20 April 2008

A New Toy!

No, not that kind of toy, I've already got a "naughty drawer" full of those! I decided it was high time I purchase a laptop. Even this old dog 40-something woman can learn new tricks, right??

Isn't she beautiful?? I think I'll name her Rhonda. She's got an AMD Turion 64x2 2.1 GHz processor, 4 gigs of RAM, a 250 gig HD and an NVIDIA GeForce 1 gig video card - she even has a built in webcam!

Shhhhh!! I don't want to hear about how it's too bad she isn't a Mac!



She has sleek lines and gorgeous body art.



The best part of Rhonda is the story behind her acquisition. You see, I've been wanting a laptop and became extremely jealous when my good friend Tali purchased a new one last week. I knew we were going to visit Tali this weekend and I knew she would be strutting her "stuff" in my face. After a great deal of surfing the net research, I came to the conclusion that I really liked her "stuff" and wanted "stuff" just like hers. The problem? The cost of the system was $100 more than she paid less than two weeks ago ... kind of ...

There was a blurb on the main laptop page saying the system was $799. When you clicked on the link to that product it showed a price of $899, and when you looked at the local area flier it listed a price of $849.

$100 isn't much of a difference when it comes to computers (or so Tali kept telling me), so off to Best Buy we went, Tali leading the way. We head straight to the computer section and find the model I want - selling in the store for $849. She informs the sales geek that the website is showing the model for the $799 she paid. Sure enough, he logs on and sees that for himself, and then the tail chasing began.

Around and around sales geek went, following the path of three different prices. Then manager geek was called. Around and around he went following the path of three different prices. He even went so far as to look at what the lowest price was that the system had sold for in the past and the computer was telling him it was $799. Manager geek argued that whomever rang up Tali's system must have overridden the price. He also gave some song and dance about how they were only required to honor the local price, the website was national, blah, blah, blah ...

Just when I thought it was inevitable that I was going to have to pay the $849 price, Tali pulls out the smokin' ace up her sleeve - although she doesn't have the sales receipt, she has a rewards card that allows them to pull up the transaction. Guess what?? Just last week they sold her the very same system that I wanted for $799 - no price override. And guess what else?? They agreed to sell me the system for $799. They weren't happy about it, but I was!

And making me happy is what it's all about, right???

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

The sad thing is I don't even feel guilty for not pointing out that I bought it on sale. I wouldn't have said anything if they hadn't had that little blurb on the website saying it was still $799 because I think it's a smokin little machine even at $849. But they had that there and they should honor it, IMO.

And, frankly, it's his fault for not knowing that it was on sale 10 days ago when I bought the thing.

I wonder if you can call and complain to Best Buy corporate office because they didn't even offer you the extended warranty. *evilsmirk*

Anyways, you know you only wanted this laptop because you want to be like me. It's ok to admit it, I know I'm perfection.

Schmoop said...

Yeah, she's pretty..blah, blah. Yeah great system...blah, blah. I just wanna how good the porn looks on it. Cheers!!

Osbasso said...

Making Dana happy is always a good thing! Of course, it doesn't surprise me you got one with the built-in webcam, though that can be inconvenient too...

Too bad it's not a Mac.

Jill said...

Rhonda's a beauty alright. Having a laptop is worth any money you put out on it. *snort* (I said Put Out) Anyway, I'm laying on my couch blogging away - it pays for itself in promoting one's laziness alone!

Congrats on your purchase!

Jay said...

That's a pretty sweet laptop there!

Good thing you didn't let up on them.

If that manager dude hadn't given in you could have kept pushing. Little known fact ... You can actually haggle at Best Buy. They will keep saying you can't, but you can. I don't know if it has to be the store general manager or what, but you can push them a little on prices. I've never actually tried it myself, but I know some people who have.

Anyway, now I have laptop envy. ;-)

Karen said...

Congrats! I have an older HP laptop. Love it more than life. you will too.

Kimmie said...

Love it Dana! I want a laptop so bad. When hubby sells his '57 Chevy he said he will buy me one. I can't wait!

Congratulations! She is a beauty!
Smiles,
Kimmie

Dana said...

Tali, if you were any less perfect I would have nothing to aspire towards. Thank goodness for you!

Matt-Man, the video card is AWESOME and the porn is beautiful ... I think ... because I, of course, haven't looked ... much ...

Os, SHHHHHH with the Mac. I think I'm going to keep my mobile webcam handy, just in case!

Dana said...

Random, and Rhonda is putting out - thank you very much!

Jay, and I was hoping you'd have some other sort of envy when you thought of me!

Karen, I knew it was a good purchase when I had absolutely no buyers remorse.

Dana said...

Kimmie, I've been wanting one for quite som time, but never would allow myself to spend the $$$ Heck with that! I deserve it!

captain corky said...

