Palm III for $144.95
Tony Campbell
Here's what I did*:
1. I printed MegaDepot.com's $199.95 offer:
http://www.megadepot.com/usa/purchasing/product/view.cfm?ProductID=140810
2. I looked up MegaDepot.com's contact number (206-583-8752) and wrote it on
the printed web page, just in case.
3. I printed STAPLES' "155% price guarantee" policy:
http://www.staples.com/st/about/155.asp
4. I found a local STAPLES with Palm III's in stock (they're running low
around here).
5. I picked up a Palm III, took it to the customer service desk, and gave
them my pitch.
STAPLES' price matching policy states that "If you find an identical item
with a lower price, now or within 30 days of your purchase we will match the
price and discount the item an additional 55% of the price difference (up to
$55.00)." STAPLES currently sells the Palm III for $299.96, so the
difference is $100.01. STAPLES is thus required by their own policy to sell
me a Palm III for $199.95 less the $55.00 maximum discount, or $144.95.
The manager on duty claimed he hadn't heard of the policy, so I showed it to
him. Then he claimed that it didn't apply to prices on the Web, so I showed
him that the policy included "Internet competitors" and that the listed
conditions did not limit the competitors to any local area. Then he said he
could match the price but couldn't offer the 55% discount, so I referred him
again to his company's policy. Then he said MegaDepot.com's Palm III might
not come with as much memory, so I told him all Palm III's come with 2MB, no
more, no less. Then he said the printout didn't prove that MegaDepot.com
actually had the Palm III in stock, so I suggested that he call the number
and check.
He didn't call.
My final cost, with sales tax, was $156.91. Not bad for 10 or 12 minutes'
work (2 on the Web, 8 or 10 haggling with the manager)!
*NOTE -- I'm not guaranteeing reproducible success here; your results may
vary. If you try, just let STAPLES know that you expect them to live up to
their published policy, then stick to your guns and hope for the best.
Travis W. Redfish
>Here's what I did*:
>
>around here).
>
>STAPLES' price matching policy states that "If you find an identical item
>with a lower price, now or within 30 days of your purchase we will match
the
>price and discount the item an additional 55% of the price difference (up
to
>$55.00)." STAPLES currently sells the Palm III for $299.96, so the
>difference is $100.01. STAPLES is thus required by their own policy to
sell
>me a Palm III for $199.95 less the $55.00 maximum discount, or $144.95.
While all of this is correct, Staples official policy is as follows:
The staples website, www.staples.com, and the staples direct order line,
1-800-3STAPLE, _will_ pricematch against websites.
The staples retail stores _will not_ pricematch against websites. They have
been explicitly told to price match only against storefront retailers in the
local area. No mail-order or internet houses. I have verified this both at
the store, and on the retail line.
>The manager on duty claimed he hadn't heard of the policy, so I showed it
to
>him. Then he claimed that it didn't apply to prices on the Web, so I
showed
>him that the policy included "Internet competitors" and that the listed
>conditions did not limit the competitors to any local area. Then he said
he
>could match the price but couldn't offer the 55% discount, so I referred
him
>again to his company's policy. Then he said MegaDepot.com's Palm III might
>not come with as much memory, so I told him all Palm III's come with 2MB,
no
>more, no less. Then he said the printout didn't prove that MegaDepot.com
>actually had the Palm III in stock, so I suggested that he call the number
>and check.
I congratulate you. You found someone in the store who doesn't know crap
about company policy. :)
Unfortunately, you can't do this if the store manager is competent. Another
thing you will not get with a competent manager is the pricematch against
MegaDepot.com. Megadepot.com reserves the right to limit quantities on
orders, and thus staples refuses to price-match against them. One of their
little fine print provisos. :) The best price I've currently found that
Staples _will_ price-match against is the one offered at buy.com.
Regardless, if you can't pull this off at a local retail store, there is no
major disadvantage of ordering direct from the website or 800 number. I got
my Palm III, direct at my door, at 3:00 on the day after I ordered. Pretty
Spiffy.
>My final cost, with sales tax, was $156.91. Not bad for 10 or 12 minutes'
>work (2 on the Web, 8 or 10 haggling with the manager)!
>
>*NOTE -- I'm not guaranteeing reproducible success here; your results may
>vary. If you try, just let STAPLES know that you expect them to live up to
>their published policy, then stick to your guns and hope for the best.
