Bowflex Order (1 of 4)

Bowflex Ultimate

I have begun the first steps on the way to ordering my Bowflex Ultimate. Last week I requested their free video & informational packet (look for a review when it shows up this week), which I should receive any day now. I called their customer service department today and found that their phone reps work on commission, and that they do not allow me to directly use my MBNA Gold Option Loan (originally for my iMac) to pay for a Bowflex. They accept all major credit cards over the phone, will finance me directly (which I do not want to do, since I already have the credit available for this, and don’t need additional new accounts openned in my name), or will accept a check, though that increases the time until I receive the Bowflex by up to a couple of weeks.

I called MBNA to see if they could somehow move the credit available to me on the loan to my MBNA/Desert Schools Visa (of course not, that would be too easy), or work something else out. They gladly xfered the $2200 I need directly into my Desert Schools checking account. When that xfer has been processed (within the next 3 days, they say), I can then use my Visa Check Card to purchase the Bowflex. The MBNA account has a normal interest rate of 15.99% (recently reduced from their introductory 19.99%), but for that $2200 it is only 9.99% through the end of the year, which is nice, depending on how much bonus money I can wrangle up during the rest of the year.

The Bowflex representative I spoke to has the next three days off, but asked that I call her back directly & gave me her name & extension & schedule (this was my clue that they work on commission). Since I have to wait a few days for the money to move around anyway, I have no problem calling this particular sales rep back on Friday. Since the purchase price is over $1500, I have to call my bank to let them know I’m going to make a $2200 purchase, and to allow it to process from my checking account before I call Bowflex. No problem. I’ve done that a few times. After I place the order there is a four week shipping time. $200 shipping fee gets it to me in only four weeks. So, if everything goes according to plan, I’ll receive my Bowflex Ultimate before September.

Is everyone bored yet? All these numbers and oh-so-mind-numbing information about moving money around and credit availability must be positively abhorrent. Still, they’ve been taking up quite a bit of my thought processes today, so I put them here anyway. I plan three more posts about the Bowflex Order: One a review of the free video, one after I place my order re:ease/difficulty of doing the things I have described here, and one after I have received the unit and constructed it re:shipping time & apparent value of $2200 device. Woo!

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Teel

Author, artist, romantic, insomniac, exorcist, creative visionary, lover, and all-around-crazy-person.

32 thoughts on “Bowflex Order (1 of 4)”

  1. I bought a bowflex off of ebay for a few hundred less than they retail for, and there was no shipping charge. The guy I bought it from even delivered it to my house, an hour’s drive from his home. Now here’s where it get’s real weird, not only was my bowflex brand spankin’ new but so was the other one that was riding around in the back of his truck. I flat out asked him if these were hot(not that I gave a shit) and he said no his wife and her sister were fitness trainers and they “come across” these every once in a while and he unloads them on ebay. This guy was not in shape and didn’t look like the husband of a fitness trainer. Something is not quite right here. I’ve read that it usually takes up to six weeks if you order a bowflex direct, and this bozo is driving around town with two brand new machines in his truck and unloading them at less than retail. Come on. Bowflex has definitely got some kind of scam going. Just check out ebay and see how many of the same people are selling more than one bowflex that’s in “mint condition. It seems to me like they’ve re-invented the door to door salesman.

  2. I bought a bowflex off of ebay for a few hundred less than they retail for, and there was no shipping charge. The guy I bought it from even delivered it to my house, an hour’s drive from his home. Now here’s where it get’s real weird, not only was my bowflex brand spankin’ new but so was the other one that was riding around in the back of his truck. I flat out asked him if these were hot(not that I gave a shit) and he said no his wife and her sister were fitness trainers and they “come across” these every once in a while and he unloads them on ebay. This guy was not in shape and didn’t look like the husband of a fitness trainer. Something is not quite right here. I’ve read that it usually takes up to six weeks if you order a bowflex direct, and this bozo is driving around town with two brand new machines in his truck and unloading them at less than retail. Come on. Bowflex has definitely got some kind of scam going. Just check out ebay and see how many of the same people are selling more than one bowflex that’s in “mint condition. It seems to me like they’ve re-invented the door to door salesman.

  3. In response to Dan’s posting: I have done a lot of research about the Bowflex machines found in ads -recycler.com, Penny Saver, newspapers, ebay, etc. I was looking for a Power Pro XTL for myself. I even went to some weight machine retailers locally in town. Here is what I found out. Blowflex was sold to Schwinn, who in turn is owned by the Nautilus Group Inc. So because of this, Bowflex can now be sold by retail merchants, where in the past, you could only get a new Bowflex from Bowflex directly. So now you will not only see the Bowflex brand of machines, but a Schwinn version as well (basically the same).

    A local retailer told me that a basic Power Pro without attachments is $600 his cost. Also, when you buy directly from Bowflex you could return the machine for a refund if you weren’t satisfied with your purchase. Of course this is less a restocking fee. Bowflex then turns around and sells the machine again. So retailers can buy machines that were buy backs at a reduced price. Bowflex comes out the winner on these everytime.
    So, this is why you may see some of the same sellers with many Bowflex machines at once on eBay. Fortunately for me, I found a desparate wife (recycler ad)who was selling her husbands XTL (near new)because it took up too much room for their little beach house. I got mine for $400. A steal!

