AW/DELL Ordering Advice - How to save $$$

[murphybr]

So here's my tale of unfortunate events:

After being accepted into a graduate program a couple weeks back, my school has required me to purchase a laptop. I have been lusting for the m14x for quite some time, and when they told me it was recommended, I finally had the incentive to pursue the dream. I wanted to get the m14x as loaded as possible, with Wireless HD and whatever else I could get, cheaper than my evil friend whose sugar daddy works for some company that gets approximately 25% off and rubs it in my face (approximated because I only know that she got what she thinks is a fully loaded m14x-r3 and I havent seen her specs yet because she doesn't even know how TO CHECK THEM, so its either fully loaded or pretty close.)

I have gotten minor deals by looking for good coupon combinations, and had seen some for the m14x a while back. From an initial search there was only a $50 coupon and consolation free shipping. I said "no way, the internets will have found something by now!". Unfortunately, after going through many false websites and checking over 20 expired coupons on my cart (which I swear was laughing at me at some point), I started losing hope. But I didn't give up.

I tried calling Dell to see what they could do for me, and they shot me down. The first time. And the second time. The third time I was sure the nice lady would give me the deal, only to find that her price was actually higher than my cart somehow. This was not boding well for me.

So after scouring the Interwebs for the past couple weeks now I came across this forum (somehow my search terms highlighted KnightTemplar in the cache I have no idea how). I found out a nice rep had been hooking it up for over 20% on fully loaded systems, thus I thought I struck the motherlode! Alas, I was thwarted yet again, since it seems he has disappeared and I missed it by a couple days. Now I only have about three to four weeks to order this laptop for school.

But I am not giving up.

I read 650's AMAZING guide, which I will try ASAP, and will attempt to contact a US rep using the suggest phone method, tell them I'm a student and have other options, and haggle like no tomorrow. If any of you guys have any suggestions on what to say, PM any reps I could talk to or information, or any help that could get me a stellar deal, I would truly, truly appreciate it, and do my best to reciprocate it should this experience yield anything noteworthy.

And I apologize for the long post but hope that others who share my sentiment don't give up!

soo Bobbo, the one thing i can recommend especially for pricing purposes....look at Dell Outlet. they come with the same warranty options and they are significantly cheaper. you may luck out and even find the one with the specs you want on there.

[slimweebs]

Can someone please PM me Jason's Dell email? Any word on if he's still giving deals from that email?

[slimweebs]

Absolutely awesome thread by the way. Thanks for all of the posts from everyone.

[soulviper]

It was on here a few pages back. From all indications he may or may not be there. Best bet is to send him the link of the one item you want (the one you email to yourself). If he is no longer available, then you have to hope you get lucky on calling in.

[grackling]

My rep i called wouldn't move the price. Anyway to make him change his mind?

[soulviper]

try another rep. using the quote the other guy gave you. Try to imply that you have limited funds, thinking of a asus.. ect ect.. pretty much what the stickie suggested. Not every cast will get you a fish.

[Syrious]

I got a US Rep today, and even though I returned a defective M14X, had to wait nearly 3 weeks for my refund, and went through all kinds of drama (they said the refund got "stuck" somewhere, and that was the reason it was delayed), he still wouldn't even offer me so much as free next day shipping on the much more expensive M18X I was ordering. I thanked him for his time and called up the Costa Rica Tech department.

The tech I got apologized for my troubles, and offered to rush the build, with free next day shipping; I mean, I didn't even have to ask for it. I already had a coupon for 17% off, so I didn't hound him over a discount, I just wanted them to recognize how long I had been waiting and offer some type of condolences. Needless to say, I am very pleased with the services they offered and am emailing this guys manager to give him some well deserved props.

So like everyone else has said, it's all in who you talk to, so call a few reps. You are spending a lot of money on your new system, at the very least you should have a rep you are happy to come back and do return business with when you're ready.

[AirJordan]

I got a US Rep today, and even though I returned a defective M14X, had to wait nearly 3 weeks for my refund, and went through all kinds of drama (they said the refund got "stuck" somewhere, and that was the reason it was delayed), he still wouldn't even offer me so much as free next day shipping on the much more expensive M18X I was ordering. I thanked him for his time and called up the Costa Rica Tech department.

The tech I got apologized for my troubles, and offered to rush the build, with free next day shipping; I mean, I didn't even have to ask for it. I already had a coupon for 17% off, so I didn't hound him over a discount, I just wanted them to recognize how long I had been waiting and offer some type of condolences. Needless to say, I am very pleased with the services they offered and am emailing this guys manager to give him some well deserved props.

So like everyone else has said, it's all in who you talk to, so call a few reps. You are spending a lot of money on your new system, at the very least you should have a rep you are happy to come back and do return business with when you're ready.

Just curious, how did you get a hold of the Costa Rica Tech Support? Whenever I call Tech Support, they all sound Indian...