Results are reproducable on the website, for certain. :)
Cheers,
Travis W. Redfish
twredfish at usa dot net
Marcus Hall
} >I finally upgraded to a Palm III tonight; I got it for $144.95 at STAPLES.
} >
} >STAPLES' price matching policy states that "If you find an identical item
} >with a lower price, now or within 30 days of your purchase we will match
} the
} >price and discount the item an additional 55% of the price difference (up
} to
} >$55.00)." STAPLES currently sells the Palm III for $299.96, so the
} >difference is $100.01. STAPLES is thus required by their own policy to
} sell
} >me a Palm III for $199.95 less the $55.00 maximum discount, or $144.95.
}
}
} While all of this is correct, Staples official policy is as follows:
}
} The staples website, www.staples.com, and the staples direct order line,
} 1-800-3STAPLE, _will_ pricematch against websites.
} The staples retail stores _will not_ pricematch against websites. They have
} been explicitly told to price match only against storefront retailers in the
} local area. No mail-order or internet houses. I have verified this both at
} the store, and on the retail line.
} Unfortunately, you can't do this if the store manager is competent. Another
} thing you will not get with a competent manager is the pricematch against
} MegaDepot.com. Megadepot.com reserves the right to limit quantities on
} orders, and thus staples refuses to price-match against them. One of their
} little fine print provisos. :) The best price I've currently found that
} Staples _will_ price-match against is the one offered at buy.com.
I also found that staples will not price match (ordered via their web site)
against Megadepot.com because of the limited quantites provision. Bummer.
They did match against WSYWIG though, which was a few dollars lower than
buy.com's price ($215 + $12 shipping v.s. $218.95 + $10.02 shipping). Not
much difference, but every dollar of difference is $1.55 off.
--
marcus hall
Phillip Ushijima
:( and was really hating having to shell out $250, but saving a hundred
bucks makes me feel a little better.
Tony Campbell wrote in message <36c9...@news1.us.ibm.net>...
>I finally upgraded to a Palm III tonight; I got it for $144.95 at STAPLES.
>Here's what I did*:
>
>1. I printed MegaDepot.com's $199.95 offer:
>http://www.megadepot.com/usa/purchasing/product/view.cfm?ProductID=140810
>2. I looked up MegaDepot.com's contact number (206-583-8752) and wrote it
on
>the printed web page, just in case.
>3. I printed STAPLES' "155% price guarantee" policy:
>http://www.staples.com/st/about/155.asp
>4. I found a local STAPLES with Palm III's in stock (they're running low
>around here).
>5. I picked up a Palm III, took it to the customer service desk, and gave
>them my pitch.
>
>STAPLES' price matching policy states that "If you find an identical item
>with a lower price, now or within 30 days of your purchase we will match
the
>price and discount the item an additional 55% of the price difference (up
to
>$55.00)." STAPLES currently sells the Palm III for $299.96, so the
>difference is $100.01. STAPLES is thus required by their own policy to
sell
>me a Palm III for $199.95 less the $55.00 maximum discount, or $144.95.
>
>The manager on duty claimed he hadn't heard of the policy, so I showed it
to
>him. Then he claimed that it didn't apply to prices on the Web, so I
showed
>him that the policy included "Internet competitors" and that the listed
>conditions did not limit the competitors to any local area. Then he said
he
>could match the price but couldn't offer the 55% discount, so I referred
him
>again to his company's policy. Then he said MegaDepot.com's Palm III might
>not come with as much memory, so I told him all Palm III's come with 2MB,
no
>more, no less. Then he said the printout didn't prove that MegaDepot.com
>actually had the Palm III in stock, so I suggested that he call the number
>and check.
>
>He didn't call.
eMDnetwork
I ordered a PalmIII from Staple's web site and they honored the 155%
policy against MegaDepot.com. I faxed them a copy of MegaDepot's web page,
and they matched it plus 55% of the difference. My final
cost...$154.01...and it will arrive tomorrow via UPS.
James Ratcliff
but with the Microsoft cordless phone
saved 50.00
Now I have a new way to shop!!
Thanks
eMDnetwork <ser...@emdnetwork.com> wrote in message
news:7acbht$5akg$1...@newssvr03-int.news.prodigy.com...
