Warm: Best Buy notebook deal on HP ZE4210 - $749.99 (after rebates) ## Deal is Dead ##

[T2T III]

This deal is dead. The $150 mail-in rebate from Best Buy on all notebooks ended Saturday 1/12/2003. However, the $100 rebate from HP is still valid. However, keep your eyes open for various specials from Best Buy. BB will probably end up running another promotion in the future for the $150 rebate. The last time they ran this promotion was back in November '02. It looks like it pops up at a frequency of every few months. Finally, don't overlook the "open box" deals that you might find at the store. In my situation, I found a notebook that had only been opened at the store, so they had to sell it as an open box item. Plus, at the time I purchased, Best Buy had an additional 10% off the price of clearance and open boxed items. All total, I was able to get 20% off the price before the rebates. Best of luck!



Best Buy will have the following laptop on sale starting tomorrow: Sunday 1/5/2003:

- HP ZE4210
- 1.6 GHz Mobile Celeron Processor
- 14.1 TFT screen
- 20 GB hard drive
- DVD drive / CD reader
- 56K modem
- 10/100 built-in NIC

Regular price: $999.99
- $150.00 Best Buy mail-in rebate
- $100.00 HP Mail-in rebate
Net price: $749.99 + tax

[Edit #1]: This deal could get a little "hotter." Best Buy is currently sending out coupons for their 10% off sales weekend (January 10th - January 13th.) Some people have been receiving a coupon that's good for a $100 Best Buy gift card instantly when you purchase a notebook computer or a P4 desktop system. For more information on the coupon, check the thread here in the Hot Deals forum that has been started on the topic: Hot Deals Thread on 10% off Best Buy coupons. - or - visit the Chubby Wallet site where they have another thread started on the coupons that people have been receiving in the mail from Best Buy.

[Edit #2]: Here's a link to my receipt: ZE4210 "Open Box" Receipt @ Best Buy


And now for the "your mileage may vary" bonus:

Brag and moan section:

I purchased my Sunday paper a day early with the ads in it. After seeing the laptop deal, I thought I would head over to Best Buy to see the laptop. My local store didn't have the particular model out on display, but they had several in the locked cage. Within the locked cage, I spotted one where the seal on the box had been opened. I asked for the "open box" price and then pointed to the small sign above the laptops: Take an additional 10% off open box and clearance items. Expires: 1/5/2003. This extra 10% discount is in addition to the current marked down prices for open boxed items. The salesperson said "wow" and wrote me up an over-ride ticket for the notebook computer at $799.99. We then proceeded over to the service area so the laptop could be inspected. As it turned out, only the box had been opened. The actual notebook had not been removed from the package in any way. Also, the accessories box was still sealed with the original HP tape.

Tomorrow, I'll head back to the store to get a new receipt so I can qualify for the $100 & $150 rebates. End result: $549.99 after rebates and before taxes.

If anyone is slightly interested in this particular laptop, look through the locked cages at the store for open box specials. Since the additional 10% off open boxed items ends 1/5/2003, you might be able to get a bargain similar to mine.

Best of luck!!

 

[QPid]

Well I just came from bestbuy and came back with a compaq 730us 1ghz, 20gb, 14.1", dvd for $689 out the door

Since it was open boxed I can return it and get all my money back if i see a better deal, im really looking for a laptop with firewire and a combo drive for about this price after rebate

 

[Windogg]

Dumb question.

Can the 10% off coupon from mags like Maxim and Sport Illustrated be used?

Windogg

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: Windogg
Dumb question.

Can the 10% off coupon from mags like Maxim and Sport Illustrated be used?

Windogg

I believe the coupons only apply to computer "accessories."

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: QPid
Well I just came from bestbuy and came back with a compaq 730us 1ghz, 20gb, 14.1", dvd for $689 out the door

Since it was open boxed I can return it and get all my money back if i see a better deal, im really looking for a laptop with firewire and a combo drive for about this price after rebate

Did you get them to take the extra 10% off for "open boxed" items? This additional incentive expires on Sunday 1/5/2003. I think you might be searching long and hard to get a PC with the specs you want for under $700. Most of what you're looking for comes in the laptops at the higher end. Granted, these "higher end" laptops don't always have any more RAM and only slightly larger hard drives, but their prices hover around $1,500.

 

[QPid]

Originally posted by: wje

Originally posted by: QPid
Well I just came from bestbuy and came back with a compaq 730us 1ghz, 20gb, 14.1", dvd for $689 out the door

Since it was open boxed I can return it and get all my money back if i see a better deal, im really looking for a laptop with firewire and a combo drive for about this price after rebate

Did you get them to take the extra 10% off for "open boxed" items? This additional incentive expires on Sunday 1/5/2003. I think you might be searching long and hard to get a PC with the specs you want for under $700. Most of what you're looking for comes in the laptops at the higher end. Granted, these "higher end" laptops don't always have any more RAM and only slightly larger hard drives, but their prices hover around $1,500.

