Just ordered a T61p from Lenovo with HUGE savings

[nurio]

Just ordered a T61p from Lenovo/Visa website (With HUGE savings IMO), with the following spec:

T61p (6459CTO) - $1,558
Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)
Windows Vista Business 64 (Need 4GB support)
NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M (256MB)
512 MB PC2-5300 (Going to upgrade to 4GB from newegg)
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader
100GB Hard Disk 7200rpm
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer
Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
6 cell Li-Ion Battery
3 Year On Site Upgrade with 3 Year ThinkPad Protection $330 <- Visa card member price
ThinkPad Advanced Ultrabay Battery $91 <- Visa card member price

All that, for a total of $1980 instead of $2320!
Here is how I did it (You need a Visa card for additional discount. American Express or other might also work) :
1. Go to the Visa website (or American Express) and redeem their Lenovo coupon: "Personal" -> "Get Discounts" and then find Lenovo . It will stack on top of the "Back to School sale" - I got an additional 5.5%~7.5% for my cart.
2. Then when you checkout use this new stackable 10% coupon "USPJULYT72" (Exp. on 7/22). This coupon should work for all Thinkpad T6x series, I am not sure about other models.
Basically you get three separate discounts stacked up!
Note: that the discounts do not apply to all products, for instance I didn't see any price difference for the ThinkPad Advanced Mini Dock.

Please let me know your thoughts.
Regards.

[f.bazyk]

That's a huge cut for such a set! Is it already with taxes or not?
And where do you actually get those coupon codes?

[nurio]

The prices are Lenovo US prices before tax.
And you can find coupons on different bargain sites or forums.

[minc3d]

Thats one rock solid deal. I feel jealous now... wanna get that and sell off my T60 lol.

[Brad]

Nicely done!

[MCheiron]

2. Then when you checkout use this new stackable 10% coupon "USPJULYT72" (Exp. on 7/22). This coupon should work for all Thinkpad T6x series, I am not sure about other models.
Basically you get three separate discounts stacked up!
Note: that the discounts do not apply to all products, for instance I didn't see any price difference for the ThinkPad Advanced Mini Dock.

Please let me know your thoughts.
Regards.

What is the reason for that discount? If I would call a representative to ask for that discount, what is it for?

Thanks, MCheiron

[nurio]

I don't know what is the specific reason for the coupon. From what I have seen on some "bargain sites" the "Back to school" sale will end on 7/22, my guess that is that Lenovo is trying to push the sales number with that coupon in order to reach a certain quota (but again that is just my guess).

Anyhow, the best information for this coupon that I can find is here (and it doesn't say much): http://shop.lenovo.com/us/landing_pages ... uspjulyt72

I don't think it would hurt to call a rep and ask a rep about it.

Best regards,
Nurio

[MCheiron]

Thanks, nurio. I ordered my T61p on Wednesday and will try to get this rebate, too.

[SkiBunny]

Since you asked, do you need the N wifi? I'd be concerned that this intel card may be weak to find or drop wifi g. I'd take the thinkpad 802.11abg. Just what I've heard, but i dont own the 4965, so maybe someone else will chime in about your wifi.

[nurio]

SkiBunny, Thanks for your input.

I don't have an immediate need for 802.11n, but I am planning to replace my router sometime along the road.

I tried to research a bit myself, but couldn't find concrete information on bad 802.11g performance with the 4965. I would love to hear some input on other people's experience.

[tomh009]

The only 4965AGN problem I have seen reported so far relates to connections to "N" routers.

On the other hand, it appears to run significantly cooler than the Atheros ("ThinkPad") abg (which I have been very happy with). My X61 is ordered with the 4965AGN (no choice with the prebuilt configurations) but I suspect I'll be happy with the lower heat and power consumption.

[hoya]

I have had many issues with the IBM 11n card but haven't tried the Intel 4965 yet.

very nice configuration for that price - only change I would make is to add a Hitachi 7K200 for $219 shipped.

[archer6]

Since you asked, do you need the N wifi? I'd be concerned that this intel card may be weak to find or drop wifi g.

You are 100% correct about this. It's simply too early to migrate to N. There are some issues that are still being worked out. I have a friend who is a specialist and engineer in the WiFi world, he's the one who recently brought me the latest info regarding N. So for now it's best to pass on N.

Cheers...

[tomh009]

You are 100% correct about this. It's simply too early to migrate to N. There are some issues that are still being worked out. I have a friend who is a specialist and engineer in the WiFi world, he's the one who recently brought me the latest info regarding N. So for now it's best to pass on N.

Beyond that, in order for 'n' to get the higher bandwidth, it needs to use multiple channels, and that can be a challenge in urban areas with many overlapping wireless networks. I expect to continue using primarily 'a' for the time being.

That said, the 4965AGN card still appeals to me because of the lower power consumption and heat ...

[SkiBunny]

That said, the 4965AGN card still appeals to me because of the lower power consumption and heat ...

Especially for an X-series because the card is immediately below the right palm rest and, as you probably know, the atheros heats the palm rest to a level of slight discomfort on the X60 and, reportedly, also the X61

[cs120ban]

I'm going to return the T61 14.1" that i ordered and get the T61p

Question: Will i be charged with the 15% restocking fee? If it does, i'm fine it since this coupon is way way sweeter even with restocking fee.

[ryengineer]

Question: Will i be charged with the 15% restocking fee? If it does, i'm fine it since this coupon is way way sweeter even with restocking fee.

