Microcenter: 2600K + ASUS P8P67 = $400 (in store)

[figment]

Microcenter just sent out an email notice on a bundle sale they are running right now:

Intel i7-2600K and ASUS P8P67 for $400

The deal is active now (I just put in an order for pickup) and only runs until Monday (2011-04-11).

This is a $160 savings off MSRP, but Microcenter has been discounting all the Sandy Bridge CPUs and motherboards, so the bundle deal only drops the price $40. Still, I quoted the prices for a 2500K and the same mobo a couple weeks ago at $350, so an extra $50 for the 2600K might be worth while for some people.

[fumino]

i wish i lived near a microcenter... i always see these great in store deals.

[figment]

Ready for pickup (Fairfax, VA).

I feel like I've betrayed all those people who posted links to charts and graphs and benchmarks showing that the 2500K was the better value. But getting a 2600K for (what amounts to) $230 is a bit too much to pass up.

Right? You all don't think less of me?

[m0002a]

Right? You all don't think less of me?

Depends on whether you need (or can use) hyper-threading.

[m0002a]

I checked MicroCenter website, and they say:

"I5 2500K $249.99 Compare to NewEgg, instore only, limit 1", which means 8% sales tax plus gas to and from store).

So I went to NewEgg and they offer the 2500K for $224.99 with Free Shipping.

Those MicroCenter marketing people got balls.

[figment]

I checked MicroCenter website, and they say:

"I5 2500K $249.99 Compare to NewEgg, instore only, limit 1", which means 8% sales tax plus gas to and from store).

So I went to NewEgg and they offer the 2500K for $224.99 with Free Shipping.

Microcenter isn't worth it unless you can walk into the store. The i5-2500K is $189 in-store. Their web price is a lot higher and, in my opinion, not worth it.

[m0002a]

Microcenter isn't worth it unless you can walk into the store. The i5-2500K is $189 in-store. Their web price is a lot higher and, in my opinion, not worth it.

The $249.99 price on their website says "in-store only" but I see know that elswhere it is listed as $189 in-store price. I guess just a problem with their website.

[ces]

I think MC is selling them at cost. They make their money on everything else you buy when you walk in their store. They can't be more than half a state's drive away from most people. If you are building a machine, it might be worth a hosrt weekend road trip vacation. They are open on Saturdays and Sundays.

[figment]

The $249.99 price on their website says "in-store only" but I see know that elsewhere it is listed as $189 in-store price. I guess just a problem with their website.

Yeah, the problem is that the website (and the paper ads that go out) are structured in a stupid way. In almost every case I've seen, they list the MSRP in big bold font and then write "before $70 instant savings" somewhere where you'll barely notice. Why would you hide that? Do you not want people to know that you're selling them for a great price, because its not profitable? If so, then why continue to put it on every single ad that goes out for the store? I'd figure you'd put the final price up in the big font to draw people in. Of course, if they did that, they might sell out before I sneak in to grab one.

It's confounding, but I've learned to compensate. I got my Q9450 from them three years ago. They were doing the same thing then. Q9450 for $365! (before $60 instant savings). At $305, they were undercutting every other retailer in the US.

I suppose the only possible reasoning I could find for it would be that, perhaps, by doing it that way, they are preventing other stores from applying "price-matching" policies, since the price is officially $250, and the $70 savings is applied upon checkout. At least, that's how it appeared on my invoice.