How much does calling in/chat save you $$$

I'm thinking of getting a Dell XPS 17" 3D laptop (don't care about 3D, just want that 1080p display) - 1080p FHD, 2720QM, 4 GB RAM, 640GB HD, etc

The website spits out a quote around $2,100, if I choose either 3D laptop (about a $50 difference between the two 3D notebooks, all other options being equal)

Anyone know if calling in or chatting will save me anything, or do they keep to the website pricing?

Thanks for any help

 

Just to update - I priced the laptop on the Dell US website, and with discount coupons of $100 off, it came out to around $2,020.

I talked to a dell rep, and the best he could do was $2,000 and wouldn't allow me to add any discount coupons, saying "it's heavily discounted already"

Anyone know if calling in can get me a better deal? Is there any difference between chat and phone? How much can I wrangle with the reps for a better price? What should I say to get them to haggle a bit?

Thanks for any help

 

just call and say you dont know jet.

start with a lower config on the phone and upgrade it at the phone.
most likely they would like to sell an expensive system except a cheap one.

So if you upgrade they will give discount on the upgrading. To convince you to take this laptop.

 

Hey there!

Here is what I have done in the past:
(text taken from a reply I made on another thread).

If the Rep really wants to make the sale to you, they should try and work with you on the price.

**What I have done is always pre-configured several systems, and "saved" them to my cart. That way you have them availi' when working with the Rep on the sale.

**Also, usually when ordering over the phone ~ you may have to be prepared to say "no thank-you", and call back and work with another Rep. Same applies when using Chat to get a deal.

**And, if you have any applicable discount Codes you can use on the Website purchase, have them handy to relay to the Rep. That is another advantage for you. : )

**If you have access to the EPP Program (Employer Purchase Program), sometimes you can't get better applicable discounts.

**When dealing with the Rep, be "in charge", yet firm & polite. Action words like: "I am ready to purchase from you right now", and "what's the best deal you can do for me today", etc, can work in your favor.

And, here is a helpful guide you can refer to: (it is a bit older, but still very helpful): A How-To on Making The Best Computer Deal

Hope that helps!

 

Thanks for the advice!!

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UPDATE: I've spoken to 2 reps over 2 days - both times, they wouldn't budge from the retail price, saying "it's already discounted $234" (this is from the website, and the $234 savings is a promo that's going on until Jan. 2012).

Both times, they played dumb about coupons and said there weren't any applicable coupons until I gave them a coupon code I got from bestonlinecoupons for $100 to apply.

So at this point, I'm gonna say screw it - the best coupons I can find are for $100 off, and it seems all the reps have been told "no discounts", maybe because the XPS 17 just launched; seems I may take Cin's advice from another thread and just jump on it now. But I'd love to hear if anyone on here was able to get a lower price out of the reps or a better coupon, and what they said to get it

 

In that price range, you can get the basic M17x with the same processor and a WHOLE lot better graphics card (GTX 460M) for the same price. The upgrades you want may bring that higher, but you should really consider the M17x. Buy the processor, graphics card, and optical drive you want. Everything else can be cheaply upgraded later and you'll probably save a few bucks.

 

Never thought of that before, and you're right - for all the options I want, a m17x is only about $400 more expensive. But the problem is, my budget has GOT to be under $2,000, and the cheapest m17x I can configure is slightly above $2,000, and even then. I'd have to buy a few hundred dollars worth of software/hardware to get it the way I want it, whereas I can get the XPS 17 slightly under $2,000, and all I've have to do is buy a copy of Microsoft Home/Student (that said, I'll be kicking myself for not being able to get my hands on that GTX460M - times like this I wish the XPS card wasn't soldered in )

Thanks for the idea though - I'd never considered Alienware before, and when I replace this XPS in a few years, I'll probably go for the newest m17x instead.

 

You are saying this in a Dell forum. It's not like any of us are Dell fanboys or girls, but seriously?

I've owned Dell computers since 2000. Two desktops and a laptop, and soon another laptop and desktop. YMMV, but they really aren't *that* bad.

 

Meh, I buy Dell because they typically have good prices and I've never had a problem with any of them. Owned a few desktops and a few Inspirons before, and I was always happy with how they performed. Thought about Sony, but some friends had theirs die on them after only 2 yrs - I know that's not a reason to rule them out, but it's enough of a reason for me to be wary

 

Just ordered this xps15 by phone, hope this help。
anyway， online configuration cost me $1247 with tax。 （TN sale tax sucks）
she give me $1222. so, i said not bad. it does help!

