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How do you convince IBM to give you a discount? - Page 2

post #21 of 61
3/2/04 at 4:37pm
What about leasing?
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post #22 of 61
3/2/04 at 4:42pm
Thread Starter 
I presume you're talking about a small business lease from IBM itself.

Leasing seems like a big hassle, it goes against my credit, which I don't like tying up with stuff like this since it doesn't go off until the lease is up (correct me if I'm wrong).

I guess I'm all set at the moment with this T41p, just that I have a crappy wait after being told I'd get it in 3 days. It sucks but there are more tragic things in the world.
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post #23 of 61
3/2/04 at 4:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by XSternMinator
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%
But you have to lease for a minimum of 3 years for that price. You end up paying more than $4000 at that rate.
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post #24 of 61
3/2/04 at 4:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sharpie
I presume you're talking about a small business lease from IBM itself.

Leasing seems like a big hassle, it goes against my credit, which I don't like tying up with stuff like this since it doesn't go off until the lease is up (correct me if I'm wrong).

I guess I'm all set at the moment with this T41p, just that I have a crappy wait after being told I'd get it in 3 days. It sucks but there are more tragic things in the world.

Stick with the t41p. It's such a nice machine. You did overpay though, even without the RAM.
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post #25 of 61
3/2/04 at 4:55pm
Just a comment about the "tax deductable" factor ... more than likely the purchase amount will be appropriated over years - life of the unit - with a depreciation factor - and the actual amount shaved off next years' AGI will more than likely NOT be as large as you think.

Re: "Frankly, the real question here should be why would you want a discount from HP?" $200 off purchase price is better than not. But! If one is willing to pay an additional $1600 for the sake of a unit that is 1# lighter and .5 thinner - then... obviously discounts mean nothin'.
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post #26 of 61
3/2/04 at 5:01pm
Thread Starter 
"But! If one is willing to pay an additional $1600 for the sake of a unit that is 1# lighter and .5 thinner - then... obviously discounts mean nothin'."

Well not nothing, and the savings I got from moving to Crucial ram was about $900 not $200, and that's $900 I can now spend on a 2nd 60GB HD as well as a wireless router. I was simply looking to make my money go farther and I did. I am not trying to be stingy, or else I'd go with a much less expensive vendor.

You're probably right about the tax deductability, but it beats not having that savings.

I will stick with the t41p as you suggested. It really does strike my fancy, I only am dissapointed in having to wait after being promised two days for shipping. Such is life.
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post #27 of 61
3/2/04 at 5:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce6323
But you have to lease for a minimum of 3 years for that price. You end up paying more than $4000 at that rate.
Yes, but remember present value of cash is always higher.

If I have $5k, I can invest $5k at say 3% return a month, I'd get $150.

The lease is $120.

I make $30 a month plus get a T41p to play with.

In 3 years I would've paid over 4k, but the investment would have more than paid for itself. Holding the assumption, I can have a return of over $1k plus using the T41p for 3 years for free.

Would the T41p be worth $1k in 3 years? I hardly think so.

Did I mention lease is tax deductible?

Looking at it in Sharpie's way:

Pay $5k now, get $$ back from uncle Sam next year. Sharpie is forgoing the possible return of income from that $5k this year.

You'd have to depreciate the laptop over a few years anyways...

I guess it all boils down to which opportunity cost is lower...

BTW I am sure IBM is flexible with their leasing options, you can prolly work out some kind of deal with them.
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post #28 of 61
3/2/04 at 5:16pm
Thread Starter 
Your logic makes sense, presuming the numbers are accurate (you can't get 3% from a savings account last time i checked, but maybe you have other investment options in mind).

That all said, you forgot about it going against ones credit, which lowers your credit rating as well as your borrowing power. I'd rather have not get that small benefit over the long haul in exchange for a stronger credit rating and the security that comes with the extra spending power in my credit line.

But I see your point, it just doesn't work for me particularly.
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post #29 of 61
3/2/04 at 5:28pm

a pound and a half is huge!

anybody who thinks 1.5 lbs and 0.5 inch don't make much difference doesn't lug their laptop with them every day, everywhere, all the time . . .