Lucky!!! I must get one. I can only imagine how great it would be to able to watch my DVR and compute at the same time...

buffalodick said...

I've thought about this, but haven't made the jump...

Lu' said...

She's a bute. Enjoy mine. Never go back to a desktop model. Get wireless if you don't already have it. It's bitchin.

R.E.H. said...

Don't worry about it not being a Mac... PC is the way to go! And, that thing looks like a beauty!

And, way to go getting it at a good price!

BTW - Living in Sweden, I can assure you that even $899 sounds cheap... a thing like that would go for well over $1.000 over here!

Unknown said...

Wow! That is great! And Rhonda looks like one hot little chicky!

And yes, it'a all about you baby!

Ken said...

I want one for when we cruz!

They do keep getting cheaper!

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

Looks like a nice machine.........




too bad it is not a MAC...

sorry, could not help myself...you know I am a follower of all thing Mac.

As American as Apple Pie said...

You go girl! Way to heckle with the geeks. I'll bet you made their day!

As American as Apple Pie said...

Oh, and yes, it is all about you!

Dana said...

Corky, a laptop brings on a whole new meaning to multi-tasking!

Buff, if I can encourage you in any way (*shove*) I will! This is my first and I doubt I'll ever go back to the old-fashioned way!

Lu, I'm currently stealing my neighbors signal (shame on them for not making the connection secure) but have a wireless router on it's way!

Dana said...

R.E.H., I can't take credit for the pricing. I just stood back and watched the master (thank you again Tali!)

Bina, Rhonda is one hot lady - classic in her design, but fully functional - kind of like me!

Micky, this one was by no means one of the cheaper models, but the value really is amazing!

Dana said...

Bond, I know there are a few of you die-hard Mac fans out there that wouldn't find yourself even near the HP section of a geek store - I *heart* you anyway!

Apple, really, I was not the haggler, just the observer of the haggle master!

Funny thing - this is the most money I have spent on myself (for a single purchase) since getting married. I think I was about due!

Christo Gonzales said...

rhondas nice...makes me want one too but my g4 mac power pc wont be happy and my old dell 8100 is already sad...good haggling and you probably could have knocked it down more...

Unknown said...

Great! Your new toy looks a lot like my HP.

So, Best Buy didn’t “gladly” give you the best price! Says something about their advertising, doesn’t it!

Enjoy, Dana! Enjoy!

Leighann said...

YAY for new toys!

Real Live Lesbian said...

Who is this Talis-MAN? ;0

Congrats on the acquisition of Rhonda! Love the name! And yes, it really is about making YOU (and me) happy!

Dana said...

DB, I don't know that there was any more room for haggling, especially since I really ... REALLY ... wanted the system!

Nick, I found that amazing too! They fought it until it was clear they were just wrong.

Leighann, I know I didn't buy it from your stock, but it's still a fun toy!!

Dana said...

RLL, you'll be happy to hear that TalisMAN is really a woman!! *gigglesnort*

g-man said...

My friend Esmerelda has that same one. I told her that if you tilt you head to the right a bit the pattern resembles, well girl parts. ;) She said that she will not look at it the same way again. Enjoy your new 'puter.

Dana said...

G-Man, now I *heart* Rhonda even more!!

Liquid said...

I think Rhonda is beautiful!
Now, thanks to G-man, I've gotta go back and tilt my head and give her a "look-see".

lol

Pleasure to have found you!

Dana said...

Liquid, I am thrilled you found me too because that means I've found you! I'm telling you, G-Man has an ability to see beyond the obvious - I think it's the photographer in him - but now that he said that I can't see anything else in that design *wink*

Nicey said...

Hello hun,
Nice laptop I use one here a HP Pavillion dv2000 it the dogs bollox innit, makes the bloging expeience worthwhile and more enjoyable.
I think that I paid about £600 so I think ya got a bargain,
Take care, laters
Nicey

Dianne said...

I'm lovin' Rhonda. Congrats.

I've been hinting around for one for Mother's Day. Yes - I know that's a rather extravagant gift for Mom's Day but I deserve it.

I want to be able to work out on the patio this summer!

Enjoy.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your super cool new friend!

Jeff B said...

I love it when you talk computer!

Congrats on a good deal and a cool machine.

Dana said...

Nicey, I am definitely NOT having any buyers remorse - I *heart* Rhonda!

Dianne, I bet you'll find one under that Mother's Day tree!

Matty, Rhonda even makes my lap warm when I play with her.

Dana said...

Jeff, I don't share my hard drive with just anyone!

Stacey Olson said...

enjoy your laptop, we have one and it is great.

Anndi said...

I miss my old laptop *pout*...

People who get hung up on Mac vs PC really need to chill... Can't we all get along?