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How do you convince IBM to give you a discount?

post #1 of 61
3/2/04 at 2:33am
Thread Starter 
I just ordered a new Thinkpad T41p for $5600 including 3 year warranty (accidental damage included). It comes with the 60gb hd, 1.7Ghz PM, 2GB of RAM, a/g/b wireless. Basically as loaded as you can get.

I keep hearing about these discounts (20% for first time buyers, etc.). But nobody I spoke to at IBM (and I spoke to 3 people) even sounded remotely interested in giving me a discount.

Given that I've already ordered and need the thing asap, which my sales lady knows, do I have any leverage at this point? I have her email, should I bother emailing her or is that kind of pathetic at this point?
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post #2 of 61
3/2/04 at 12:05pm
$5600?? Is it because of the RAM sticks? And wow I was looking at their website. Return it now. Get one without the RAM IBM is WAY overpriced on RAM.
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post #3 of 61
3/2/04 at 12:27pm
$5600 for a notebook? Yowza. Is that the gold plated model?
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post #4 of 61
3/2/04 at 12:48pm
Yup...you're getting screwed man...you could buy TWO desktop replacement notebooks for that price...
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post #5 of 61
3/2/04 at 1:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Element
Yup...you're getting screwed man...you could buy TWO desktop replacement notebooks for that price...
Two DAMN GOOD notebooks too. You could even get 3 decent notebooks for that price. Maybe it comes with a jar of vasoline.
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post #6 of 61
3/2/04 at 1:08pm
Thread Starter 
Well no the expense is the 2GB of RAM, 2 seperate 1GB sticks. Actually it just occurred to me that she shaved about $150 of each stick from the website price, so I did get about a $300 discount.

The laptop itself was $4800 with those two sticks of ram, unfortunately IBM charges tax which was $400 plus a $50 shipping price. Its totaly tax deductable for me since I'm an independent business now, so all in all I think its worth it, especially since the T41p is so incredibly built and the Fire GL 2 drivers for me are a must have.
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post #7 of 61
3/2/04 at 1:12pm
Don't. Even with the discount it's MASSIVELY overpriced. It was what a $900 upgrade?? You can get 1 GB sticks from crucial for $370.
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post #8 of 61
3/2/04 at 1:26pm
Thread Starter 
Wait, oh so you mean that I can get the same quality RAM for that much less? So I guess I can just return the 2 1GB chips then without a problem, there is a 30 day thing with IBM.

But is the Crucial RAM really on par with what IBM is putting in their machine? I know they have a whole whitepaper about using IBM ram with their systms, but I guess a lot of that is marchitecture..
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post #9 of 61
3/2/04 at 1:28pm
I've read that IBM uses many types of memory. I haven't checked what mine is but other people have had Infineon and I beleive Crucial among others. It shouldn't matter that much, and Crucial is a good company.

The RAM issue is like that pretty much anywhere. Just get base then upgrade aftermarket is usually the thing to do.
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post #10 of 61
3/2/04 at 1:32pm
Wow. I got my IBM T41P for $2850 from IBM. They already had a 10% discount on their website, so I called them and asked for a first time buyer's discount. They gave me an additional 5% off which totalled to $2850 + tax, free shipping.
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post #11 of 61
3/2/04 at 2:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sharpie
Wait, oh so you mean that I can get the same quality RAM for that much less? So I guess I can just return the 2 1GB chips then without a problem, there is a 30 day thing with IBM.

But is the Crucial RAM really on par with what IBM is putting in their machine? I know they have a whole whitepaper about using IBM ram with their systms, but I guess a lot of that is marchitecture..
You have a business, I assume you reccognize a piece of marketing literature when you see it.

If I were charging twice the going rate for something, I would certainly either write or commission a few white papers as well.

I would also look at alternatives to the t41p, because even with the ram ripoff being pulled, you would still be paying 3900.00 for a laptop that does not seem worth more then 1/2 that.
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post #12 of 61
3/2/04 at 2:44pm
If the laptop is "totally tax deductable and worth it", why are you looking for a discount? The best discount you could give yourself would be to cancel this order and start anew. You're getting taken.
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post #13 of 61
3/2/04 at 3:17pm
Thread Starter 
Ok, to start with, while it may be totaly tax deductable, it doesn't mean I want to outlay as much cash as I can. Obviously tax deductable doesn't mean I can deduct the entire cost from the taxes I owe, but from my taxable earnings. Big difference.

