.0 SecurityCenter with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 15-months
*

Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 7.0

Power Supply:

*

56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Battery

Additional Information:

*
Biometric fingerprint reader (greater security and convenience)
*
Warranty and Service:

* Dell 2-Year Limited Hardware Warranty: For a copy of Dell guarantees or limited warranties, please write: Dell USA L.P., Attn: Warranties, One Dell Way, Round Rock, TX 78682. Or for more information, visit http://www.dell4me.com/terms and conditions.
* Dell 2-Year On-site Hardware Service: On-site service provided via third-party contract with customer.

Does this look like a decent set up for $1649.99?

 

Saved almost $900 from my m1330 order from drake

 

Sorry, didn't mean to put all those extra spaces in the above post!!

 

Hi,
I am from Canada and I would like to know what specific phone number I need to call to order / bargain for a laptop. (The navigation on their website is awful)

 

I heard you get better service and more leeway with the small business phone line rather than the home one. Maybe try there?