Top Ten Reaons Not To Buy From Dell...

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BDawg

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
11,631
2
0
So, did you contest the charges with your CC company? Did they give you any flak?
 

zed

Junior Member
Jul 30, 2003
3
0
0
Honestly, I am mostly harmless, unlike Danny . . . .

But THAT is a rant I wont even start!
 

Thoreau

Golden Member
Jan 11, 2003
1,441
0
76
Originally posted by: BDawg
So, did you contest the charges with your CC company? Did they give you any flak?

OK, really.. this is gonna be my last post for a few hours...

I haven't called my bank up yet. The card is from Bank of America, who gave me zero problems when I contested a double charge from Papa Johns, so I don't anticipate any problems. BofA is pretty good about these things. Plus, I saved the chat log and had the Dell site email me a copy just to be safe, so I have proof that I ordered the cancellation of my purchase in advance.
 

ReiAyanami

Diamond Member
Sep 24, 2002
4,466
0
0
You actually thought Dell would deliver on-time?

Have you ever bought from Dell before, even once?!
 

EyeMWing

Banned
Jun 13, 2003
15,670
1
0
Originally posted by: LAUST
1: Crappy Power Supplies
2: Middle East Tech Support
3: Optiplex GX 150/260/270 towers are a pain to open or close
4: USB ports on the Desktop GX150/260/270's are hard to fit a keychain drive in
5: 3Com NIC randomly goes bad on GX150's, Dell deny's it's the mobo everytime, everytime a new mobo fixes it though
6: Painful website to get drivers from
7: Horrid Driver Resource disk
8: DVD drives in GX1 and GX110's end up not being able to read Burned disks
9: CD-ROM eject buttons lose spring action on newer Optiplex's
10: Need to make up their mind, Is it 3Com NIC built in or Intel, is it Creative sound or another company. Go with something and stick with it for abit

1. Yes
2. Our Dell tech support is in-house and subsidized by Dell. w00t.
3. Which Optiplex systems are YOU using? The GX150/260/270 minitowers are fine to open unless you bend somthing that you shouldn't (Which I did on one GX150, I have to get some screwdriver leverage to pop that side open now). No clue about the low profile machines though.
4. Front USB, I assume? I agree.
5. What the hell are you doing to them?
6. Amen
7. GOD DON'T FREAKING REMIND ME.
8. My GX1's don't have DVD drives, but one of the CDROMs is dead. Somthing tells me that the refurbishing company dropped this machine - the USB ports are fvcking broken, the CDROM is busted, and the harddrive goes "OMG NO" on SMART and I refuse to do anything to it. Note that our GX1's are refurbished by a third party.
9. The springback is a function of the drive, not the case (If I recall properly from the few times I actually removed that faceplate) - You've got bad drives
10. All ours have SBLive Value sound (Plus god knows what onboard, don't use those) and Intel NICs (Except the 150's and 1's which have 3Com)

My real gripe is the Dimension 2200. The fvcking power button sticks and you have to punch the front of the case to get it to pop out again. It's also way too easy for stupid morons to steal RAM out of Dim2200's, as well as the ENTIRE FSCKING MACHINE. We don't use Dim2200's anymore. Optiplexes (Optipli?) are impenetrable lead weights to your average n00blet hardware thief.
 

xboxist

Diamond Member
Jun 25, 2002
3,017
1
81
I recently ordered a 75 lbs. monitor from them during the morning, and told them to ship it via UPS ground (about a week for that). It showed up at my door the next morning. I live on the other side of the country from them.

They're good in my book! (so far...)
 

SinnerWolf

Senior member
Dec 30, 2000
782
0
0
Originally posted by: LAUST
1: Crappy Power Supplies
2: Middle East Tech Support
3: Optiplex GX 150/260/270 towers are a pain to open or close
4: USB ports on the Desktop GX150/260/270's are hard to fit a keychain drive in
5: 3Com NIC randomly goes bad on GX150's, Dell deny's it's the mobo everytime, everytime a new mobo fixes it though
6: Painful website to get drivers from
7: Horrid Driver Resource disk
8: DVD drives in GX1 and GX110's end up not being able to read Burned disks
9: CD-ROM eject buttons lose spring action on newer Optiplex's
10: Need to make up their mind, Is it 3Com NIC built in or Intel, is it Creative sound or another company. Go with something and stick with it for abit


