Did anyone incur fees in their bank transfer to Lapstars.de?
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Edit: When I first started to e-mail them I clearly stated that I was getting a new thinkpad at the end of the month, providing them with info on the models I was interested in. That might help speed things up in their customer service. -
Just a quick update.
I orderd my X220i (4290W1A) on 05.18 with 9 cell upgrade. The machine was in stock but the battery wasn't, so i had to wait a few days. The package was shipped on 05.24 and arrived on 05.27 with UPS (Germany to Hungary). I ordered with C.O.D. (cash on delivery) for a +10 eur, but i thought it's a safer way for me.
Unfortunately i didn't get Haribo so i'm a little disappointed.
I think i was lucky because Mario always replied me within 1 day. -
But I'm sitting right now with my Himari in front of my house, in a direct sunlight, and have no problem working with text on this display. I could not see anything on my former T42 in the same place and same conditions.
I am very happy about the screen.
M. -
I really hope I get mine wihin 14 days or so
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I have a question for the people who has received their Thinkpads already:
Approximately how many Bank days did it take, from the first day of payment, until you received a notification from the reseller that the product was being shipped?
*My banks website says 2-5 days for them to send the money; It was sent in 2 days (I assume, since it was withdrawn from my account at this time.
*They also say approx. 2-7 days for the receiving bank (depending on the bank) to transfer the money to the receivers account; 4 days have passed by since assumed transfer, excluding Feast of the Ascension holiday.
I'm not getting worried yet, but it would be nice to have some kind of timeframe to compare with. I don't think has been discussed in this thread before. I saw some posts about shipping time but nothing about the transfer time.
Thanks in advance! -
Mario from lapstars.de answered my request for Norwegian keyboard layouts for the X220 within a few hours, and simultaneously put the option on the site.
I was also positively surprised by the prices for academic personell (teachers, students, researchers)... and that the VAT seems to be taken out of the figures once you make an account stating where you want the machine shipped to.
I am just waiting for the X220 processor throttling issue to be resolved before I order...
When considering my options, Germany has 3 years of warranty vs 2 years in Denmark vs 5 in Norway. The price difference, however is vast, with Germany being the least expensive... and 3 years is enough to ensure you haven't got a bad unit.
-ttb -
My experience with lapstars.de (MRG Computer) was quite strange.
The email that I sent (about a month before ordering) with questions about the buying procedure was answered within a day or two. Which was good.
However, when I ordered my laptop I made sure to check if everything was in stock, and it was. I placed my order and transfered the money (I used "pay before hand") minutes after I received the e-mail with bank information.
After 5 Bank days I emailed them to see if they had gotten the money, I got no answer... So I waited 2 more Bank days and emailed again, I got an answer the next day. Mario said that he got the money but that we now had to wait for the laptop. Clearly the thinkpad that I ordered was not in stock although the website stated just that.
After about a week the status was changed to "being processed". After another 4-5 days I emailed asking when I could be expecting the laptop. He said that it was going to be handed to UPS the same day (this was on a tuesday). I asked for a tracking number and he said I would be given one later.
On thursday (2 days later) the status of the order was changed to "being delivered", however, I still didn't get a UPS number. On the monday the following week UPS knocked on my door and the laptop was in my hands. When I opened up the laptop the keyboard was not locked into place correctly (I had it replaced from DE to SV), but that was fixed in seconds so it didn't bother me.
Really the thing that upsets me about this procedure was the fact that the website stated that the products where in stock, ready to be shipped imediately. In reality I had to wait closer to 2 weeks before the products where shipped (money transfer obviously not included). I was expecting to use my laptop for a project that I am working on, but because of the delay I had to push that forward ~2 weeks.
Also the fact that Mario did not answer on some emails about my order as well as not providing me with a tracking number was quite frustrating.
