archenemy blog

I needed to buy a laptop. I ordered a great HP business model from one web retailer. I wanted to buy an HP to reward them for creating my last notebook- an Omnibook 6000, which has lasted for 6 years without one problem (er- well no problem I did not cause with my stupidity) and was built like a tank. Its still going strong, but its 12gb hard drive and 700 mhz Pentium III are getting a bit long in the tooth. This retailer had the lowest price listed on pricegrabber- it was $200 less than what others were charging. So the order went in. Because I have things shipped to work rather than home for security reasons, they called to confirm the address, and I set it up as a shipping address with my credit card company. Talked to customer support, everything was fine- it would get processed that day. There were 719 listed in stock. 2 days pass- and I notice the price of the laptop went up $200- now a good price, but not a great one. One day passes- I get an email infoming me that the price for the notebook went up $200, and now to get it I have to pay that price. Telephone call to retailer occurs, I call “Bullsh*t,” they refuse to budge. Phone call ends with a eloquent rant on my part including such words as “Kiss” , “My” and “Ass”, as well as less colorfull language such as “Attorney Generals Office” and “Consumer Affairs”. Order is cancelled.

I see another laptop at another retailer site (not HP- boo hoo) which usually sells for $1,350 now selling for $999 on Special. I order it, with the offer expiring the next day. The next day I am notified that the item is on backorder. I call to see when its going to get sent out and the conversation went something like this:
“Hi- I was just notified my laptops on backorder- do you know when a new shipment will come in?”
“Yes Mr. JMD, we just received a shipment of those laptops this morning, and we’re shipping out your laptop right now. We’re sorry you had to wait, so we’ll ship to to you next day for no extra charge. Is there anthing else I can do for you?”

Bottom line-
I saved $500 (the HP was a lot more expensive), I know one more place which will never get any of my business, and I know another place where I would be happy to spend more of my money.