PSA regarding ordering from Expercom.com

[pinkoos]

Well, I finally bit the bullet and placed a phone order for a low end 2009 mini with 4GB RAM, but stock 120GB hard drive.

Total came out to $679 + $14.75 shipping = $693.75

I was actually happy with that price b/c then I don't have to crack open the mini and do the RAM install myself.

However, after placing the order, I logged into my account on their website and all their prices on the mac mini page dropped drastically.

For example, a configuration that originally listed for $749 now was listed as $691. Many other examples where the price dropped anywhere between $2 to $60 (like the above example).

Basically, if you're a new customer, you can create an online account, but you can't order online. You have to call and they only give you the pricing for "new" customers. However, after you place your first order with them (no matter what the order is), you are considered a "returning" customer and are given the preferential prices.

I ended up cancelling my order, but I'm still listed in their system as a "returning" customer, so I should (A) be able to actually order online and (B) get the preferential pricing. I may still have to call in if I want a configuration or permutation that they don't list on the website.

Regardless, though, this "revelation" has shot all the pricing research I've been doing over the past few days and looks like I'll need to start over!

My recommendation if you want to order from them and are a "new" customer is to order some cheap accessory over the phone and then cancel your order a few minutes later. You should, hopefully, show as a "returning" customer in their system.

[C(-)ris]

Nice way to treat your new customers. I probably wouldn't order from them at all.

[Doc]

That may not be their fault.

Apple used to have some BS requirement like that for authorized 3rd party web sales.

There was a time when you couldn't purchase a new Mac online from SmallDog without a pre-existing relationship with them.

I suspect that Apple's still making some vendors jump through those hoops.

[pinkoos]

Doc wrote:
That may not be their fault.

Apple used to have some BS requirement like that for authorized 3rd party web sales.

There was a time when you couldn't purchase a new Mac online from SmallDog without a pre-existing relationship with them.

I suspect that Apple's still making some vendors jump through those hoops.

I understand that, but don't understand the pricing difference. Like C(-)ris said, not a very good way to treat new customers.

Having said that, though, a low end 2009 mini upgraded with 4GB RAM and a 500GB hard drive for $755 ("returning" customer price) is pretty sweet.

[hal]

Small dog had the same limitation, but doesn't have two tiered pricing

[Doc]

I think SmallDog did have two-tiered pricing. They had a "secret" web price list that was only available if you used a special customer code supplied after your first purchase.

Later, they qualified for a different program so they could unify the system somewhat.

There was a lot of stuff in their newsletters about it.

[JoeH]

Doc wrote:
I think SmallDog did have two-tiered pricing. They had a "secret" web price list that was only available if you used a special customer code supplied after your first purchase.

Later, they qualified for a different program so they could unify the system somewhat.

There was a lot of stuff in their newsletters about it.

Not for a long time though, at least not since I started buying from Smalldog over 12 years ago. Since then if you entered the "Top Dog" codes or used the links in the newsletters, you got see specials that were not advertised otherwise.