It was $750 then i reminded them about the 10% off, firewire i can "possibly" do without but I would really like the combo drive and there have been some deals on here recently for laptops hovering around $700 after rebate with a combo drive

 

[QPid]

btw are there any mail in rebates that effect all notebooks starting tomorrow?

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: QPid
btw are there any mail in rebates that effect all notebooks starting tomorrow?

In the Best Buy sales circular starting Sunday 1/5/2002, yes, page #17 clearly states: "Save $150 by mail, on all notebooks."

I guess you're heading back to get a new receipt tomorrow, right? I guess by getting another $150 back, you can overlook the firewire and CD/RW drive for the time being.

 

[QPid]

Originally posted by: wje

Originally posted by: QPid
btw are there any mail in rebates that effect all notebooks starting tomorrow?

In the Best Buy sales circular starting Sunday 1/5/2002, yes, page #17 clearly states: "Save $150 by mail, on all notebooks."

I guess you're heading back to get a new receipt tomorrow, right? I guess by getting another $150 back, you can overlook the firewire and CD/RW drive for the time being.

Exactly ;D

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: QPid

Originally posted by: wje

Originally posted by: QPid
btw are there any mail in rebates that effect all notebooks starting tomorrow?

In the Best Buy sales circular starting Sunday 1/5/2002, yes, page #17 clearly states: "Save $150 by mail, on all notebooks."

I guess you're heading back to get a new receipt tomorrow, right? I guess by getting another $150 back, you can overlook the firewire and CD/RW drive for the time being.

Exactly ;D

Are your USB ports of the 2.0 spec.? If so, $150.00 should buy a very nice external CD/RW drive.

 

[QPid]

no they're 1.1 but the $150 will buy me a cisco aironet 350 card and in the future perhaps a pcmcia solution for cdr

 

[DTBH]

can anyone confirm the 150 additional bestbuy rebate on laptops tom? I am looking to buy a laptop at BB soon.

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: DTBH
can anyone confirm the 150 additional bestbuy rebate on laptops tom? I am looking to buy a laptop at BB soon.

I can confirm it. I'm looking at the ad in the circular for the sale that starts on Sunday 1/5/2003. Clearly, it states "$150.00 mail-in rebate on all notebooks." This appears in big print on page # 17 of the circular.

Plus, you might want to head to 1 or 2 local Best Buy stores tomorrow looking for "open box" laptops. Through 1/5/2003, Best Buy is offering an additional 10% off "open box" and "clearance" merchandise. If you find the laptop you want tomorrow - and it's an open box laptop, the deal will be much sweeter for your. Additionally, if you find Compaq laptop or an HP laptop, there is an additional rebate for $100 depending on the model you pick:

Compaq Rebates

HP Rebates

 

[lopgok]

According to the HP website, the notebook does not use a mobile processor...

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: lopgok
According to the HP website, the notebook does not use a mobile processor...

Did you find the information on the page where HP mentioned that they use a 1.6 GHz Celeron processor? I can see that information, but there is no mention of using the "Mobile" celeron. However, it would seem kind of funny that someone like HP would be using non-Mobile processors for their products. I know this was a big issue a few years back where some "off brand" manufacturers were using non-mobile processors in their laptop.

[Edit]: I just looked at the side label of my box and found the following information:

Intel Mobile Celeron Processor 1.6 GHz

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: QPid
btw are there any mail in rebates that effect all notebooks starting tomorrow?

QPid,

Were you able to head back to the store today and get some new receipts? The guy in customer service was great to deal with in my situation. I only took my receipts into the store and told him up front what my intentions were. He completely understood and quickly got to work. He only needed the manager to come over one time and enter a code since the price of the item was cheaper due to the fact my item was an open box item. After 10 minutes, I was gloating and heading out the door. I did get a little worried when I re-read the details of the $150 rebate in the sales circular indicating the rebate didn't apply to open box or clearance notebooks. However, the only hurdle was getting the receipts re-issued and the rebate certificates. Now, I"m good to go. My daughter is completely happy because it will be primarily used by her.

We spent most of the day doing errands and finally got home a short while ago. Considering this HP laptop uses "shared" memory for the Rage Mobility chipset, the video performance is still quite good. The DVD performance is remarkable - which is to be expected from the ATI chipset.

Now, I just need to get the rebates in the mail so I can get some extra money back. This thing is awesome!

 

[shaxs]

crap! This is exactly the laptop I want but I want have my college grant money untill the 15th! Poop this suxs =(

Oh, btw, do Best Buy employee sales get access to reabtes? My buddy works there and was wondering if he could buy it for me and still use the rebates?

 

[bit]

where is the $100 rebate? The ZE4210 is not listed in this $100 HP rebate.

