DestruyaUR
Senior member
DEFAULT USER ID IS YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (helps them regulate the valid from the invalid shoppers) - IF YOU ARE ACCESSING THIS SITE FROM WORK, CLEAR YOUR AUTOCOMPLETE LOGS BEFORE LEAVING! Other than that, you're safe, the website is safe and secure, albeit a little ugly and reminiscent of early 90's web design.
I'm posting this for military members who might not know about this:
AAFES.com is the online storefront for the BX/PX and MCX/NEX stores. There are affiliate deals with both Dell and HP, but Dell's deals are FAR better.
You MUST be an Active Duty, Retired, or a dependent of an AD/R (i.e.: child under the age of 22 or spouse) to be able to access the site. All shipping is free, and all shopping, even from Dell, is tax free as well.
To FURTHER add to these deals, if you apply for the Military STAR Card, their credit system, you currently receive an extra 10% off your first day's purchases, in-store AND online, so technically you could order 10 laptops or desktops and get the discount, shipping, and tax-free benefit applied to all. I was wary about this discount being usable with a Dell purchase, but had it confirmed TWICE, once online, and the next by phone.
A few of the deals:
The cheapest computer is a Dimension 2400 (2.4Ghz Celeron) for $288 - no rebates or coupons, BEFORE the 10% Star Card savings. Hey, a working computer for 260 bucks ain't bad. It also comes with a 17" CRT (taking it off only subtracts 20 bucks), but has no floppy drive - that'll cost you 30 bucks if you can't install one yourself or go USB.
The popular Inspiron 6000 (base config) is $730 before Star Card savings. The upgraded 6000D with upgradable graphics is $808.
The base config Inspiron 9300 is $1020. These are essentially neutered Gen 2s, the graphics could be swappable for something better down the line, but not easily.
The Inspiron XPS Gen 2 is the scorcher here, the base config coming in at $1738 (it's currently $2349 base in the Home store). Not even I could stay away from this one - a 2Ghz, 512MB (buy the RAM elsewhere), 80GB 7200rpm, Intel 2200 Wireless, and a 2 year limited warranty came out at UNDER $2k at 1922.40 from a $2136 original price after the Star Card savings.
Peripherals, however, are NOT discounted. In fact, Dell's aging 30" LCD TV is actually a hundred dollars cheaper on the Home site (though not if you factor in the 10% credit line savings, tax free shopping, and free shipping). LCDs aren't discounted at all, and you're better off getting those from the civilian store.
The HP deals don't look nearly as hot. The F2304 LCD is more expensive than PriceGrabber, and the iPods are retail price.
There's also a computer store tied into the Catalog Website called PatriotPC - most of the deals are better at Newegg, but it's worth a look around...even though they DESPERATELY need to improve their navigation tools.
I'm posting this for military members who might not know about this:
AAFES.com is the online storefront for the BX/PX and MCX/NEX stores. There are affiliate deals with both Dell and HP, but Dell's deals are FAR better.
You MUST be an Active Duty, Retired, or a dependent of an AD/R (i.e.: child under the age of 22 or spouse) to be able to access the site. All shipping is free, and all shopping, even from Dell, is tax free as well.
To FURTHER add to these deals, if you apply for the Military STAR Card, their credit system, you currently receive an extra 10% off your first day's purchases, in-store AND online, so technically you could order 10 laptops or desktops and get the discount, shipping, and tax-free benefit applied to all. I was wary about this discount being usable with a Dell purchase, but had it confirmed TWICE, once online, and the next by phone.
A few of the deals:
The cheapest computer is a Dimension 2400 (2.4Ghz Celeron) for $288 - no rebates or coupons, BEFORE the 10% Star Card savings. Hey, a working computer for 260 bucks ain't bad. It also comes with a 17" CRT (taking it off only subtracts 20 bucks), but has no floppy drive - that'll cost you 30 bucks if you can't install one yourself or go USB.
The popular Inspiron 6000 (base config) is $730 before Star Card savings. The upgraded 6000D with upgradable graphics is $808.
The base config Inspiron 9300 is $1020. These are essentially neutered Gen 2s, the graphics could be swappable for something better down the line, but not easily.
The Inspiron XPS Gen 2 is the scorcher here, the base config coming in at $1738 (it's currently $2349 base in the Home store). Not even I could stay away from this one - a 2Ghz, 512MB (buy the RAM elsewhere), 80GB 7200rpm, Intel 2200 Wireless, and a 2 year limited warranty came out at UNDER $2k at 1922.40 from a $2136 original price after the Star Card savings.
Peripherals, however, are NOT discounted. In fact, Dell's aging 30" LCD TV is actually a hundred dollars cheaper on the Home site (though not if you factor in the 10% credit line savings, tax free shopping, and free shipping). LCDs aren't discounted at all, and you're better off getting those from the civilian store.
The HP deals don't look nearly as hot. The F2304 LCD is more expensive than PriceGrabber, and the iPods are retail price.
There's also a computer store tied into the Catalog Website called PatriotPC - most of the deals are better at Newegg, but it's worth a look around...even though they DESPERATELY need to improve their navigation tools.