1.5 lbs is a very noticeable savings!
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post #30 of 61
3/2/04 at 5:52pm
Thread Starter 
MountainMan put it better than I. It doesn't read well, but a pound and a half is a lot, especially when you live and work in NYC, where walking 80 blocks per day is the norm.
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post #31 of 61
3/2/04 at 6:19pm
Actually, that was the reason why I went with an ABS f2 instead of G1. I travel alot and fly all over the place. 1.5lbs get heavy when you're going through 3 security check points every 20 hours.

Out of topic: I miss NYC, all that walking kept me in shape. Gained like 20 lbs since I moved to Dallas...all this beefy eating!

I definitely don't think 3% a month is unreasonable. I did 4% in Feb and it was a tough month and my friend did 7%. He's a trader though...
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post #32 of 61
3/2/04 at 6:36pm
Thread Starter 
XStern, are you a native NY'er or a former dweller? I hear you on missing NYC, the only time I ever moved away (I'm native born Manhattan), I realized my mistake. But maybe Dallas is treating you well..
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post #33 of 61
3/2/04 at 6:49pm
I did haul my machines every day from Laie to Pearl Harbor and then all over the island to client's homes and businesses. Plus to the beach and on planes to the neighbor islands as well as the mainland. I have a bad hip so I learned real quick that if you are going to haul stuff, no matter the weight, it moves better on wheels. Less strain on me, less strain on the machine, less chance of damage, plus I can carry a lot more: all my peripherals, paperwork, lunch, etc. At which point, one pound, heck, 10 pounds, no longer made any difference. I could concentrate on performance, not looking cool.

But to each his or her own. Good luck with your choices.
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post #34 of 61
3/2/04 at 6:50pm
Stick with it. I don't have a p, just a normal T41... but they are very nice machines. I don't know why but no one around these forums (hardly anyone) likes IBMs. Since you already ordered play with it before you return it or such and see if YOU like them.
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post #35 of 61
3/2/04 at 7:12pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
At which point, one pound, heck, 10 pounds, no longer made any difference. I could concentrate on performance, not looking cool.
Look dude, like I said I'm in NYC. There's no room for tugging wheels behind you, up elevators and through the Subway system. Here in NYC, small is in. Your appartment is small (even the big ones), your phones are small, your cats and dogs are small, etc.

Its not about looking cool, its about convenience. If I had a whole Island to myself then it would be different. Oh, and I guess I should admit, here in NYC we do like to look cool too, but in this instance its not my biggest factor.

I'll give the T41p a shot and thanks for all the advice.
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post #36 of 61
3/2/04 at 7:20pm
I seriously considered the IBM, specifically the T41, but in the end could not justify the cost. Am very happy with my Asus M6N, which came in under 2 grand and I think looks pretty cool to boot...
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post #37 of 61
3/2/04 at 7:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by XSternMinator
Yes, but remember present value of cash is always higher.

If I have $5k, I can invest $5k at say 3% return a month, I'd get $150.

The lease is $120.

I make $30 a month plus get a T41p to play with.

In 3 years I would've paid over 4k, but the investment would have more than paid for itself. Holding the assumption, I can have a return of over $1k plus using the T41p for 3 years for free.

Would the T41p be worth $1k in 3 years? I hardly think so.

Did I mention lease is tax deductible?

Looking at it in Sharpie's way:

Pay $5k now, get $$ back from uncle Sam next year. Sharpie is forgoing the possible return of income from that $5k this year.

You'd have to depreciate the laptop over a few years anyways...

I guess it all boils down to which opportunity cost is lower...

BTW I am sure IBM is flexible with their leasing options, you can prolly work out some kind of deal with them.
How do you get 3% return a month? That works out to be 42.6% APY...
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post #38 of 61
3/2/04 at 9:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by deltawalkerl
How do you get 3% return a month? That works out to be 42.6% APY...
Yeah that's true. I get about 2% annual percentage yield on a savings account. 3% a month is amazing. Must be a high risk investment.
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post #39 of 61
3/2/04 at 11:17pm
I generally pick ETFs in sectors that I believe will do well.

For instance, VXF did quite well in Feb. It was trading at 72 in the beginning of Feb. And by today, it's trading around 75. That's about 4%.
I lived in NYC for 5 years, had a blast in the city. Loved it, except winter...

BTW this reply is in no way an investment advice
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post #40 of 61
3/3/04 at 2:38pm

Educational Discount

I get a huge discount on THinkpads through my school program. PM me and I can give details. Crazy discounts.
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