LinkSys WRT54GC OfficeDepot $19.99 ('new low price')

[NucEm]

There was a thread last week (misternapps) that was locked perhaps because it gave coupon code. But in OfficeDepot's Sunday's ad the LinkSys WRT54GC was advertised for $19.99 with no coupon or rebate. Just a new low price. I've ordered one but have not yet received it. The local stores (Colorado) are out of stock. So in store pickup wasn't an option. I took the ad to OfficeMax and they matched the price. I noticed at OfficeMax that some of the units were made in China and some in Taiwan. I don't know if there is any functional difference or not. The price match also worked at BestBuy (Massachusetts). Both OM and BBY price was not scheduled to change anytime soon so it not clear why OD has a 'new low price' or if its a temporary thing.

 

[ondarkness]

I got one from OD.
It's damn small. w/internal antenea and option for extender antenea.
too bad I really don't need it. but damn it was cheap!

 

[AirMail1]

Anyone running VOIP with this router?
(specifically SunRocket)

 

[Mephistokur]

Can it be used as an access point only?

 

[videopho]

Originally posted by: Mephistokur
Can it be used as an access point only?

No, since its firmware is not hackable but the wrt54g does

 

[Aarondeep]

Originally posted by: videopho

Originally posted by: Mephistokur
Can it be used as an access point only?

No, since its firmware is not hackable but the wrt54g does

couldn't you just disable the DHCP and plug it into your switch?

 

[Mr N8]

Originally posted by: aarondeep

Originally posted by: videopho

Originally posted by: Mephistokur
Can it be used as an access point only?

No, since its firmware is not hackable but the wrt54g does

couldn't you just disable the DHCP and plug it into your switch?

Yes you could. I've done it and it works fine. It's using a static IP and I manually entered the DNS.

 

[batmanuel]

Sweet deal. If I can find one in stock, I may pick it up. It'd be nice to use when travelling, since most hotels have free in room ethernet, but no in-room WiFi.

 

[Afro000Dude]

Originally posted by: Mr N8

Originally posted by: aarondeep

Originally posted by: videopho

Originally posted by: Mephistokur
Can it be used as an access point only?

No, since its firmware is not hackable but the wrt54g does

couldn't you just disable the DHCP and plug it into your switch?

Yes you could. I've done it and it works fine. It's using a static IP and I manually entered the DNS.

I'm doing that now. Range is a little weak. Maybe a firmware update will help this? Spending another $30-40 on an antenna makes the deal a bit less hot.

 

[Jel2h]

I've heard this router is nothing but trouble, but the version of it minus the C at the end is not. Any truth to that?

 

[FP]

Bought two of these last week.

OfficeDepot gave me the run around when I tried to pick it up locally. They told me the price was wrong and it was "online" only. They also said I needed a printout of the coupon for them to scan. Finally they tried to tell me it was OOS at that store even though I could see them 10 feet away.

All bullsh!t. Luckily I had brought a printout of their website showing the deal. The manager went to the back for 25 minutes (no joke) while I stood there and they helped other people. He finally came out and ok'd the deal.

Not sure what I am going to do with them as I already have the WRT54G with the hacked firmware. I will prob. keep one in my laptop bag for travel and give the other one as a gift.

 

[probzy]

Good post OP!

 

[TheRealDeal]

free 3 day shipping. I scored 4.

 

[JatMan]

Got in PMed at OfficeMax

 

[NucEm]

(This post may be better in the Brag/Moan thread but its relevant to this thread.) For what its worth, 3 day shipping at least for me isn't the same as 3 day delivery. I ordered one online 5/10 with the 3 day shipping and I've yet to receive it (5/18). I think that it means 3 days to the shipper and then whatever to you. Working with the local OD I found that UPS has received shipper's billing information electronically. Billing information received does not indicate shipment pickup or drop-off. Please contact the shipper for more details. The 800 number for OD was less than helpful. I called it twice, once the evening of 5/15 and the evening of 5/16. All they did was apologize and promised I'd get the unit on the next day each time. OD has successfully charged my credit card 4 days after the initial order. This is the first time I opt'ed for the free 3 day shipping never again from OD. Its instore or overnight.

As stated above, I did do a price match purchase at OfficeMax as well with no issues.

 

[CZroe]

I just wonder how the hell people get price matches on things that are out of stock elsewhere. No matter how polite I am, that would never happen to me. They ALWAYS call at Best Buy, Circuit City and elsewhere.

 

[g8wayrebel]

Originally posted by: Jel2h
I've heard this router is nothing but trouble, but the version of it minus the C at the end is not. Any truth to that?

I am running a G and have no problems at all with distance or otherwise.
It does make 2.4 wireless calls noisy when uploading. I am us9ng SR , but I think it is the radio range not SR that is the issue.
It has a hack to turn up the power , restrict amount of bandwidth available to any of it's users individually , etc , but with some vulnerabilities.
It also has a Linksys update flash for the latest security software (this disables the linux hack previously mentioned).

 

[Jel2h]

You're talking about the WRT54G right? Because that's the one I heard was best for the Nintendo DS wifi capability.

 

[hottnucks]

Is this deal dead? When I go to OD's website and search 'WRT54GC' I get a price of $59.99.

 

[NucEm]

It may as well be dead. I ordered one on the 10th and after talking to several csr's it looks like OD canceled the order, no stock. Now if they will only credit back my card.

The price match at OM and BBY worked fine.