Sony Vaio VGN-SR290 CTO...possibly for $611??

I am seriously considering pulling the trigger on a SR290 CTO model, which comes out to a grand total of $911.34 after -$200 coupon and 10% student discount. The thing I am wondering, is would this be eligible for Sony's "Trade-Up" program where you get a $300 rebate for sending in any old laptop in exchange for your new one? That would put my total cost for this little beauty at just $611.34!! Here's the program I'm talking about: http://sony.tradeups.com/Customers/12/GetQuote.aspx It says that the trade-up program is valid for the purchase any "Sony VGNBX700, VGN-BZ, VGN-SR, VGN-SZ, VGN-TT, VGN-TZ or VGN-Z", so I would assume a SR290 CTO would quality since it's a VGN-SR model. Right?

Here's the system I could potentially get for $611, or at least $911 if the trade-up doesn't work on it:

SR290 CTO, Titanium Gray
P8400 2.26Ghz
2GB RAM
160GB 5400 rpm HD
13.3" 1280x800 LED screen
ATI HD 3470 Video Card
Intel 5100AGN Wireless
Bluetooth
Webcam
Windows Vista 64-bit

And then I figure add another $150 for 4GB of RAM and a 320GB 7200rpm Hard Drive, and I'd be sitting at just $761 (or $1,061 if the Trade-Up doesn't work) for a system that would normally cost $1,444 on Sony's website.

What do you guys think?

 

Holy crap for $611 you lucky americans

Same config costs 1200 euro in Europe = 1500 US $.

 

Indeed it is not fair why the prices in the states are so cheap, perhaps they companies are lowering prices to stir sales. :/

 

On the other hand we have to pay $2000 to fix one tooth. How much do you have to pay?

 

the same

dental is not covered under government health plants only normal doctor visits, and of course stays at the hospital. Each province has their own guidelines of what is covered under the medical plan.

 

I wish that were the case, but I believe the SR290 CTO does not qualify. Actually, if you click on "Learn More" and then "Participate...", you'll find a list of eligible laptops. There are very few SR's that actually qualify and only the SR1 series at that.

 

That's the one thing I noticed that made me wonder if it would work or not. But all of the SR models which are supposedly eligible are the SR190 models which Sony doesn't even sell on their site anymore. So that got me thinking that maybe the list is just outdated and hasn't been updated in a while. I guess even if I ended up paying $911, that still isn't too shabby for what is normally a $1200 configuration. I think I'm going to call and ask if there are any updated models for the Sony Trade In program. I'll update as soon as I talk to them.

 

I just talked to a rep from the Sony Trade-Up department, and unfortunately the only models eligible for the trade-up program are the exact specific models listed on this site at the bottom: http://sony.tradeups.com/Customers/12/GetQuote.aspx. I told her that many of those models seem to be outdated and are no longer available from Sony, specifically the VGN-SR models, and she said as of right now those are the only models which are eligible. But she also said that the list is updated as they phase out old models, but she wasn't able to tell me for sure whether or not the SR290 would be eligible. I guess it couldn't hurt to try to submit a trade-up request after I buy it.

 

No, only pre-built CTO machines, like Z540EBB or Z590PAB, qualify for trade-up-and-go-pro program. It is a business-oriented, reseller-helping program -- in the first and maybe the second time this program ran, even pre-built machines from SonyStyle were not qualified. Now at least SonyStyle purchase qualifies.

As for SR2xx series, you should write an email or call to clarify whether the machine you are interested qualifies. The model list is not comprehensive and changes from time to time.

 

I wonder if anyone has the latest update of this issue. When I talked to Sony customer service guy, he said SR-290 (CTO) is qualified for the trade-in program.

 

Well, you need to talk to the trade-up people, not SonyStyle sales guy -- they will say anything to get you to buy. Also, there is a fine line between pre-built CTO (which qualifies) and the real CTO (which does not)...

 

That's weird, I just traded in my old laptop for a SR290 custom order. But I am in Canada, it may be different.

The person on the phone said it applies to any Sony laptop custom or pre-config.

 

I am not aware this promotion works in Canada. You trade in through this promotion?

http://sony.tradeups.com/Customers/12/LandingPage.aspx?PromotionID=95