Gainward 6800GT Dual-DVI for $385 (dropped from $400)

[palladia]

Originally posted by: MonarchJoe

Originally posted by: oakleaf00

Originally posted by: Jaxidian
... Still, he said that he is still TRYING to hook up the people who send in emails asking for the GS and give the non-GS to those who don't mention anything about it...

I do hope that this is true. The response to my followup email to Monarch wasn't too encouraging - it was the same one line response that KingZim got: "We cannot guarantee that your order will be a Golden Sample card." No 'Dear sir,' or 'Sincerely yours' or even 'Thanks for your patronage'. This short, impersonal reply was in response to what -imho- was a very polite request (not a demand) to "do whatever you can" to send me a GS. Even if they are just covering their a**(which I completely understand), it's very difficult to determine the tone when it's just a one-liner. *steps down from soap box*

Regardless, mine shipped out yesterday, so I guess I still have a chance to get a GS. It'll just be one of those "Let's see what's behind door number 3!" moments. Either way, I'll be happy and I won't hesitate ordering from them again just because I don't get a GS.

Cheers!

I apologize in advance for the brief response, I was trying to update everyone via the forums, here and hardforum, about the situation as well as responding back to the 20 some odd requests for a GS card. I try to be more articulate than that in most situations!

I too got one of those very impersonal response from my email request:

question: Ordered Gainward 6800GT video adapter. Online screen shots
indicated that it's a "Golden Sample" edition, though description didn't
indicate so. Please make sure that a "Golden Sample" is shipped.

Mine should arrive tomorrow. I am just worried that if Monarch was too busy to properly respond to my request, how could they have honestly tried to match GS with those who requested it. Here's hoping I got lucky anyway.

 

[Jaxidian]

Updated the title/summary to indicate that the GS deal is now probably dead. Maybe once their prices on the GS cards come down, it may be a warm deal again.

 

[GlobalHPSJoe]

Originally posted by: Jaxidian
Updated the title/summary to indicate that the GS deal is now probably dead. Maybe once their prices on the GS cards come down, it may be a warm deal again.

Well, I talked to purchasing the express my concerns over the GS pricing. So...

Where do you guys think it should be priced at?

Non-GS
GS

 

[KingZim]

MANNNNNNNNNNNNNNN! I got normal 6800gt not Golden Sample
BS they said a good chance of getting a GS more like a marketing promotion.
Damn well atleast I got it, What exactly is the difference between the golden sample? Does the GS have better memory and can you tell which type of memory you have?

 

[wpenhall]

Yikes! Not a good start.

Well, mine should be here this afternoon. I'll let you all know what I receive.

 

[Glow]

Originally posted by: KingZim
MANNNNNNNNNNNNNNN! I got normal 6800gt not Golden Sample
BS they said a good chance of getting a GS more like a marketing promotion.
Damn well atleast I got it, What exactly is the difference between the golden sample? Does the GS have better memory and can you tell which type of memory you have?

You don't even know what you are buying, you deserve a non GS. Go read the review on gamePC.


Sep 2, 2004 7:29 am

On FedEx vehicle for delivery

GRAND PRAIRIE TX

Mine is coming today apparently even though it was scheduled for tomorrow (plus I chose 5-7 day shipping and it was way less than that), assuming my g/f gets the door, I'm at work. Come on GS. As long as at least half the people who ordered early get a GS I will be satisfied even if I do not get a GS. If Monarch pulled all the GSs to sell them for more and then told us they were mostly GSs, then I'll be pissed. I think I was one of the first people to order after the price went 380.

Monarch Joe, I think $400 is fair for a GS, $380 for non. Maybe 410 for a GS if you find noone buys the nonGS at that price differential.

 

[KingZim]

What did I do to deserve some flaming from you Glow? You think im gonna come out in a good attitude that i was hoping for a GS and didnt get one? Yes i know GS has been tested for high ocing but i wanted to know additonalt info.
And for you being a child saying that i deserved a non GS I HOPE WITH ALL MY HEART U NEVER GET A GS! POSEY

Best of luck to everyone else, you win some and lose some. Still a great card

 

[Glow]

.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: MonarchJoe
all indiciations were to have a Gainward 6800 GT card out there for a decent price.

Yes, that's quite obviously your intent since you're now charged $1 over MSRP. :roll:

Can I call'm or what?

