Buying from a live person vs website

It's two years since I bought my Latitude from Dell, and I felt that talking to a salesperson on the phone not only helped me to get things right, but helped a little on price. I read the salespeople they have now are nowhere as knowledgeable on the hardware choices. I don't know if this was about the Home or Business side, but is there any reason to call, or can I get no better info (or deal) using the website?
Thanks

 

I haven't ordered one direct from Dell's "home site". I have always went through a Sales Rep to place my order. And, I haven't ordered thru the Bus. Side, but I know their CS has always been pretty good for others.

If the Rep wants to make a sale, 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.

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.

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!

Cin...

 

Thanks Cin! That's kind of how I was handling it so far. I'm kind of a bad haggler though;-). Thank you for the link on "getting the best deal".
Rob

 

No prob! I understand the "haggling" factor, but you have to be ready to get the deal that works for *you*. I had to do it a few times when I was looking at lappy ~ and it worked out the best for me in the end!

That link on "getting the best deal", is very helpful. I used it when looking for my lappy.

Cin...

 

I've always had far better luck buying a pre-build Dell (Latitudes) off of eBay (tons of vendors, who offer transferrable 3-year Dell warranties), than anything I could 'negotiate' on the phone, or any combination of coupons.

How many options are really left on these laptops anyways? Not very many. Things like wireless cards, in the past, you wanted to make sure you got a decent one, but nowadays, there really isn't a dud to be found and 802.11n isn't some rare or advanced feature. And processors are pretty much all the same. As long as you match up the screen you want, and the RAM required, you're pretty much good to go.

 

Well said, very good used latitudes can be had for a fraction of the new price. This is especially true for business laptops.