lenovo outlet is a joke...

it's been a while that i regularly check the outlet for some good deals on x200, x201, and t410. Ok that the x201 and t401 are new models, but the prices are RIDICULOUS!

they cost almost just as much as a new one, plus there is the problem of not being able to upgrade the warranty to 2/3 years. what kind of baloney is this? It just looks like they don't want to move their stock or force you to buy a new one.

are there coupons once in a while? how often does a coupon come out?

last year I wanted to buy a thinkpad from the outlet but ended up getting a dell from the outlet which has much better prices, 3-year warranty, a huge selection, and regular coupons.

please enlight me if I am wrong.

 

I wasn't terribly impressed with the outlet prices either.

 

not every machine is cheap in the outlet, but there are some bargains to be had. i.e. a R400.

Also, Dell outlet doesn't offer much discounts either, as compared to some of the regular fire sales they have with various e-coupons.

 

I picked up a 22in HD monitor for a little over 100 bucks....pretty nice deal. I agree with lead_org the R's are a screaming deal right now.....if fact I am looking at one of them. Yesterday, they had Thinkcentre A70z all-in-ones for under $500....today they are gone.....got to get them when you see them.

 

x100e prices are very good.

 

Like most things it just depends.

I got a really great deal on a T6X a little over a year ago. Unfortunately, the cleaning lady was a clutz and stepped on it. It was super cheap. But right now I agree the pickings are rather slim.

Still, the deals to be had from their normal site are great right now. I picked up a well stocked T410s recently for what I consider a very good price with the Shareholder discount + 10% off for < $1300 after tax.

By the way, I love how quickly SSD prices are dropping. I'm really excited about finally getting an SSD.

 

Yeah certain systems can have illogical prices at times. It's not just Lenovo, Dell also come up with some nonsensical outlet prices for refurbs at times too. Prices constantly changes according to supply and demand, so when certain parts become cheaper to manufacturer then you may see newer models cost less than the refurb ones, I guess they haven’t had the time to change these prices accordingly.

That said, there are some bargains that can be found in the Outlet that make me wish there was such thing in my region. I probably would’ve got 10 ThinkPad’s by now!

 

what about coupons for the outlet? how often do they come out?

 

Leronsum,

I read your post twice and it still doesn't make any sense.

 

Lenovo doesn't update prices in the Outlet to reflect the many sales they have in their regular online store, so it's common that prices in the Outlet could be higher.

I noticed that too - there's a particularly large price difference between the refurb Turion dual core X100e models in the Outlet and in the normal online store, and there's plenty of them available.

 

I think the batteries and accessories (when you can get them) are priced great.

 

1) I think paying near retail price for refurbished products is ridiculous regardless of what your background is.

2) Yes, I agree that they can't cannibalize sales from the main site via incredible deals on current products, and this makes sense for warranty options; however, buying a retail product with better warranty scalability at the same price as a refurbished product with a locked in, limited warranty is pretty ridiculous.

3) I'm not sure what you mean here. Yes, it's safe to assume that the stores are operated independently of each other from a management perspective, but as you said yourself, I'm sure there's adequate communication between the two in order to optimize sales for both.

4) I agree, the prices will go down if sales suffer, but it seems odd that they would start by positioning their refurbished products at a price that no one would buy them at. They'd enjoy instant success by reducing it to what the refurbished product should be selling for.

5) I agree. It would be poor business to provide extended warranty service on refurbished products, as there is an arguably greater chance they may experience problems. On the opposite side of the argument, some see a certain safety in buying refurbished products, as its now been through and certified by the manufacturer's facilities twice, and can be assumed to be free of any defects that may have slipped during the first sale.

6) Well, I think it would be difficult to disagree with that.

 

@Logik.

I don't think Lenovo is forcing anyone to buy the machines or accessories listed in the outlet. You pick and choose the thing that you need, and if you follow the Dell Outlet, then you would know not every product is priced competitively to the products they have on fire sale.

Outlet stores won't really cannibalize sale from the main store, since they are only in limited quantity as stated in the sale page. around 200 max.
-------------------------

FYI Lenovo is now providing post warranty warranty, i think from the cost of repair point of view, it makes even less sense than giving the extended warranty option to the refurb and outlet machines.

 

so far i have not seen any hard data that backs up what you said, if there is please direct me to it. Components and electronics are not affected by black magic and bad mojo. A refurb product has the same chance of braking as a new product. In addition if a refurb product has problems right off the bat it probably means that has not been repaired correctly. ie: human error.

in addition to your points i would like to say that there is also a cost for stocking items that LeRon, that claims to be business savvy, has not considered. A company wants the max amount of liquidity vs min amount of stock.

in practical terms, there might be some dumb people out there who buy a refurbed x200 at the same price of a x201...

 

My better guess would be that they're raising prices in the outlet in relation to estimated ship times for products ordered through the regular Lenovo site. That would certainly explain the high prices of refurbished X201's: that model has an estimated ship time of over four weeks when ordered new.

