NotebookForums.com › Forums › Notebook Manufacturers › Dell Notebook Forums › Dell Notebooks - General › The unofficial guide on how to get a killer laptop for cheap.
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

The unofficial guide on how to get a killer laptop for cheap. - Page 2

post #21 of 57
7/13/04 at 4:58pm
I would tell the truth... but that's just me.
Reply
Reply
post #22 of 57
7/13/04 at 5:00pm
Why do you CALL Dell when dealing with coupon codes. Just place the order online and bypass dealing with a person completely.

One a thread related note; the most important bit of advice I could give new computer buyers would be USE A CREDIT CARD WITH REWARD POINTS, etc. even if you have the money, check, etc. The benefits of doing this are:

1. You get something back for simply making your purchase. The more the price the more you get back. Could very well be a free plane ticket!

2. If you already have the money then just pay the credit card off immediately and raise your credit score a notch! :-)
Reply
Reply
post #23 of 57
7/13/04 at 5:23pm
No, the EPP doesn't allow the coupons to be applied. The coupons are meant for Dell Home only...

I'm trying to get the 20% off coupon to apply to Dell EPP. Mainly, because the upgrades in the EPP program is much cheaper than in the Home store. (ex: the m10 is only +$90 from base unit, whereas on the Home site, its +$159)

I would be awesome if I could stack the rebates, 20% + 10% -- but I figure there's very little chance of that. I simply want to use 20% in the EPP program, rather than the Home site.
Reply
Reply
post #24 of 57
7/13/04 at 6:03pm
A note on why we don't carry AMD... of course there are many other reasons but it is partly b/c we have an exclusive contract with Intel which allows us to get their processors for MUCH less than our competitors. Thus, allowing us to sell out laptops for cheaper.
Reply
Reply
post #25 of 57
7/13/04 at 6:23pm
The 20% off alone drops your loaded XPS from 2678 to 2142, not bad:

3.4, 1gb, 9700 128mb, 60gb, dvd/cdrw, 80211b/g, 12-cell, backpack, 1 year warranty and at-home service, xp home and money
Reply
Reply
post #26 of 57
7/14/04 at 6:07pm
An update.

After 3rd sales rep I called, I finally got someone who would give me the coupon. We did the customization through the phone, and in the end, I walked away with a new i8600.

Basic specs:
i8600
PM 1.6A, 15.4" WSXGA+
512MB RAM
128 MB ATI Radeon 9600 ProTurbo
40 GB HDD
24x CDRW/DVD ROM Combo
802.11b Intel Pro 2100
All other options at lowest price...

Total was $1926. She applied the 10% deal on Dell's website now. Then applied the 20% coupon I gave her. Total savings = 1 - (0.9 * 0.8) = 0.28 = 28% discount. This translated into $539.28 off, bringing my final price (afer 8.25% tax) to $1501.12. I am paying through Dell's Preferred Plan, or whatever, and they promised me another $50 MIR.

Final price of the system is expected to be $1451.12 Shipped.

I hafta thank you, gobadgrs! I saved a lot by following your advice and calling Dell back over and over again until I found someone that would do the coupons. And your advise on being kind & courteous -- but yet not afraid to ask what you want -- paid off.
Reply
Reply
post #27 of 57
7/14/04 at 7:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by alydis
An update.

After 3rd sales rep I called, I finally got someone who would give me the coupon. We did the customization through the phone, and in the end, I walked away with a new i8600.

Basic specs:
i8600
PM 1.6A, 15.4" WSXGA+
512MB RAM
128 MB ATI Radeon 9600 ProTurbo
40 GB HDD
24x CDRW/DVD ROM Combo
802.11b Intel Pro 2100
All other options at lowest price...

Total was $1926. She applied the 10% deal on Dell's website now. Then applied the 20% coupon I gave her. Total savings = 1 - (0.9 * 0.8) = 0.28 = 28% discount. This translated into $539.28 off, bringing my final price (afer 8.25% tax) to $1501.12. I am paying through Dell's Preferred Plan, or whatever, and they promised me another $50 MIR.