 

[oakleaf00]

Originally posted by: KingZim
MANNNNNNNNNNNNNNN! I got normal 6800gt not Golden Sample
BS they said a good chance of getting a GS more like a marketing promotion.
Damn well atleast I got it, What exactly is the difference between the golden sample? Does the GS have better memory and can you tell which type of memory you have?

Is it a dual DVI non-GS?

 

[grohl]

My card has arrived! Let the record show that I placed a telephone call less than 48hrs ago and requested the GS, also paid for the cheapest "5-7" day shipping, and here it is!

The numbers on the card indicate it is a GT - (non-GS, as indicated by 6046 model) - fine by me. Haven't installed it yet to confirm...

Yes, this non-GS is dual DVI. I'm gonna bet that this thing OC's like a mutha, regardless of "GS" status. Still think this was a nice deal considering smooth transaction, etc.

Edited to confirm model #'s

 

[Glow]

Ack, the score is now 0 GS, 2 non-GS. Monarch, we are going to be pretty upset if everyone on this forum gets a non-GS.

I don't think you need to check the part number to see if it is GS. The box has a special symbol on it:
http://www.gamepc.com/images/l...rd6800-frontpageSM.jpg

 

[Jaxidian]

Originally posted by: MonarchJoe

Originally posted by: Jaxidian
Updated the title/summary to indicate that the GS deal is now probably dead. Maybe once their prices on the GS cards come down, it may be a warm deal again.

Well, I talked to purchasing the express my concerns over the GS pricing. So...

Where do you guys think it should be priced at?

Non-GS
GS

Well, I thought $380 for non-GS was a price good enough for you guys to keep attention on the deal. Any higher than that and you will lose a lot of the attention you have here and sales will likely drop significantly.

For the GS, $400 would keep this a warm deal and will probably keep attention until all resellers start bringing prices down more. MAYBE $410 but that'd be pushing it since I can name a couple places that I can get GS cards for about $420.

In my opinion, if you price these cards higher than what I suggested, you guys won't have a warm deal on the cards and you will just keep your usual customers. If you go at the prices I suggested or lower, it will attract additional customers than you would otherwise have. I don't know how many of these cards you have left or how many more you can get or how fast you can get them. If you have the inventory/incoming shipments from Gainward to keep these cards at these prices, I think you will be selling a lot of them.

There are all, of course, just my opinion. Personally, if you went above these suggested prices, then you would be an "Everybody else who sells the cards at the same prices". If you can get Gainward to supply these to you quickly enough, drop the prices even lower, make both non-GS and GS be VERY hot deals, make less profit, and significantly increase your customer base. I can tell you right now that Monarch isn't a regular vendor to the people of this community. I can also tell you that the people of this community purchase a LOT of computer hardware. I can also tell you that if you have a steady hot deal on a hot item such as this, the people of this community WILL buy it from you!

 

[Jaxidian]

Originally posted by: Glow
Ack, the score is now 0 GS, 2 non-GS. Monarch, we are going to be pretty upset if everyone on this forum gets a non-GS.

I don't think you need to check the part number to see if it is GS. The box has a special symbol on it:
http://www.gamepc.com/images/l...rd6800-frontpageSM.jpg

1 GS, 2 non-GS. My co-worker got a GS which is what prompted this thread.

 

[Glow]

Originally posted by: Jaxidian

Originally posted by: Glow
Ack, the score is now 0 GS, 2 non-GS. Monarch, we are going to be pretty upset if everyone on this forum gets a non-GS.

I don't think you need to check the part number to see if it is GS. The box has a special symbol on it:
http://www.gamepc.com/images/l...rd6800-frontpageSM.jpg

1 GS, 2 non-GS. My co-worker got a GS which is what prompted this thread.

I am only counting cards bought for $380.

 

[wpenhall]

Originally posted by: Jaxidian

1 GS, 2 non-GS. My co-worker got a GS which is what prompted this thread.

I think Glow was referring to the number of GS's ordered since the price drop - when Monarch was still saying that the "vast majority" (what I was told over the phone) of cards they had were GS's.

It would be one thing if they said they just had a couple left... quite another if they led us to believe that our odds were very good of getting one when in fact they weren't.

