Where to purchase Thinkpad T42 from?

[jordi32]

Hello. I would like to purchase a Thinkpad T42 2379DXU. I called IBM direct and they told me it would take two to three weeks to ship. CDW has it in stock and they can ship overnight. The price is almost the same. However, according to the CDW sales person, there is a restriction policy on IBM computers at CDW. He wasn't sure how it worked though. I called Customer Relations and they told me that any returns have to be approved by a CDW manager. When I asked about their return acceptance criteria, they had no clue.

I was wondering if anyone can give me some input regarding where I should buy it from. I would like to get the computer a.s.a.p. but not if I can't return for an exchange in case of being defective or having dead pixels.

With IBM, does it make any difference if the computer is ordered on line or by phone?

Thank you very much for your input.


Jordi

[G-Man]

Have you asked Bill, our host (bill@thinkpads.com)? He has some T42s in stock with great discounts. For $100 he can check for dead, stuck pixels, and the price will be still better than CDW's.

Regards,
G-Man

[dcdomain]

I agree... buy from Bill or at least ask for a price quote and ETA from him.

[Greg Gebhardt]

Call or email Bill Morrow (he owns this place!). He might have what you in stock right now. If so you can have it overnight! Bill will get you a better price.

[JohnV]

I would order from IBM directly. They have been saying that there is a 4 week wait since the beginning, but both of my 2379-DXU's have shipped in less than a week. I think they just say 4 weeks to keep the customer from getting mad if there is a wait.

PS...If you have a discover card you can get it for $2,279.00
http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/store ... logId=-840

John

[Biggie2]

I would order from IBM directly.

What makes u want to order from IBM directly over ordering here with Bill?

[JohnV]

The reason I said this was for three reasons. None were from any negative issues with Bill at all.

First one was because IBM direct was offering 15% off the 2379-DXU at the time with a Discover card. I contacted bill regarding the price and he could not match it since he does not get much of a discount on express models.

Second reason is that you have a 30 day no questions asked return policy with IBM if you buy direct from them.

Third issue is Bill wants cash only to get the best price. My discover card was offering a no interest special until May of next year. Its much easier for me to pay off a laptop in chunks rather than having to front all the money at once.

John

[Foyle]

Another vote for Bill. Even with IBM discounts, Bill's deal (for me) could not be beat. Before ordering from IBM give Bill a call with the specs you want and then decide.