A good friend of mine has recently set himself up building PC's. So far he seems to be making a reasonable success of it. He's told me that he's branching out by selling laptops as well. He sources them from a supplier in Canada and specifies Windows XP Home and UK keyboards. In order to gain permanent status as a UK agent he has been given a minimum order deal. So he has to take more units than he has customers for. Therefore he's offered me the chance to buy one or more at what he says are very competative prices, just so he can shift the required amount each month and retain his agent status. I've been told that I can offer these laptops to friends for the same prices.
So seems like a good deal. Each unit comes with an 'International Manufacturers Guarantee', a full copy of XP Home (including disc), a receipt from my friends company and all the serial numbers and registration details. The whole thing appears totally legit.
So two questions. One 'does' it in fact seem legit and two are the prices as keen as claimed?
The model numbers are US so a Google doesn't turn up much in the way of UK based comparisons. However I've found what is more or less the UK equivalent and the prices look very good. In fact the price for the two big 17" screen 3 gig+ laptops seems a bit "TOO" cheap. This isn't a tout for business but a request for any opinions about the whole deal. the company web site is at www.norfolkpcs.co.uk (http://www.norfolkpcs.co.uk). If it is all legit I may help shift a few for him, but if it all seems too suspect I'll give it a miss.
Ta.
QuoteToshiba Satellite A70-KL1 Pentium 4-HT 3.06GHz £775.00
The Toshiba Satellite A70-KL1 is an exceptional mobile computer. It has a lightweight electric blue chassis for enhanced aesthetics and functional form factor with a powerful processor. It is fully equipped with 802.11g wireless technology which means you can surf the internet without any cables. The large 15.4" monitor will optimize your DVD viewing experience.
Audio Type: 16-Bit Stereo, 3D Sound
Average Battery Life: 2 Hours
Battery Type: Lithium-Ion
Cache: 12KB/8KB L1, 512KB L2
CPU Speed: 3.06GHz With Hyper-Threading Technology
CPU Type: Intel Pentium 4-HT Mobile 532
Fax/Modem: 56K V.92
Hard Drive: 40GB
I/O Ports: SD Card Slot, Memory Stick; See Below
Included In Box: AC Adapter, Power Cord, Manual
Network Card: 10/100 Ethernet
Optical Drives: CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Drive
Other Software: Microsoft Office One Note 2003; See Below
PC Card Slots: 1 Type II
Pointing Device: Touchpad
Preloaded Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Product Dimensions: 36.5(W) x 4.6(H) x 27.5(D) cm
Product Weight: 3.6 kg
RAM (Preloaded / Maximum): 512MB DDR (Exp. To 1.5GB)
Removable Storage: No
Screen Size: 15.4"
Screen Type: WXGA TFT
Speakers: Realtek ALC250
System Bus: 533Hz
Video Type: 64MB ATI Radeon 9000
QuoteToshiba Satellite P20-QR7 Pentium 4-HT 3.4GHz £800.00
The Toshiba Satellite P20-QR7 features a 17" widescreen TFT WXGA display, 1GB DDR Ram, 80GB hard drive, DVD+/-R/RW, GeForceFX5700 128MB graphics card, TV tuner, remote control, wireless 802.11g, Harman Kardon speakers and Windows XP Centre Edition 2.0
Audio Type: 16-Bit Stereo, 3D Sound
Average Battery Life: 1.5 Hours
Battery Type: 12-Cell Lithium-Ion
Cache: 512KB L2
CPU Speed: 3.40GHz With Hyper-Threading Technology
CPU Type: Intel Pentium 4-HT
Fax/Modem: 56K V.92
Hard Drive: 80GB
I/O Ports: 4 USB, 1 Parallel, 1 TV-Out, See Below
Included In Box: A/C Adapter, Manual, Remote, TV-Tuner
Network Card: 10/100 Ethernet LAN, 802.11g Wireless
Optical Drives: DVD+/-R/RW Super-Multi Combo Drive
Other Software: Microsoft Office OneNote 2003
PC Card Slots: 2 Type II Or 1 Type III
Pointing Device: Touchpad
Preloaded Operating System: Win XP Home
Product Dimensions: 41.9(W) x 29.3(D) x 4.1(H) cm
Product Weight: 4.5 kg
RAM (Preloaded / Maximum): 1024MB DDR/2GB
Removable Storage: Optional - Sold Separately
Screen Size: 17"
Screen Type: Widescreen WXGA TFT
Speakers: Harman/Kardon Stereo Speakers
System Bus: 800MHz
Video Type: 128MB nVidia GeForce FX5700
FEATURES:
? Interfaces: 4 USB, 1 Parallel, 1 TV-Out (S-Video, Component Video), RGB RJ11, RJ45, IEEE1394, FIR, SD Slot.