Secondly, I definitely disagree that the T41p is not worth its cost. The fact is it sports a Fire GL 2 which is a *must have*. If you consider its build quality and portability, I can assure you its worth $4k to me. If anyone can recommend a similar machine (FireGL 2, Pentium M, and this portable), I am all ears.

Finally, I was able to knock the cost of the machine down from $5600 to $4700 by getting the RAM from crucial. Thanks for the tip, its much appreciated.
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post #14 of 61
3/2/04 at 3:37pm
Thread Starter 
Shoot! IBM just switched my ship date from 2 days to 2 weeks. That really sticks in my craw but I don't seem to have any other choice but to wait.
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post #15 of 61
3/2/04 at 3:54pm
I would've leased it. I remember IBM offering leasing.

Your machine would have no resale value in 3 years anyways, and to tie up that much cash upfront is not good leverage.

I would've invested the 5k, which in turn would generate enough money to pay the lease and plus earn some money on the side.

If I remember correctly the lease can also be tax deductible.

The most expensive preconfigured T41P @ $3300 is about $120 a month. I don't think it's that hard to generate $120 a month from a $5k investment... that's like 2%
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post #16 of 61
3/2/04 at 4:05pm
"anyone can recommend a similar machine (FireGL 2, Pentium M, and this portable), I am all ears."

HP Business Workstation: NW8000...
Form Factor: Sleek magnesium alloy
XP Pro
PM 1.7 (CPU upgradable to Dothan)
15" XGA, SXGA+ OR UXGA lcd
60GB 7200 HD
512MB x 1 (get another 512 stik from Crutial for $125, 1GB for $300!!!)
128MB Ati 9600 FireGL2
DVD+-R/RW (website says DVD+, but unit has been upgraded to +-)
1 Fixed Optical drive
1 Multibay
3 Spindle!
8 cell battery - 5.5+ hour battery!
1000 GB NIC
Integrated wireless LAN a,b,g
Integrated Bluetooth
3 year worldwide warranty
Great keyboard & screen - Better than average sound - Quality build - GOOD customer support
(If you want 1 gb ram installed - 2x512's... add additional $350)
12.8 x 10.8 x 1.6 -- 6.5#
All I/O ports PLUS Firewire 1394 - if that's important to you, the T41p doesn't have it
Approximately 3 weeks to receive...
LAST, but not least - I'm an IBM BRAT but will never buy another because they are WAY TOO proprietary.
APPROX $ 3374.00 (if you call Sales & order over phone, you can ask for discount and they will offer 8% off)
nw8000 link
Complete Specs
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post #17 of 61
3/2/04 at 4:21pm
Thread Starter 
Darn, that is a pretty nice setup, but its too heavy by a pound or so and its too thick by half an inch for my needs. Curses!
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post #18 of 61
3/2/04 at 4:30pm
What is so crucial about 5.5 pounds weight and 1.1" thickness? Frankly, the real question here should be why would you want a discount from HP? Followed up by what the heck is so important about such a small weight differential and what's with having the thinnest notebook in the world. Does your personal jet have a critical weight limit or is there a specific slot in your custom $40K ebony and titanium desk for your notebook? Given what you are willing to pay and your overall naivete, you deserve what you believe to be your needs.

Needs? Bah, just silly obeyance to 'Tres Chic'.
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post #19 of 61
3/2/04 at 4:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sharpie
Darn, that is a pretty nice setup, but its too heavy by a pound or so and its too thick by half an inch for my needs. Curses!
So you're willing to part with an additional $1k to save a pound and half an inch? Did you just say you're starting an independant business? No offense intended, but I hope your other business decisions make more sense.
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post #20 of 61
3/2/04 at 4:36pm
Thread Starter 
Geez, this is a tough crowd.

I am not starting an independent business, I have a situation in which this purchase is tax deductable. I was looking to shave a few hundred off the cost which thanks to you folks I was able to by checking out Crucial RAM.

Regarding the thickness of the laptop and the weight, I have found that the difference in 1 pound and a half (give or take depending on what expansion components you add) to be a contributing factor to the portability. I guess it doesn't read well but the difference in weight and thickness makes it easier to lug around for me and the smaller form factor makes it more enjoyable for me to work with, similar to how some cell phonnes might only be a smidget smaller but actually are more comfortable to use.

Am I willing to spend an extra K on this? Yeah I am. But I may give consideration to the HP you listed as a 2ndary desktop replacement for home.
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