Yves Petit
wrote:
> I finally upgraded to a Palm III tonight; I got it for $144.95 at STAPLES.
And you know what's most frustrating: a Palm III costs in Europe just below
$400, and most US online shops who advertise these nice prices don't ship to
Europe.
It's time for me to go shopping for a US address !!! :-)
Yves
Bob
plus about 10 minutes of paperwork. No wonder they dont want to!
I like UPS because the shipment can be tracked via the UPS website.
Bob
----------------------------------------------------------
Remove SPAMBEGONE before replying
Job opennings at Mercury Computer Systems for Engineering,
Marketing, Administrative, and Sales can be found on my
homepage http://www.ae1m.com/bob
Bob
b...@ae1m.com
----------------------------------------------------------
Jim McCarthy
jim
the palmguru - http://www.bigfoot.com/~palmguru
Dave Bronstein
Tony Campbell wrote:
>
> I finally upgraded to a Palm III tonight; I got it for $144.95 at STAPLES.
Kevin C. Dorff
that they did NOT price against Megadepot because it is not a
regularily stocked item at Megadepot. They will price match against
Buycom.com, though.
On Tue, 16 Feb 1999 09:51:09 -0600, "Travis W. Redfish"
<lo...@the.message> wrote:
>>I finally upgraded to a Palm III tonight; I got it for $144.95 at STAPLES.
>>Here's what I did*:
>>
>>4. I found a local STAPLES with Palm III's in stock (they're running low
>>around here).
>
>>
>>STAPLES' price matching policy states that "If you find an identical item
>>with a lower price, now or within 30 days of your purchase we will match
>the
>>price and discount the item an additional 55% of the price difference (up
>to
>>$55.00)." STAPLES currently sells the Palm III for $299.96, so the
>>difference is $100.01. STAPLES is thus required by their own policy to
>sell
>>me a Palm III for $199.95 less the $55.00 maximum discount, or $144.95.
>
>
>While all of this is correct, Staples official policy is as follows:
>
>The staples website, www.staples.com, and the staples direct order line,
>1-800-3STAPLE, _will_ pricematch against websites.
>The staples retail stores _will not_ pricematch against websites. They have
>been explicitly told to price match only against storefront retailers in the
>local area. No mail-order or internet houses. I have verified this both at
>the store, and on the retail line.
>
>>The manager on duty claimed he hadn't heard of the policy, so I showed it
>to
>>him. Then he claimed that it didn't apply to prices on the Web, so I
>showed
>>him that the policy included "Internet competitors" and that the listed
>>conditions did not limit the competitors to any local area. Then he said
>he
>>could match the price but couldn't offer the 55% discount, so I referred
>him
>>again to his company's policy. Then he said MegaDepot.com's Palm III might
>>not come with as much memory, so I told him all Palm III's come with 2MB,
>no
>>more, no less. Then he said the printout didn't prove that MegaDepot.com
>>actually had the Palm III in stock, so I suggested that he call the number
>>and check.
>
>
>I congratulate you. You found someone in the store who doesn't know crap
>about company policy. :)
>
>Unfortunately, you can't do this if the store manager is competent. Another
>thing you will not get with a competent manager is the pricematch against
>MegaDepot.com. Megadepot.com reserves the right to limit quantities on
>orders, and thus staples refuses to price-match against them. One of their
>little fine print provisos. :) The best price I've currently found that
>Staples _will_ price-match against is the one offered at buy.com.
>
>Regardless, if you can't pull this off at a local retail store, there is no
>major disadvantage of ordering direct from the website or 800 number. I got
>my Palm III, direct at my door, at 3:00 on the day after I ordered. Pretty
>Spiffy.
>
>>My final cost, with sales tax, was $156.91. Not bad for 10 or 12 minutes'
>>work (2 on the Web, 8 or 10 haggling with the manager)!
>>
>>*NOTE -- I'm not guaranteeing reproducible success here; your results may
>>vary. If you try, just let STAPLES know that you expect them to live up to
>>their published policy, then stick to your guns and hope for the best.
>
>
Brian M. Wittling
MegaDepot price! Because, they said MegaDepot does not have them in stock
(they ship directly from the manufacturer), and it also is a limited
quantity item.
I still ended up getting my Palm III for 185 though, since they honored
Computers4Sure price.