QuoteSony VAIO VGN-A150 Centrino 715 Pentium M 1.5GHz Notebook £800.00
Features a 15.4" WXGA TFT Xbrite display and high-speed wireless capabilities that let you connect wire-free around your home or on the road.
Audio Type: Stereo Sound
Average Battery Life: 3.5 Hours
Battery Type: Lithium-Ion
Cache: 2MB L2
CPU Speed: 1.5GHz
CPU Type: Intel Pentium M 715
Fax/Modem: 56K V.90
Hard Drive: 80GB
I/O Ports: 3 x USB 2.0, 1 x IEEE 1394; See Below
Included In Box: Battery, Power Cord, AC Adapter, Manual
Network Card: 10/100, 802.11b/g High-Speed Wireless
Optical Drives: CD-RW/DVD+/-RW Combo Drive
Other Software: VAIO Creation Suite Software; See Below
PC Card Slots: 1 Type I Or Type II
Pointing Device: Touchpad
Preloaded Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Product Dimensions: 37.3(W) x 4.3(H) x 27.7(D) cm
Product Weight: 3.9 kg
RAM (Preloaded / Maximum): 512MB DDR RAM (Exp. To 2GB)
Removable Storage: No
Screen Size: 15.4"
Screen Type: WXGA TFT
Speakers: Built-In Stereo Speakers
System Bus: 400MHz
Video Type: 64MB ATI Mobility Radeon 9200
FEATURES:
? Superior LCD Technology: The LCD screen is optimized for high-impact multimedia presentations and for viewing multiple documents at the same time. Xbrite LCD technology delivers ultra-crisp and bright graphics while the Smart Display Sensor automatically adjusts to any projector or display resolution.
? I/O Ports: 1 x IEEE 1394, 3 x USB 2.0, Port Replicator Connector
? Included Software: VAIO Creation Suite, Sony Click To DVD, Sony DVGate Plus, Sony SonicStage, Sony SonicStage Mastering Studio With MP3 Encoder, Sony Picture Gear Studio, Sony VAIO Media, Sony Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder, Network Smart Capture, Sony BlueSpace, Sony Vaio Recovery Wizard, Sony VAIO Support, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Intuit Quicken 2004: New User Edition, InterVideo Win DVD, EasySystems Drag 'n Drop CD+DVD, Microsoft Works 7.0, Microsoft Office 2003: 60 Day Trial, Norton Internet Security: 90 Day Subscription.
QuoteThe HP Pavilion ZD7380CA Pentium 4 HT 3.2GHz Notebook £800.00
is optimized for desktop performance and speed in a sophisticated design. It features an amazing 17" wide-viewing angle display with superb resolution, a DVD+R/RW and CD-RW combo drive for your entertainment needs, Hyper-Threading technology for your multi-tasking needs and internal Harman/Kardon speakers.
Audio Type: 16-Bit Stereo Sound
Average Battery Life: Info Not Available
Battery Type: Lithium-Ion
Cache: 512KB L2
CPU Speed: 3.2GHz With Hyper-Threading Technology
CPU Type: Intel Pentium 4-HT
Fax/Modem: 56K V.90
Hard Drive: 80GB 5400RPM
I/O Ports: 4 x USB 2.0, 1 x Parallel; See Below
Included In Box: AC Adapter, Manual
Network Card: 10/100, 802.11b/g High-Speed Wireless
Optical Drives: DVD+R/RW & CD-RW Combo Drive
Other Software: MS Works, MS Money; See Below
PC Card Slots: 1 Type I, II Or III
Pointing Device: Touchpad
Preloaded Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Media Centre
Product Dimensions: 27.8(W) x 4.2(H) x 39.8(D) cm
Product Weight: 4.3 kg
RAM (Preloaded / Maximum): 1024MB DDR SDRAM
Removable Storage: No
Screen Size: 17.0"
Screen Type: WSXGA
Speakers: Internal Harman/Kardon
System Bus: 800MHz
Video Type: 128MB NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5700
FEATURES:
Hyper-Threading Technology allows your notebook to handle more transactions simultaneously.
