Ordered new laptop with Win 8 but plan to install Win 7 - partitions?

Have you had the storage HD unplugged during your install attempts? If not try that now.

How to make Acer Recovery disks.
Using Acer Recovery Management to Restore Windows 8

I have a recovery USB and a recover disk (the ones where they recommend 256MB for the DVD/CD and at least 16GB for the USB flash drive - if I restore Windows 8 back to factory after backing up files and THEN try to install Windows 7 in UEFI may it work?

Recovery using CDs or DVDs

Acer said:

Recovery using CDs or DVDs

How do I reinstall my operating system from Recovery CDs or DVDs?

When Windows cannot be installed from Acer eRecovery Management, use the Recovery CDs or DVDs to re-install all original software:

1.Make a backup of personal data, as the recovery process will erase all your files, such as email and photos.
2.Power off your computer. In case the system is not equipped with a built-in optical drive, connect an external USB optical drive before powering on the system.
3.Power on your computer. When the first logo screen shows, press repeatedly the F12 key to enter the Boot menu.
4.Use the arrow keys to select your optical drive.
5.Insert the disc labelled System CD in the optical drive and press ENTER, The system will load from the Acer Recovery Media.
6.After the system recovery program has loaded follow the prompts to reinstall the operating system.
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In case you did not create your recovery media or have no recovery media available, please contact our Customer Service for information on how to obtain a set of Recovery Discs.

Yes you can back up an image to external HD. You should also make your Recovery disks if you want the 8 Factory install.

You are choosing to reinstall Win8 so that you can Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7, correct? Therefore the 8 image won't work on an MBR disk required to bypass EFI. It would be saved in case you want to go back to EFI on GPT HD.

Before you proceed I'd be sure I've tried everything possible to succeed at Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7 in EFI mode so that 8 can remain onboard and just install Seven to a Dual Boot Installation - Windows 8 and Windows 7 - Windows 8 Forums

This weekend has been quite busy for me - I'm going to attempt this evening - yes I want to keep both Win 8 and install Win 7 and hopefully somehow I can get Win 7 on the existing GPT disk on the partition I made for Win 7.

Can you post a screen shot of Disk management?

The Windows 7 partition is of course, empty
The recovery partition has been deleted in Disk Part after it was recommended in one of the tutorials linked to me here.

Which tutorial here recommended you delete the Recovery partition? Did you make your disks first?