Despite what I have said, I would probably recommend others to buy from lapstars.de. They have good prices and a good collection of products and upgrades. But, you have to be patient, and if you need your laptop at a specific date, order about a month ahead even though the laptop might be "in stock". -
At first I was also considered buying Lenovo from Germany as they have student price. But the price for X220 with premium IPS screen is quite much about Eur900 ++
So I decided to follow other path as suggested by fellow forumer to buy directly from USA. Got some deals at that time and the VAT about Eur115.00.
Now I am a happy man with an X220 with premium screen, Core i5, and Windows 7 and Office. -
I had an odd experience with lapstars as well. First I emailed them with some questions and got no reply. I decided to go ahead and place an order anyway, but chose the cash on delivery option just in case. I got an automatic confirmation email when I ordered and that was the last I ever heard from them. The computer I picked was supposed to be available in 3-4 days according to their website, so after almost two weeks had passed I emailed again asking for a status update - again no reply. Let another week pass, sent another email - nothing. After a month I sent an email saying that I'm cancelling, no reply to that either. I've now ordered the same computer from another store and I just hope that the package from lapstars doesn't show up on my doorstep one day.
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My experience with lapstars.de so fare is very good. I was answered my email on a Saturday - the same day i send it. But I did translate my email to German just in case...
Now I wait for my X220 i7 to arrive (fingers crossed)
Edit: The site has a contact formula if you are suspecting your emails to be marked wrongly as spam.
https://www.lapstars.de/contact_us.php -
I'm a bit frustrated about the different categories on the site.
There is a whole "Studi/WiMi" category with thinkpads.
Then there is a "UNI/FH" category.
Inside the "UNI/FH" categories, there are two kinds of laptops:
Some of them start with "Lehre & Forschung" and some of them start with "UNI/FH/ÖD".
So.. what can I order as a UK university student? From the description inside the products, I understand (google translate..) that both "Studi/WiMi" and the subcategory "Lehre & Forschung" of "UNI/FH" is for students - but then what is the difference?
EDIT: Nevermind, it seems there is no difference whatsoever. Laptops under the "Studi/WiMi" category are exactly the same with those under "UNI/FH" that start with "Lehre & Forschung". Same price same everything. -
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Now this is interesting. I was ready to close the deal on a i5 X220 imported from the US but the student prices at lapstars.de look.. tasty!
I'm currently a post-grad student here in Greece. Am I eligible for this discount? What kind of proof material does lapstars.de require? International Student Card? Perhaps a photocopy of my University Pass? Suffice to say I'm a total newbie at the 'student discount' thing... -
Today I received my X220 in good condition.
I will recommend lapstars.de to all.
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That is good to know. I think I'm going to be ordering from lapstars.de also if I can't secure the deal for the US import X220.
For the Europeans who have gotten their X220s from lapstars.de, how are your IPS screens? Are you seeing the 'image persistence' (aka 'ghosting') issue described on another thread and on the official Lenovo forums? Perhaps we are lucky and the problem is confined to US only X220s? Also, what about stuck/dead pixels? -
I was wandering if someone can buy *only* a warranty upgrade/extension from lapstars.de (using the student discount too) - without buying an actual laptop. Do you think it's possible?
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Well I went ahead and ordered the following from lapstars.de:
Thinkpad X220 4290W4H SPECIAL
Lehre & Forschung -i7-2620M (2.7GHz), 8GB, 80GB mSATA SSD + 320GB 72, 12.5" HD Premium LED 1366x768, Intel HD 3000, a/g/n WLAN, BT, Sec. Chip, FP, HD-Cam, 6-Zelle, DOS, 3J. Garantie
along with a switch to US keyboard and a pixel check (+18 euros).
At first I thought about getting the i5, what with the various throttling issues reported with the i7. But from what I've read, a proper 90w power supply solves the issue, while Lenovo is also working on fixing this through a BIOS fix. So I decided to 'future proof' the X220 by getting the i7 option.
