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Same Part, Same Supplier, Different Prices

Posted by timothy on from the guess-which-way-they'd-go-if-equal dept.

linuxwrangler writes "Infoworld's "Notes From The Field column this week includes a comment from a reader who found that Dell listed several different prices for the same part. Intrigued, I grabbed the first part number I found (a 512MB memory module #A0193405) and found that the list price is $289.99 which the price offered to "large businesses". Meanwhile, the GSA/DOD contract price is $266.21 while "home users" find the list-price discounted to $275.49 and "small businesses" fare even better with a $246.49 price. InfoWorld contacted Dell who responded, "Each segment sets its own pricing, and consumers are free to pick the one that's cheapest." Buyer beware."

6 of 412 comments (clear)

  1. Hmmm... by mikeophile · · Score: 5, Funny

    Maybe internal competition will drive down their own prices.

  2. Priceless by Dr.+Zed · · Score: 5, Funny

    a 512MB memory module ... $289.99
    a 512MB memory module ... $266.21
    a 512MB memory module ... $275.49
    a 512MB memory module ... $246.49
    Not buying from Dell .... priceless.

    But seriously, it always pays to shop around. You just wouldn't expect to be shopping around from the same suppiler. :)

  3. "scuse me sir by way2trivial · · Score: 5, Funny

    which dump? I have some vacation time saved up..

    --
    every day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
  4. Re:Gotta love Dell! by clymere · · Score: 3, Funny

    Do you realize how insane it sounds that you have to pay them extra to get tech support from someone who actually speaks the same langauge as you? and I _work_ in tech support.

    --
    once you go slack, you never go back
  5. Re:Gotta love Dell! by the+unbeliever · · Score: 3, Funny

    Sure it does, because at one point I had to travel to India to train my replacements. ;p

  6. Re:My Life is Dilbert by ak3ldama · · Score: 3, Funny

    But this is the new Dell/Windows universe where such things are not necessary since Wintel solutions always work perfectly, and the habits of old Unix administrators are just not necessary, so shave that beard, and sit down.

    --
    "but money is the God of Algiers & Mahomet their prophet." - Rich. O'Bryen June 8th 1786