Surprise fees torpedoed my laptop refresh call

At 10:15 this morning, on a Zoom to finalize 45 ThinkPads plus our MDM renewal, the rep slid in a $4,500 “activation” and per-seat support that pushed the quote up 18% while finance pinged me to sign today. If you’ve gotten these fees waived or traded down, what exact phrasing or concessions worked for you - threatening to split hardware/software, asking for co-terming, or just walking?

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We got the activation waived and support downgraded by saying, “We’ll sign today if you zero the activation and match $X from SHI; otherwise we’ll place the laptops with CDW and keep MDM month‑to‑month while we re‑bid.” Also ask to co‑term with existing seats and convert the fee into a one‑time credit - calling it an EOQ close usually shakes it loose.

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