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: shaxs
crap! This is exactly the laptop I want but I want have my college grant money untill the 15th! Poop this suxs =(

Oh, btw, do Best Buy employee sales get access to reabtes? My buddy works there and was wondering if he could buy it for me and still use the rebates?

I doubt that Best Buy employess are exempted from rebates.

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: bit
where is the $100 rebate? The ZE4210 is not listed in this $100 HP rebate.

The additional $150 rebate prints out at the register when you make the purchase. Maybe, later in the week, it will appear at the Best Buy web site. However, here are the details:

HP $100 rebate:
- Requires the original UPC symbol.

Best Buy $150 rebate:
- Only requires a copy of the UPC symbol.

 

[QPid]

wje - I've had nothing but problems with best buy since i bought the laptop, i tried to return the service plan to a different best buy, and they (the cust serv guy, the computer sup, and the store manager) claimed that I got the laptop and service plan as part of a combo and that Id have to go back to where i bought it go return the service plan, i called their 1800 number: 18003695050 for cust service as I used to work at BB and knew there were full of it, however they agreed with the store, so then today i try to return it all and take my money elsewhere as I'd had enough of BB they wanted to charge me a 15% restocking fee, on and OPEN ITEM that was opened when I bought it!!! sigh....

unfortunately I had class before I could call the 1800 number again, now Im off to a diff bestbuy to return everything and there better not be trouble there



not about the laptop/rebate ques: if hte rebate is through best buy and an employee buys it with his discount he will not receive the rebate however he will receive the rebate through HP

 

[sellthekids]

Originally posted by: wje
Best Buy will have the following laptop on sale starting tomorrow: Sunday 1/5/2003:

- HP ZE4210
- 1.6 GHz Mobile Celeron Processor
- 14.1 TFT screen
- 20 GB hard drive
- DVD drive / CD reader
- 56K modem
- 10/100 built-in NIC

Regular price: $999.99
- $150.00 Best Buy mail-in rebate
- $100.00 HP Mail-in rebate
Net price: $749.99 + tax



And now for the "your mileage may vary" bonus:

[brag and moan mode on]

I purchased my Sunday paper a day early with the ads in it. After seeing the laptop deal, I thought I would head over to Best Buy to see the laptop. My local store didn't have the particular model out on display, but they had several in the locked cage. Within the locked cage, I spotted one where the seal on the box had been opened. I asked for the "open box" price and then pointed to the small sign above the laptops: Take an additional 10% off open box and clearance items. Expires: 1/5/2003. The salesperson said "wow" and wrote me up an over-ride ticket for the notebook computer at $799.99. We then proceeded over to the service area so the laptop could be inspected. As it turned out, only the box had been opened. The actual notebook had not been removed from the package in any way. Also, the accessories box was still sealed with the original HP tape.

Tomorrow, I'll head back to the store to get a new receipt so I can qualify for the $100 & $150 rebates. End result: $549.99 after rebates and before taxes.

If anyone is slightly interested in this particular laptop, look through the locked cages at the store for open box specials. Since the additional 10% off open boxed items ends 1/5/2003, you might be able to get a bargain similar to mine.

Best of luck!!

[/brag and moan mode off]

so i got this deal today, but i have some questions about your totals:

i got the same deal, including the 10% for the semi-opened box. the 10% off was from the $999.99, meaning they gave me a cool $100 off, prior to the rebates. you state you got the same, but then say your price pre-rebate was $799.99...you mean $899.00, right? otherwise, how'd you get that extra $100 off?

anyway, the deal works...walkout for me, post-rebate was $724.24 with tax (in TX).

the Best Buy i went to today had 3 units, so they are out there.

enjoy!

 

[T2T III]

so i got this deal today, but i have some questions about your totals:

i got the same deal, including the 10% for the semi-opened box. the 10% off was from the $999.99, meaning they gave me a cool $100 off, prior to the rebates. you state you got the same, but then say your price pre-rebate was $799.99...you mean $899.00, right? otherwise, how'd you get that extra $100 off?

anyway, the deal works...walkout for me, post-rebate was $724.24 with tax (in TX).

the Best Buy i went to today had 3 units, so they are out there.

enjoy!

No, not $899.00. I paid $799.99 before the rebates. Best Buy had an additional 10% off "open box" and "clearance" items that ended on Sunday 1/5/2003. They had small, professionally printed tags around the store proclaiming this promotion. There was actually one small tag above the laptops that I pointed out when I noticed the "open box" HP in the caged area. The salesperson wrote me up an over-ride ticket @ $799.99.

[Edit]: Here's a link to the scan of my receipt: ZE4210 Receipt

 

[dew042]

i would be careful folks: tonight at best buy we had three straight ze4210 with probelms out of the box.

make sure you get the free setup done so you know its okay before you go home

dew.

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: dew042
i would be careful folks: tonight at best buy we had three straight ze4210 with probelms out of the box.

make sure you get the free setup done so you know its okay before you go home

dew.

Could you elaborate on the issues? Hardware issues? Software issues?