-Brian
no1
I went to the local Staples here and they gave it to me for $156.91 inc.
tax after a $155 price guarantee deduction.
Thanx for the tip.....
-------------------
blac...@yahoo.com
-Remove * to reply-
-------------------
Russell Nelson
> I also found that staples will not price match (ordered via their web site)
> against Megadepot.com because of the limited quantites provision.
Well, but Staples also has a limited quantites provision. Their point
is that Megadepot actually invokes a limit, whereas Staples only
reserves the right.
> They did match against WSYWIG though, which was a few dollars lower than
> buy.com's price ($215 + $12 shipping v.s. $218.95 + $10.02 shipping). Not
> much difference, but every dollar of difference is $1.55 off.
What's WSYWIG?
--
-russ nelson <rn-...@crynwr.com> http://crynwr.com/~nelson
Crynwr supports Open Source(tm) Software| PGPok | There is good evidence
521 Pleasant Valley Rd. | +1 315 268 1925 voice | that freedom is the
Potsdam, NY 13676-3213 | +1 315 268 9201 FAX | cause of world peace.
Vic Jawharjian
your message and got mine in person for $155!
Thanks,
Vic
Ann
>What's WSYWIG?
What You See Is What You Get.
--
Ann
ann...@thecia.net
Erols News Groups
I had purchased my P3 On Tuesday of this week. On Wednesday evening
with print ut in hand, I went to my local staples store and spoke with
the manager who unwillingly agreed with me that the policy does include
internet stores and he compansated me 155.00 off the original 299.00 I
spent.
Neting me at 144.00.......
The Staples policy although under changes, does clearly not limit the 155%
garantee to retail locations, and having the legal background that I do, It
is clear that they would be obligated to honor megadepot or any other
internet store.
Great posting Tony.... Thanks again for the 155.00 bucks.
Ra Heffernan
R...@DTIWireless.Com
Evan Ruff
Evan
Erols News Groups wrote in message <7ahhae$stf$1...@winter.news.rcn.net>...
FoleyHigh
was a steal, can't wait to head to Staples for nearly half off the palm III.
Gawd I love Message Boards...
Kevin C. Dorff wrote in message <36caedf6...@news.ko.kcp.com>...
Homer
deal. I simply called the internet order line and told the person that
I saw the 199.95 price on Mega-whatever's page, which I did. Initally
they wanted to give me the $55 in store credit but we don't have Staples
in St. Louis so they applied it to my purchase. This is truely a good
deal. Enjoy, and thanks to the original poster.
Don
how everyone is getting them. I called the website catalog order store
because I do not have any Staples in Tx.
Thanks
R.
Tony Campbell
of you.
__________________________________________________
I finally upgraded to a Palm III tonight; I got it for $144.95 at STAPLES.
Here's what I did*:
1. I printed MegaDepot.com's $199.95 offer:
http://www.megadepot.com/usa/purchasing/product/view.cfm?ProductID=140810
2. I looked up MegaDepot.com's contact number (206-583-8752) and wrote it on
the printed web page, just in case.
3. I printed STAPLES' "155% price guarantee" policy:
http://www.staples.com/st/about/155.asp
4. I found a local STAPLES with Palm III's in stock (they're running low
around here).
5. I picked up a Palm III, took it to the customer service desk, and gave
them my pitch.
STAPLES' price matching policy states that "If you find an identical item
with a lower price, now or within 30 days of your purchase we will match the
price and discount the item an additional 55% of the price difference (up to
$55.00)." STAPLES currently sells the Palm III for $299.96, so the
difference is $100.01. STAPLES is thus required by their own policy to sell
me a Palm III for $199.95 less the $55.00 maximum discount, or $144.95.
The manager on duty claimed he hadn't heard of the policy, so I showed it to
him. Then he claimed that it didn't apply to prices on the Web, so I showed
him that the policy included "Internet competitors" and that the listed
conditions did not limit the competitors to any local area. Then he said he
could match the price but couldn't offer the 55% discount, so I referred him
again to his company's policy. Then he said MegaDepot.com's Palm III might
not come with as much memory, so I told him all Palm III's come with 2MB, no
more, no less. Then he said the printout didn't prove that MegaDepot.com
actually had the Palm III in stock, so I suggested that he call the number
and check.
He didn't call.
My final cost, with sales tax, was $156.91. Not bad for 10 or 12 minutes'
work (2 on the Web, 8 or 10 haggling with the manager)!
