The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Lenovo Outlet Pricey

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by BinkNR, Oct 28, 2009.

  1. BinkNR

    BinkNR Knock off all that evil

    Reputations:
    308
    Messages:
    1,000
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Is it just me, or has the Lenovo Outlet been a bit pricey lately? I just “speced” out a brand new machine and with Lenovo’s current discounts, the refurbished item is MORE EXPENSIVE than a brand new machine.

    Caveat emptor?
     
  2. wilse

    wilse Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    192
    Messages:
    457
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Then buy the new one?
     
  3. BinkNR

    BinkNR Knock off all that evil

    Reputations:
    308
    Messages:
    1,000
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Of course, but that wasn’t the point.
     
  4. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

    Reputations:
    1,571
    Messages:
    8,107
    Likes Received:
    126
    Trophy Points:
    231
    Stock holding does cost more money, also the outlet doesn't go through the same discount cycles as the online stores.
     
  5. Broadus

    Broadus Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    124
    Messages:
    669
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I saw the same thing when I was spec'ing a T500, so I configured and ordered a new one on the cpp site.

    Bill
     
  6. The Fire Snake

    The Fire Snake Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    426
    Messages:
    2,889
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    They have to pay all the developers for the fancy redesign, Jk. It also seems like their stock, at least in terms of Thinkpads, is a lot less. Not to mention that ordering from the Outlet can be a headache since their specs are so inaccurate. I might also just instead order a new one, CTO.
     
  7. jaredy

    jaredy Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    793
    Messages:
    2,876
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    If management is smart and realizes the outlet is not moving inventory (which costs a lot to store as said above) then prices will come down eventually.

    They did have a huge warehouse sale though a couple months back.
     
  8. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    4,982
    Messages:
    34,001
    Likes Received:
    1,415
    Trophy Points:
    581
    Yes, I had a X200 in my cart for less than $600 about a month ago. It went OOS while in my cart.
     
  9. BinkNR

    BinkNR Knock off all that evil

    Reputations:
    308
    Messages:
    1,000
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    56
    I had the same issue about a month ago. The machine I wanted was ~540 dollars, but went OOS while in my cart too. Today the EXACT same machine is ~740 dollars—ALMOST A 40 PERCENT INCREASE—and more than what it’d cost new.
     
  10. Ishbar

    Ishbar Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    67
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    It's probably because of the line change they're going through.
    Their also trying to get as much $$$ for their Vista machines as possible.
     
  11. LoneWolf15

    LoneWolf15 The Chairman

    Reputations:
    976
    Messages:
    1,537
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I almost bought a T400 through the outlet this summer. Then I found with CPP and a stackable coupon, I could do far better.

    The outlet may have improved some in how it displays units, but they're still inconsistent about supply, and not always correct in their description. They also don't have Just-In-Time ordering like Dell's Outlet. For those reasons, I steer clear. For a ThinkPad, I'd go new. If I want an outlet discount, I'll go Dell Outlet (Business).
     
  12. pipspeak

    pipspeak Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    94
    Messages:
    1,041
    Likes Received:
    55
    Trophy Points:
    66
    The deals come and go. Currently they appear to be gone (I just bought an X200 and found nothing in the outlet worth getting). A few months back there were some great deals, so there will probably be more in a few more months when the next generation of models is released.
     
  13. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    4,982
    Messages:
    34,001
    Likes Received:
    1,415
    Trophy Points:
    581
    That's what I'm thinking too. If you want the best prices patience is always key.
     
  14. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

    Reputations:
    2,637
    Messages:
    6,370
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    I'm trying to figure out how $740 is a 40% increase from $600....

    Maybe if it was $500....
     
  15. jaredy

    jaredy Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    793
    Messages:
    2,876
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    740-540 = 200.

    200/540 = .370370

    ~40% :p
     
  16. wirleaon

    wirleaon Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    17
    Messages:
    71
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Maybe prices will come down after Christmas...
     
  17. chengdude

    chengdude Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    89
    Messages:
    94
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    The Outlet just went through another week-long (10-day?) offline "upgrade". When they came back online a few days ago, the stock previously listed was gone and many, many fewer units were/are being offered at -as others have said- higher prices. I had been watching a number of loaded T400s going for up to around $750...now that's a starting price for their current stock.
     
  18. wilse

    wilse Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    192
    Messages:
    457
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    i'm not sure how outlet prices will react after christmas
    remember, that's when they are releasing the new t-series (t410/510)
     
  19. jaredy

    jaredy Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    793
    Messages:
    2,876
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    I am pretty sure the CTO offerings for the current T series will be significantly discounted as well once into the launch of the new T4/510 series.
     
  20. hunts4--bargin

    hunts4--bargin Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    219
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I just bought this T500 4 weeks ago on the outlet 'NEW' for $940:

    Processor Intel® Core™2 Duo T9900 (3.08)GHz, 6MB L2, 1066 MHz FSB)
    Operating System Genuine Windows Vista Business 64
    Outlet Part Number 2081CTO1345687
    Condition New
    Display 15.4” WSXGA+ (1680 X 1050) TFT
    Total Memory 4GB (1GB & 2GB) PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory
    Hard Drive 250GB, 7200RPM Serial ATA 2.5" Drive w/Encryption
    Graphics AMD M86M Switchable Graphics 256MB with Intel Advanced
    Optical Device DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer Ultrabay Slim
    Wireless Intel WiFi Link 5300 (3x3 AGN)
    Mobile Broadband Integrated Verizon Mobile Broadband (3G)
    Battery 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (Up to 3 Hours Run Time)
    Limited Warranty 1 Year Standard
    Color Black
    Bluetooth Yes
    Integrated Camera No
    Fingerprint Reader Yes
    Keyboard/Pointing Device UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
    Manufacturing part number 2081CTO
     
  21. Broadus

    Broadus Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    124
    Messages:
    669
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    And it's not in your signature? ;)

    That's a deal I don't think you'll find in the outlet right now, or at least not last week when I checked before I ordered mine.

    Bill