Dell Laptop discounts for bulk purchase - help!

motorguy

I suspect there are some MSE Ebayers who will know the answer to this.

I've been asked to quote a local business to supply 20 laptops and some software i am writing for them. i've used dell before but only bought a couple of machines at a time.

I obviously don't want to pay full retail and £60 per laptop postage, so how do you go about pressing dell for a discount? all they are offering when i phone their small business call centre is half price postage which still means they are charging me £600 for postage - ouch!

There must be some discounts available on this sort of quantity as there are people selling them for less on ebay than i can buy them off dell!

Any thoughts anyone?

Raggie

I would try a couple of things..

Talk to them as though you are bigger business than who they think you are.

Ask to speak with corprate accounts, do not deal with the urk who answers the phone, they have no leaway on discounts. (at least not the size you want)

try and arrange a visit by one of their sales reps, (not sure if dell have these but IBM do), tell them you want them to tender for the business, give them a spec to meet, and tell them to go away and meet it. (and you need a price in 24 hrs or no deal)

DO NOT ASK FOR A PRICE FOR A SPECIFIC MACHINE.. they will know the order is theirs if you do and will not discount.

Send the same enquiry to IBM and others, what you want them to know is they are in competition for the order if they do not want it some one will.

Give them the impression that this will be the first of many systems you are suppling that you are looking for long term partnering and expect to use only the best quality and value sub-suppliers..

When you get the reps attention play with them.. they need to know that you have the order.. that their sales commission is in sight..but.. their competitior is offering just that little more.. and as much as you would like to buy dell you need the best deal for your clients.. etc...

nit of a long reply but i hope it gives you some ideas.

rdwarr

There should be some new deals on the Dell website tomorrow. Many of them will feature free delivery, but be sure that the quantity required is available.
Acer are good at the moment and the three year warranties are only around £50 extra. That's the sign of a company who are confident in the quality of their goods.

phil999_2

do you have a spec? I have a good account manager so if you give me a spec i will try and put you 2 in touch. Send me a spec with the cost you are being offered and i will see if we can beat it

motorguy

phil999 wrote:

do you have a spec? I have a good account manager so if you give me a spec i will try and put you 2 in touch. Send me a spec with the cost you are being offered and i will see if we can beat it

excellent thanks will do tomorrow.

also many thanks for the other pointers - much appreciated folks!