Final price of the system is expected to be $1451.12 Shipped.

I hafta thank you, gobadgrs! I saved a lot by following your advice and calling Dell back over and over again until I found someone that would do the coupons. And your advise on being kind & courteous -- but yet not afraid to ask what you want -- paid off.
Glad to hear that it worked out Sometimes you do get lucky, and that extra 10% off makes a big difference...
Reply
Reply
post #28 of 57
7/14/04 at 11:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sid21177
actually british english is prolly the most correct and properly pronounced of all english variations
And it reels in women, too.
Reply
Reply
post #29 of 57
7/24/04 at 6:17pm
Gobadgrs:

I was searching for some info on ordering online vs. ordering over the phone with a sales rep and found your guide which was very helpful. I will be ordering my first laptop in a few months and have been lurking around in this website for a few days.

offtopic: I enjoy Notebookforums; it is giving me useful information on deciding what laptop to buy, which is now leaning towards a Dell.
Reply
Reply
post #30 of 57
7/24/04 at 7:32pm
I just automatically ask for teir2 support usually kicks it back to the states or you get someone who "sounds" american. This is with DirecWay by the way.
Reply
Reply
post #31 of 57
7/26/04 at 12:35pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by WhatWhoMe
Gobadgrs:

I was searching for some info on ordering online vs. ordering over the phone with a sales rep and found your guide which was very helpful. I will be ordering my first laptop in a few months and have been lurking around in this website for a few days.

offtopic: I enjoy Notebookforums; it is giving me useful information on deciding what laptop to buy, which is now leaning towards a Dell.
Well glad it was useful Lemme know if you have any questions.
Reply
Reply
post #32 of 57
7/26/04 at 4:27pm
Okay, your guide is totally awesome, but I am in need of even more help.

I am buying my laptop either today or early tomorrow (this 20% coupon expires tomorrow) and currently Dell has this 10% Back to school special...
Anyways, I am not gonna lie- I suck at this 'sweet talkin' stuff, and I need anyone to just give me an outline of what I should start with first. I mean, I dont want to configure a new laptop and then during buying time be denied both coupons? and also, if she/he asks where I got this 20% coupon, what should I say?

PLEASE i am in desperate need of help (and saving of money)
Reply
Reply
post #33 of 57
7/26/04 at 5:42pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by goingtocollege
Okay, your guide is totally awesome, but I am in need of even more help.

I am buying my laptop either today or early tomorrow (this 20% coupon expires tomorrow) and currently Dell has this 10% Back to school special...
Anyways, I am not gonna lie- I suck at this 'sweet talkin' stuff, and I need anyone to just give me an outline of what I should start with first. I mean, I dont want to configure a new laptop and then during buying time be denied both coupons? and also, if she/he asks where I got this 20% coupon, what should I say?

PLEASE i am in desperate need of help (and saving of money)
Do you know what specs you want with your laptop? Decide on a system before you call in and talk to someone. Know everything that you want to include. Dells policy is to not allow double coupons, so I doubt it will work. You most likely will only get the 20% off. Feel free to mention that you got the coupon online if asked. You can tell them that you got it off of a notebook forum. You should have no problems getting the 20% off. After they total everything up (with the 10% off) say, I have a coupon that I would like to apply to this order. Give them the 20% off code. They will then enter in the coupon and it will most likely cancel out the 10% that is already given. In the extremely lucky event that it doesnt, you need to buy that laptop right then and there as you are getting lucky on something that almost never works. That is why you need to have the funds available and know exactly what you want to buy ahead of time. If you take time to think about it, you will lose out on any crazy deals. Hope this guide helps.

