My experience buying a 2379DYU from IBM Direct

[pramit]

i called them (1-888-SHOP-IBM) and ordered it on tuesday (5/25). the chap sold it to me for $2944.05 + tax saying it was the best deal he could give me. oh, and free ground shipping (ho hum).

next, i researched the whole mastercard discount thing and found the 5-15% off and realised that i could get the machine for $2634.85 + tax online. of course, i called them back saying i wanted it for that price and to apply the MC discount to my order. they were all bent out of shape trying to make excuses blah blah and saying that they can't apply discounts, that the mastecard discount is not valid on express models, etc. so, i threatened with cancelling my order and instead buying it online. that's when he went to his manager, got me the correct price ($2634.85 + tax) and threw in 2nd day shipping for free.

the machine is scheduled to ship around the end of june (new test of patience).

there you have it. what's your experience been like buying from the IBM direct phone number? personally, i wouldn't buy from them again. i'd rather do it all online.

[ian]

The trials and tribulations say it all - why not buy the [censored] thing from Bill?

[Reshesnik]

I was double billed. They never cleared the initial charge. It put me over my limit and I've had to eat 50 bucks in finance charges. I disputed their charges, returned the laptop, and now I'm dealing with Bill on one of the 2373-3VU's.

[durjaya]

I had a very pleasant conversation with an IBM phone-sales guy today and made some very pointed comments about how:

1) I *asked* about discounts - of any kind - and was flatly told there were none.

2) Low and behold - after ordering and paying full $$ for my 2379-DYU - I find that I could have saved $500 by simply paying with my MasterCard.

3) Wow - I'm well within my 30 day return limit...Why wouldn't I just return it and get one at the lower price.

They've put in a billing request to credit difference in the prices - should know about it by Tuesday.

I really appreciate IBM offering a 30 day return - and hate to use it as leverage - but simply put - $500 savings is worth going after.

[pramit]

The trials and tribulations say it all - why not buy the [censored] thing from Bill?

Bill requires 'cash payment'. I don't have that much cash sitting around right now, and am instead using my convenient 0% credit card and getting miles on it too.

So, unfortunately the 'buy the [censored] thing from Bill' option wasn't really an option.

[Nabeel]

The person I spoke to told me they had a 30 day price adjustment thing, so she credited me the 300$ that it was with the discount. But I called her right back for the RMA, she took care of that and also took care of the new order I placed.

Most sales people don't know their left hand from their right (no offense to anyone...)
Wait till you hear about my DSL experience with Verizon...*shudders*...