Dell Computers

[Blaise (imported)]

Dell Computers is on my list of companies to avoid. I ordered a new XPS PC on 10/4/05. I am still waiting for delivery even though I paid for two-day service. The computer went out on 10/10/05.

UPS lost one package and has still not delivered the one that they sent out for delivery yesterday. Estimated delivery of the lost package is now 10/17/05.

It took me hours to reach someone at Dell who could investigate. For whatever reason, Dell will not allow UPS to initiate a search for lost packages.

I regret that I did not pay a bit more and buy the Mac that I really wanted to buy. I would already have it.

[Paolo]

Dell Computers is on my list of companies to avoid. I ordered a new XPS PC on 10/4/05. I am still waiting for delivery even though I paid for two-day service. The computer went out on 10/10/05.

UPS lost one package and has still not delivered the one that they sent out for delivery yesterday. Estimated delivery of the lost package is now 10/17/05.

It took me hours to reach someone at Dell who could investigate. For whatever reason, Dell will not allow UPS to initiate a search for lost packages.

I regret that I did not pay a bit more and buy the Mac that I really wanted to buy. I would already have it.

If you paid by credit card, challenge the charge and complain.

Better yet, report the card lost or stolen and tell them Dell is making a fake charge.

[Blaise (imported)]

I would not do that. However, I will challenge the charge for expedited shipping. UPS has good service responses. Dell service disappoints me. However, I knew that before I ordered.

Dell claims that it provides better service on the XPS systems. They are off to a bad start. I was going to buy a PC just like mine for my girlfriend Carol. I will now not do this. Dell lost that business.

[An Onymus (imported)]

A Dell Inspiron notebook computer that I bought a few years ago, never worked right--the floppy disc drive didn't function correctly--and the computer's mainboard went bad after about a year and a half. The fellows in India who are Dell's customer service reps (or were at that time) tried to be helpful, but weren't very effective.

Of course, you usually buy Dell products because they're cheap, and you get commensurate quality and service. A few people I know have had better luck with other cheap notebook computers like Toshiba, but I don't know which desktop systems are the best. Some people report good results with the Compaq-HP small form factor computers.

[Shortie (imported)]

Hi, Ted,

I was sorry to read of your negative experience with Dell. It's probably not of much comfort to you, but it's a fact that all computer manufacturers have that same problem.

In the past, I've dealt with Packard-Bell, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, and also Dell. I've had bad experiences with all of them, but I have to say that Dell did the most to rectify all problems in a timely manner, and to my complete satisfaction. The issue is undoubtedly the immense volume of sales they have to handle, and based on my own small company I know that an increase in sales equals an increase in glitches.

I don't know if this telephone number is still good or not, but if you haven't already reached a satisfactory resolution, it would be worth trying. At one time it connected directly to a customer-service representative rather than endless voicemail scripts. Given the way these numbers go out of date, though, it may connect to a brothel in Thailand now.

1-800-624-9896

If that doesn't work for you, about all I can suggest is to go to:

www.dellcustomercare.com

and look for the link labeled "Contact Us." That will allow you to send an e-mail to Customer Support, and based on past experience, you'll probably receive a telephone call if you include your number and best time to call in your letter.

Hope that helps.

[HairyHarry (imported)]

My computer was built for me to my requirements, by a local company, Red Hot Group, in my nearest town.

When I get a problem, usually caused by me, I put the box in the car and whisk it down there. It gets fixed quickly, and for a very reasonable charge.

I long ago realised that there is so much competition in the consumer computer trade, that shopping around for the lowest price came a long way behind the after-sales service aspect.

[Paolo]

That's the best bet, I think, Harry.

Get a local shop to do it, or build it yourself.

That way, you have only you to blame when it goes...

[Blaise (imported)]

Eventually, Dell came through. I had to be sufficiently patient to wait for their offices to open. The delays emerged from problems at the UPS distribution center in Jackson, Mississippi. They have a huge backlog of orders that they could not deliver to New Orleans and other areas damaged by the storm.

When I got someone at Dell to request a search, they found my lost order within a few hours.

I believe that the delay comes from the storm. Dell did finally work hard to track the package. Of course, I still do not have my monitor, though I got the tower Thursday.

I have owned my Dell 2100 for over three years. I have had no major problems with it. I have endured many problems with HP computers at work. I looked at other brands. The advice from friends indicated that Dell was my best bet short of a Mac. I knew that my first computer was inexpensive. I did not think of it as cheap! The new one is next to the best that Dell markets.

My telephone calls to Dell have generally been helpful. I think that they would have been more helpful had I used DSL. For now, the waiting list for DSL in my region is six to seven weeks.

One problem that I had with Dell was that I encountered too many automated response systems to my calls.

My employer did use local companies to build units for us to use. We gave up on that years ago. We now use Dell. Well, I just retired, but the court still uses Dell.

[Blaise (imported)]

I am enjoying the new toy.

[Blaise (imported)]

My new Dell computer is fantastic.