Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2003 14:13:20 -0800 (PST)
From: Rick
To: Hot Deals Maniac
Subject: Inspiron 2650C laptop computer deal from Feb 20

If you look closely at the rebate form you posted, there are 2 things
that will lead to the conclusion that there's no way that Dell will honor
the rebate in conjunction with the rest of the deal you posted.

1) The fine print reads, "Cannot be combined with any other promotions
from 2/7/03 to 2/24/03." I'm sure Dell considers the $150 discount and
15% coupon "other promotions." Furthermore, if you look at the details
for coupon code 95895C34C7C6, it reads "Coupon does not include Inspiron
systems with a Mail In Rebate offered (Ready-to-Go Notebooks
specifically)."

2) The footnoted part numbers at the top of the rebate form refer only to
specific "Ready-to-Go" configurations, which can be found here:
http://www.dell.com/us/en/bsd/offers/specials_bsd_rtg_inspn.htm. The
price of the 2650c on this page is $1109 ($909 after $200 rebate). When I
custom-configured an identical system, using the $150 discount, 15%
coupon, and free double memory, it came out to $796 -- with no rebate
hassle! Curiously though, the Ready-to-Go configuration says "15.0 XGA
Display", which doesn't even appear to be an option on the 2650. Probably
a typo.


Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2003 16:05:53 -0500
From: Quatrain
To: Hot Deals Maniac
Subject: Re:Inspiron 2650C laptop computer, 1.6GHz 256MB, for $624

I just spoke to Dell.

The $400.00 rebate is for "Selected, preconfigured systems ONLY."

You can get to these computers by clicking:

http://www.dell.com/us/en/bsd/default.htm

Scroll down, then click on "See all offers
 "
Then scroll down and click:  "Ready-To-Go Save up to $400!
 "
Then select any of the three on the right.  Clearly, it is cheaper to go
through it using your way instead of this $400.00 rebate.

Again, it is ONLY for preconfigured and SELECTED (they select, not you)
systems only.