  4. In response to Dan’s posting: I have done a lot of research about the Bowflex machines found in ads -recycler.com, Penny Saver, newspapers, ebay, etc. I was looking for a Power Pro XTL for myself. I even went to some weight machine retailers locally in town. Here is what I found out. Blowflex was sold to Schwinn, who in turn is owned by the Nautilus Group Inc. So because of this, Bowflex can now be sold by retail merchants, where in the past, you could only get a new Bowflex from Bowflex directly. So now you will not only see the Bowflex brand of machines, but a Schwinn version as well (basically the same).

    A local retailer told me that a basic Power Pro without attachments is $600 his cost. Also, when you buy directly from Bowflex you could return the machine for a refund if you weren’t satisfied with your purchase. Of course this is less a restocking fee. Bowflex then turns around and sells the machine again. So retailers can buy machines that were buy backs at a reduced price. Bowflex comes out the winner on these everytime.
    So, this is why you may see some of the same sellers with many Bowflex machines at once on eBay. Fortunately for me, I found a desparate wife (recycler ad)who was selling her husbands XTL (near new)because it took up too much room for their little beach house. I got mine for $400. A steal!

  5. In response to Dan’s posting: I have done a lot of research about the Bowflex machines found in ads -recycler.com, Penny Saver, newspapers, ebay, etc. I was looking for a Power Pro XTL for myself. I even went to some weight machine retailers locally in town. Here is what I found out. Blowflex was sold to Schwinn, who in turn is owned by the Nautilus Group Inc. So because of this, Bowflex can now be sold by retail merchants, where in the past, you could only get a new Bowflex from Bowflex directly. So now you will not only see the Bowflex brand of machines, but a Schwinn version as well (basically the same).

    A local retailer told me that a basic Power Pro without attachments is $600 his cost. Also, when you buy directly from Bowflex you could return the machine for a refund if you weren’t satisfied with your purchase. Of course this is less a restocking fee. Bowflex then turns around and sells the machine again. So retailers can buy machines that were buy backs at a reduced price. Bowflex comes out the winner on these everytime.
    So, this is why you may see some of the same sellers with many Bowflex machines at once on eBay. Fortunately for me, I found a desparate wife (recycler ad)who was selling her husbands XTL (near new)because it took up too much room for their little beach house. I got mine for $400. A steal!

  6. In response to Dan’s posting: I have done a lot of research about the Bowflex machines found in ads -recycler.com, Penny Saver, newspapers, ebay, etc. I was looking for a Power Pro XTL for myself. I even went to some weight machine retailers locally in town. Here is what I found out. Blowflex was sold to Schwinn, who in turn is owned by the Nautilus Group Inc. So because of this, Bowflex can now be sold by retail merchants, where in the past, you could only get a new Bowflex from Bowflex directly. So now you will not only see the Bowflex brand of machines, but a Schwinn version as well (basically the same).

    A local retailer told me that a basic Power Pro without attachments is $600 his cost. Also, when you buy directly from Bowflex you could return the machine for a refund if you weren’t satisfied with your purchase. Of course this is less a restocking fee. Bowflex then turns around and sells the machine again. So retailers can buy machines that were buy backs at a reduced price. Bowflex comes out the winner on these everytime.
    So, this is why you may see some of the same sellers with many Bowflex machines at once on eBay. Fortunately for me, I found a desparate wife (recycler ad)who was selling her husbands XTL (near new)because it took up too much room for their little beach house. I got mine for $400. A steal!

  7. In response to Dan’s posting: I have done a lot of research about the Bowflex machines found in ads -recycler.com, Penny Saver, newspapers, ebay, etc. I was looking for a Power Pro XTL for myself. I even went to some weight machine retailers locally in town. Here is what I found out. Blowflex was sold to Schwinn, who in turn is owned by the Nautilus Group Inc. So because of this, Bowflex can now be sold by retail merchants, where in the past, you could only get a new Bowflex from Bowflex directly. So now you will not only see the Bowflex brand of machines, but a Schwinn version as well (basically the same).

    A local retailer told me that a basic Power Pro without attachments is $600 his cost. Also, when you buy directly from Bowflex you could return the machine for a refund if you weren’t satisfied with your purchase. Of course this is less a restocking fee. Bowflex then turns around and sells the machine again. So retailers can buy machines that were buy backs at a reduced price. Bowflex comes out the winner on these everytime.
    So, this is why you may see some of the same sellers with many Bowflex machines at once on eBay. Fortunately for me, I found a desparate wife (recycler ad)who was selling her husbands XTL (near new)because it took up too much room for their little beach house. I got mine for $400. A steal!

  8. The fun thing about the Bowflex is that it is … well, basically the same as any other home gym system, or any gym membership. If it gets you to exercize, then it works. As a home gym, I far prefer it to others I have used and researched, and to free weights. I also, personally, prefer it to a gym membership, and not just because the closest gym is around 90 minutes away by bike (which is what I’d want to do, to get the cardio done), but because when I did have a gym membership I was bicycling over 100 miles every week and merely used their weight training equipment and yoga classes anyway.

