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Same Part, Same Supplier, Different Prices
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 $246.49 price. InfoWorld contacted Dell who responded, "Each segment sets its own pricing, and consumers are free to pick the one that's cheapest." Buyer beware."
This is old hat to those lurk in deal forums. Dell Small Business has the best deals... but then they smack you with shipping. The same computer over in Dell Home has a higher price... and the coupon codes don't work.
Accordingly FedEx apparently only charges Dell about 20$ to ship a computer. Ones that are damaged go to the dump. Dell charges 99$ shipping.
The system I picked was the Dimension, with the latest tech. But the salesman wanted me to buy the 'business optimized' OptiPlex. I pointed out that each unit was MUCH more expensive for the same power, he tried to sell me that new technology was not good for business - I should use 'proven' hardware (i.e. 1 year old chips at top prices).
First, let me say that I'm not a Dell rep and I couldn't care less where people buy their computers.
However, there is such a thing as a "business optimized" PC, and I can see the value in a business paying a premium for them. Speaking as as a person who has been charge of those who support the hardware on these things, a "business optimized" PC means a PC line whose hardware components don't change very often. I wouldn't necessarily buy into the argument that I need "proven" hardware, but having a line of PCs that don't change their overall component structure can be a very good thing in terms of supportability.
I was in the park the other day wondering why frisbees get bigger and bigger the closer they get - and then it hit me.
I'll join the chorus of folks who've pointed out that Dell has done this for, like, ever and that it's quite common in the industry. Best Buy, CompUSA and Circuit City each pay different prices to manufacturers and distributors for the same parts, too.
By the way, Dell's pricing strategy is primarily the reason that the first question you're asked on the Dell home page when you begin shopping is not "how much do you want to spend?" but "where will you be using it?".
At the large company for which I work, whenever we buy Dells, we simply have somebody buy them on a personal credit card and have them shipped to a home address.
Sitting in my day care, the art is decopainted.
Support plans might be nice? I don't know if you've had any experience from Dell, but unless your school has a few teachers from Bangalore India, I don't think you'll love the support options. For those of you that get frustrated with waiting for a half hour to talk to some grabass from India that wants you to reformat your computer, here's a few catch phrases you can study up on while you wait. chuutya = asshole tum chuutya ho = you're an asshole. gaand = ass hijda = transvestite kuttiya = bitch lund = dick lund choos = suck my dick Have fun, and keep it safe! :)
If you buy a gold support plan or higher, you get an American call center. At least for small business customers.