Of course, they seem to not take into account that you can buy ready-to-ship models from other channels, for far less.

That said, good deals on the outlet do pop up once and a while (or relatively good, considering the conditions you can get products in,) like this new T410s: Lenovo Outlet - ThinkPad T410s

 

Hah I wonder if that 410s is the one I cancelled a couple days ago

 

If it was, then thanks!

 

ok that's a good deal. but can anybody plz tell me about the outlet coupons?

and you are probably right that the prices might be a consequence to the long shipping time.

 

I clicked on this thread thinking it was something else, but let me add to the Lenovo Outlet bashing...

I placed an order for a refurbished x100e, and the first thing I noticed is that the specs of the laptop I ordered are not listed anywhere in my receipt or order information! Very nervous about this.

Second, although it said in stock, it's been days and my order still says in progress.

 

specifications for every model are listed when clicking the 'specifications' tab on the product page.

shipments take up to a week to be sent out.   some systems come from morrisville, NC and some from china.

 

Yep, I saw the specs before I placed the order, but now that specific machine is no longer on their page and the specs aren't in my order e-mail.

I was looking for a cheap second machine and this had the L625 / 2GB / 250GB / Camera / Bluetooth for $397 shipped. (That includes tax.)

Then after I ordered I started reading horror stories about Lenovo Outlet. Hope they are just the vocal minority. I should have read more before ordering, but I had placed an order with Amazon for $555 for a model that had the L335 and no Bluetooth, and when I saw this with better specs for $150 cheaper, I pulled the trigger.

 

systems are taken down from the site once ordered to prevent two people from ordering the same system.   the only way back to your specific page is if you bookmarked it.   check your browser history as the page might be there.

otherwise, if you saw the specs before ordering then those are the specs you'll get.   i wouldn't worry about it.

 

Okay, thanks! Have you ordered from them? What condition are the refurbs in? I'm hoping they're like Apple's which about all you can tell is different is the packing material.

Anyway, I was looking for a cheap laptop with a good keyboard (the netbook keyboards on most machines are just terrible) for surfing and backing up photos from a camera so hopefully this fits the bill. $400 ain't too bad for the specs and warranty!

 

refurbs are typically in like-new condition.   only rarely have i seen or heard about systems with major physical issues.

$400 for an X100e is a great price.   it's a very well-made system.   i'm sure you'll enjoy it.

 

I just repped ya, because with your advice I figured out I could go to outlet.lenovo.com and then my outlet part number to find the laptop I ordered.

Here it is: Lenovo Outlet - ThinkPad X100e Refurbished

Thanks again!

 

Need some advice. I saw a x200t (new) w/ultrabase for $1095. The specs says "SP9600" but the product code 7450-9RU says it has "SL9600." Whether the CPU is SP9600 or SL9600 - is it a good price? I guess the parts list doesn't work w/o serial# so I was wondering what tablet features it lack over x201t?

Thanks,
Takosan

 

warranty is just the standard 1 year. why are you so exited?

 

I am not that impressed by the warranty, just for what I got for the price.

$400 is about $150 cheaper than Amazon for a model with a worse processor and no Bluetooth.

(Granted, it's new vs. refurbished but if the warranty's the same, I don't care.)

Now if they'd just ship it to me!

 

I think it's a typo error, the model you stated should come with the SL9600 (though there is such thing called a SP9600 processor). If I recall tablets uses the low-voltage variants of the Core processor, the SP9600 is a medium voltage processor so I don't think it's likely you get that in the X200t.

The price does seem reasonable as it comes with an ultrabase, but then again I live in the UK where any price in the US is reasonable in comparison! (>.<)

 

Hearst555 - thank you. I should've done more pre-research on x200t before I stumbled on this deal late last night; I was hunting for affordable x201t. At least someone was able to jump on this deal so I'm glad. I'll be better prepared next time.

Takosan

 

This one's up on ebay:

IBM/LENOVO ThinkPad X200 Tablet SL9400 XP Pro X201 3YR - eBay (item 170509957307 end time Sep-04-10 19:33:12 PDT)

 

Probably no three year warranty if it's refurbed.

 

Today, six days after I ordered the estimated ship date disappears. Still says in progress...

I hope this is a good sign and not a pending cancellation... I have noticed that the exact same config I got for $376 is going for $450+. (When it's available...)

Even if this laptop is mint, I don't think I'll order from the Outlet again.

 

I see some of them are max config, but they are around $1000-$1100
Some are just entry, and they are listed $1300.... and they are all refurbished.

Is the low price an indication of bad condition?
The logic is totally unreasonable.
Thanks.

 

Nope, it wasn't a good sign. They moved my ship date back a week.

They are obviously selling items that they don't have in stock. Very tempted to cancel and buy from a competitor.

What a disappointing introduction to Lenovo!

