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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."

9 of 412 comments (clear)

  1. Marketing vs IT by fembots · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Different pricing strategy is not wrong, but allowing anyone to buy from any section is not so smart. And I can't believe they are actually expecting customers to help themselves, instead of building a site that is smart enough to provide useful information.

    I wonder why isn't Dell doing something to control the purchase upon "Add To Cart"? Something like:

    "This item is only available to our spend-like-no-tomorrow customers, please enter SLNT code now to add to cart, or select an alternative item from the following..."

    Maybe it's a miscommunication between marketing and IT department?

    --
    Rock that crushes, Paper & Scissors that don't matter.
  2. My Life is Dilbert by RicJohnson · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This is nothing. Dell always has sold to the business market for more.
    I found this out years ago when I had to upgrade 300+ computers. I went on to their site, found the best price for the most power, and then called up for the best bulk price
    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).
    I told him no thanks, please give me a price on 300+ Dimensions as I specified them.
    He did give me a price, but when I went to my boss to get the check, I found out that the salesguy called him and told him to but the OptiPlex! Then my PHB believed the vendor, and I eventually got fired cuz I would not support them. (The drivers for the network card would not support the latest Windows)

    1. Re:My Life is Dilbert by riptide_dot · · Score: 5, Informative

      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.
    2. Re:My Life is Dilbert by riptide_dot · · Score: 5, Insightful

      "Complete and utter bullshit."

      What a way to inspire thoughtful and enlightened discussion...

      "...I ran a small office's network (3-13 employees)..."
      "...Now, while I can understand a large company's situation is definately a bit different..."

      Normally I wouldn't have even responded to this, but your points are ironic, because they actually help make my case. First, a business of 3-13 employees doesn't need standardization like a large organization does - it needs dependable, easy to use, somewhat powerful PCs for competitive prices. "Business optimized" PCs don't make much sense to really small organizations.

      When you get into the larger support realm however, power and individual PC price don't weigh as much in the overall support equation, but STANDARDS do. When you are deploying a new piece of software/OS/etc to 1000+ workstations, it is of TREMENDOUS benefit to the support staff to not have to worry about every one of those thousand plus workstations having different hardware configurations. So, like I said before, "business optimized" PCs are by definition:

      - not supposed to be top of the line
      - not necessarily the cheapest option
      - usually leased and not bought (so they are replaced every so often)
      - static in terms of their component configuration
      and
      - more easily supportable because of their static nature.

      --
      I was in the park the other day wondering why frisbees get bigger and bigger the closer they get - and then it hit me.
  3. Hmmm... by mikeophile · · Score: 5, Funny

    Maybe internal competition will drive down their own prices.

  4. 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. :)

  5. In other news... by Waffle+Iron · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Can of pop from machine in front of supermarket = $1.00.

    Same can of pop from aisle inside the supermarket = 20 cents.

  6. "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
  7. I work in education.. by Sime208 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ..and found this out recently.

    The guy that deals with buying equipment called Dell up wanting some machines like what he'd bought his kids.

    For his kids, Dell charged 300gbp per box.

    For the school, they wanted around 30% more!

    Dell's excuse was really laughable. Something about "For schools, the computers can be further upgraded before purchasing so it gives you the option of upgrading at the point of sale.". They could be upgraded for home use too, so that didn't really wash.