It arrived today.
It amazes me that just a year ago my dual GeForce 7950s were kick ass, and now I'm replacing them with a single card that isn't just better, but blows them out of the water.
Graphical Goodness
Nah, it was a freebie.
Ordered a bunch of stuff from Dell, so they threw that in.
Edited By Leisher on 1175201862
Ordered a bunch of stuff from Dell, so they threw that in.
Edited By Leisher on 1175201862
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell
Well, the first freebie Dell threw me was two years ago when I spent $75K. I was sent a 32" LCD TV, which we auctioned off at the company X-Mas party, and two 30GB MP3 players.
This last one occurred simply because of a conversation. My rep and I were bullshitting while I was ordering a laptop and a desktop for something (I don't remember what). While doing the order he asked me about the machine (Dell XPS) they had built me on the company's dime for my home. I detailed how it ran and such and that led into a conversation about video cards. We discussed the 8800 and he sent me one. Not because I ordered a lot that day, but just as a thank you for all the ordering I do with them.
I've never just come out and asked for anything in return for an order, but I GUARANTEE you that other people do such things.
Now if you don't have a rep, I'd be happy to put you in touch with my rep. He's a good guy, has a full team to help him get any questions you have answered (specialists on hardware, software, microsoft licensing, etc.). Plus, his prices have lower costs than what you'd get from dealing with no sales rep and going through a Dell phone number or web site. Trust me, if you were spending that much, he'd bend over backwards for you and it'd earn me some big points with him too.
I'll even mention to him that he may want to throw you a bone...
This last one occurred simply because of a conversation. My rep and I were bullshitting while I was ordering a laptop and a desktop for something (I don't remember what). While doing the order he asked me about the machine (Dell XPS) they had built me on the company's dime for my home. I detailed how it ran and such and that led into a conversation about video cards. We discussed the 8800 and he sent me one. Not because I ordered a lot that day, but just as a thank you for all the ordering I do with them.
I've never just come out and asked for anything in return for an order, but I GUARANTEE you that other people do such things.
Now if you don't have a rep, I'd be happy to put you in touch with my rep. He's a good guy, has a full team to help him get any questions you have answered (specialists on hardware, software, microsoft licensing, etc.). Plus, his prices have lower costs than what you'd get from dealing with no sales rep and going through a Dell phone number or web site. Trust me, if you were spending that much, he'd bend over backwards for you and it'd earn me some big points with him too.
I'll even mention to him that he may want to throw you a bone...
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell
We already have a rep.... sounds like we have the same type of rep (with the team, the various specialists, etc). Yeah, I don't think I could ever just ask, or even imply. On the other hand, if he offered me something we could use (like a kick ass monitor, or something), I don't think I'd say no. I've never been involved in corporate purchasing/sales before. Mostly just wondering how it happened. I guess if I had remembered this thread before I contacted them, I could have run it through you. Sorry bout tht.
The prices from the rep are pretty strong. In fact, I've not been able to match their software prices anywhere, so far. Hardware seems to run about 10% less than the best prices I could find on their own website for their stuff.
We're still pricing, and all the other vendors resell IBM stuff, but looks like we'll make our decision next month.
The prices from the rep are pretty strong. In fact, I've not been able to match their software prices anywhere, so far. Hardware seems to run about 10% less than the best prices I could find on their own website for their stuff.
We're still pricing, and all the other vendors resell IBM stuff, but looks like we'll make our decision next month.
It's not me, it's someone else.
Actually, all the reps have teams, however they do vary in the level of clients they serve.
When I started here the rep who handled this account wad been switched to someone new. The new guy made a HUGE mistake on our account and was really shitty in the way he tried to make amends (he didn't, nor did he apologize. Well, that guy no longer works for Dell.
We got transfered to a guy named Charles...something (I don't remember) and he was awesome. A great sales rep, but we got transfered away from him as he dealt with big spenders (think millions). Apparently, they had sent us to him to get great service for awhile before sending us back to the normal sales folks who appear to be hit or miss.
I've been through a few of them since Charles, three or four and only the last one who we still have is worth a damn. One woman was rude in her introductory phone call and lasted a month before she was replaced. (I swear I never got anyone removed/fired, Dell seems to weed them out on their own.) Two other guys were nice up front, but were really slow with any requests/questions.
My current guy, Jason, is like Charles only he works with my level of account, which seems to be your type of account too.
The morale to the story is don't be afraid to switch reps if your rep sucks and never get too attached to a rep, they move on quickly.
On a side note, I think I've had 7 CDW reps this year alone. 3 PC Connection reps. 2 MT Business reps. 5 AT&T reps. 5 Verizon reps.
It gets annoying.
