Heh, so I became a member just to reply on this thread.
I was able to get the HD two days ago. I did what other people recommended, going to get the flyer, bringing it to CompUSA, and then bargaining. So here's how it went:
Standing in line, heart racing cuz I know it's supposed to be a fluke deal.
"Next please?" - some overweight guy named Dennis, whose tag says "Front End Service Coordinator" or something whacked like that.
There's a nice big poster next to me that says "Lowest Price Guaranteed." So banking off of that I begin (nervously stumbling over my words), "... so... you... have low price .... match.... guarantee, right? ... was wondering if you.... pricematch... this..." Handed the flyer over, pointed to the ad. (I felt and sounded so stupid.. =P)
Good 'ol Dennis mumbles, "lemme see here..." Turns around to store system computer, checks it turns around and says, "uh, I can only sell it to you for our base price ($229)."
(AH-HA! This is when I knew he was lying out of his ass... trying to lie to me cuz I sound stupid... hrmph)
"But, you guys have low price guaranteed... what're you trying to pull?"
"Uh, there are some restrictions that apply..." (and he points at the sign which is partially blocked by another sign...) "oh, hold on..." lumbers around the counter, moves the other sign and points to the bottom that reads "(Some restrictions apply...." I'm thinking (riiiiiiight).
"So.. what's the restriction?"
"I can't sell it to you lower than base price?"
"Is this written?"
"No."
"Then how do you know?"
"It just is"
"Are you sure? Cuz I've bought other things from CompUSA over the phone and they pricematched no matter what..."
".. uh... yeah..."
haha... (by this time I got my 'cool' back) so I just smile and read the next part of that nice little line he so graciously pointed out to me "... See manager for details.)" "Dennis, are you a manager?"
"I'm a manager..."
chuckling, "nononono.. are you the manager."
"... no.. but..."
"May I see/talk to the manager?"
".. yeah.. hold on..."
goes back behind the counter (where he belongs) tries to stall saying... "... but it's so cheap..." and I smile saying, "yeah... that's why I'm here." So good 'ol Dennis calls the manager, Chris.
Chris comes up looks at me and I smile at him, and he goes, "May I help you?"
"Yes I was wondering if you pricematch." (show him the flyer)
Quickly glances at the ad and responds, "Yes, just have our man, Dennis, call up the local retailer and if it's in stock then we'll pricematch."
I smile REAL big, shake his hand, "Thank you so much."
back to Dennis, calls up Microcenter (where I'm hoping he doesn't ask about the cache details)... and I'm golden. The BIGGEST reason for success is I didn't mention the rebate, and it wasn't even posted ON or NEAR the Harddrive sections.
Rings up about $160, and I go home, print up the rebate, fill it out, chop a big whole in my harddrive box, mail in the stuff (let's just hope that part comes back. =P)
This was all in Cleveland, OH area. Unfortunately, my suitemates went back (who are FOBs (and I love FOBs by the way)...(Fresh Off the Boat = Asians who may speak 'okay' English, but not born in Canada/States)) try their bargaining skills and the manager gets all pissed and was like, "No, I'm not going to do this. I'm not going to sell this to you." LOL!
they go, "But but but but... our friend just came in the other day and got it..."
"no! He shouldn't have done that... our price is cheaper after rebate" (dumb suitemates obviously must have mentioned the rebate and they pretty much tell the manager that they want to get the harddrive for $60... oh my gosh)
(heh, the best part was the manager didn't even bother looking at what it was I wanted to get and for how much). Poor suitemates.
hahaha... man, I love Anandtech, don't you? =D
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