VPR Matrix Laptop for cheap if available in your area

[WuttheChris]

Originally posted by: pinky811
wow, super hot deal. how do you ask for open-item pricing if they are not openeed though?

The reason these laptops are going for so cheap and the displays are being sold is because they are clearance. We are getting in a new line soon, so get em while they last.

 

[cmf21]

Utah's sold out.

 

[kinkyboy702]

The pricing I posted was for new ones. If you happen to only find the display (no box) or open-item (most likely a return) then you'll get at least an additional 10% off. Apparently the price either just went down again, or it just varies by location.

 

[BentValve]

170B4 - $711.99 (saw 3 or 4 in the cage)

Thanks for the hot deal...
I picked was at BB about to pick up the Toshiba that is $750 AR and I saw a single 170B4 sitting in the cage, it was an opened boxed one but it was not priced, he took it out and it rang up at $711.99 , the manager would not come down any lower so I picked it up anyways and am typing from it now. So far so good. I will run some benches on it and post my results.

 

[alaskadan]

Yep. Got me a 170B4 today, too. Couldn't find it at first, but then they found it in the back. It was opened, but didn't appear to have been an actual display model. Still had the peel-off plastic cover on the top of the case.

It rang up at $711, and the salesguy whittled it down to $599.99 for me. I added the 3-year warranty for an additional $100 and ended up paying $729 - $100 Gift Card I had from Xmas. Not a bad deal. Made my coworkers jealous, of course.

Comes with XP Home installed.

dan

 

[CStrikeADDICT]

Have you ever watched the road runner cartoons? You know, where wiley scarms so fast he leaves an outline of his body in the door?

That was me seeing this deal.

I got the 180B5, which was the last one and a return, for 799.99 (sales guy got me that b/c he wanted me to get the warranty, else it would've been $850) + 3 years of service for $200. I'm going to see if I can buy it online, select instore pickup, and do it that way for the $200 online rebate.

That way, its $800 + $200 - $200.

Great deal!

BTW, I'm never a big fan of warranties, but they said the battery's covered, and the batter looks tres expensive. It has a button that shows how much is left, and when it can't take a charge anymore(~1year), they'll give you a new one.

hurray!

 

[jodhas]

I scored too.

Atwater Village Best Buy (The one next to the Glendale/LA Costco)

Same deal.

799.99 (open box discount)
199.99 (warranty)
66.00 (tax)
--------------------------------------
1065.98

It's a nice nice nice laptop. Sort of looks like the Apple ones.
It has the Wireless Adapter(Orinco Mini PCI) built in.
30GB is sort of weak, but other than that This laptop rocks!!!

There are 2 in stock at Pasadena Store. So Good luck!!!

 

[jodhas]

Originally posted by: Coolio27

Are there reviews around somewhere?

There was a review of this Laptop in Maximum PC maybe 2-3 issues or so ago. They gave it a decent rating....and they are pretty sleek too...

I don't think they had Pentium Mobile IV 1.8GHZ around then....

so what review are you talking about?

 

[chrisjor]

So everyone thinks an additional warranty is a good idea? I got mine on an Amex Optima Platinum...I am wondering if the additional warranty from the card would be good enough?

 

[lundog22]

I charged mine on Amex too, but they don't cover screen and battery. It is only an extension of the basic warranty...

 

[BobSnob]

The question I have is this: when the battery dies in a year's time where will you get a new one?

 

[kinkyboy702]

The Service Plan that Best Buy offers for $199 will cover all battery replacements for the next 3 years

 

[OGHowie]

Definetely get the warranty. I purchased a Sony VAIO laptop over a year and a half ago and the battery has died 2x. One replacement battery is around $200 and laptops just break down alot more often than desktops.