Movies, photos and gaming will practically leap off the 17" WVA WSXGA+ BrightView wide-viewing angle display.
128MB NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5700 for high-performance graphics and special effects.
I/O Ports: 4 x USB 2.0, 1 x Parallel, 1 x VGA (15-Pin), 1 x RJ-11 (Modem), 1 x TV-Out (S-Video), 1 x RJ-45 (LAN), 1 x Port Replicator Connector, 1 x Headphone-Out, 1 x Microphone-In, 1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire), 1 x FIR (Fast Infrared)
Other Software: MS Works, MS Money, Symantec Norton Antivirus (Complimentary 60 Days Live Update), Sonic Record Now, Interview Win DVD, InterVideo Home Theatre, InterVideo Win DVD Creator, Muvee AutoProducer, HP Image Zone Plus, Photo And Imaging Software, Apple iTunes And Apple iTunes Music Store, MSN Encarta Plus, MS Office 2003 Trial (Student/Teacher), Quicken New User's Edition
Prices seem about right for the dollar conversion of their US counterparts (http://vancouver.craigslist.org/sys/48429585.html).
As for whether they appear cheap, then yes for UK prices they seem to be very cheap, but it depends whether he has been quoted a 'we'll get you started deal', whether he is passing them on at cost, whether he is VAT registered (which will save a bit if he is not - and he does not appear to be according to his website, thus making a £940 only £800 from his website) and whether or not he has remembered to factor in all of his import charges in calculating the price.
Seems a good deal to me if the goods are as specified. Might even be tempted myself..........
TL.
Ta. It seemed to be legit to me as well. But this was definately not a tout for business :)
But of course anyone who is interested in one can contact him direct through his website e-mail. As long as you mention me (Greg) when you speak to him you'll get the cheap prices, so he says. I think the deal runs to the end of December.
Of course as mentioned in my original post, this was a request for opinions about the prices. So I'm not acting as an agent or anything. Let the buyer beware :D
Would it not be a good idea to put this topic a litle more Private then?
And the Toshiba £800 deal has to be too good to be true.
I'm just interested to hear if anyone has heard of this sort of minimum order agent deal before, and whether the prices are competative cheap or 'fell off of a lorry' cheap. I was basically thinking of getting one for myself and one as a gift? If someone actually wants to buy one then that's their business.
Similar deal for the Sony Vaio B1VP Notebook Centrino 1.6GHz 40GB 512MB 14"TFT DVD/CDRW Windows XP Pro (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=76197&_LOC=UK) at £825. It's a slightly different spec I know, but it is close enough so I reckon the deal is legit.
TL.
The Toshiba Satellite P20-QR7 you sure its that price?
As im sure its retailing at over £1200 :blink:
(http://i5.ebayimg.com/02/i/02/be/1e/0a_3.JPG)
He's sold out anyway.
I'm sure he'll get some more. :norty:
TL.
I had almost starded to build up a site like that has he been going for long? Doe's he do quite good business? As ive been for some time thinking about starting a small pc build and upgrade business from home.
He's been building PC's for years but mainly for friends and relatives. Recently he went full time. He works from home so has very few overheads. His website could do with some work, but isn't bad for a first effort.
Sadly the laptop thing didn't work out, as his supplier wouldn't agree to the UK keyboard specs and XP OS on an on-going basis. If you want one with Windows Media Centre as you OS and a US keyboard then fill your boots :(
However he does plan to find a new supplier. Of course he may not have the minimum order requirement which was what was forcing him to bung half his shipment out at cost just to shift them all. I think he has to take 20 at a time and order at least three times a year or something. So he was selling as many as he could retail and making up the numbers by shifting the rest out at cost prices to mates, and mates of mates etc.
His biggest problem was liabilty insurance. He's restricted in what work he can do in your home i.e. upgrades, repairs etc. If he fits a new CPU in you PC at a customers house and the PC burns their house down he's not covered. The insurance was over £1000 a year to work on private homes. If he builds them in his own home and just ships them out the customer then his insurance is a fraction of the £1200
I think?
..........and your'e on what percentage? :devil: :D
QuoteOriginally posted by Dingo@Dec 3 2004, 04:57 AM
..........and your'e on what percentage? :devil: :D
[post=70713]Quoted post[/post]
As he mentioned at the very start of the thread that you didn't read, nothing. :norty:
TL.