Most likely, yes.

[cs120ban]

I got very lucky. I call in and talk nicely to ask for a return because both system that i ordered has integrated video cards. She said that I'll be charged with 15% restocking fee. Then, I ask her if there is some way to wave the restocking fee because I will reorder 2 more thinkpads with delicated video card. She put me on hold again and then told me the restocking can be waived since you are rebooking. Hence, she told me that in order to do that, she'll have to transfer me to a sale representative. Thus, I told her that I already reorder on this saturday and then she asked me the order number. And after few more minutes on hold, she email me the RMA number!!!!! I'll be just paying the shipping fees.

[rukiri]

I'm not trying to rain on your parade or anything, but free returns with a rebooking is standard policy. They should have at least e-mailed you a UPS label to print out, if not mailed you an already labeled box to return your machine in. You should not be paying for shipping.

[DranK]

I'm not trying to rain on your parade or anything, but free returns with a rebooking is standard policy. They should have at least e-mailed you a UPS label to print out, if not mailed you an already labeled box to return your machine in. You should not be paying for shipping.

yeah, I agree! and what is the deal with 15% restocking fee? 15% of $1,500+ laptop is $225+ just place a dispute with your CC (Amex is pretty good at it).

[SkiBunny]

yeah, I agree! and what is the deal with 15% restocking fee? 15% of $1,500+ laptop is $225+ just place a dispute with your CC (Amex is pretty good at it).

The "deal" is that there never was a restocking fee until last year. More recent buyers were abusing the policy by ordering & trying new thinkpads or multiple thinkpads with little intention of keeping them. Then there used to be a "one free return per account" but even that may have been dropped. So the bad actors ruined it for everyone. As for the Amex c/card dispute, as long as you received and signed for your package, and you just had buyer remorse or changed your mind, Amex isn't gonna be of much help to you. Who would Amex rather lose as a business client, you or Lenovo?

[DranK]

The "deal" is...

Well, maybe some buyers were abusing the policy, I wasn't, and there is no reason I have to pay for someone else's wrongdoing. As for Amex or any other CC company, you obviously have no or little experience with that. If it is a small amount like $300 or so, it is cheaper for Lenovo to let it go, they have other things to take care off. And even if there is a big amount involved, as long as you are "right" you are good to go. I recently had a billing dispute for over 5K with one very well known corporation, and guess what? Turned out Amex did not want to lose my business. So please do not discourage people from fighting for their money.

Anyway, I am sorry for OT, just wanted to point out that there is an option to dispute restocking fee.

[tomh009]

Well, maybe some buyers were abusing the policy, I wasn't, and there is no reason I have to pay for someone else's wrongdoing.

Not pointing at you personally, but the buyer's remorse that other people have referred to in this thread -- deciding on other options, preferrign a different graphics option after all etc -- isn't really Lenovo's wrongdoing ...

[NathanA]

I think the other half of the issue here is that, in the past before Lenovo took over, IBM didn't really have much of a retail presence, and so it was pretty much impossible to be able to "see" a machine in person, get a feel for it, take it for a spin, see if you like it. Since their business was built on mail-order, you pretty much were forced to buy all of your machines from them "blind"/sight-unseen. So I think the 30-day no-questions-asked return policy was only fair under this system. I think that IBM just viewed it as part of the cost of running a completely mail-order business, and that the cost of maintaining this policy was more than offset by the savings they incurred by NOT pursuing retail sales outlets.

Now that Lenovo is trying to branch out into the retail space and it is possible to even see a T-series these days at major retailers, Lenovo may (justifiably) feel that it's no longer worth the hassle of maintaining such a return policy, for reasons previously cited in this thread.

-- Nathan

[cs120ban]

er yeah but i'm fine with paying shipping. I know that they'll send you a return box for service but maybe the changed that since last december?

[kelchm]

Hey guys. [first post]

I also ordered a T61 and got a great deal I think. I have family working at IBM, so I was able to take advantage of the EPP as well.

Heres my system config... [more or less the same as nurios]

T61p
Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)
Windows Vista Basic will get ultimate for free from school
NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M (256MB)
512 MB PC2-5300 also going to upgrade to 4GB...
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader
80GB 5400RPM Hard Drive going to upgrade to wither WD 250GB or Hitachi 7K200.
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer
Atheros Wireless Card
9 Cell Battery
2 Year Depot + TP Protection

Total price for that came to deleted.

Moderator edit: Please read these are the RULES of this ROAD - READ ME NOW in the FAQ, regarding posting of any EPP pricing

I'm still debating if I should buy the advanced mini dock.

[wearetheborg]

Now I'm curious, why is pricing info for EPP of "questionable legality" ???

[kelchm]

Now I'm curious, why is pricing info for EPP of "questionable legality" ???

I don't know. Its not like the EPP pricing is a big secret or anything.

Oh well. Go figure.


In any case, I got a good deal.

[tomh009]

Now I'm curious, why is pricing info for EPP of "questionable legality" ???

It's not questionable legality, and I don't think anyone said that. However, the forum rules say that you should not post EPP prices, so please abide by those rules.

[corsac]

Now I'm curious, why is pricing info for EPP of "questionable legality" ???

It's not questionable legality, and I don't think anyone said that. However, the forum rules say that you should not post EPP prices, so please abide by those rules.

(the forum rules say that it's questionable legality)