~~ FLAMING ~~ Compaq V6719NR - Best Buy Closeout - Got one for $308.99. YMMV!!!

[Harvey]

~~~ IMPORTANT UPDATE re MISSING REMOTE CONTROLS ~~~

One of the three machines my friends and I bought has a tech problem so I contacted HP's tech support. THEY ARE FANTASTIC! We determined the problem was that the wireless system failed, and they immediately sent me the pre-paid shipping carton... but that's not the relevant part of the story.

I asked if they could help with the missing remotes. The CSR took my info and reported it up the food chain, yesterday. Today, their CSR, Carolyn called me back about them. I gave her the serial numbers for the three machines, and three remotes are on their way.

I asked how others could get help with the same problem. She said to call (800) 474-6836 = (800) HP-INVENT. They now have notice of the missing remotes in their system, and she agreed that this should make it easier for others to get more immediate help.

Making good products is a good first step. Good follow up support like this makes all the difference in the world. I'll still build my own desktops, but for notebooks, HP/Compaq has a fan, here. :beer: :thumbsup:

New post for the bump, as well. We now return you to the OP...

===

No joke. Got this one for $308.99.

HP Compaq Presario Notebook
Model: PC V6719NR
SKU: 8706536
$308.99

Specifications

CPU: 1.9 GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor TK-57 w/ 2 MB L2 Cache
Memory: 1024MB (2 x 512 MB)
Memory Max: Up to 2GB DDR2
Video Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce Go 7150M
Video Memory: Up to 287 MB
Hard Drive: 160 GB (5400 rpm)
Multimedia Drive: LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support
Display: 15.4" WXGA High-Definition BrightView Widescreen (1280 x 800)

More goodness -- It looks like this machine was manufactured during the XP - Vista crossover. The one I got has Vista, but Compaq's site has XP drivers so upgrading to XP will be much less hassle.

Best Buy's closeout prices are set by each local manager, and they do NOT price match closeouts between their own stores so this is definitely YMMV. Also, their computer system can be a day or more behind actual inventory so phone the store, ask for an eyes on check to confirm stock. They will usually do this for a few hours. Be sure to get the name of the sales person.

I called and found eleven in Hollywood. By the time a friend called, they had ten. By the time another friend called, they had five as he was walking out the door. He picked me up, and by the time we got there, the first friend was there, waiting for his machine, and between him, my second friend and me, we got the last three in the store. Total elapsed time was around 1.5 hours.

Good luck.

 

[einstein4pres]

Resolution is a bit weak (1280x800). but that's a *sweet* price

 

[sPaZzomatic]

none around indianapolis

 

[KeypoX]

Originally posted by: einstein4pres
Resolution is a bit weak (1280x800). but that's a *sweet* price

that is the standard resolution for that screen size... also you are never supposed to call... best buy employees see that they buy for themselves and their friends...

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: KeypoX

also you are never supposed to call... best buy employees see that they buy for themselves and their friends...

Gas is too expensive, and I've scored three excellent closeout deals @ BB in the last six weeks that wouldn't have worked if I hadn't called first. In all cases, they held one for me that otherwise would have been gone by the time I got there.

 

[Bad Dude]

How did you know that it was clearance for that price?
Thanks.

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: Harvey
I called and found eleven in Hollywood. By the time a friend called, they had ten. By the time another friend called, they had five as he was walking out the door. He picked me up, and by the time we got there, the first friend was there, waiting for his machine, and between him, my second friend and me, we got the last three in the store. Total elapsed time was around 1.5 hours.
Good luck.

omg! I doubt there's any hope, but I will try tomorrow.

 

[Tweakin]

It's still $929 at our store...what a steel...

 

[Lanyap]

Originally posted by: Tweakin
It's still $929 at our store...what a steel...

That price doesn't look right. It should not have been that high even when it was new. They usually sell for $500-$600.

EDIT: You must have been looking at this one.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...&cp=1&id=1198286608604

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: Bad Dude
How did you know that it was clearance for that price?
Thanks.

I found this post by charyulu1 about it on FW. The next step was to call my closest Best Buy in Van Nuys, Ca. to see if they had it and at what price. They didn't, but they did a computer check for the region and found them at the West Hollywood store.

There's always an element of luck with any Best Buy closeout item. A store manager with a lot of inventory on a closeout item is more motivated to slash the price than a manager who has one or two in stock. The same thing happened a couple of weeks ago when I got a 160 GB drive for my old lappy for $23.99. The Burbank, Ca. store showed 21 in stock when I called. By the time I got there, I got the last one. Other BB stores showed one or two in stock listed at or near full price.

The fact that I got these deals is all the proof I need that it's worth making the phone call.

 

[tealk]

According to people on FW and SD, which are hard core deal finders, the absolute worst thing is to make that call..Becasue it has been proven that when you do make that call and they do have it in stock, sometimes they will say it's sold out(when it is in fact not), or it will be sold out buy the time you get there. You can figure out who is buying them then.
And as a matter of fact, I got in on this deal on Friday night, and as i was checking out the computer guy that got it for me actually said..."Wow...$349 eh....I am going to buy one tonight and put it up on Ebay"
Conclusion...just go into store and have them look it up on there own inventory...stand behind them if possible...and see if you can read which stores also have them in stock at the price you want it for.