As I said, if I don't get one, and most other people do - well, that's ok. I took the risk so oh well. But if almost NO ONE who ordered after the price drop gets them, that's another thing altogether.

FYI, I ordered pretty soon after the drop - ~1130am EST 8/31.

Still waiting... should be here soon!

 

[wpenhall]

Just got mine. Non-GS. :frown:

This is a little disturbing - 0 GS, 3 non-GS. A whole bunch of people better start writing saying they got GS's or Monarch's gonna have an image problem...

 

[imported_Seet]

Add one to the non-GS count...

I'm a little bitter about it. I know there was the whole YMMV/buyer beware aspect, but this is barely a warm deal for plain GT @ $380. And now they raised the price. Who do they think they are fooling? This is no way to gain customer loyalty. What really annoys me is how they represented themselves(or were represented by others). If it had been first come first served, I could live with that. But they a) claimed it was random(a gamble) and b) claimed the majority were still GS's(a gamble with good odds). Well, I gambled and lost. That makes 3 losers @$380 so far and no winners yet.

And MonarchJoe, if you're out there and want to satisfy your customers, you might consider offering to take back the non-GS's and give credit towards the GS(which is way too high at $444). Jax's recommendation of ~$400-410 is much more reasonable. And consider one more thing: this is the first time I've ever spent this much on any component besides a monitor or cpu. This is an extreme luxury item for me. If I have a good experience, I might do this more often, and I'll remember where to go when I need something. If I have a bad one, I probably won't be shopping at Monarch again unless I see a really hot deal in these forums. Which is really a shame, because every aspect of the service was really quite excellent.

 

[imported_Seet]

One more thing, what exactly is the GS count so far? Just that first one? I know there's a lot of lurkers(like me) who wouldn't post just to brag about getting one, but has ANYONE else gotten a GS? Or perhaps we've all been duped...

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: Seet
One more thing, what exactly is the GS count so far? Just that first one? I know there's a lot of lurkers(like me) who wouldn't post just to brag about getting one, but has ANYONE else gotten a GS? Or perhaps we've all been duped...

Mrc4 about 16 down got one too.

 

[Jaxidian]

Originally posted by: Seet
One more thing, what exactly is the GS count so far? Just that first one? I know there's a lot of lurkers(like me) who wouldn't post just to brag about getting one, but has ANYONE else gotten a GS? Or perhaps we've all been duped...

I agree, you lurkers, please create an account and let us know if you got a GS or non-GS. Would really like to get a representation of how many people succeeded in this deal.

If it comes out that a significant number of people got them, then this was a good publicity stunt for Monarch. If nobody gets them, Monarch is going to look bad.

 

[Jaxidian]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: Seet
One more thing, what exactly is the GS count so far? Just that first one? I know there's a lot of lurkers(like me) who wouldn't post just to brag about getting one, but has ANYONE else gotten a GS? Or perhaps we've all been duped...

Mrc4 about 16 down got one too.

Yeah, so far:

2 GS (one or both purchased before AT effect)
3 non-GS

 

[Glow]

Originally posted by: Seet
One more thing, what exactly is the GS count so far? Just that first one? I know there's a lot of lurkers(like me) who wouldn't post just to brag about getting one, but has ANYONE else gotten a GS? Or perhaps we've all been duped...

Official count is 0-4. Mine is not in yet.

It's not looking good. Monarch seems to have chumped us. If noone gets a GS I am going to give bad feedback on reseller ratings. It is starting to feel like they purposefully did not give out the GS's.

I don't know what their return policy is. I think you could send it back and have Paypal block payment within 30 days (for those that used their recommended payment method of Paypal).

MonarchJoe, are some of us going to get GS's or what, I can't imagine you purposefully want to piss off customers to save yourselves a few dollars.

 

[Glow]

Has anyone overclocked? I would like to know how high you can overclock before I open my box. Thanks.

 

[imported_Seet]

Yeah, I'd also like to know. Someone on Hardforums was theorizing that maybe the non-GS cards were just the rejects that couldn't get to ultra speeds, in which case we have no chance. Anyone else think it's a little suspicious that MonarchJoe posts here? Some of the more trusting(gullible?) might think he was just being responsive to customers, but they all know about the AT effect, and maybe he's just fanning the flames. Sorry if this is old news, but I'm a newb when it comes to hot deals. My idea of a hot deal is pricewatch, lol.