[Syrious]

When I first had to call in to report the problems I was having with the m14x I just ended up getting patched through to them; after I spoke with them, their manager emailed me so we could keep in touch throughout the refund process, and get started on my new system as soon as possible. I'd have let him handle my order today but he was out of the office until next week, and unfortunately, I had M18X fever, and just couldn't wait I tried the US Rep first, and when that didn't work out, I pulled the email the guys in Costa Rica had sent and used the number and extension for another rep that they recommended. Until this, I just assumed all reps were the same, but boy was I wrong.

[vikingrinn]

dell/alienware representative 'nactownag' has asked me to make aware that there is currently a new 25%+ promotion underway that he will be able to honor until his last day 09/05/2011, which can be obtained by following the instructions found within the following post:

Originally Posted by nactownag
Please read this entire post

Here's the deal guys/gals, I need you all to please help me with this. I've gotten what seems like 100 emails from people and 99% of them go something like this:

"Hey I'm looking at an M17x what can you do for me"

I don't mean to be rude but this does nothing for you or me besides waste me 15 seconds to open the email and read it.

The situation is tough because I'm constantly being watched and monitored and I have to make sure that I'm taking inbound calls as well as helping you guys.

Yes...most of my deals end on 8/20/11. Also my last day at Dell is 9/5/11 (moving to a new job in a completely different field while I'm still in sales).

Now here's how you can help me help you

#1...please don't give me a hard time with negotiating. We can talk about it a little but I truly am giving y'all a sick deal most of the time. I won't name any names but a few people keep asking for more or different configs for same price or more discount. I'm giving everyone the MOST i possibly can. If a system has 20 bucks in margin/profit I'm not giving you another $100 off or a free bag. Don't ask. Again not trying to be rude but let's get real...the deal is already awesome.

#2...when you email me, please tell me the EXACT specs that you're looking for (processor, memory, screen res, hard drive, led color, namplate, EVERYTHING) because it takes time to create quotes and go back and modify them if I have to add a nameplate or something. This is also beneficial so if I'm not available via phone to place order you can have an accurate quote # to call in and place the order. If you have to change the quote then the discount goes away.

#3...send me your name, address (billing/shipping), AND phone number in the email. I need this to be able to create a quote for you. International folks, this can be difficult to deal with. Sometimes it goes through...sometimes it doesnt. It's hit and miss.

#4...People who want to spend more are going to save more. This is a fact of life. If you want to buy the base level M14x I'm probably not going to be able to save you much $$$ but I'll be able to give you a better warranty or more RAM or something for the same price. Why you ask? Because if you don't want to add anything to it then there is no profit or margin for Dell. I'm not about to sell you a system that has negative 200 bucks margin and hurts Dell and my paycheck. Sorry.

#5...if you can and it makes no difference...PLEASE USE A DELL PREFERRED ACCOUNT TO PAY FOR YOUR SYSTEM. It helps me out tremendously. Even if you open an account and put $1 on the account and the rest on your credit card for airline miles. I'm serious.

I'm sorry for having to be so direct. I know this is an awesome deal but I have to be as efficient as I possibly can to make sure everyone gets served before the deal is done and I'm done at Dell.

By the way, I'm not going to be in the office this Friday/Saturday so Wednesday/Thursday is it. Two more days.

If I haven't responded to your email, don't take it personally. Just re-send your email to my DELL account...read a few posts back to decipher what it is.

I know I haven't posted since I first posted way back when and I apologize for that but I never realized it would be this big of a deal. I hope everyone understands.

I think the people that have dealt with me know that I'm a good and fair guy to deal with. Just be reasonable and don't waste my time is all I ask.

Gig 'Em

Jason

and contacting him via the information found within the following post:

Originally Posted by nactownag
What I'll try to do is this...and there are no guarantees because I'm busy today.

I will TRY to go to the office tonight around 8pm CST and create some quotes.

Here's the caveat: I won't be there for long and I'm not changing quotes so I literally need you to tell me every single thing that you want.

I need your name, address phone number (billing and shipping address if different). I can't ship anywhere outside the states.

Seriously guys, make sure I know everything that you want. Don't send me two different configurations. Just send me what you want. I might add RAM or I might add warranty to it (I have to have positive margin). Don't ask if you can change something...just take it and be happy (it's a great deal).

I won't be placing the orders over the phone tonight. I'll just email you the quote and you'll go to www.dell.com/qto to place the order. If you tell me you are using a Dell Preferred Account (don't lie to me) you'll get first priority.

I'm moving some stuff from my apt to my familys house which is about 2 hours away so when I get back from there I'll stop by work and do it.

To figure out my email is my first name (signed below ) underscore last name (a guy who cuts hair) at dell dot com. I hope you can figure that out.

Thanks

Jason

hopefully this helps some of those here preparing to order a new dell/alienware system, and he also stated he has a co-worker who might possibly begin assisting us with future $aving$ after he is gone...

please, do not pm me regarding this, as you have the info neccessary...