Selling advice for laptop - Alienware m14x R1 w/2820QM and >1 yr dell waranty

Hello everyone,

I have been researching dozens of sites including this one on how to resell my m14x, and would really appreciate some advice on selling this laptop / any for that matter given the number of sound responses that I've seen from this community.

I have a m14x R1 which I still have 1 year of warranty left (bought 3 years complete care including spill / drop protection in July 2011). Looking to perhaps get an R2 or simply another brand, but seen so many horror stories of laptop resell on ebay and the like, that hestitate to jump in without a bit of guidance.

What I've seen is several points like:

• Have specific wording - like as-is, etc
• Use a form of secured payment method
• Full spec sheet listing + photos
• Have 2 day waiting period after funds are deposited before shipping
• Solid tracking methods with insurance
• Keep it within the contentential United States (if you are there of course)
• Warranty adds definitive value to the laptop

Know that to sell here need to have a certain number of posts, but not sure desire to sell through here given there really isn't a payment structure.
Heard paypal + eBay are buyer oriented and often over charge seller even if sales don't occur or occur badly.
Given I have full warranty, understand that this increases value considerably, if so how much should I expect (see specs below)? Estimating $1000 as starting point, reasonable?

Any pointers on different sites and/or personal experience. Particularily ebay/paypall, amazon, escrow.com, craigs list, etc.

Finally I've seen a number of posts that purchasing the R2 is worth it, even for those who had the R1 originally. Not absolutely need Haswell, but realize if I'm looking to sell, better now while I know I still have warranty on this R1.

Appreciate any perspectives.
------------------------------------------
System
Intel Core i7 2820QM 2.4GHz (3.4GHz Turbo Mode, 8M cache)
8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600M Hz
14.0 High Def+ (900p/1600x900) with WLED backlight
3.0GB DDR3 NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M using NVIDIA Optimus technology
750GB 7200RPM SATA 3Gb/s
Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit
Slot -Load Dual Layer DVD Burner, DVD+ -RW, CD-RW
Soundblaster X -Fi Hi Def Audio - Software Enabled EA
Intel Advanced -N WiFi Link 620 5 a/g/n 2x2 MIMO Technology
Internal 60GHz WirelessHD Transmitter
Internal Bluetooth 3.0
---
Warranty details:
Dell Hardware Warranty Plus On-Site Service, Extended Year(s)
Dell Hardware Warranty Plus On-Site Service, Initial Year
Third Party At Home Service, 2 4x7 Technical Support, 2 Year Extended
Third Party At Home Service, 2 4x7 Technical Support, Initial Year
3 Year Limited Warranty
Accidental Damage Service, 3 Years
Soft Contracts Service Hardware Agreement for Alienware
Soft Contracts Consumer Accidental Damage Agreement for Alienware
Warranty Support, 2 Year Extended
Warranty Support, Initial Year
--------------------------
Thanks,
-ped

 

All those are good things to take into consideration when selling on those places. I would say that 1.000 is less than what you can actually ask, I would ask for 1.100 at least.

 

I've seen R2's sell for less, I'd say $700-$900 because the processor is quite powerful.

 

The 1 yr warranty is what keeps the price up for me. It's really worth to have that when you are purchasing an used machine. But you are right maybe the price could be dropped a bit to 900-1000.

 

That may be true but $1000-1100 for an obsolete machine is excessive considering you can buy new from Alienware at that price. I actually think I was being generous (to the seller) with my initial estimate.

 

You were . My main concern is that you can get a new one for that price but not with the upgraded specs as this one is. i7 and 3.0GB video card were expensive upgrades at the time of purchase. That's what makes me think the price can't drop to less than $900.

 

The standard i7-3740QM at $1100 paired with the R2 is quite a bit faster than his 2820QM, there is simply no reason to pay that amount of money for an R1. Extra graphics ram will have a negligible performance boost over the default 1.5GB version when gaming so I doubt that's a selling point and the GT555M is about 50% less powerful than the GT650M. Anything above $700 is wishful thinking.

 

True, but $700 is just not enough for an Alienware. I would not sell it for that price. Dell sales machines with lower specs for more so it really depends on the seller how much he would ask for it. There is always somebody interested in having one of this beasts

 

Uninformed sellers may pay extra for an Alienware but there's no denying that it's objectively not worth too much. He'd have to compare his machine to whatever Alienware's selling and price it accordingly, and considering that you can buy a brand new i7-3740QM R2 for $1100 (less with coupons) there's no way any thinking person will pay over $700 for it. Anyway, I hope he gets a good price as it's one of the most beautiful looking laptops around .

 

3.0GB of Vram may have cost more but doesn't improve performance. Maybe if you are running Skyrim with tons of mods.

