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Hello All,
I just ordered a 755cx and was "stunned" by its availability.
I've been working in high-level Marketing positions with various
computer manufacturers here in Silicon Valley for almost 16 years
and still don't understand how/why some manufacturers distribute
new product the way they do. I shouldn't be surprised, but was
in this case.
Once I decided it was time to buy a new laptop, I quickly narrowed
my choices down to several of the new (and I thought) available
Pentium models. I called several resellers looking for price and
availability for the new TI-5000 TravelMate and the response was
mostly laughter because apparently TI (and many retailers) are
advertising it heavily, but don't have it in stock. Several, including
CDW (Computer Discount Warehouse) indicated that they didn't expect
delivery on the TI-5000 until sometime in June. No problem, if I
have to wait anyway, I figured I'd wait for the IBM 755cx (which is
virtually invisible in magazine advertising and only briefly mentioned
on the net (this mailing list, the laptop newsgroup, and IBM's WWW Page).
So, I call IBM Direct (2-days ago) for price and availability and I'm
told that the 755cx won't be released until June 6th (540Mb model) and
June 27th (810Mb model). Okay, I can wait...I place an order. Why
call other resellers to get price and availability if IBM tells me its
new laptop won't be released until June? Yesterday, I call my sales rep
at CDW (I REALLY like them - one of the best mailorder houses anywhere)
to order a non-related product and mention the fact that I ordered the
755cx directly from IBM and was wondering when CDW expected delivery
(they're are big IBM reseller).
My rep is pretty knowledgeable about the products they carry and figured
mid-June would be the earliest delivery date, but decided to check his
computer database anyway. To BOTH our surprise, they had just received
36 units and could ship immediately (at a lower price and NO sales tax).
The 755cx shipped yesterday and will arrive via Fed-X tomorrow morning.
Obviously, I cancelled my order with IBM Direct.
My point is, don't believe everything manufacturers tell you. The sales
rep I spoke to at IBM Direct was VERY knowledgeable about their products
and didn't make a mistake. I even asked him when IBM resellers would
receive their first shipments of the 755cx and he quickly told me that
IBM makes them available to IBM Direct first and then resellers. He told
me mid-to-late June would be the earliest and many resellers wouldn't
receive them until July and August. I'm sure glad I called CDW yesterday.
By the way, I have no connection with CDW except that I'm a very happy
customer. I buy lots of computer stuff throughout the year and CDW is
the best mailorder house I've ever purchased from. They sell most
popular brands and must maintain a huge inventory because they almost
always have what I want in stock ready to ship. They ship the day you
order and I have NEVER had any delivery problems. But the most important
things about CDW is their 30-day no-questions-asked return/refund policy
and their low prices. My CDW sales rep will generally match or beat any
price. Use CDW's advertised prices as a reference and then call for your
best deal. Call Derek at 1-800-800-4239 x7342. Tell him Sandy sent you
(I should receive a sales commission for this ;-). Call other places first,
get your best price, THEN call CDW.
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--Sandy / _ _ \
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| InterNet : sandy@sandy.com |
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