Now some comparisons: for the above I will pay 1322 euros, including shipping and COD charges. Here in Greece, the only X220 for sale is the base i5 model without IPS and without SSD. Local price: 1450 euros!
I chose the cash on delivery option. At first when I saw that shipping is via DHL I was very happy (DHL courier takes 1 day and the laptop ships tommorow according to Mario), however afterwards I remembered that DHL is actually the German Post. The cash on delivery option is only available for DHL Paket International, which means a package takes about 4 days to reach Greece (on average) and is then handed over to the local post office for delivery.
So If all goes well, next week I will have it in my hands!
Haven't had a 'proper' laptop in years..!
Communication with lapstars.de has so far been excellent, every email gets answered within hours, I've sent Mario countless questions (about IWS etc.) and he always responds promptly. A couple of my questions were answered within minutes! -
Where do you see the "Pixel check" ? I have orderd oen and they have my money in 2 days, but I would like a pixel check if its cheap
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I asked Mario about it and he sent me this link, you just add it to your cart like you do for the keyboard layout change:
https://www.lapstars.de/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=pixel&x=0&y=0
Its 18 euros, I figure if I'm paying over 1000 euros for a laptop I might as well make sure it doesn't have stuck/dead pixels! Especially since they 're going to be opening the laptop up to replace the keyboard.
Now comes waiting, the hardest part when ordering a new gadget 8) -
Hmm I ordered Onsite service so I will just get Lenovo to fix it at my place if its broken. Whats Lenovos pixal warrenty on Thinkpads?
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Update: Mario emailed me and they will be using UPS, not DHL (UPS offer COD for almost all countries in the EU). Which is good news since the X220 will be here sooner
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also the fact that they dont call you before hand which DHL do :/
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So now I'm in the middle of the worst phase when purchasing something over the Internet, the dreaded waiting part. UPS tracking said 'expected delivery date: 27/7/2011' but today it moved up to the 28th.
For those that have had their laptops shipped via UPS, what condition was the outer box in? Is it adequate protection for the Lenovo packaging inside? (thoughts of the X220 being banged about while moving from truck to truck for the next 6 days are hard to resist!) -
My outer box was not banged up or anything and I had it sent to Sweden. The protection should be adequate with the extra box and the styrofoam since UPS, in my case, delivered the package in good shape. -
I wonder what is the difference between these two:
1) https://www.lapstars.de/product_info.php?products_id=7306
2) https://www.lapstars.de/product_info.php?products_id=7307
Any thoughts? Isn't it the same product? The price difference is massive. -
A warning for those that choose UPS shipping and do not live in countries close to Germany: do yourselves a favor and spend a little more on shipping by specifying you want UPS Express and not Standard.
Its been 5 days since my package shipped and according to the tracking page, it is still in Germany (Munchen), having spent 5 days travelling across the beautiful German countryside (it stopped in 6 cities!). The original delivery date of 27/7 has been bumped up to August 1st.
Which means that UPS Standard is slower than cheap normal mail. Good going there, UPS! -
Hooray! Apparently UPS' tracking system is quite unreliable, today the package arrived at my door.
Very impressed with the X220 so far. I'm installing Windows 7 right now to get a feel for the laptop.
As for the dreaded light bleed: it is there, the usual 4 spots at the bottom of the screen. Thankfully turning the brightness down a little makes the light bleed unnoticeable and, apart from that, the screen is beautiful.
Very impressed with the packaging by lapstars.de, there were protective air cushions all around the Lenovo box. Highly recommended! -
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I've been lurking on the forums for a while now but today I actually need to ask a or two question.
Has anyone who has bought from lapstars.de or campusdiscount.de upgraded the guarantee and if so have it actually registered?
The upgrade I would like is the onsite one as there are no depots in Sweden and I don't want the hassle of sending it in with the postal system.
And is it true that it takes around 2-3 weeks to get the laptop after sending the money through the archaic means of international bank transfers?
