45 GB Western Digital 5400rpm for $133 and Rio500 for $160 from staples.com

[Girdogg]

First time posting to this place, but thanks to some reading up I think I scored a couple of hot deals.

staples.com has $40 off $150 (get from techbargain)

Pricematch the Rio 500 at buy.com
Buy.com: http://www.us.buy.com/comp/product.asp?sku=10219441
staples.com: http://www.staples.com/Catalog/Browse/sku.asp?PageType=1&Sku=IM1178757&bcFlag=true&bcSCatId=3&bcSCatName=Technology&bcCatId=45&bcCatName=Special+Order&bcDeptId=1635&bcDeptName=Multimedia+Hardware&bcClassId=141231&bcClassName=Music+Keyboards%2C+Midi+Equipment+%26+Accessories (when I ordered last friday they just had a teal one so you might be able to pricematch buy.com's grey one for the teal one at staples)

for the HD, I confirmed with the staples CSR that the drive listed on their site was a retail package, and I email'd western digital to see if staples.com was an accepted retailer for their $30 off rebate and they said they were (only B&M staples was listed) Pricematch the drive from pcstop.com
pcstop.com: http://www.pcstop.com catalog #009846
staples.com: http://www.staples.com/Catalog/Browse/SKU.asp?BCFlag=False&PageType=1&SKU=IM1009844 (yes it's listed as 45mb drive, but I called to confirm it was 45gb drive and it's actually shipping straight from manufacturer via UPS in retail box)

rio500: 199 - $40(coupon code) = 160 + tax (s/h free for orders over $50)
WD 45GB 5400RPM 2mb Cache: 190.89 - $40(coupon code) - $30 mail-in rebate = 120.89 + tax for WA = $133.

Today is the last day for the $40 off $150 deal, but there's also a $40 of $200 that the nice CSR at staples.com took for my WD order. Let me know how it goes for you guys!
(sorry can't get word wrap workin properly)

oh yeah, there are also codes for a free vivitar camera and $22 of
free inkjet paper. My paper arrived today and the rio500 shipped today, arriving tomorrow. so the deal seems hot to me =)

---------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE:
OK, I came home today and found a nice package outside. Opened it up, and it was a brown box, no retail package (Product # WD450AA) BUT, I do have good news.

I called up staples and spoke with a CSR, explaining to him that I ordered the drive and intended to receive a RETAIL BOX b/c I neeed mounting kit and stuff (BS, but hey, whatever works for the rebate). On a hunch, I went to western digital's online store, and checked the catalog # of the 45gb BARE DRIVE they have for sale and I found something interesting. 009844 is the catalog number at western digital's online store. IM1_009844_ is staples.com's product number. So I thought I might have found a correlation. Went to PCSTOP.com's webpage, saw the catalog item # was 009846 for the retail package. I asked the staples.com CSR to see if a product with item # IM1_009846_ was in their system. BINGO! He said it had retail package as the description and everything. The swap was setup and UPS is coming to pick up the wrong drive next week and I should have the retail package in hand by next wednesday. My total cost including tax was $163 - $30 mail-in rebate, still $133. Damn good deal

PS - didn't pricematch at buy.com b/c it says drive does not qualify for rebate. pcstop has no info on the drive except for specs, so $3 diff isn't worth hassling staples csr

 

[pX]

I wonder if this one http://www.staples.com/Catalog/Browse/SKU.asp?BCFlag=False&PageType=1&SKU=IM1009780 would work also. It's the 30 gig too. It would be 93 + shipping after coupon and rebate. I just wonder if it the same deal, retail package and all. Hmm, I should call, but I hate real human interaction, damn this computer world I'm locked in.

Cool deal,

pX

 

[Blackhole Forever]

Cool...

 

[avhokie]

Just got the 30 gig version for $123.49 + tax....hopefully the 30 rebate will work with it!

 

[apaulo]

Its a good deal without the pricematch even. I think its funny, though, when you go to the Staples page it says 45 MB, not 45 GB.

 

[qball]

Thanks Girdogg, just ordered the 45 GB drive. I think you got lucky with the CSR you talked to, mine checked PCStop for the next day shipping charges. Luckily she couldnt figure them out so she just added $5 when it's really about $25 I think. Still a great deal.