one of the companies i support has matched a few of those issues with Dell's...
1. USB thumb drive would randomly work, had to get an AC powered usb hub due to the PSU being overly taxed. On 3 different PC's.
2. Their tier1 is a bear to get through. Luckily I have direct contact numbers for our contracts.
3. if the plates get bent, yes.
4. they are slanted, and i've had 2 users break the entire bezel holding the front usb due to this.
5. had one go out on me today in fact. that's 7 out of 100 so far in a year's time.
6. I made images for all of mine, but their site has gotten MUCH worse about navigating for support
7. I like gateway's driver cd and web utility a hell of a lot better. but i download them from vendors or driverguide anyhow
8. blame lite-on
9. I've had 3 cd rom buttons break. because the spring gets stuck sidewise somehow. nothing a little superglue can't fix
10. dell is just like walmart, whomever has the cheapest price when stock is low = teh winner


Oh, and back on topic...
Holy enormous overreaction, Batman!
- Mwilding

It's dell. if you get it inside of 2 weeks it's a certified miracle.
 

Murphyrulez

Golden Member
Mar 24, 2001
1,890
0
0
How much you wanna bet the package is delivered today while he is at work?

My computers from Dell always arrive and their order status still shows them in production.

I also have never received slow service from Dell, I have ordered 9 computers from them, 3 LCD monitors, projector bulbs... Always come quick. I must be lucky.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,407
8,595
126
wait wait wait... your ordered it on the 6th, a friday, and expected it today, a monday? are you a frickin' moron? even if it was sent on friday you shouldn't be getting it until tuesday.
 

abaez

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2000
7,155
1
81
Originally posted by: PanzerIV
I agree this "irreversible" process they mention is a bit much. If the damn product hasn't shipped yet they know good and well they can stop the order process. This is why I have rarely ordered any peripheral devices from them because you never know when you're gonna get the thing as opposed to Newegg, for instance.

The thing is it's clearly stated they can't cancel the order after it's in production, so it's not like dell was in the wrong totally. I do agree anything they don't have to build they should allow people to cancel before they order, the irreversible process is probably for the custom made to order computers.
 

Thoreau

Golden Member
Jan 11, 2003
1,441
0
76
Originally posted by: ElFenix
wait wait wait... your ordered it on the 6th, a friday, and expected it today, a monday? are you a frickin' moron? even if it was sent on friday you shouldn't be getting it until tuesday.

Your prognosis is amazing, but even Tuesday beats the living hell out of Friday.
 

Renob

Diamond Member
Jun 18, 2000
7,596
1
81
In the end, at least I got to have a little fun, and learn with even more solidity not to buy from Dell.

Your loss, you miss out on all the killer deals they have.

BTW that was messed up, but that kinda thing happens with every company.
 

Thoreau

Golden Member
Jan 11, 2003
1,441
0
76
Originally posted by: Renob
In the end, at least I got to have a little fun, and learn with even more solidity not to buy from Dell.

Your loss, you miss out on all the killer deals they have.

Killer deals, such as the one that I was absically getting in this instance, are only worth it if the vendor is competent. I wouldn't even mind waiting 'til Friday for this product because of the price, but I sure as heck would want to know that I won't see an order for a week, before I bother plopping down an extra $9 for faster shipping. Of course, had I not chosen the 2nd day shipping, this 'in stock item' which 'usually ships same day' would probably not have been in my grubby little hands for a week and a half plus.

On that note, you're right in that it's a loss, as I was actually planning on those 24 port GB switches they have on sale for $180 (IIRC.)
 

aphex

Moderator<br>All Things Apple
Moderator
Jul 19, 2001
38,572
2
91
They did this to me on a digicam. Paid for overnight shipping, they dicked me around for 3 weeks saying it was shipping, then it wasnt, then it was.

NIGHTMARE to cancel my order.
 

Thoreau

Golden Member
Jan 11, 2003
1,441
0
76
Originally posted by: Murphyrulez
How much you wanna bet the package is delivered today while he is at work?

My computers from Dell always arrive and their order status still shows them in production.

