Refurb and Return Qs?

So I'm in a bit of pickle. I see a T61 refurb listed on their site that I want. I'd like to extend the warranty which can only be done over the phone from what I understand so I can't order it today (closed on Sunday, likely tomorrow as well). Additionally, from what I understand they often don't have the laptops they list available any more so I may be completely out of luck.

On the other hand, I can configure an R61 in a very nice configuration using the current discounts and coupons, some of which expire tomorrow. I'd prefer the T61 refurb however would take the R61 in a heartbeat if the T was unavailable.

Do I order the R61 then cancel if the outlet deal works out? Are the discounts and coupons frequent enough that another similar deals will be rolling around soon?

Thanks for the help.

 

If I understand correctly, once you put a configured system into your shopping cart it locks in that price for 30 days, so you could do that with the R61. I'm not 100% sure on that but maybe someone can confirm or deny.

 

Lenovo in the US is definately open on Sundays. I have a friend in the US who called sales spoke to someone live last week. They open at 12pm Eastern according to their site.

Shopping assistance
1-866-96THINK (866-968-4465)
Hours of operation:
Monday - Friday 9:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 10:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 12:00pm - 5:00pm
All times are EST

 

Lenovo themselves may be but the outlet is closed. Can I call the main lenovo number for outlet items?

 

Unfortunately not. I've tried.

 

Call them, I'm almost 100% sure they support the Outlet as well.

Let us know.

DD

 

You are partially correct. Just putting the config in the shopping cart is not enough. You must go through the whole order process and at the very last step to order, don't order but hit the "convert to quote" button. This will give you a quote number with a price locked in for 30 days. Very good option in my opinion.

 

Sweet! So the quote feature will remember discounts and coupons? That seems like a sweet way to 'shop' pricing. Quote at the end of a coupon run and see if anything better comes along.

 

Actually, reading the quote text it states that:
"Ecoupons are not valid past their expiration date."

I see people have used quotes with coupons in the past. Has anyone done it recently to confirm the coupon sticks around?

Also, is there any downside to just ordering the new R61 and canceling it if the refurb comes through?

 

I think your price will save fine. When you make your whole config and then use the ecoupon, it subtracts from the price immediately. Then when you save this config and price with the convert to quote option, your price is saved. I don't think that the detail of you using an ecoupon is kept after this point. I am not a 100% sure, but I am pretty certain. So technically you did not use the ecoupon after expiration, since your quote was created and saved when the ecoupon was in effect. Lawyers, got to love them

I know that with my order, I saved the quote when Lenovo was running an extra savings for a limited time. I saved my quote at this period. When I cashed in my quote I still got this price, even though the promotion was over. Though this was not specifically an ecoupon, it should work the same with one.

I would be very careful with the whole order and then cancel philosophy. The whole cancelling feedback mechanism isn't too great. It can be very difficult to cancel an order. Sure you can call up and say cancel, and they will confirm. But there have been many reports where these cancels have not really gone through. Then you get the machine and when you go to return, you may be stuck with a 15% restocking fee. Sure, different people have different experiences. All depends who you get on the phone, your luck etc. My advice to anyone is to only click the order button if you intend to keep it.

 

Great advice, thanks! I'll stick with the quote option and avoid the order cancellation headaches. Actually, my whole problem may be avoidable if the outlet is open on Memorial day and I can just call up and take care of it tomorrow. Until then though, I have two saved quotes and a bookmark to a refurb T61.

I appreciate everyone's help!