Please click on the order number above for a detailed list of all items included in your purchase

The below is an easy-view list that allows you to verify all of the key components of your system.
External System Details:
System Name and Type: Laptop - XPS 15
Monitor: 15.6 FHD B+RGLED TL (1920x1080) and Skype-Certified 2.0MP HD Webcam
Color: Elemental Silver Aluminum
KeyBoard:
Mouse:
Battery: 92 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Internal Performance Components:
Processor: 2nd generation Intel® Core™ i7-2630QM processor 2.00 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 2.90 GHz
Memory: 6GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 Memory
Hard Drive: 640GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
Video Card: NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 540M 2GB graphics with Optimus and TV Tuner
Optical Drive: 8X Tray Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive) (Your computer will only play BluRay if it is specifically listed here)
Internet & Communication Features:
Wireless: Intel© Centrino© Advanced-N 6230 & Bluetooth 3.0
Software Included:
Operating System: Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
Office Software: Microsoft® Office Starter: reduced-functionality Word & Excel w/ ads. No PowerPoint or Outlook - See the attached file for programs included/not included
Security Software: McAfee Security Center with VirusScan, Firewall, Spyware Removal, 15-Months

 

Thanks!!

This is about what happened to me; the first rep would only take $20 off, the second wouldn't take anything off (when I asked, he said "let me ask my manager first")

 

np， i think i got a pretty good deal。
i think i would received more discount if i order one more。

too bad the desktop’s x68 is not yet out， i would of order an alienware with mine。

they have to make money too。
：）

 

Did you see the Weekend sale going on? Premium Weekend Sale | Dell

 

Holy crap THANK YOU!! It's even a 3D model!!

 

Glad I could help. Don't forget to use that $100 off coupon too!

 

NP
It may be a little overbearing when trying to get a deal on something you want, but if you can in the end of it all...it all works well.

Also, see this thread, if you purchase a laptop at a $699 price point, at the end of it you can add a Dell Streak for $99 if you wanted..(which is decent IMHO)

 

Thanks again!! Think I might be getting a new phone with the new computer

 

You could order a standard XPS 17 and swap out the screen as people are doing here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...cial-swapping-xps-17-l701x-screen-thread.html

The XPS 17 3D won't get as much battery life as the regular XPS 17, because the regular XPS 17 has Optimus support whereas the XPS 17 3D does not.

Just throwing this out there as a possible option.

 

Thanks for the idea - never thought of that, but in the end, power consumption doesn't mean much since this computer is gonna be plugged in most of the time (pretty much a desktop replacement).

--------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE: Well, I figure Cin is right - might as well pull the trigger now rather than waiting for a deal that may or may not materialize. So it's final - that weekend deal that htfan posted was just too sweet to pass up so I had to pull the trigger. It took $200 off the ordinary price and I added a $100 off coupon that I found on google - wound up getting everything I wanted for under my budget of $2000. I'm one happy camper

I think since 3D models don't have widi, I might pick up the HP tv wireless connect; HP sells them for $200, but ebay has them for around $100

Only problem now, is that it has a ship date of 4/29 and I'm gonna hate waiting so long

225-0587 XPS 17
1 317-6215 2nd generation Intel Core i7-2720QM processor 2.20 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.30 GHz
1 317-6203 6GB,DDR3,2 DIMM
1 331-1414 Backlit Internal Keyboard - English
1 320-1986 17.3in FHD WLED TL (1920x1080) 3D
1 421-4060 Fast Access Facial Recognition 3.0 SW Application
1 320-1981 NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M 3GB graphics
1 342-2249 640GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
1 318-0432 Elemental Silver Aluminum
1 421-1366 Genuine Windows 7 Professional, 64bit, English
1 318-0151 Tray Load Blu-ray Disc BD-Combo (Reads BD and Writes to DVD/CD)
1 318-0431 Creative SoundBlaster X-FI MB 1.2
1 317-6214 Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230 and Bluetooth 3.0
1 312-1182 92 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
1 410-0488 Microsoft Office 2010 Home and Student, English

 

You'll get it before 4/29, but the waiting game does suck.

 

Grat's on your order! The ESD is almost always "overestimated". It protect Dell for any Production delays, etc. Maybe it will ship w/in the next few weeks. *fingers crossed* for yah!