Another Dell Sale - 20%, 25% or 30% coupon floating around

Dell is having another "mystery sale event" sending out coupons for 20-25-30% off select Latitude, OptiPlex, Dell Precision. PowerEdge.
Good deal if someone can find a 30% off coupon (like ebay) and wants a new machine.

 

google
Dell Outlet Coupon New 20% off Dell Precision Mobile Workstations (Laptops) Coupon Code: HMV$?84$G?$DLF Jan 30, 2009 (expires)
http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/150940
this is or one of them?

 

Any for E6400?

 

I looked at the sale today, nothing special for the latitude line. Prices were much better last week, and last week also had the 20% sale. Deals are OK, but it looks like their inventory clearence is winding down.

 

I got the "Mystery Coupon" email from Dell today also. Mine was only for 20% (I always test them).

Unfortunately, the coupon is useless for any Latitude models. The fine print states that coupon isn't valid for the E4200, E4300, E6400ATG and XFR. All configurations of the E5400, E5500, E6400 and E6500 currently have instant savings discounts of more than 20%.

For example, I tested the coupon with the base E6500 configuration. The base price shows as $1129 minus $300 instant savings for a starting price of $829. I added it to the cart and it showed the same price breakdown, itemizing the $300 instant savings. Then I entered my Mystery Coupon code and clicked Apply, the $300 instant savings was replaced with coupon savings of $225.80...increasing the total by $74.20!!! Even the 30% coupon would only have resulted in savings of $338.70 (or just $37.80 more than if you hadn't used a coupon at all).

I can understand the coupon discount not being "stackable" (meaning that you could apply the percentage discount AND keep the instant savings also). I'd love it if that were the case, but it rarely happens with any retailer. The issue that I have is that their system allows you to override the instant savings with a lesser discount. On most other websites (HP, for instance) it will display a message that the coupon discount is LESS than the instant discount already included. In other words, it determines the better deal and lets the customer know that they're getting the best deal.

I'm sure there have been some inattentive customers who have ended up paying MORE using a coupon code with Dell. Granted, if that has happend it is ultimately the customer's fault for not paying attention, rushing, etc. But I'm a little miffed at Dell for not having some sort of safeguard in place. Doing so would send the message; "Hey, you're our customer and we're looking out for you....we want you to get the best deal". That sure beats the reaction of the customer who realizes that they paid more because they used a coupon. I'm certain that customer's opinion of Dell would be dimished and they might take their business elsewhere for future purchases!

Then again, maybe Dell accountants just code the additional income to "Stupidity Tax" and none of the overpaying customers ever notice?

 

Addendum to my Mystery Coupon rant above-

If you're lucky enough to get the 30% off Mystery Coupon, it would be useful on the Latitude E5400/5500 and E6400/E6500. The instant savings on those models doesn't exceed 30%, so the 30% coupon would result in at least a small savings.

But for those of us with the more common 20% and 25%, DO THE MATH before you use the coupon code!

GOOD NEWS for anyone interested in a Precision notebook- the coupon is valid on the M2400/M4400/M6400 and they don't have the 20%+ instant savings like the Latitudes do!

 

You do realize that one can customize a laptop to a higher price, getting a better deal with percentage coupon then flat instant savings? Thats far from useless.