The big DellNet rip off

[Dave B]

Anyone have a Dell computer? Don't know about you, but so far, what a POS. Software has all kinds of bugs, the modem went gunnybag, and their customer service SUCKS. I have never seen a worse company for customer service. What a joke.

AND, they give you a years free internet access for purchasing one of their systems. THEN, when you are nearing your first year of owning the system (thus needing another ISP), they send you a VERY misleading bunch of emails and documents telling you that you can sign up for MSN internet access at no addtl charge. Well, if the first year is free, and it says "no addtl charge" DOESN'T THAT IMPLY WHAT YOU ARE SIGNING UP FOR IS FREE???? I emailed them asking how much it costs... . "NO ADDTL CHARGE". I called them to ask how much it costs "NO ADDTL CHARGE". SO GUESS WHAT SHOWS UP ON MY CREDIT CARD STATEMENT??!!? Yep, an ISP monthly charge. I called them, spent an hour on the phone, and of course they tried to weasel out of it. . nowhere in their literature are the charges shown, and it clearly implies the first years service is free.

WHAT A BUNCH OF CROOKS. No wonder Dell and Microsofts stocks are in the toilet.

A letter to the State Dept of Justice is on its way... we'll see what happens after that.

 

[illflem]

Dave,you feel the same way about Dell as I feel about AOL. Don't ever put one of their discs in your computer,it worms it's way in and you can't get it out. I finally bought a new computer to get rid of them. In the mean time though I let them talk me into their "great deal" long distance service,used it for 1 month,then changed back to MCI. They kept on billing me for long distance along with MCI even though I canceled with them. It took 7 seven months and many hours on hold to finally convince them I wanted nothing to do with their scam. They have the nerve to call once a week asking what can we do to get you back. Pisses me off. I can't believe they are the #1 internet provider in in the US,it just goes to show me that this country must be full of some really lame people. No offence to anyone here,but every time I think of AOL my blood boils.

 

[LSMITH]

Dave, sorry you feel that way about Dell. I have a Dell laptop for work and I absolutely love it. I have not had a single issue that wasn't self induced. A couple of guys at work also have Dells ( all personally owned )and they have had a few problems. Dell always has a guy there the next business day and the thing is running again before he leaves. Best computer I have ever used bar none. I did not get the MSN with it though, I will decide where I get internet access. Sucks that they were not able to take care of you in the same fashion.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Everything but leather NRA Member

 

[John]

..... I hear that Bill. AOL charged me for at least three months after I discontinued service from them and it took an act of god to get it squared away. #ad

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Bought a new Dell Computer 12/18/2000

Power supply fried on 12/27/2000

Dell sent out service man with part and replaced on 12/28/2000

COULDN'T ASK FOR BETTER SERVICE

I told Dell what was wrong. They took my word and sent the right part the first time.

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Took Dodge dealership 3 times (3 trips by me)to repair a heated seat. 1st time - diagnosis. 2nd trip - wrong part. 3rd trip fixed. Took about six weeks.

 

[The patriot]

I recently switched to gas heat. What a mistake. It was a major problem getting their installer to adhear(sp?) to the schedule. I work shift work, and I WILL NOT leave the house unlocked, like they suggested.
When I got my first months bill, it was estimated. ?? I called and asked "how did you estimate it if I never had gas before?" She then went into the schpiel about estimating it off of last yearsbill. #ad
#ad

I sent in $100. 00 towards a $157. 00 (MONTHLY??) bill.
I hope this is wrong (still waiting on the second bill) I have a woodstove, and it runs 24-7.
Big time rip off. They WILL NOT get me to install another gas appliance. Too bad, I'd really like a gas stove(hate electric), and hot water heater.
Eric
PS I got my computer from Staples for $300. 00. Hewlett Packard, celeron 466, 10 gig,zip drive etc etc. It was a floor model, unfortunatly I recently installed AOL to try it out for the free month. #ad
Otherwise I'm happy with it.

[This message has been edited by The patriot (edited 02-13-2001). ]

 

[Switca]

I was issued a Dell Laptop 2 years ago. No problems and it gets hauled, dragged and dropped everywhere.

Would I buy one for home? Hell no.

I go to the PC shows and see who's selling what. I find a dealer who is located near me, I ask what parts he's using and I spec out a box. I get what I want at show prices from a dealer 'down the street'.

Unless you live off your machine like I do, all you need is an OS (Windows 98 or 2000), a browser, like Internet Explorer, and something to do Emial with, Outlook Express will do that.

A friend of mine bought a Gateway. 3/4 of the drive was full of crap Gateway that pre-loaded.

I blew it all away, reloaded Win 98, without all the crap, IE 5, and MS Office. Used 1/4 of the drive.

 

[WOWZY]

Research was what led me away from Dell and the price for a Gateway was $500 less for the same computer.

If you do buy one from Gateway, specify to not have the programs preloaded so you can junk most of the crap programs.

Do any of you have "Go-Back" on your PC? This program has saved my computer illiterate butt more times than I can count.

 

[Barry]

O great, I just bought 2 new Dells for my office... ... .....

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2001 2500 QC, ETH/DEE,4:10s, LSD, EZ with elbow(26. 5PSI) Boost/Pyro Guages, 4" Turbo back, BD Brake,Mag-Hytec Cover, Kleen Wheels, Energy Release, 70 gal. fuel, 20K Reese. 25,000 Miles on 01/30/01(RV Dealer)

 

[Bud Fox]

I have had my Dell for about a year and a half NO PROBLEMS. I think their customer service is #1. That is the main reason I bought a Dell. Just about everyone I know has a Dell with no problems. Sorry to hear about your problems but I would reccommend Dell to anyone I know. Now Toshiba, their customer service sucks and you could not give me a Toshiba computer for free. .

 

[Dave B]

I too, heard nothing but good about Dell. But after having dealt with the idiots at their customer service center on numerous issues, I give them a big fat "0" for their service skills. The only positive aspect was that on one of the calls, I got a kid who said "... . I got a pal in engineering... " and he connected me; this guy fixed me up no problem. Other than that, they've lost me as a customer if for no other reason than their fraudulent promotion of the free internet access. Then again, I won't be buyin' another 'puter in the forseeable future anyway so guess it doesn't matter much.

 

[JR2]

I have had a IBM thinkpad laptop (issued to me by the company I work for) for about 2. 5 years, it came with a three year warranty. About a year ago I had a problem with the pointer device. I called the IBM help # and talked to a very intelegent person who had me do a few things and then said... there will be a box there for your computer in the AM. It will be back in less than 7 days. I say to my self, ya right. The next day a truck pulled up and gave me a box. Then I called again and the truck came back, 6 days later the truck came back with my laptop was back and repaired, they even repainted it. It may have been way over priced, heavy and use its battery in a 20 minutes, but the service was fantastic. I would highly reccomend an IBM product.

 

[Koa Man]

WOWZY,
I have Go-Back on my computer too. I think everyone should install it. I got a KAK virus thru an email once and I used Go-Back to revert my hard drive to just before the email arrived and presto, virus was gone. I have also used it to uninstall a program I didn't like and it works better than the unwanted program's own unistall program.

 

[Steve G]

I've had a Dell for 3 years and haven't had one single problem. Any questions that I've had, their customer support had been great.

Steve