I see factory sealed Toshiba laptops for sale on Ebay every day for
25%-30% below retail prices.  These laptops are being sold by
individuals, not large companies.  Where do they purchase these
laptops to sell at these prices?

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Request for Question Clarification by googleexpert-ga on 16 Mar 2003 12:40 PST

When you say "new", are you referring to the condition they're in or
the latest like GHz machines are the standard right now?

by the way, I found a website that might be what you're looking for:
http://notebookwarehouse.com/

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Clarification of Question by don1257-ga on 16 Mar 2003 16:40 PST

I recently purchased a Toshiba, factory sealed carton, model #
1955-S805 laptop which is a new item according to PC World magazine. 
This item sells online at many reputable companies for $2199, or
$2299.  I purchased it for $1675 on Ebay, from an individual, not a
large companysome.  These items are sold usually with "no reserve",
meaning that highest bidder gets it.  Retailers sell model # 1955-S803
for $2199 on low side of scale,  On ebay a few days ago I saw a brand
new, in factory sealed box go for $1599.  These folks must have a
source some where to get these units and sell them for a profit.  Don
Groom  PS I have already in the past looked at the site you suggested.

In many cases, it's just that they simply bought in quantity - and
probably *not* directly from the manufacturer.  You can head to
www.pricewatch.com and enter in what you are looking for and find very
low prices - so low in fact that these guys could easily buy them and
turn them around for a $30-50 profit.  The profit margins are tight -
and they are willing to only make $30-50 per machine, most larger
companies won't cut the margin so close.

Another option, for example, is to have an account with Microwarehouse
(www.microwarehouse.com) or another "warehouse" type place - if you
have a corporate account (and now, you don't have to have a
corporation - just buy enough stuff annually ~$3000-5000), and you can
normally buy items like these at several hundred dollars below
"retail" price.

Most places - esp. for laptops by name brand builders - can only
publish MAP (minimum advertised price); if you call or haggle even a
little you can easily shave $100-$200 from the MAP.

OF COURSE - there's always the less scrupulous explanation that they
"fell of a truck" or whatever... I'm sure eBay does there best to
prevent illegal sales, but there's no telling where the merchandise
originated from unless you ask the seller or cross-ref serial numbers
with Toshiba/whoever (and of course, if you do that, and it *IS*
stolen or otherwise unlawful, you'll be obligated to turn your new
purchase over to the police as evidence...).