I also have never received slow service from Dell, I have ordered 9 computers from them, 3 LCD monitors, projector bulbs... Always come quick. I must be lucky.

*If* that happens, I would gladly recant my initial rant. Altho, I'd have to start a new one on how they can't track their own ordering process. =)

Edit: I may have to use you for all my future orders! Granted, I would probably curse your good fortune causing you nothing but hell from the land of Dell. :D
 

Thoreau

Golden Member
Jan 11, 2003
1,441
0
76
Somewhat notable update...

Just a few minutes ago I received an email from Dell stating that my shipment has just been sent. Kinda odd that I got the email at 5 in the morning, yet the email claims that the package was sent out yesterday. Oh well, at least they actually have a tracking number from DHL to back up their claims for once. Of course, the Dell site still says the order is 'In Production' as one poster thought would be the case.

Theoretically speaking, I may actually see this thing before I'm eligible for social security and retirement benefits. Bonus! Guess I'll hold off on sending BofA after them with chargebacks since the DHL estimated delivery date is Wednesday of this week (tomorrow.)
 

amdskip

Lifer
Jan 6, 2001
22,530
13
81
I've gone through the same BS with Dell before. I had to get a motherboard/processor/memory replaced for something supposedly not under warranty and finally they determined I was correct and then the next dude denied me and then finally the next guy got stuff taken care of. I also fought with them on a Dell order that was supposedly non existent for a 17" monitor that was bad. I had to send them the serial number and that was not in the system so I took pics and attached them and they didn't allow attachments. I then uploaded them and finally they agreed I was correct.
 

Kelemvor

Lifer
May 23, 2002
16,928
8
81
Please let us know how it all turns out. I would agree 100% that if the item was still "In Processing" which the website and the CSR confirmed it was, then the order should be able to be cancelled. Maybe they would have to do a priority cancel or something ot insure they don't send an unwanted item, but it IS possible.

And since you made your intentions clear that you were nto going to accept the package and not pay for it, etc.... I would definitely call your CC company ASAP and tell them that you are in a dispute and if any charges crom through from Dell that they should reject them. ALthough the charge is probably already there so you will have to have them take it back.

Keep us updated.
 

Mookow

Lifer
Apr 24, 2001
10,162
0
0
Originally posted by: Regs
I don't get it. It takes them at least 2 days to put together your customized pc. Not unless you buy a pre built one they will ship out in 24 hours. You paid 9 dollars for the fed ex/up shipping. You want the PC in pieces?

I understand you're frustrated but given how you can customize and choose "what's best for your dell", you should at least respect the fact it takes them 48-72 hours on the production line to put it together and certify it.

Did you read his entire OP? He is ordering a "Belkin Nostromo n52", not a PC. Dell doesnt make this, Belkin does. Dell has nothing to do but ship the sucker out...
 

Thoreau

Golden Member
Jan 11, 2003
1,441
0
76
Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Please let us know how it all turns out. I would agree 100% that if the item was still "In Processing" which the website and the CSR confirmed it was, then the order should be able to be cancelled. Maybe they would have to do a priority cancel or something ot insure they don't send an unwanted item, but it IS possible.

And since you made your intentions clear that you were nto going to accept the package and not pay for it, etc.... I would definitely call your CC company ASAP and tell them that you are in a dispute and if any charges crom through from Dell that they should reject them. ALthough the charge is probably already there so you will have to have them take it back.

Keep us updated.

It'll be interesting to see if/when it shows up at this point. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt one last time here and wait until after tomorrow (DHL's supposed arrival date) until I get fired up again.

As far as cancelling the order, I don't understand how they could 'not do anything' related to the order for four-five days, then be incapable of continuing that legacy of excellence to resume the 'not doing anything' thing. Hmm, I *think* that that last sentence made sense.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
Here is the deal on any online order. Shipping time is determined once the shipper gets the package in their hands, order processing time is unrelated...I am sure that is explained on Dell's website. It sucks when a company takes a long time to process, but if you are looking for instant gratification buy locally.

Mail order companies used to all have 4-8 week shipping times....we are spoiled by some companies with only a 1-2 day lead time.

This same argument goes along the lines when someone pays $50 for an item on ebay and then cries it was at the local store for 1/2 that price and the *seller* ripped them off.

&Aring;