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General discussion

Delay delay delay delay

Dec 5, 2009 1:08PM PST

Dell has, so far, delayed my desktop purchase 4 times. Most recently the new date was only an additional day per the legal notice they emalied to me, but in checking the order status tonight they pushed the delivery date back 2 weeks. Certainly, this violates the FTC mail order rule. Are others getting these repeated delays? Makes
e think it is time to cancel and order an HP.

Discussion is locked

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I'm going with no.
Dec 5, 2009 9:46PM PST

In today's economy you may be a victim of some supplier that promised a part and it didn't show up to make your custom machine.

The lesson here is simple. Go with pre-configured ready to ship models if you must have a machine by a certain date.

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Dell's Scripted Call Center Says...
Dec 5, 2009 10:10PM PST

Curiously, withe the first two delays Dell's outsourced call center refused to answer the question "is a part causing the delay". Nor would they tell me how to get specific information. With the third delay, a call center "supervisor" insisted the delay was because so many people were ordering Dells and there so many to build. Again, they refused to direct me to someone useful. Now, the "supervisor" did offer enhanced shipping which is sort of a joke for a machine destined either never to ship or to ship at least 7 weeks late. By the way, the only "custom" part is the addition of a sound card-- hardly an exotic hard to find component.

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You may have discounted
Dec 5, 2009 10:40PM PST

How a company works. They have rigid rules on how to acquire parts. And there are costs that mount as they deal with the customers so to cut costs you find companies to short change you on the deep details you are seeking.

My advice is to go with pre-configured machines if and when you can. Dell has no exclusive on the delay here. But you find consumers are a finicky bunch so let them bounce from maker to maker or flame one maker then the next.
Bob

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There you go, blame the consumer
Dec 6, 2009 1:13AM PST

So let get this straight. Dell has this button to click on that sYs customize. But if I understand you correctly, Bob, they don't really mean it. And they offer "customer support" but the customer shoul not have unrealistic expectations of meaningful support. Got it, Bob; do you shill for any companies besides Dell?

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They.
Dec 6, 2009 4:05AM PST

"They" are the companies you see today. Not an one has a leg to stand on in this area. Calling me a shill when I point out that each company is faulty seems odd.

My advice is simple. Go with ready to ship models.
bob

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Just-In-Time Inventory System
Dec 9, 2009 7:03AM PST

I too ordered a Dell and had to wait 3 weeks for delivery.
Just checked the status and my order has been canceled.

Why .... waiting for parts to arrive.

Dell uses the "just-in-time" inventory system whereby they have no inventory of parts.
They require their vendors to deliver on a specific date.

The "just-in-time" inventory system only works if you have reliable vendors.

Apparently, they don't.

And Dell does not have a contingency plan.
Except to cancel your order.

Just place your order again .... Yeah! ... Right!

..

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Strange
Dec 12, 2009 2:15AM PST

You can go to Dell.com and some of the threads have many people complaining about the same thing. I bought a Dell in June and went through a month of frustration getting a working machine, so this is nothing new.
What is kind of funny is I was in Bestbuy yesterday and saw a Dell 8000 fully loaded on display. I asked the salesman if that was just for display and had to be ordered from Dell. He said no, they had 3 in stock plus the one on display.
People are complaining about the holdups on this same computer in the Dell forums.
The computer is actually $125.00 cheaper with the same configuration at Bestbuy than if ordered from Dell.

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Strange
Dec 19, 2009 8:54AM PST

If you buy a Dell PC from a local store, do they ever offer a Dell factory support warranty? I am trying to decide what brand of PC to purchase, but I would like a warranty that would last the time it is supposed to cover. Too many stores sell products with a local warranty, then move or go out of business before the warranty expires.

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The Sixth Postponement Was Too Much
Dec 19, 2009 11:33AM PST

Well, Dell extended the estimated delivery date a sixth time now. And finally I cancelled the order and HP will be delivering a new machine this Wednesday. Dellay lost Dell mt future business.

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Excellent question.
Dec 21, 2009 4:31AM PST

I don't know how that works now on the warranty.
I bought a HP a few years ago from Circuit City and got the extended warranty from both HP and Circuit City through them. That may be different with Dell and places like Best Buy and Costco.

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Done With Dell
Dec 23, 2009 7:03PM PST

As I was speaking with a friend at work about wanting to upgrade my computer this Holiday season (desktop is 6-7 years old, also a Dell), he told me no less than five times to stay the hell away from Dell. I didn't listen. I ordered my Dell on Black Friday thinking I got a great deal. It was scheduled for mid-December (GREAT! IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS). Then came the delay notice - delayed until January 4, but they'll send us a FREE Christmas card saying that I bought the computer and it's on its way (idiots). This morning, I wake up to another delay email! This one says that they will automatically cancel my order unless I respond in the next 24 hrs (as per Federal Trade Commission Rules). You know what...cancel the order. If you can't build a computer in SIX WEEKS during the Holidays when people are making their big ticket purchases - you have no business being in business. As far as I'm concerned, I am done with Dell. I hope their stock crashes. I hope their computers crash. And I'm going to take the advice of all those who have abandoned Dell - I'm going to go shop for an HP. 6 years ago - it wasn't a "perfect" experience either - they shipped the computer without the media card reader! They had to ship me the card reader and walk me through installing it over the phone!! Imagine taking your BRAND NEW COMPUTER apart to see the guts and worrying that you're going to screw it up. DONE!!!! Goodbye Dell - hope you guys keep on losing customers and you are a victim of a hostile takeover because you deserve nothing less.

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Dellay...Dellay...Dellay
Dec 23, 2009 7:25PM PST

Cancel those postponed Dell orders. After my 6th dellay I finally did and ordered an HP on Saturday. With free 2 day shipping it arrived the very next Monday. Blew me away.

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Down the tubes
Dec 31, 2009 12:06AM PST

You guys are worried about delays? i wish a i never bought a dell!
I spent 3,000 on an M1730 and the video cards died. luckiliy they will downgrade my video card for free, yay!(I am being sinical) i have watched them going down first by offshoring everything in sight. Now their hardware isnt even good anymore. This will be the last Dell i buy! i know it's a big company, but when will they get a clue?