One other note: If price is a big issue to you, try contacting a third party and ordering through them. I have a vendor who I've tried getting Dell quotes through who can sometimes beat the prices I get because he places more orders for me, thus his discount is larger.
Edited By Leisher on 1179434451
When I started here the rep who handled this account wad been switched to someone new. The new guy made a HUGE mistake on our account and was really shitty in the way he tried to make amends (he didn't, nor did he apologize. Well, that guy no longer works for Dell.
We got transfered to a guy named Charles...something (I don't remember) and he was awesome. A great sales rep, but we got transfered away from him as he dealt with big spenders (think millions). Apparently, they had sent us to him to get great service for awhile before sending us back to the normal sales folks who appear to be hit or miss.
I've been through a few of them since Charles, three or four and only the last one who we still have is worth a damn. One woman was rude in her introductory phone call and lasted a month before she was replaced. (I swear I never got anyone removed/fired, Dell seems to weed them out on their own.) Two other guys were nice up front, but were really slow with any requests/questions.
My current guy, Jason, is like Charles only he works with my level of account, which seems to be your type of account too.
The morale to the story is don't be afraid to switch reps if your rep sucks and never get too attached to a rep, they move on quickly.
On a side note, I think I've had 7 CDW reps this year alone. 3 PC Connection reps. 2 MT Business reps. 5 AT&T reps. 5 Verizon reps.
It gets annoying.
One other note: If price is a big issue to you, try contacting a third party and ordering through them. I have a vendor who I've tried getting Dell quotes through who can sometimes beat the prices I get because he places more orders for me, thus his discount is larger.
Edited By Leisher on 1179434451
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell
So what do you get through CDW or PC Connection that you don't get through Dell? I would imagine printers, MFDs, etc through CDW, but just curious. I'm new to this world where IT does more than write code. 
Our guy is in the Medium Business Division at Dell. (Ryan, I think, boss is Martin)
Do you do systems through Dell, and if so do you get guaranteed specs on the systems? IBM offers having the exact same desktop/laptop for up to 3 years.
Our guy is in the Medium Business Division at Dell. (Ryan, I think, boss is Martin)
Do you do systems through Dell, and if so do you get guaranteed specs on the systems? IBM offers having the exact same desktop/laptop for up to 3 years.
It's not me, it's someone else.
Our guy is in the Medium Business Division at Dell. (Ryan, I think, boss is Martin)
You might get bumped eventually. I don't think you qualify as a medium business.
Do you do systems through Dell, and if so do you get guaranteed specs on the systems? IBM offers having the exact same desktop/laptop for up to 3 years.
I believe they all come with 3 year warranties. I'd have to see IBM's guarantee to see how it compares to anything Dell says.
So what do you get through CDW or PC Connection that you don't get through Dell? I would imagine printers, MFDs, etc through CDW, but just curious. I'm new to this world where IT does more than write code.
I buy servers, laptops, and desktops through Dell. Never really had a problem with any of their stuff, so why switch? I'm not too into IBM outside of the 400. They seem to make stuff that works fine, but always with an "IBM spin". What I mean by that is some new gimmick or feature or OS or whatever that never really pans out.
Anyway, I don't do Dell printers for two reasons:
1. HP printers have always served me just fine.
2. I don't have to buy their toner from HP. (For a Dell, you have to get it from Dell.)
Epsons suck. Canons suck. Lemarks are decent, I guess, but that's IBM.
Thus, I shop elsewhere for printers, toner, non-microsoft software, misc. items, etc.
To be honest, CDW should be the best prices you'll see for the simple reason that they're the biggest, and thus, get the best discounts. 24 hour shipping too (If it's in stock).
For your secondary vendors, shop around. See who can give you the best pricing and shipping.
A lot of it is personal preference or comfort. If you are comfortable with Compaq/HP servers, then get them if you'll be the primary guy on them. If you like a rep with a certain vendor, work with them rather than saving a few bucks elsewhere.
My main priority is service. I'm willing to pay more to get better service, rather than save a buck and deal with idiots.
Also, don't talk to people on the phone who want to sell toner. Just hang up on them. You can't believe the horseshit they'll pull. When we get those calls, as soon as I hear what they're selling, I say "Our policy is we don't buy toner via cold calls. Sorry. Goodbye." and hang up. Whatever you do, do not agree to a sample or anything like that. I've heard lots of horror stories about how they screw people over.
Oh, I forgot to mention, I purchase my Microsoft software through Dell too. They can beat everyone else's prices. Another vendor tried to explain it to me once about how they charge more for hardware to cover the difference, but considering their prices are similar to everyone else's and their service is still #1...I'm willing to deal with it.
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell