PSA: You can get a better price when buying monitors from Dell by calling them

[john dough]

I looked for coupons for Dell products, but right now the well (eBay) is dry of the 10% off coupons discussed here:

http://forums.macresource.com/read/1/551...msg-551758

I called them and asked "what is the lowest you can sell the 30" monitor for?" The salesperson came back with $1035 + tax ($1103 total).

24" monitor is going to my wife and her 20" monitor is going to her mom.

[space-time]

so what was the price online? what discount did they give you, 10%?

[Buzz]

been negotiating w/ dell by phone for years. usually goes OK... when it doesn't, I just change my mind, or get a very important call on the other line, and call back a little while later and try again. best results have been to get the equivalent of stacked promos, and/or to get adjustments on add'l items w/in a package deal so that the end result is what was desired, even though pricing on individual items may be off. other best trick is to mix & match dell home w/ dell business on same order under one of them; say get computer promo price from dell home, and monitor promo price from dell business, and have combined total qualify for free shipping promo (many combinations for this type of stuff)... only hitch w/ either tactic, is that if/when something from that order needs to be returned/exchanged for an uneven item(s) that it can work for or against you, and if it's the latter, it may require a bit more negotiating on the return/exchange. all's well that ends well.

[john dough]

[quote space-time]so what was the price online? what discount did they give you, 10%?
I got 14% off, just by asking ($164 off of $1199)

[DaviDC.]

A couple of years ago I found a deal on a 20" Dell monitor for $220. When I received the confirmation email it was considerably more so I called to cancel the order since for whatever reason it wouldn't let me cancel online. The customer service rep was very apologetic & I ended up getting the monitor for less than $200!

Sometimes it definitely pays to talk to a real person!

[M A V I C]

Well, I wish I had bought online. Email confirmations and receipts can be very important. Since I bought over the phone from Dell, I only have a packing slip.

[john dough]

[quote M A V I C]Well, I wish I had bought online. Email confirmations and receipts can be very important. Since I bought over the phone from Dell, I only have a packing slip.
All you have to do is call them with your order number and they will send you the invoice or receipt. Because of clients, there are months where I place $3000 or more in orders from Dell and I always ask for their best deals. Most of the time it saves my clients money and they greatly appreciate that (and keep calling me back for keeping an eye on their money).

Talking to a human, more often than not, will save money. There are some VERY good coupons available at times, but when none are available, or when something is needed right away, this is the best way to go.