-q

 

[Noirish]

does staples.com do the 155% or just 100% pricematch?

also, qball, what's w/ the added next day $25 charge which you paid $5?

 

[qball]

orangel, Staples.com does a 100% pricematch, they used to do 155% at the stores but I think they stopped. As for the shipping thing, their pricematch policy actually says they will pricematch the price of another online store with the cost of next day shipping added on. I guess they just add $5 if they cant figure out what that store charges.

-q

 

[Noirish]

okay, now, has anyone actually got the drive from staples.com and they are retailed packed and qualified for rebate?

 

[Brainstorm]

Wait a minute...what happened to the price of the 45gb on Staples site...it says $216.49 now!! I guess I missed out...oh well, I got it from buy.com for $186.95 - $30 rebate = $156.95 (used the free shipping coupon)

 

[avhokie]

Brainstorm,

Doesn't matter how much it is at Staples...just pricematch PCStop. They have it for $190 or so. The item # is in the original post.

 

[Lucifer69]

Hi, could you please tell me how to get the rebate?
Does the rebate thing comes with it when you buy it?
Thanks.

 

[avhokie]

rebate is at http://www.westerndigital.com/promos/30-reb4.html

 

[Lucifer69]

Thanks a lot. Also how could I get the coupon code??????

 

[sworshs]

If the 30.7GB WD is OEM, it's no deal! If you check http://www.pricewatch.com, they have it listed for $115! Plus you don't have to pay tax as long as you don't live in IL. The S&H is 14.95 though.

 

[Sydekar]

Why are you not price matching it to Buy.com? They have the retail 45gb WD for $186.95

<l>http://www.us.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10250662&amp;loc=101</l>

Does PCstop.com have free shipping or summin? I noticed Staples figures that into the pricematching cost.


Seriously though, thanks for the heads up...I was about to purchase this at my local Sam's Club.

 

[qball]

Sydekar, They must have just lowered the prices, it was over $200 yesterday. If you can get Staples to match that price without adding in next day shipping that would be great. Let us know how it goes if you try it. And no PCStop doesnt have free shipping, I think the CSR Girdogg talked to didnt bother adding the shipping and the CSR I got couldn't figure out what they charged for next day.

-q

 

[Xmenxmen]

The 30.7G is indeed OEM, I will probably return mine unless they are willing to swap it for RETAIL, as it was shown on the picture.

 

[pX]

xmenxmen> same thing here, got mine in today. well, 123 is a good price too

 

[avhokie]

Just got my 30GB, it's OEM as well. I'm going to call Staples to see if they are going to correct the situation.

 

[Sydekar]

I used Buy.com as a pricematch. The CSR at Staples did add in shipping but it only pushed it to 192 &amp; change. Still cheaper than PCStop.com most likely. The bitch of it was the taxes since they have stores in my area. Was still 160.80 after the 40 off coupon. Hopefully the rebate will work and I'll have it for 130. Regardless I needed it and 160.80 wouldn't be a terrible price.

 

[pX]

If any of you can get Staples to exchange it for a retail version, could you email me, so I can try it too. thx


pX

 

[SkullDeathWolfReaper]

Well, I called Staples adn the extrememly friendly CSR went through the whole pricematch and everything with me. She then lowered their price to reflect the pcstop price. However, she told me they do not take coupons for pricematched items. I asked if this was new and she said 'I think so.'

The drive would have been cheaper without pricematching if I used a $40 off coupon. Therefore I had her reset the price and then used the $40 coupon. Hopefully, I will remember to use this mail in rebate and send in for the $30 off mail in rebate. I hate mail in rebates.

Therefore my price went basically like this $211 - $40 coupon = $171 and then hopefully I will remember to mail the $30 in. I dont pay state taxes so hopefully the price will be 141 in the end.

 

[SkullDeathWolfReaper]

PS - ensure that you ask for item # IM1_009846 like Girdogg says

 

[SkullDeathWolfReaper]

Is anyone getting better deals than this one appears to be for an HD? This seems like such a great deal I don't get the small response.

I am essentially getting a backup harddrive for $141/45gigs $3.13 per gigabyte. Not bad at all if you ask me considering many people pay more for CDR media per gigabyte.