I'm with bendak on this one. I think you are slightly misinformed.

 

I know it would not be a huge boost, I said that it was an expensive upgrade at the time of purchase . I'm with Bendak also, I just hope he sells it for a good price because this is a great laptop

 

lol Mr. Porras is being a salesman and an Alienware employee that's all.

 

Hes also setting unreasonable expectations for a customer they already have.

 

It's just a personal opinion, I'm just saying that I would not sell it for less than that if the computer was mine.

 

Greatly appreciate all the feedback, especially the back and forth discussions on how if "I was the seller" and how its either worth it or we're smoking one if its more than this.

No really, seeing the dynamic here gives an idea of value.

I think in terms of pricing, I will state $1000 as a buy-out with a floor level of $850 for example. In any case see I'm in the ballpark.

So... the price is one element, also asked a few more questions would appreciate some perspective as well.
1.) What site / method is the best for sellers (assume that the seller is legit)
2.). Overall consensus I have read is that R2 is worth the upgrade even with Haswell looming.

Thanks everyone!

 

1) The best and most secure method for sellers and buyers alike is eBay, though, their fee is 10% of the ending bid (to be absorbed by the seller).

2) R2 is definitely worth the upgrade because Haswell isn't exactly important as the GPU is the bottleneck, I'd be more interested to see what the GT750M has to offer. Most speculate the R3 will be 10-15% more powerful than the R2.

 

Really? I read some seller horror stories in terms of using eBay/PayPal as a seller for expensive items and laptops in particular. Revolving around scammers (of course like everywhere), but more so that the site is structured for buyer protection, not for sellers. So at the end you still pay all these fees, and as a seller assumed guilty until proven innocent.

Anyone have experience with this first-hand? Also tips for how to structure the sale to assure protection for both buyer AND seller?

2.). Oh and thanks for the affirmation on the R2. Out of curiosity what was the estimated performance gain from R1 to R2?

 

2115 3DMark 11 (1.0.2.0)October 29 2011
1Intel Core i7-2630QM Processor (2,000 MHz)Details
Dell Computer Corporation NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M (874 MHz)

3518 3DMark 11 (1.0.4.0)March 28 2013
3Intel Core i7-3610QM Processor (2,301 MHz)Details
Unknown NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M (405 MHz)

 

Welcome to the internet, it's full of unscrupulous scheister types preying on the weak and vulnerable. If you're sensible you won't get scammed. I, along with the great majority have sold many expensive items on eBay without trouble.

EDIT: Do not send away your laptop until the funds reach your bank account.

As Kevinmcg has kindly pointed out, the R2 is 60% more powerful than the meek R1. There's no comparing them, which is why I think your initial valuation of $850 is still too high.

 

Lol, yeah yeah... Not a newcomer, but fair comment.

I see what you mean about the value. At first I thought that I trumped this by having the extended warranty, but quickly realized that all new ones come with 1 year.

Ok, will look in that range, but as Luis mentioned earlier, if someone else appreciates the value as much more, not going to refuse.

I mean the components are one thing, the brand is another. If we want to argue this one, lets talk apple laptops, any flavor.

Appreciate the tip on the withdrawal the funds before shipment. Any other gems of knowledge?

Cheers.

 

Nope, nothing more important than what I've already told you. It's the seller's golden rule :thumbsup:.

Unfortunately Alienware laptops don't hold on to their value in the same way Macbooks do, they depreciate far quicker. Start the bidding low to drum up interest and I'm sure you won't have to give it away for less than $700. Then, if you buy an R2 new/refurbed for $850-$1100 you'll gain 60% performance at minimum cost.

 

Ah one more thing as I'm going to look to finalize the post in the next day or so. How long do listings usually have to be up to get a hit? A week? Doesn't matter? Cheers.

 

Many factors have to be taken into account from the general website traffic to the starting price at which your bid is set. You'll normally find most of the activity nearer the end of your listing, which is when people tend to scramble for the winning bid. If you're listing on less popular sites like Craig's list you should lower your price to gain hits. As I say, eBay is the best place to sell anything.

 

Hi all,

Well I sold the machine in May. Since all of you were so kind to help give advice, figured I'd pass along the results.

Final selling price was a little over $750. So after eBay / Paypal taking their share... received around $660 in pocket.

So seems Bendak was the closest, overall, and even with starting the bidding low... the final bidding didn't take off until the last day.. so posting it for 1 week or 1 month only would increase the number of watchers.. not necessarily the final SP I learned.

Anyway was hoping for more what Luis was mentioning, but at least I sold her before the new 14, 17, 18's came out.

Cheers to all, and thanks again.