Small note: I'm Swedish, if that helps answering the questions. -
I have bought a X220 tablet in the US and it's registered there and not in the Netherlands where I live so I did not upgrade to 'on-site' -
Greetings all,
@IT_SUX_OFTEN
I think you are on to why some people are not receiving replies to their emails...(your comment about the contact form a few pages back). It is either spam filtering or just a bad case of an overfilled inbox... Mario has answered quickly to all but a few mails from me. I have simply sent a new mail a couple of days later if he hasnt replied - thinking that he hasnt seen it.
@silencer51
Can you check for image persistence on your screen? Put some bright shapes (light colours) on your screen at MAX brightness for say 5 to 10 minutes. Then revert to a dark gray background (use your desktop) and look for the 'shadows' of the bright shapes.
Also try to figure out when your unit was produced. According to Lenovo, units produced after mid-august 2011 were assembled with IPS-panels from a different batch... (hopefully a better one)
At least the community wins and Lenovo finally admits (sort of) that they were selling defective screens...
Mario assured me that the X220 4290W4H I ordered today was produced 01.09.2011...
I can't wait for the laptop to get here....!!! -
Samsung did the trick a few years ago, they bought cheap capacitors to use in their LCD TVs, most capacitors failed within 2-3 years and some showed odd behaviours due to the capacitors not working to standards. -
UPDATE: Replacement screens for X220 with image persistence problems are now in stock it seems -
I committed my payment for my order from lapstars.de 8 days (6 bank days) ago, and my order is still in "Open"...
I've sent Mario an email asking him to confirm whether he has received the money.
UPDATE: The order is now "In Processing"
UPDATE: "Sent" !!! Got the UPS-notice a few hours later! The package should arrive on -tuesday-!!
UPDATE: Received the X220 on Tuesday 11.10 - Well packed and with Haribo gummy bears
Overall, I am happy with the way lapstars.de has handled my order. I would recommend them to others.
The only thing I could put my finger on is the fact that I asked for fast, quality shipping - and I got UPS Standard - but in the end it didn't take more than 4.5 days to get here so it is not complaining.
OT, but still - the X220 is fantastic, loaded with Ubuntu Linux 11.10 Oneiric Ocelot things are running very smoothly - next step is to set up a virtualbox for WinXP-only software. -
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I have a question for you that bought laptops from lapstars, did you pay price without mwst and paid your tax only when you got it or how does it work?
I live in Croatia and I'd really like to avoid arguing with customs office about laws and how they're not supposed to charge me tax on tax already payed, so I'd like to collect some information before buying.
I can always ask my cousin to buy it for me in germany, but I'd like to avoid that kind of complications and mostly waiting. -
I am a Portuguese student and I want to buy a Lenovo X230.
I found lapstars.de before I read this thread, they really have good prices and the shipping rate is also cheap. But, at the time I got the idea that the student prices were only for German students. About one week ago, I sent an email asking about that, but I receive no response from lapstars.de
However, for what I understand after I read this thread, any European student can buy a laptop at lapstars.de with student prices, is that right?? -
I would check up with them but since people as far as Scandinavia (some which are not within the EU bloc like Norway) were able to order from Lapstars.de by sending proof of student eligibility and had their units shipped to them I don't see why they wouldn't be able to ship to another EU country like Portugal.
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Thank you!!
I will send them again an email asking if I can buy the laptop. I will also send them a photo with my student ID card and check if that is enough.
Hope they respond me this time. -
After about 10days I received an email saying that my order has been posted by UPS.
Today (about 15 days after I made the order) the Lenovo X230 arrived. I used the pay on delivery option and everything went ok!!! The price was great, the available options to configure the laptop were awesome. Only the lack of communications was an issue.
But in the end I recommend the store!! It allows students to save a lot of money.
Any other acadamic shops in EU other than ok1.de that ship in Europe?
Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Mech0z, Apr 5, 2011.