 

[vortix]

Just got one (as long as there's one left in the store in the morning):

Order Number: xxxxxxx
Order Date: Feb 5, 2003
Credit Card Used: ****************

In-store Pick-up Items:
Item Description Type Qty Web Price Total Status
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
vpr Matrix? Notebook with --- 1 $948.99 $948.99 Awaiting pickup at
Elyria, OH store
** Web Price was $1399.99

Item Subtotal: $948.99
Tax: $54.57
Shipping & Handling: $0.00
------------------------------
Order Total: $1003.56


Plus, there's the $200 rebate, so if this goes through I'll get it for $800

 

[BobSnob]

How did you swing the $948 price online? Shows up as $1328.99 for me, even if I choose in-store pick-up.

Question: I happen to know my local store has only one display model left. What's the chances of agreeing a price of $800 in the store and then ordering it online so that I can get the $200 rebate. Has anyone done anthing like that before with BB?

 

[may]

Originally posted by: BobSnob
How did you swing the $948 price online? Shows up as $1328.99 for me, even if I choose in-store pick-up.

Question: I happen to know my local store has only one display model left. What's the chances of agreeing a price of $800 in the store and then ordering it online so that I can get the $200 rebate. Has anyone done anthing like that before with BB?

the problem is bestbuy will pass your online order to local store automatically, and the manager probably can't simply override the online price. If he has to, he'll probably cancel the online order and ring up the laptop for you.. so you'll lose the online rebate...

Anyone work in BB can confirm this?

BTW, st. louis is all out.

 

[lundog22]

may, that is exactly what happen to me.

Only thing I can do is put a note on my rebate form explaning what happened and crossed my fingers....

 

[BobSnob]

But if I order online for instore pickup, why doesn't is show the price as $948? What am I missing here?

 

[may]

Originally posted by: BobSnob
But if I order online for instore pickup, why doesn't is show the price as $948? What am I missing here?

the price will be updated in your confirmation email..

 

[BobSnob]

Originally posted by: maythe price will be updated in your confirmation email..

Thanks. One more question... ... I know they have only one display model left. What's the chance that I'll be told to wait for the delivery of a new one? I really want to get a discount on the display or cancel the order. :Q

 

[digital3300]

thanks to you people i managed to get in for one at $950 - $200 rebate + $55 tax. no confirmation for pickup yet.

i am pretty sure that the order will end as getting cancelled by store. why? because that has happened 6 out of 7 orders i have placed at beastbuy in last 2 yrs :disgust:

basically if the store feels it can sell the laptop on its own then it wil cancel the online order inspite of being in stock... they earn more by selling in B&M... like there won't be this $200 in-store.

 

[jodhas]

I did some research,
Samsung owns the "Sambo Computer" and "Sambo Computer" is known as the"Trigem" outside of Korea.
And if you translate the word "Samsung" (it's a korean word) it means "3 stars" or "3 planets" it depends on how you interpret it.
So I guess the word "Trigem" sort of does mean "Samsung"
Now, all vprMatrix computers are made in Korea.
RAM, Modem, Combo Drive, Firewire Controller for this laptop are manufactured by Samsung.
Trigem is famous for being a OEM computer systems Manufacturer.

Now...Following is ripped from the vprMatrix Site

vpr Matrix is a wholly owned subsidiary of Best Buy Co., Inc. The brand was created in 2001 using direct feedback from computer product specialists in Best Buy retail stores.

vpr Matrix enjoys all the advantages that come with being part of a $20 billion retailer, yet it has the flexibility to operate with the freedom of a small business. By shortening the supply chain and ordering smaller production runs, vpr Matrix can bring new technology to consumers quickly.

Best Buy will not invest and probably does not have the resources to start up a computer manufacturing company. We already have Dell, Gateway, IBM, HP in United States.

Best Buy probably struck a deal with Samsung to brand the Trigem computers as vprMatrix and sell it as a Best Buy Flagship.

That is why Best Buy is able to offer all these riculously big mail in rebates for these vprMatrix branded products. (LCD's, Laptops, Desktops).

