When to pull the trigger on the current Z2?

Looking to upgrade my z11 with a fully loaded Z2. Decided that based on the price point, may not be worth paying the premium on the Z2 (or Z3) with IB. Sony now has $500 off for CTO (crrent) z2. Does anyone know if I purchase and the price drops further, will sony give me that lowest price (of course if it near the time of my purchase)? Also, any idea when CTO for current Z2 will phase out (based on past experiences with sony releases)?

Thanks in advance

 

Sony doesn't "phase out" old models (vs. refreshes), they kill the old the day the new ones start shipping. So from that day forward CTOs are out, but excellent configurations show up as "clearance" on the Sony Outlet, and their prices can be 50% off full list, so far less than the $500 off you're seeing for Z2 CTOs now. Beaups is the best source here of the timing of the release of the SVZ13 as the Z2 replacement is called, but I think we're talking late June/early July. If you want to save a lot of money and you don't have to have an "exotic" feature, such as 512GB SSD, your wait will likely be rewarded. I would suggest you start shopping the Outlet daily beginning now.

 

I too also want a maxed out Z2 Sandy Bridge.

The maxed out model I saw is going for around $3500 with $300 off.

Do you think the maxed out models will ever have 50%?

Also, what's the Sony Outlet? Is it just there website?

 

Thanks for your advice... unfortunately I need a list of "exotic" features so CTO (rather than the outlet) may be the way to go but I probably get lucky at the outlet... Thanks again

 

The Sony Outlet is not the Sony website and it can be hard to navigate to so use the link. I've seen returned CTOs in the Outlet as refurbs - which are fine - and especially on the loaded ones they do discount them as much as 35% and there are several Sony purchasing pros who frequent the Sony forum here who have tricks of the trade to phone in your order and get an additional 10-15% off. I believe it's a combination of sweet talking and groveling that gets the job done.

See my comment above; you may do fine in the Outlet.

What are the specs you seek for your Z2? Consider compromising a bit - eg, blu ray player vs. burner, 6GB RAM vs. 8GB, even color choice - I don't think the "blurples" sold that well and there may be better deals on some of them. Anyway, you may not need to compromise at all, but depending on your budget you may be able to save $500 or more.

 

There is a 30-day price guarantee in Sony Store, including outlet. There is a 20% off any outlet (again, clearance or refurb.) item right now. If you buy it now and two weeks from now they put a 25% off outlet, you can request credit for the 5% difference.

Clearance items in the outlet are CTO order that was cancelled before shipment. They used to have a good 10-15% discount right off the bet and adding those 20% off that pop out generally give you better discount than any discount on true CTO, even when they are phasing out in preparation for new model, such as Z2 right now.

Unfortunately, Sony has been pulling back on Z's outlet clearance discount, so $500 off a new CTO probably is a better bet compared to outlet clearance. Do check on the outlet ones to see if there is one that matches exactly what you want.

If you are open to refurb., you can get much more discount as lovelaptop mentioned. I think most of the Z2190X are 30% off right now, and you can stack another 20% off with the sale.

 

Another trick to navigate the incredibly stupid design of Sony Outlet is to sort by saving. It uses absolute money saving instead of percentage saving, so refurb. Z usually come out on top of the list and make your life a little easier. Clearance Z, since there is no initial discount, will be on the last page of the full list of nearly a thousand customized Sony laptop.

 

I would order directly with their toll-free number and have them document it in their history and email you guaranteeing you the 30-day price adjustment guarantee should the price decrease further. Unfortunately, after 30-days there's nothing much you can do unless you get someone flexible.

 

Thanks you've been really helpful.

That page has the model Z I want (2640m with 8gb ram and blu ray doc) for $2590 down from $3000.

Any chance it'll go below $2000? And anyone know if the Sony outlet do international shipping?

 

I don't think they do international shipping, so if you need that call and check that so you don't waste your time.

My opinion is that prices will go down for that kind of configuration, almost surely below $2,000. I'm surprised they're only discounting it by $400; I know people who paid less than $2,000 for a similar configuration months ago. It's mostly a matter of time and how much inventory Sony has. There isn't much downside to waiting, other than not having use of it sooner. If the one you want has been sold, there will be one just like it sooner than later. Sometimes the Outlet will have one config selling at a fairly high price, and as you go down in price you find an even better config selling for less. Skyshade's method should help you find the biggest discounts more easily - I've always just gone through the long slow process of checking from highest price to lowest, which takes a lot of time but is worth it because you never know at what price point you'll find the "gem," a config. like the one you saw, but selling for $500 less, or cheaper yet, for no apparent reason. Look at the details too; sometimes you do better with an "open box" unit, that was returned with nothing wrong but they can't sell it as new. Though it makes no sense, they often sell for less than a refurbished version of the same config and open box units have a full new product warranty vs. 3 months for a refurb.

It can be frustrating but being patient and digging down will usually be rewarded. I would strongly advise against paying anything close to $2,600 for that configuration, $2,000 at the most.

 

I am currently looking to get 2nd gen Z too. I have been monitoring the prices in Sony outlet for a couple of days now. It seems that today the prices are discounted 40%. Yesterday it was only 30%.

Perhaps it will go up to 50%?

 

Maybe....keep in mind though that the discount does appear to be based on the "age" of the system. The 40% you noted are on the 190X, which has Summer '11 build date, I think only 25% on the 290X with the Fall '11 build date, with the 390X being the Latest build. This will effect what processors you have available and whatnot. Would also an "older" refurb indicate that the product has been used more?

I've managed to spec out a new sandybridge i5 CTO Z with Blu Ray, 128 GB SSD, and 8GB Ram with Fresh Start for about $1599 US before taxes. Considering pulling the trigger on it because I have to have the carbon gold color! A little gaudy but I love it!

 

Sony official site have 25% discount too. in case you dont realise.