Ordering from Lenovo Outlet: Tips and Tricks
Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:27 pm
I've ordered 2 machines from Lenovo Outlet, as well as various other odds and ends, and I've come upon some useful procedures that may help with the process. The main thing to keep in mind when ordering there is that oftentimes the system you receive will differ slightly from the specs listed in the online order page. There are definitely times when this works to your advantage, as both of my machines arrived with double the ram I paid for, which in the case of my X61T was quite a lot (2 GB listed, 4 GB actual). However, when a component or service arrives inferior to that advertised, which in my case occurred with warranty coverage, resolving the issue is difficult, because the confirmations sent are very different from the Lenovo main page store. The following has always worked for me in these situations:
1) Keep irrefutable records of the system specifications advertised as well as all of your transactions. Saving the webpage as html doesn't cut it. A PDF, however, works. If you don't have Acrobat (quite pricey), the freeware PDF Creator works well and is available here:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/
When placing your order, be sure to save the page with listed specifications as a PDF. Ideally the page should include the machine type and serial number on the same page as the specs (frequently in the outlet the S/N will appear in the following form: XXXNNNNNNN, where XXX is the first 3 digits of the machine type, and NNNNNNN is the serial number).
I've found the XXXNNNNNNN machine type / serial number, when present, is the most reliable indicator of the system specifications. It is very useful to do a parts lookup using that number. Because serial numbers are not unique (i.e., there are different machine types with the same serial number), you need to try each of the digits 1 - 9 as the last digit of the 4-digit machine type along with the listed serial number. The actual machine will be the one that most closely matches the advertised outlet system.
Also, and this is extremely important, make a PDF of your order confirmation pages, especially the page after placing your order where it lists your name, billing address, items purchased, and (perhaps most essential), the price you paid. Doing this is important because Lenovo Outlet oftentimes sends you a e-mail confirmation that only lists an order number (no customer number), and no readout of your order specifications.
2) If there are discrepancies between what you paid for and what you receive, contact Lenovo. You may be instructed to send them proof of your order and the advertised specifications; just e-mail them the PDFs you saved. In a few business days the resolution center should solve your issue.
My latest tablet purchase shipped with no warranty coverage, and by following these steps I was able to get the advertised 1 year depot warranty.
As other forum members have found, ordering through the outlet is very different from ordering through the main store. Listed machines may be unavailable, orders may be canceled, and actual shipping dates vary widely from what is advertised. I will comment that both of my systems shipped very quickly, with my X61 Tablet arriving within a week of placing the order.
The Outlet has some very good deals, upwards of 40-50% savings off the exact same system configured in the main store if you manage to find a real bargain. Products are updated as huge lots, so if you browse through and find that there are few to no machines matching your needs wait for the next refresh cycle. On the other hand, if you browse and see pages upon pages of results, then a refresh occurred recently. Hope my experiences help any potential bargain hunters.
Edit: Clarified some points and added some information.
1) Keep irrefutable records of the system specifications advertised as well as all of your transactions. Saving the webpage as html doesn't cut it. A PDF, however, works. If you don't have Acrobat (quite pricey), the freeware PDF Creator works well and is available here:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/
When placing your order, be sure to save the page with listed specifications as a PDF. Ideally the page should include the machine type and serial number on the same page as the specs (frequently in the outlet the S/N will appear in the following form: XXXNNNNNNN, where XXX is the first 3 digits of the machine type, and NNNNNNN is the serial number).
I've found the XXXNNNNNNN machine type / serial number, when present, is the most reliable indicator of the system specifications. It is very useful to do a parts lookup using that number. Because serial numbers are not unique (i.e., there are different machine types with the same serial number), you need to try each of the digits 1 - 9 as the last digit of the 4-digit machine type along with the listed serial number. The actual machine will be the one that most closely matches the advertised outlet system.
Also, and this is extremely important, make a PDF of your order confirmation pages, especially the page after placing your order where it lists your name, billing address, items purchased, and (perhaps most essential), the price you paid. Doing this is important because Lenovo Outlet oftentimes sends you a e-mail confirmation that only lists an order number (no customer number), and no readout of your order specifications.
2) If there are discrepancies between what you paid for and what you receive, contact Lenovo. You may be instructed to send them proof of your order and the advertised specifications; just e-mail them the PDFs you saved. In a few business days the resolution center should solve your issue.
My latest tablet purchase shipped with no warranty coverage, and by following these steps I was able to get the advertised 1 year depot warranty.
As other forum members have found, ordering through the outlet is very different from ordering through the main store. Listed machines may be unavailable, orders may be canceled, and actual shipping dates vary widely from what is advertised. I will comment that both of my systems shipped very quickly, with my X61 Tablet arriving within a week of placing the order.
The Outlet has some very good deals, upwards of 40-50% savings off the exact same system configured in the main store if you manage to find a real bargain. Products are updated as huge lots, so if you browse through and find that there are few to no machines matching your needs wait for the next refresh cycle. On the other hand, if you browse and see pages upon pages of results, then a refresh occurred recently. Hope my experiences help any potential bargain hunters.
Edit: Clarified some points and added some information.