Dont mention the coupon code until the end, and dont ask if you can get double coupons because they will say no.... just ask for them to apply the additional coupon to the total. If you really are bent on getting double coupons, you might have to call back several times to get lucky.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Reply
Reply
post #34 of 57
7/26/04 at 6:52pm
thanks, about to order it right now
Reply
Reply
post #35 of 57
7/27/04 at 5:03pm

Over 30% off NEW 700m!

(Sorry for the double post, but I thought it was best posted here as well!)

Hey guys,

I hate to count my chickens before they hatch but I just got off the phone this morning after talking with a Dell sales rep for over 40 minutes about the new 700m.

Long story short, after countless back and forth I saved OVER a whopping 30% off the Brand New 700m!! 1.6 Ghz, 256MB, 40GB, 8x DVD+RW Dual Layer writer, Intel 2200 b/g wireless pro, 1 Year In home service and Accidental Protection, FREE 2nd Day shipping, AND a FREE Dell Printer to top it off!!

Dell Price with Before Discount: 1865.00
Dell Price after 10% Discount: 1678.50
Dell Price after 20% Discount: 1492.50

My Price (Before 8.25% CA Tax) = 1302.80 !!!

My Price Out the Door after Tax = 1410.29 !!!



Not sure what happened, but I can't believe I got a price like this.. CRAZY for a new model! The only downfall I can see is that I was told the system would ship by Sept 1st. I guess by that time, this system will actually be at that price new

Eitherway! I'm stoked and I'll post a few pics and a quick review when I get it! Thanks for everyones help and advice on this board!




Here are the key specs for those interested (I took off the software garbage):

1 221-6397 Inspiron 700m, Intel Pentium MProcessor 725 (1.6GHz), 12.1 in WXGA
1 311-3685 256MB,DDR,333MHz,1 Dimm, Inspiron 700m
1 463-0698 Dell 720 Printer
1 463-1814 40GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive for Inspiron 700m
1 420-2427 Windows XP Home SP1,English
1 430-0530 Integrated NIC for Inspiron
1 313-1917 Internal 56k Modem
1 313-2539 8X DVD+RW DRIVE for Inspiron 700m
1 430-0974 Intel PRO/Wireless 2200 (802.11b/g) Internal Wireless
1 310-5290 32 WHr 4-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
1 950-1000 Type 3- Third Party At Home Service, 24x7 Technical Support, Initial Year
1 950-3337 1 Year Limited Warranty
1 960-9187 CompleteCare Accidental DamageProtection, Inspiron, 1 Year
Reply
Reply
post #36 of 57
7/27/04 at 6:44pm
Thread Starter 
Hkings, glad to see that it worked out for you
Reply
Reply
post #37 of 57
9/2/04 at 1:04am
Thread Starter 
bump for the new people
Reply
Reply
post #38 of 57
9/10/04 at 6:13am

Thanks

Just wanted to thank gobadgrs for the post. I had an order in for the 8600 placed 2 days ago and I just came across this post. Even though I am now waiting again for a 20% off coupon, in the end I think it will be worth it, just for the money I will save on getting the 2GB of ram that I want. I was wondering, is it better to just pick the hard drive you want or upgrade that as well?
Reply
Reply
post #39 of 57
9/10/04 at 6:22am
oh yea,
forgot to thank you for the great tips
I got my 10% off and 20% off for the i8600 a while ago, it went down from 2200 to 1500
Thanks
Reply
Reply
post #40 of 57
9/10/04 at 7:11pm
Yeah check this one, after not knowing where my order is (the website as of TODAY SEP10 - still says my delivery date sept 8th, either way.. heres what i got: 35 dollar coupon, free next day shipping, free shipping to where im going to be, free 2 or 3 yr warranty ( dont know yet ) the shipping to where im going to be is this: i leaving monday for business, they knew i needed it so they are paying for it to get to my house in MI to TX next day air. all and all bitching can help from time to time.. ahhahah
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Dell Notebooks - General
NotebookForums.com › Forums › Notebook Manufacturers › Dell Notebook Forums › Dell Notebooks - General › The unofficial guide on how to get a killer laptop for cheap.