Hi fellow Ipaqers (is that a word?)
I just have some very important news regarding the purchase of the HX4700 or 4705 whatever you want to call it.
I originally ordered my HX from ecost.com for 599 + overnight shipping + their infamous handling charge. It all equaled 614.99. The sales guy (Rome) stated that it would be in 8-18. That is 8 days before IPAQs website says.
Now, I was just playing around and went to cdw.com. There, they are selling the IPAQ HX4700 (not listed as 4705, but listed as 4700) for 669.02. I called them at 8007504239 and was connected with Hector. I thought wow another weird name recalling the name of the ecost person. Anyway, Hector said that he could price match Ecost.com down to 620.00. When you add overnight shipping, the final total was 638.00. 24 dollars more than ecost. However, Hector did say that he is showing an availabilty of 8-8. That is 18 days before IPAQ.com.
Now Hector told me something very important: IPAQ will not provide a 1 year warranty, nor can you upgrade the warranty via IPAQ (IFFFFFFFFF) you do not buy the IPAQ from an authorized reseller. Hector said the CDW.com is an authorized reseller and that I need to see if ecost.com is likewise.
So I decided to place the CDW order on hold, took down Hector's extention, and called HPshopping.com to verify this news. The HPshopp guy (did not catch his name, but if I did it would probably be something like Chase) said that it is true, they will not provide a warranty or any warranty upgrade options on products purchased from non-authorized retailers. I asked Mr. HP, well how do I verify CDW or Ecost? He said go to our verify retailer website and type in the zip code of the online store. If they do not show up on the list, then they are not authorized to sell HP products and HP cannot provide warranties for those products.
That website for HP's checking is:
http://hp.via.infonow.net/usconsumer/index.jsp.
The zip code for CDW is 60061, and sure enough, there they are listed
.
The zip code for Ecost.com is 90504, and guess what, they are not listed
.
I then called Rome back from Ecost and xnayed my order faster than you can say IPAQ. I told Rome that I was cancelling because HP does not consider then an authorized seller and cannot therefore honor a manufacturer warranty. And guess what??? Rome did not contest it, nor deny it, he simply was very pleasant and cancelled my order. That to me must prove it then. ECOST is not authorized to sell HP.
I then called back Hector from CDW. I ordered my HX4700(5) for 638.00 which includes overnight shipping.
Hector is double-checking the 8-8-04 day with his purchaser and will call me. I don't care if that day is inaccurate for CDW is the only authorized HP seller taking pre-orders.
I told Hector that I had many friends (are you guys my friends?
) who were very interested in this machine and would like the same deal he gave me. He said sure, call 800-255-6227, push 1, then enter Hector's extension 30421. He will sell you the HX4700 for 620.00 US Dollars. After that, shipping is your choice.
Last thing, on that ship date 8-8-04. HPshop guy asked his manager and sincerely doubts that CDW would have it before HP releases it on 8-26. Nevertheless, it feels good to have dibbs on this awesome (hopefully) product.
In defense of CDW's 8-8 date, in my Sony clie NX80v days, Circuit City got them before Sony's website last summer. So I know it is possible, may not be probable that CDW will have it 8-8.
It's that time of year again. I need a new holiday avatar... Is there anyone up to the challenge?