My reasoning explains why the vprMatrix LCD is so similar to the Samsung LCD discussed in This Thread.

Today when I waltzed in to the two Bestbuy Stores in Glendale and Burbank, their Multimedia Center had about 10~15 Samsung LCD Screens all lined up.
I've never seen that anywhere except the Samsung FAB (SAS) in Austin Texas.

Well, anyhow...
Now that Samsung knows that their products are a big hit here in US, they are beginning to sell notebook computers in US as well. (the T and Q models). Samsung will probably put an end to all this OEM crap and start taking over with their brand.

I don't know how long this vprMatrix brand is gonna last but I"m happy with my laptop and I also bought the 3year warranty so within 3 years, if this laptop and or the company tanks, I'll be getting my money back.

I'm a happy camper.

 

[dew042]

Originally posted by: digital3300


basically if the store feels it can sell the laptop on its own then it wil cancel the online order inspite of being in stock... they earn more by selling in B&M... like there won't be this $200 in-store.

that's just not true. best buy stores don't have time to turn away assured revenue. that's just ridiculous. profit on one laptop is smaller than you might expect and your assertation that there are a bunch of csr's sitting there scheming to cancel orders is laughable. furthermore rebates are fulfilled by a 3rd party fulfillment co and it does not affect the individual store's revenue. and even furthermore best buy stores are encouraged to fill .com orders.

i can tell you for sure that my best buy store has not had either of these models for about 3 weeks - which would make filling an order rather difficult. right now vpr is in between product lines. we just got new emachines and sonys too. its product cycle turn right now.

but what do i know.... the guy with one post is an expert....

dew.

 

[digital3300]

Originally posted by: dew042

Originally posted by: digital3300


basically if the store feels it can sell the laptop on its own then it wil cancel the online order inspite of being in stock... they earn more by selling in B&M... like there won't be this $200 in-store.

that's just not true. best buy stores don't have time to turn away assured revenue. that's just ridiculous. profit on one laptop is smaller than you might expect and your assertation that there are a bunch of csr's sitting there scheming to cancel orders is laughable. furthermore rebates are fulfilled by a 3rd party fulfillment co and it does not affect the individual store's revenue. and even furthermore best buy stores are encouraged to fill .com orders.

i can tell you for sure that my best buy store has not had either of these models for about 3 weeks - which would make filling an order rather difficult. right now vpr is in between product lines. we just got new emachines and sonys too. its product cycle turn right now.

but what do i know.... the guy with one post is an expert....

dew.

the last 2 were for toshiba's during dec rebates madness at BB. i called selected in store pickup and waited for confirmation. email said not available in store. called the store and they did have 3 peices in stock for S173. i asked the rep why my pick up was cancelled and he gave me the reason that they prefer in store rather on .com orders. now i don't know why rep would lie on phone to me? i see no other reason to explain my numerous cancelled orders. (all i got was a $25GC for my cancelled orders & many others on FW had similar things)

from the short experience i have had at BB instore & online, i am of the opinion they would do anything to make an extra dime.

 

[BentValve]

well each Best Buy might do things differently, I got an open boxed unit and the box was tore up, most of the packaging material was missing and yet they would not sell it to me as an open boxed item, they just rang it up like it was new and then they wrote in tiny lettering "open box" on the reciept, normally they do a hand receipt for open boxed stuff.
They did this because they knew what they had, there are no laptops even remotely close to $711 without rebates.
But now here is my dillema, my laptop works fine however VPR Matrix told me that I do not get the 1 year warranty on the unit since it was an open boxed item. I am not going to pay $250 for a 3 year warranty.

I spoke to the manager about this and he was a jerk, he said "I don't blame them for not warrantying an open boxed item" He said if I dont want it then return it for a refund.
God I hate BB I dont know why I keep going there, this manager is the biggest jerk and I wish BB would replace him with someone else.