    So, erm… my Bowflex doesn’t replace yoga, but it is a good home gym, and does have the one cardio exercise.

  9. The fun thing about the Bowflex is that it is … well, basically the same as any other home gym system, or any gym membership. If it gets you to exercize, then it works. As a home gym, I far prefer it to others I have used and researched, and to free weights. I also, personally, prefer it to a gym membership, and not just because the closest gym is around 90 minutes away by bike (which is what I’d want to do, to get the cardio done), but because when I did have a gym membership I was bicycling over 100 miles every week and merely used their weight training equipment and yoga classes anyway.

    So, erm… my Bowflex doesn’t replace yoga, but it is a good home gym, and does have the one cardio exercise.

  10. I Ordered mine through Amazon. It was on sale during the end of Dec. 2004. I ordered Motivator-XTL. Nautilus/Amazon charged me $719 for the bowlfex + $99 for shipping + $35.96 for tax. I don’t know what the hell is this tax about because I don’t have a retailer for bowflex in my state. But, again the estimated ship date is after 4 weeks. Can anyone tell me if is this a good enough price or I got ******.

  11. I Ordered mine through Amazon. It was on sale during the end of Dec. 2004. I ordered Motivator-XTL. Nautilus/Amazon charged me $719 for the bowlfex + $99 for shipping + $35.96 for tax. I don’t know what the hell is this tax about because I don’t have a retailer for bowflex in my state. But, again the estimated ship date is after 4 weeks. Can anyone tell me if is this a good enough price or I got ******.

  12. I Ordered mine through Amazon. It was on sale during the end of Dec. 2004. I ordered Motivator-XTL. Nautilus/Amazon charged me $719 for the bowlfex + $99 for shipping + $35.96 for tax. I don’t know what the hell is this tax about because I don’t have a retailer for bowflex in my state. But, again the estimated ship date is after 4 weeks. Can anyone tell me if is this a good enough price or I got ******.

  13. Sorry Guys,

    I meant Dec 2003. One more update I called Nautilus and the guy on the phone told me that they don’t charge any tax it must be amazon. So I wrote to Amazon and they said they charged it on Nautilus’s behalf. So, now I’ve fwd the Amazon mail to Nautilus and see what do they reply.

  14. Sorry Guys,

    I meant Dec 2003. One more update I called Nautilus and the guy on the phone told me that they don’t charge any tax it must be amazon. So I wrote to Amazon and they said they charged it on Nautilus’s behalf. So, now I’ve fwd the Amazon mail to Nautilus and see what do they reply.

  15. Grace I ordered the same bowfled from Amazon for the same price and I found out that Nautilus charges tax because they have retailers in many states. Its a different story that they don’t sell bowflex. So, because they have retailers they can charge sales tax. But, if you buy directly(not through Amazon) from bowflex they you won’t be charged any sales tax unless you are in WA or VA. For my order the estimated shipping date is 26th Jan. But, they charged my credit card the very next day I placed the order.

    Now I am just waiting for it to arrive. But, I also want to find out if it was a good deal. I saw some very good deals at ebay but all the good ones were far away from my place and they were looking for local pickup only.

  16. Grace I ordered the same bowfled from Amazon for the same price and I found out that Nautilus charges tax because they have retailers in many states. Its a different story that they don’t sell bowflex. So, because they have retailers they can charge sales tax. But, if you buy directly(not through Amazon) from bowflex they you won’t be charged any sales tax unless you are in WA or VA. For my order the estimated shipping date is 26th Jan. But, they charged my credit card the very next day I placed the order.

    Now I am just waiting for it to arrive. But, I also want to find out if it was a good deal. I saw some very good deals at ebay but all the good ones were far away from my place and they were looking for local pickup only.

  17. Grace I ordered the same bowfled from Amazon for the same price and I found out that Nautilus charges tax because they have retailers in many states. Its a different story that they don’t sell bowflex. So, because they have retailers they can charge sales tax. But, if you buy directly(not through Amazon) from bowflex they you won’t be charged any sales tax unless you are in WA or VA. For my order the estimated shipping date is 26th Jan. But, they charged my credit card the very next day I placed the order.

    Now I am just waiting for it to arrive. But, I also want to find out if it was a good deal. I saw some very good deals at ebay but all the good ones were far away from my place and they were looking for local pickup only.

  18. Grace I ordered the same bowfled from Amazon for the same price and I found out that Nautilus charges tax because they have retailers in many states. Its a different story that they don’t sell bowflex. So, because they have retailers they can charge sales tax. But, if you buy directly(not through Amazon) from bowflex they you won’t be charged any sales tax unless you are in WA or VA. For my order the estimated shipping date is 26th Jan. But, they charged my credit card the very next day I placed the order.

    Now I am just waiting for it to arrive. But, I also want to find out if it was a good deal. I saw some very good deals at ebay but all the good ones were far away from my place and they were looking for local pickup only.

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