5 Specific Ways to Save when you Buy a Dell Computer
Aug 30 '00 (Updated Sep 12 '00)
Having just purchased a Dell 4100, I can relate five ways to get the most bang for your buck at Dell. I saved over 13%, without lessening the system, using these methods. Your results may vary depending upon your needs, but most of these ideas should apply to anyone buying a Dell or any other system for that matter.
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This review is Part 1 of a three-part review of my Dell purchase experience.
Part 2: "What you Should Do Before (and After) You Buy a Dell."
http://recommended.epinions.com/cmd-review-5D83-479C6F1-39B1258B-prod1
Part 3: "The Dell 4100: Problems, solutions, and should you buy one?"
http://recommended.epinions.com/cmd-review-17A5-1211C237-39B481E9-prod6
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Short Background Story
If you shop around when buying a computer online, you will realize that you can get systems cheaper than Dell. So why go with Dell? I did because of their long-standing, nationally recognized reputation for reliability, service and support. When I bought my Dell 4100 a few weeks ago, I was willing to pay more (than if I had bought a no-name clone) for the peace of mind Dell gives. However, in the months long process of choosing the system to buy, I learned a few ways to save money when buying from Dell and I now pass them on to you. The ideas aren't earth-shattering, but if you are first-time online buyer you might not be aware of them. Here they are and I hope they help you in your purchase.
1. Try MULTIPLE configurations:
And I don't mean using a Dell salesperson over the phone. From the Dell web site, under Home and Home office, I started with the cheapest recommended 4100 series (733 processor) and clicked on Customize. From there I chose the components I wanted and updated the price. In doing this repeatedly, I learned a few important aspects of system configurations.
1a. Start with 'Recommended Systems' before you 'Customize and Price'. On the main 'Desktop' page, for each of the three Dell series you can either immediately 'Customize and Price' or you can go to the 'Recommended systems'. Configuring the exact system using both methods, I found that the same system cost $50 more if you don't start with a recommended system.
1b. When changing components, try both downgrading from a better system and upgrading from a lesser system. Exploring the customize options, I found that sometimes I could get a better price if I started with the next highest recommended system and downgraded to what I wanted. I also seem to remember the reverse happening with a different configuration. The point is this... try configuring the system you want from different starting points (begin with the different recommended systems and see if you get different results).
1c. Don't call a Dell Salesperson to configure one for you until you have gotten your best price on your own from the web site. The salespeople seem to NOT start with recommended systems, because they could never beat the price I got customizing it myself on the Dell web site.
Overall idea: Customize your system from a variety of starting points until you get the best price possible.
2. Wait for Deals and Price Drops:
I watched the Dell web site for about 2 months before finally purchasing. In that time I saw the following deals. First, a free monitor upgrade ($120 value). Second, $50 off any 4100 system ($50 value). And third, a free printer or scanner ($50-$100 value) and 1 year of AOL membership included ($263 value). I went for the $50 off because the free printer/scanner option wasn't up when I decided to purchase. The point is this... if you wait a month or two, two things will happen. First, Dell will offer some kind of deal (price break, free upgrade, free peripheral) that will save you money. Second, during the wait, prices might drop in general (not a 'deal' but an actually price drop). This didn't happen for me, but computer prices are going down and the patient man generally saves.
3. Downgrade Peripherals according to your Needs:
The 4100 recommended system that I started with had Altec/Lansing speakers with a subwoofer, a MicroSoft Internet Keyboard, and a Logitech Mouseman Wheel as the standard setup. Because I have a stereo in my computer room, I downgraded to the harmon/kardon speakers (saved $30). I don't need a fancy Internet keyboard so I downgraded the keyboard to the Dell QuietKey (which I like very much) and saved $20. Finally, I downgraded the Logitech mouse to a MS Intellimouse which also has a wheel and still saved another $20. These three downgrades saved me $70 by themselves and I don't miss anything. Granted, you might need/want the better speakers/keyboard/mouse, but if you have no preference, the cheaper of these isn't bad at all.
4. If upgrading the monitor, consider buying it elsewhere:
I didn't want the .28 dp 17" that came with the recommended system, but upgrading to another, better 17" added $120. Removing the monitor subracted $210. Instead of buying the better Dell 17" for $330 ($210 + $120 to upgrade) I chose the 'No monitor, Video ready' option and bought a ViewSonic EF70 17" from Onvia.com for $250 total (no taxes and shipping was free). I got a better monitor than the upgraded Dell, for less money. Here is a review of the monitor I recommend you get with your Dell. http://recommended.epinions.com/cmd-review-7DCE-40E9A8A-39A5C8EA-prod2
5. Join MyPoints and/or other Points for Shopping programs:
MyPoints.com is a company that gives you points for visiting web sites, signing up for services, and for shopping online. These points can be redeemed for gift certificates at a variety of stores. At the time of my Dell purchase, MyPoints was running a special of awarding 4 points for every dollar spent online (including at the Dell web site). My system cost $1066 which earned me 4264 points at MyPoints (about $35 in gift certificates). Had I been thinking, I would have explored other Points for Shopping programs (I am sure there are several). Before you buy your Dell, join MyPoints (it's free) and earn $30 - $50 in gift certificates depending on how much you spend at Dell.
My savings:
$50 off Promotion
$35 in gift certificates
$70 for downgrading speakers/keyboard/mouse
Makes for a total savings of $155 on a Dell system that cost $1066. And that doesn't include how much I saved by searching hard for the best priced configuration and by purchasing my monitor elsewhere.
I hope these suggestions allow you to save even a little money when you buy your Dell system. By being patient and by spending a lot of time at the Dell site configuring systems, you should be able get the system you want for quite a bit less than if you just call a sales rep and let them configure one for you.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and good luck with your purchase!
DrDad
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