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: tealk

According to people on FW and SD, which are hard core deal finders, the absolute worst thing is to make that call..Becasue it has been proven that when you do make that call and they do have it in stock, sometimes they will say it's sold out(when it is in fact not), or it will be sold out buy the time you get there. You can figure out who is buying them then.

If I'd paid attention to those people on FW and SD, I wouldn't have scored this lappy, the 160 GB drive or another pair of Seagate 320 GB SATA2 drives a few weeks ago. They were there when I got to the store ONLY because I called ahead, confirmed that they had them and that they were at the closeout price and asked them to hold one for me.

To put it another way, L.A. county is bigger than the state of Rhode Island, and we have lots of Best Buy, CC, OD, Staples, etc. I wouldn't know where to start looking to find the stores that actually had them, let alone on closeout, without calling first.

Those people on FW and SD are welcome to chase their tails with their guessing games. I don't have the time, and at the price of gas, I could lose more money than I'd save... IF I found the item, at all.

 

[andylawcc]

just came back from visiting Pasadena, West Covina, and City of Industry. All do not have in stock. They only have V751 and V756.

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: andylawcc

just came back from visiting Pasadena, West Covina, and City of Industry. All do not have in stock. They only have V751 and V756.

Sorry you ran so far without a win. THAT's exactly why I call, first. Any store in the region can check the computer to see who has them. Two other stores in So. Ca. have them, but at $379 at Porter Ranch and $399 at Culver City (I think).

Best Buy lists the machine as discontinued. You may want to call those stores in a few days to see if they dropped the price.

Good luck!

 

[JD50]

Originally posted by: Harvey

Originally posted by: tealk

According to people on FW and SD, which are hard core deal finders, the absolute worst thing is to make that call..Becasue it has been proven that when you do make that call and they do have it in stock, sometimes they will say it's sold out(when it is in fact not), or it will be sold out buy the time you get there. You can figure out who is buying them then.

If I'd paid attention to those people on FW and SD, I wouldn't score this lappy, the 160 GB drive or another pair of Seagate 320 GB SATA2. They were there when I got to the store ONLY because I called ahead, confirmed that they had them, and that they were at the closeout price.

To put it another way, L.A. county is bigger than the state of Rhode Island, and we have lots of Best Buy, CC, OD, Staples, etc. I wouldn't know where to start looking to find the stores that actually had them, let alone on closeout, without calling first.

Those people on FW and SD are welcome to chase their tails with their guessing games. I don't have the time, and at the price of gas, I could lose more money than I'd save... IF I found the item, at all.

Yea, it probably makes sense for people in your situation to call. I never call, but then again I only have 2 best buys within a reasonable distance of my house. I'm not going out and looking for this deal though, my wife would kill me if I came home with another laptop.

 

[Bad Dude]

The Fullerton store is $499.99 and it has one.

 

[aerohp]

$449, here in Chicago (the 'burbs to be exact). ANY, and i mean any as in the slimmest possibility, that we can PM with a copy of a receipt?

 

[shoRunner]

Originally posted by: Harvey

Best Buy's closeout prices are set by each local manager, and they do NOT price match closeouts between their own stores so this is definitely YMMV. Also, their computer system can be a day or more behind actual inventory so phone the store, ask for an eyes on check to confirm stock. They will usually do this for a few hours. Be sure to get the name of the sales person.

Actually clearance prices aren't set by any local manager they are set by inventory management software, based on the movement of the SKU over its shelf life and what price is deemed necessary to move it.

 

[mfific]

475$ in Bloomington Indiana

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: aerohp
$449, here in Chicago (the 'burbs to be exact). ANY, and i mean any as in the slimmest possibility, that we can PM with a copy of a receipt?

Sorry, but it wouldn't help. As I said in my OP, Best Buy does NOT price match closeout prices between their own stores so this is definitely YMMV.

Posts for closeouts should never be taken as more than a heads up about a possible deal. The phone call to see if it's available in your area is cheap. The gas and time to run around to a bunch of stores aren't. If you're lucky, it's time for high fives and tossing back a brew. If not, there's always the next deal.

This just happened to be my weekend for the first option. :beer: :thumbsup:

 

[rpf717rpf]

How is this for $449? Pretty much standard price - or a good deal?

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: rpf717rpf
How is this for $449? Pretty much standard price - or a good deal?

Best Buy was selling this machine for $599, last month, but as you said, at $449, there are a lot of entry level machines to consider. At $309 for these specs, there wasn't any question.

 

[bearxor]

Originally posted by: Harvey

Originally posted by: aerohp
$449, here in Chicago (the 'burbs to be exact). ANY, and i mean any as in the slimmest possibility, that we can PM with a copy of a receipt?

I can't get a bb here in charlotte to price match another bb 10 minutes down the road. They're pretty anal about it.

 

[shinson]

Got one for $349.99

 

[killster1]

heh pretty funny "dont call ahead" ahh they work at best buy i think the word spreads and they will buy it if they want it anyway.. but you dont have that element of surprise and waste of gas if you call ahead right?