Hey, socalgal! Is this okay to post?

[jeana]

Hi socalgal...

BEFORE I post...
There's a digital camera that I think is a good deal on Mercata, and if a lot of people agree to "Power buy" an item on the same day there, they get a better price, rather than if they all buy on different days.

However, since to report this deal is self-serving to some extent, I won't post the info unless you and the other administrators think it's okay. What's your take on posting Mercata buys and other bulk buys?

Thanks,
Jeana

[socalgal]

Hi jeana, that's fine. Thanks for asking. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by socalgal (edited 12-17-1999).]

[socalgal]

jeana? It's ok to post the link. I posted this in case you're looking at just the reply number out front.

[This message has been edited by socalgal (edited 12-18-1999).]

[IlLogiK]

Great! I just got a Diamond RIO PMP300 for $44 (total after all the rebates) and now this comes along :-)... guess I'll have to sign up my parents as well :-)

Because new users get $50 off....

---------------------
"IlLogiK inside"

[jeana]

Thanks, socalgal!

It would be nice for sysopt members can help each other by buying in bulk, although there is the danger that we'll ruin it all by posting all our own individual favorite deals all the time (Like me http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif).
Actually, I was thinking that a good idea would be "Sysopt Mercata buying day" such that if people were going to buy something from Mercata or another bulk deal anyway, we'd all decide to buy on Tuesdays or something like that. So individual deals needn't be posted, but we'd all benefit some from shopping on the same bulk order. Everybody, whaddaya think?

Well, here's the place to go:
www.mercata.com (http://www.mercata.com)

As most of you know, new users can sign up for 50 Mercatabucks. (one award of 50 mercata$ per HOUSEHOLD and they do check it so you can't have your spouse sign up, etc.)

I think I've finally figured out the Powerbuy system, too.
Powerbuys at Mercata work like this: if a lot of people buy an item, the cost to each person goes down because of bulk rates. For instance, if the price of:
100 cameras is $300 each
200 cameras is $250 each
500 cameras is $175 each
if 300 people promise to buy cameras they'll pay $267 each (combine the prices of 100+200 cameras, but no-one benefits from the 500 camera bulk price).

Example 1: If the price of an item is $262, and you bid $262, you have bought the item. But if enough people buy, the price will drop further to $245, and you end up paying only $245.

Example 2: If the price of the item is $262, but you can afford only $245, so you bid $245. But you haven't promised to buy the item, so you aren't contributing to lowering the price, and if the price never reaches $245 you don't get the item.

Powerbuys can't be cancelled, but they can be returned, with full refund on your mercata$, too.

The powerbuy is for the Fuji MX-1200 digital camera, which is currently at $262.55 as of 14:53 EST, with free shipping. With my Mercata$ it will be only $212.55 at the worst. The buy ends tonight at 10:00 PST. Mercata is very reliable, only in stock items are advertised and disappear once they are sold out.

Here are links to reviews that may help you choose a digital camera:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/mx1200.html
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/MX12/M12A.HTM
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/stories/reviews/0,6755,2354174,00.html

This camera is also available at KMart for $249, with a $50 Kmart rebate so it comes to $199+ tax on the $249. But it was sold out at my local store.

I AM going to buy this item today.

[jeana]

Whoops,

made a mistake. The Fuji deal ends tonight, not yesterday night.

-j

[Ed_S]

jeana, just thought you should know that the K-Mart deal is better than seems.
I couldn't find the rebate on Fuji's site and store manager couldn't produce rebate coupon, so I got it for $200.
There IS a mail-in offer from Fuji for free floppy disk or USB "film" reader. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[jeana]

Hey Ed_S,

Further on the Kmart/Mercata war... this note appeared on the Mercata page.

Do you know if it's true?

"Also a note to those comparing the Kmart ad to Mercata. If you use the $50 mail in rebate from Kmart, you will not be able to get the USB card reader or Floppy disk adaptor (each a $99 accessory.) Since you mail in the UPC symbol to Fuji, it's either the $50 or free equipment. You cannot get both. BTW, I bought this camera last week here for $252 less mercata bucks = I got it for $202 and I will get one of the accessories for free.

2wanna, 12/19/99 19:00 (12 of 12)"

[Ed_S]

I thought of that when I saw the free equipment deal. Figured you couldn't get both! Was glad the manager decided to sell at $200 to honor the ad, that way I still have the UPC & also don't have to wait for the money.

Well, sounds like your deal was about the same as mine, great!

BTW, it seems like a nice camera with good features. Eats batteries BIG TIME though!