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    Dell vs Best Buy

    Discussion in '2015+ Alienware 13 / 15 / 17' started by RugbyPlayer, Dec 7, 2015.

  1. RugbyPlayer

    RugbyPlayer Notebook Consultant

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    Im looking at potentially getting an alienware laptop.

    Currently Best Buy has the alienware 17r3, with UHD, 8GB and 970m for what looks like $100 below the dell price...that seems...odd. Is there any advantage to buying through dell?
     
    RugbyPlayer, Dec 7, 2015
    #1
  2. Splintah

    Splintah Notebook Deity

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    Honestly it should pretty much be the same. I would just go with the Best Buy version but make sure they didn't change anything, I know that Best Buy has models that they make specifically to sell on their website and store and some of the components may be downgraded from the full retail version.
     
    Splintah, Dec 7, 2015
    #2
  3. RugbyPlayer

    RugbyPlayer Notebook Consultant

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    RugbyPlayer, Dec 7, 2015
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  4. Game7a1

    Game7a1 ?

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    If you have to buy from Dell, remember that Dell can match the price of the laptop configuration sold through Best buy.
     
    Game7a1, Dec 7, 2015
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  5. RugbyPlayer

    RugbyPlayer Notebook Consultant

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    Im more likely to buy from best buy but i was trying to figure out if i was missing some substantial difference that explains the price difference
     
    RugbyPlayer, Dec 7, 2015
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  6. Game7a1

    Game7a1 ?

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    Not really. Some third party sellers (Best Buy, Microsoft Store, Newegg, etc.) can label their own pricing to their own satisfaction. The main difference is who you buy it from what the shipping / waiting time will be, the return period (it varies from seller to seller), and who to communicate when something goes wrong when you get the laptop from your doorstep.
    That said, you can't choose what Dell warranty you get (I think for most places). It's probably the most basic or the 1 step up from the most basic. You can still extend or upgrade it after receiving the laptop, though.
     
    Game7a1, Dec 7, 2015
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  7. cruisin5268d

    cruisin5268d Notebook Evangelist

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    The advantages of ordering through Dellienware:
    a) One can buy Dell's extended warranty
    b) one can buy Dell's accident coverage
    c) Some have had luck with asking the phone rep for discount
    d) because of a and b, you won't have to deal with the brain dead fools at "Geek Squad"
    e) dell reward points
     
    cruisin5268d, Dec 7, 2015
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  8. kgh00007

    kgh00007 Notebook Evangelist

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    I bought my AW 15 R1 from Bestbuy. It was $100 cheaper than the base 970M version from Dell and had an extra 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD, with the added bonus that I could walk in and pick one up as soon as I had the cash without having to wait on it to be delivered!

    I've also received support directly through Dell without any issue!!
     
    kgh00007, Dec 9, 2015
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  9. thepharcyde

    thepharcyde Notebook Enthusiast

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    They purchase in bulk they pass onto the consumer so no issue there
     
    thepharcyde, Dec 9, 2015
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