🚀 go-pugleaf

> Notice that it was the Ultra that got the Editor's Choice, not the
> Ultra Pro.  They felt that the Ultra Pro was not that much better
> (and worse in some respects but I'd chalk that up to early versions
> with bad drivers), and certainly the Pro is NOT worth the extra
> cost. (the thing lists for $799!!!)

Nobody is talking about buying it.  It is packaged with the Gateway system,
and thus effectively free.  It's also blindingly fast.

> they will NOT lower their price!  The guy I used to deal
> with would cave in with free shipping without me even trying! 

What planet did you grow up on?  Gateway's prices are already better, for
better-equipped systems, than the competition; they are selling so many that
they can't keep up with the demand; and their systems have gotten top awards
from all the major PC mags.  What possible motive could they have for haggling
on their prices?  My salesman was courteous, helpful, and remarkably
responsive, but I'm sure that he'd have lost about 2 nanoseconds of sleep if
I'd told him I was going to order from someone else unless he gave me free
shipping.  "Sure, if you want to pay $200-1000 more for an equivalent system,
be my guest," he might have thought as he called back the next person who was
dying to get a Gateway system.

I am delighted with my DX33V, and the 3 weeks was worth the wait.  Their 66DX2
has been rated as the fastest PC on the planet, but if you want to go with
second best for more money because Gateway won't make a good deal even better,
hey, go ahead.

I asked my salesman if they'd negotiate on a large (10+ system) order, and he
said for that he could go to his manager and ask, but they have *no* incentive
to negotiate on a single-system purchase from a private individual, and you're
cutting off your nose to spite your face unless you can get a better price for
as good a system elsewhere.  I'm betting you can't, but more power to you if
you can...