*NOTE -- I'm not guaranteeing reproducible success here; your results may
vary. If you try, just let STAPLES know that you expect them to live up to
their published policy, then stick to your guns and hope for the best.
__________________________________________________
I've just doublechecked the links; they're still current, and MegaDepot's is
still the lowest price as far as I know. Of course, always try to get a
price match on the lowest price you can find. Good luck!
Tony Campbell
ony...@onyctay.omcay
Excuse the poor anti-spam encryption.
Dr. Moze
<ony...@onyctay.omcay> wrote:
> Here's another copy of my 2/16 post. I'm glad it's been helpful to so many
> of you.
[clip]
I did just as you suggest. The local Staples has a bunch in stock. However,
their in-store 155% policy says they only price-match against local
retailers, not mail order or web-based companies. They even had a standup
sign that said that on it.
Any suggestion on what to try next? I showed them the price match policy
printout from their website, and they had their own in-store policy printed
on signs. $^(
--
Dr. Moze <drm...@pressroom.com>
Russell Nelson
> Russell Nelson <nel...@crynwr.com> expounded:
>
> >What's WSYWIG?
>
> What You See Is What You Get.
No, that's WYSIWYG. WSYWIG is apparently some place where you can buy
a Palm III.
Ken C.
the MegaDepot due to the 'limit quantities' of the MegaDepot ad. what
bullsh*t....
--
Ken C.
Don wrote in message <36CD3331...@mail.utexas.edu>...
igu...@mediaone.net
but don't ask where the other $5.09 came from. I didn't want to make any
more waves. Check out the match price policy at www.officemax.com. Good
luck
In article <drmoze-ya02408000...@news.pressroom.com>,
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
Wanton
I Just returned from my local Staples. After reading some of the posts, I
was skeptical at best. No more,
With my $144.95 Palm III in hand I am set to go. HIP HIP HOORAY for Tony!!!
Al
Tony Campbell wrote in message <36cde...@news.isdn.net>...
>Here's another copy of my 2/16 post. I'm glad it's been helpful to so many
>of you.
Yossarian
discount because they stated that the Megastore was a limited number,
one per customer. I told them that this shouldn't make a difference
but they still refused.
Marcus Hall
} > >What's WSYWIG?
} >
} > What You See Is What You Get.
}
} No, that's WYSIWYG. WSYWIG is apparently some place where you can buy
} a Palm III.
WYSIWYG, actually, is how it is spelt (I mis-typed it aparently before).
Their site can be found at: http://www.miamimeg.com/
--
marcus hall
RB
it easier.
cli...@asu.edu
a friend...
cost: $100
should i get it?
is this palm mumbo jumbo really all that everyone says it is?
**** Posted from RemarQ - http://www.remarq.com - Discussions Start Here (tm) ****
Per Henrik Oja
> is this palm mumbo jumbo really all that everyone says it is?
What task have you in mind for the palm?
Steven G. Tyler
> i have the opportunity to get a slightly used palm 3 from
> a friend...
>
> cost: $100
>
> should i get it?
If it's in good condition, with books, CD-ROM, etc., I'd say yes! Best
straight-up price new is about $200, or (as the title says) about $145 -
$165 with a price match (if you can get it), so $100 used is about
right.
> is this palm mumbo jumbo really all that everyone says it is?
Yes, definitely -- if by 'palm mumbo jumbo' you mean a well-designed,
easy to use, very functional straight out of the box connected organizer
that can be extended far beyond its design spec's with enough 3rd party
app's and accessories to sink an aircraft carrier! Was that what you had
in mind? ;-)
--
Steve on Cattail Creek (Steven G. Tyler, Esq.) <sgt...@erols.com>
The Computer Counselor -- Technology Consulting for the Law Office
Advancement Chair and Webmaster, Troop 339, BAC, BSA
(http://members.aol.com/troop339)
Steven G. Tyler
Adrian Mast
advanced windows CE palm Nino (philips) 4mb for it if you are interested (i need to
have the same palm that my work collegues have).
let me know,
adrian
cli...@asu.edu wrote:
> i have the opportunity to get a slightly used palm 3 from
> a friend...
>
> cost: $100
>
> should i get it?
>
> is this palm mumbo jumbo really all that everyone says it is?
>