EDIT: The thing that gets me is that there is another listed on the outlet with the same specs right now! (Listed for $482.40!)

http://outlet.lenovo.com/laptops/thinkpad/x-series/350lrtacg8.html

Anybody have any advice? (Besides never, ever order from Lenovo Outlet?)

 

call the sales line and inquire about your order.   they can provide an up-to-date status.

 

Well, that's the end of Lenovo for me.

I sat on hold for ten minutes and then was connected to someone I could barely understand. He could not explain why the order was delayed and wanted to make sure I understood that the date could move again, and was not a firm date.

I asked if they could provide any discount or at least upgrade my shipping and he said he could not do that. Then I asked to cancel, and he said it was not possible to cancel a Lenovo Outlet order. WHAT? You can't give me a ship date but you can't cancel my order?

Any other advice?

 

maybe you should make a post at official Lenovo.com forum.

 

Good idea! I just did that... And I had fun writing it. No need to get upset, I guess, it's just a computer. (P.S. Sir Punk, I'm sorry for pretty much hijacking your thread. Hope you don't mind.)

Lenovo Outlet is a disgrace to the Thinkpad name (... - lenovo community

Here's what I wrote if they delete it:

I ordered a x100e from Amazon for $555 about a week ago but then I happened to see a link for the Lenovo Outlet and I thought I'd check it out. I found the x100e refurbished for only $377! And it had the L625 instead of the L325, and Bluetooth!

I pulled the trigger, happy with having saved $150 for a better computer. Well, that's the last time I thought ordering from the Outlet was a good idea.

First, the Outlet made it seem like the items are in stock so how long can they take to ship? A looooong time apparently. My first estimated ship date was seven days from the day I placed the order. Figuring in the actual ship time, we are talking two weeks. What, is it being shipped on a burro? Do they only have one old guy working in their warehouse? (His name would be Pete, and he has not quite a full beard but gray scruff. And he would talk to people about how in his day, people didn't have computers. Or need computers. Or want things shipped in a reasonable time frame.)

Then, today is the ship day! Um, no. Your estimated ship date just got moved to the 31st. Well, it just so happens I have the x100e I ordered from Amazon sitting in my house, waiting to be shipped back. I start thinking, man, I'd like to open this box. I call Lenovo. After about ten minutes, my call is answered by someone I have trouble understanding. He tells me what I already know. The ship date was moved. Okay, why? Don't know. Is this going to ship on the 31st? Could be sooner, could be later. Errr... okay.. What do I need to do to cancel? You can't.

OK, WHAT? You can't ship my laptop, but you won't cancel it either? Blech. This is my first experience with Lenovo and it will be my last. The x100e is going back to Amazon and I will return the other one when (if) I receive it. Sure looked like a nice laptop, but if this is how you get treated BEFORE you get the computer, I sure wouldn't want to call with a technical problem.

Oh, and here's the kicker. They have the same specced machine listed on the Outlet RIGHT NOW as available. (Same everything, OS, memory amount, bluetooth, camera, etc.)

 

we won't delete it.

 

Cool! I didn't write anything mean or anything, I'm pretty much just disappointed in Lenovo's logistics.

I remember using Thinkpads at a different company a few years ago and being very impressed but couldn't afford one then.

I was actually just as excited to receive this laptop as I was to receive my new Macbook Pro, so from me that's saying a lot!

 

you were honest and straightforward.   the burro reference made me laugh.

from a company's standpoint, every bad experience is an opportunity to learn.   it's possible that something silly is hanging up your order.   in any case, i flagged your post and someone should be in contact with you.

i hope you keep one of your X100es but will understand if you don't.   i can only suggest giving lenovo an opportunity to make it right.

thanks for the feedback.

 

yo erik: do you work for lenovo?

 

One last reply until I receive my laptop.

Here's what I just updated the Lenovo thread with:

Well, the week delay in shipping and the (non-intentionally) unhelpful phone person did disappoint me but I can't complain with the responses here. Great help and friendly people, thanks!

Anyway, after pontificating (whining) and enjoying writing my manifesto this morning, guess what I just received? A "Lenovo Shipment Confirmation." No tracking number yet, but that's a start! I guess the website was just all confabulated. Logistics are definitely an issue with the Outlet, but as long as the laptop looks good I'll be happy.

I have decided I will keep the x100e from the Outlet... ($397 shipped decked out is a pretty good price!) Though if anything is wrong with it, I'll be back! And I'll keep your burro!

P.S. Tell Pete thanks!
.

 

Outlet logistics is bad for both Dell and Lenovo, and Dell has the best logistic system in the 'made to order' computer industry

 

i think the burro just needed a carrot.

stay positive and keep us posted on your new (to you) X100e.

 

why was my post deleted?

 

Ordered x100e refurb from outlet on 8/24/10
L625/1g/250gb/bt/7 home prem for $335
Shipped 8/27/10
Expected delivery 8/31/10

I have no complaints so far

 

Why would you let yourself get so worked up over a notebook? Life is what you make it.

 

That is so true.