$499 Toshiba on TV?

Julz · 18th June 2006, 12:28 PM

Hi,

Not sure if anyone else saw these ads on late nite TV but some company was advertising Toshiba laptops for $499 + $39.95 postage.

I called up their 1300 66 48 52 number to enquire about it and what the catch was or why it was so cheap. She couldn't tell me because she was just taking orders as long as the company had stock. It seems like the company behind the deal wants to remain anonymous because I asked if I could get some more details about the company, website, etc. because I was skeptical about handing over my credit card details to a company I knew nothing about.

Anyway she told me the laptops were in stock, brand new with 7 days money back guarantee and a 12 month warranty.

Here are the specs:

Toshiba Satellite A75-S211
15.4" WS 1280x800 LCD
ATI Mobility
80gb HDD
Pentium 4 3.2GHZ
DVD +/- R burner
512mb RAM
Wifi super-G
MS XP HOME

Seems way too good to be true but if it is the real deal then its a steal at that price. I'm tempted to just put in an order because credit card companys have insurance against fraud but im going overseas for 2 weeks so I wont be home.

What do you think? Is it legit? They had several ads on TV so its publically known.

Anarki · 18th June 2006, 12:39 PM

Hi,

There is a thread about this one - seems dodgy: http://forums.overclockers.com.au/sh...d.php?t=481872

Cheers,
Sam

Crystallin · 18th June 2006, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julz

What do you think? Is it legit?

There's another thread about these laptops, but nobody is replying to it anymore, so hopefully this thread stays too.

My opinion is that the deal is legit. However, there's a catch. Have a read of this link:

http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-7587-0....ssageID=629003

To sum it up in a few words, the Toshiba A75 has some major faults. It has serious overheating problems, and touching the speaker grilles cause the computer to crash, so that's why they're being sold so cheap.

I think the low price more than makes up for the problems though. I mean, what sort of alternative is there for $500? None, if you want a brand new laptop...

Just curious, but what did she say when you asked about the company? I haven't called them yet, but I will in a day or two.

Julz · 18th June 2006, 12:56 PM

ah ok cool thanks will check out that thread.

she seemed very sketchy on the company. She sounded as if she didnt know who they were either (ie she was just a telemarketer). She couldnt give me a website of the company or tell me what the company does, etc. or a reason why they were so cheap.

She told me to google the laptop to find more info on it.

Conventional · 18th June 2006, 12:56 PM

I think i read somewhere in the last thread that Toshiba Australia claimed that these units were refurbished units and therefore would not be coming under their warranty.

In addition to this, one member called up and asked for an ETA on the laptops and was given an estimate of 6-8 weeks. This raises the speculation that these units are being shipped from overseas in bulk. This also checks in with the claims and position of Toshiba Australia on these units.

Remember, you get what you pay for. This company is obviously making a profit somehow, so think about it

But then again, this is all idle speculation - you wont know until you take the plunge.

Kelvin · 18th June 2006, 1:40 PM

Saw the ad last night...

Nowehere did it say the laptops were new..

and it stated a 12month conditional warranty...
(?What on earth is a conditional warranty...._

Julz · 18th June 2006, 1:56 PM

i called them and they told me it was new.

have a read of the other thread more info there

aussie7 · 18th June 2006, 4:31 PM

There's already a huge post in the PUB about this

http://forums.overclockers.com.au/sh...hlight=toshiba

Varuna · 22nd June 2006, 5:10 PM

Whingepool also has a large thread. The consensus isnt good.

18th June 2006, 12:28 PM	#1
Julz Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Doncaster East, Victoria Posts: 2,674	$499 Toshiba on TV? Hi, Not sure if anyone else saw these ads on late nite TV but some company was advertising Toshiba laptops for $499 + $39.95 postage. I called up their 1300 66 48 52 number to enquire about it and what the catch was or why it was so cheap. She couldn't tell me because she was just taking orders as long as the company had stock. It seems like the company behind the deal wants to remain anonymous because I asked if I could get some more details about the company, website, etc. because I was skeptical about handing over my credit card details to a company I knew nothing about. Anyway she told me the laptops were in stock, brand new with 7 days money back guarantee and a 12 month warranty. Here are the specs: Toshiba Satellite A75-S211 15.4" WS 1280x800 LCD ATI Mobility 80gb HDD Pentium 4 3.2GHZ DVD +/- R burner 512mb RAM Wifi super-G MS XP HOME Seems way too good to be true but if it is the real deal then its a steal at that price. I'm tempted to just put in an order because credit card companys have insurance against fraud but im going overseas for 2 weeks so I wont be home. What do you think? Is it legit? They had several ads on TV so its publically known.

18th June 2006, 12:39 PM	#2
Anarki Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 2,235	Hi, There is a thread about this one - seems dodgy: http://forums.overclockers.com.au/sh...d.php?t=481872 Cheers, Sam __________________ My trades list is here. __________________

18th June 2006, 4:31 PM	#8
aussie7 Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Leichhardt, Sydney Posts: 1,491	There's already a huge post in the PUB about this http://forums.overclockers.com.au/sh...hlight=toshiba __________________ lending money to friends is like gambling and you should only gamble what you can afford to lose PCDB Entry FS - AMD MB / 3000+ / 1GB Ram

22nd June 2006, 5:10 PM	#9
Varuna Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sydneys Northern Beaches. Posts: 1,050	Whingepool also has a large thread. The consensus isnt good. __________________ If all else fails, immortality can always be assured by spectacular error. Last edited by Varuna; 22nd June 2006 at 5:12 PM.

18th June 2006, 12:56 PM	#4
Julz Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Doncaster East, Victoria Posts: 2,674	ah ok cool thanks will check out that thread. she seemed very sketchy on the company. She sounded as if she didnt know who they were either (ie she was just a telemarketer). She couldnt give me a website of the company or tell me what the company does, etc. or a reason why they were so cheap. She told me to google the laptop to find more info on it.

18th June 2006, 12:56 PM	#5
Conventional Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sydney, NSW Posts: 22	I think i read somewhere in the last thread that Toshiba Australia claimed that these units were refurbished units and therefore would not be coming under their warranty. In addition to this, one member called up and asked for an ETA on the laptops and was given an estimate of 6-8 weeks. This raises the speculation that these units are being shipped from overseas in bulk. This also checks in with the claims and position of Toshiba Australia on these units. Remember, you get what you pay for. This company is obviously making a profit somehow, so think about it But then again, this is all idle speculation - you wont know until you take the plunge.

18th June 2006, 1:40 PM	#6
Kelvin Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 1,668	Saw the ad last night... Nowehere did it say the laptops were new.. and it stated a 12month conditional warranty... (?What on earth is a conditional warranty...._

18th June 2006, 1:56 PM	#7
Julz Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Doncaster East, Victoria Posts: 2,674	i called them and they told me it was new. have a read of the other thread more info there