$100 credit for 8600m GT mislead

After reading every post here I have decided to either wait a week, or until i get my laptop, which ever comes first, as in the past week I have received a free remote, as well as a messenger bag for my troubles, i feel I should wait a little before asking for more . Plus my 1520 is due to ship on the 18th, so if it hasn't shipped by then, then i will feel more then happy to ask for something again.

 

To everyone i have purchased a dell inspiron 1520 and on my order confirmation it states GDDR3 memory however on my packing slip it states GDDR2 memory with the serial number 490-10653. I have not received the machine yet...i am from the UK so the serial numbers may be different but i want to know could i get the same credit. also they have updated their website it states GDDR2 memory for 8600M GT but still in the help more it states 22.4GB/S. i will return my laptop which should be here by tomorrow or tuesday and check for myself what graphics card but i will be very disappointed if this is true as i will report to the ASA for false advertising should Dell not compensate for this mistake. I was in the assumption for the GDDR3 graphics card now it looks like the GDDR2.

 

Another update they have in the UK website changed in the "help me choose" to GDDR2 for the Geforce 8600M GT graphics card

 

^LOL in the US they haven't.

So I called them up for over an hour, REFUSED to not get $100, went through like 6 ppl, got hung up on by the only American support, and got my refund from a Indian rep named Romeo who helped me out immediately. Don't complain about Indian tech support!

 

Yeah, both of my $100 credits came via India

 

I haven't done this yet but seriously I agree with you, the Indian support are much more willing to help you out, the American support will be rude, *****y and unsupportive for the most part.

 

Please help, where at the Dell website for the 1520 does it advertise 22.4 GB/Sec for the 8600 gt, i need to see it before i make my call.

The weside is advertising NVIDIA® GeForceTM Go 8600M GT with 256MB DDR2 dedicated graphic memory : http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/inspnnb_152x?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn

thanks

 

they took it off. looks like your SOL

 

Yeah, they removed it already, probably due to the number of calls coming in about the issue.

 

Got it , you guys on this forum should be professors, man i learn a lot , thanks.

 

I'm guessing its too late to get compensation???
Good thing I still have my chats with those dell.
Good old case number will help me get what I deserve

 

Well, if you ordered it under the impression you would be getting the faster clocked version, you still have a point to make - the fact that Dell has since pulled that ad (this in fact confirms that they recognize it as mislabeled) shouldn't matter.

 

it should matter if your order date is after the day they pulled the ad, which is what it sounds like.

 

SO after I received my order,.. I just call and tell them dell give false advertisement because I was under the impression it was GDDR3 22.4 graphic bandwidth speed but instead its a ghetto GDDR2?

BTW:
Do you think I can get compensation for a messenger bag belkin 17" instead of the 100$ coupon?

 

You could try it, although it'll be tough for you to pull out evidence if the CS rep asks you where you saw that.

As for compensation, it'll really depend on the rep.

 

If my order was on 7/16, that was BEFORE they took it down, correct? I plan to raise hell as soon as it comes in.

EDIT: Also, do they give you like "Dell Dollars" or just refund the money through your CC? If it goes straight back to the CC, I may as well not bother, because my dad is just going to keep it anyway >_>

 

when did they take down the false ad for ddr3? i ordered mines on the 19th... which is the last day that i can use the $300 coupon.

 

oh god they took out the false ad..... now how will i convince them.....

 

someone should of took a screenshoot of it and crop it and post here so we all can use it to get our credit

 

what the hell.....i'd photoshop it nd show them...... thats the only way

 

they took it down quite awhile ago, and they refund the money. I hope you dont get anything if you would really fabricate false evidence. Unless you actually thought you would be getting gddr3 when you ordered you shouldnt be complaining.

 

whether they took it off or not, this thread is proof it was there, and when my laptop comes I will get my credit! Either that or leave a whole lotta reps pissed off...lol But seriously I paid the extra for the best gaming card I could afford only to find out that it is not what I was told it was, screw that.

 

Good thing I made an effort to get the compensation and got the managers number + extension and name.

 

I'm not even going to bother with it.... this is my last dell (all i can say).
i'm going to be happy with my order and leave it as it is. I'll probably waste more time and by then I could have done something else ~~~

 

Well for anyone who cares this was my email to my case manager at Dell:

Dear (case manager's name here),

I have found an issue with my laptop. In reading the forums, I found that there was a mislead on the Dell site. In hopes that after getting my laptop maybe Dell had given me the product promised, not what everyone was getting. I understand this to be a small chance, but it was worth trying. Now that I have received my laptop I have in fact confirmed that when I decided on the graphics card for my system, I was mislead about the performance. Please be sure to read the whole thing to understand what I am talking about. This is best described in this info I copied from the forum:

On the Inspiron 1520 Notebook, you are able to choose 3 video cards...
1) Intel x3100 Onboard
2) GeForce 8400m GS 128 MB
3) GeForce 8600m GT 256 MB

I went with #3, the GeForce 8600m GT 256 MB. Why, do you ask? I went with this video card simply because if you look at this (your dell website), you can see that the one I chose has the highest "Graphics Memory Bandwidth" which shows at 22.4 GB/s. This then means that the graphic memory type has to be "GDDR3". Now, this is where the false advertisement comes into place. It really only runs at 12.8 GB/s, which is only "GDDR2". This is because this video card has 2 ways of clocking, meaning two different speeds. If you look here (its Wikipedia) and you look at the 8600m GT 256 (the one that I got) it shows that you are able to run this card in two different speeds. If you look at that chart, under the column "Bus Type", you will see that the card has two options, "GDDR2/GDDR3". Also if you look at the "Bandwidth Max" column, you will see that it will take 12.8 / 22.4. And then one last thing, if you look at the "Clock" column, you will see "400/700 mhz". Now I'm going to list which specifications go with what video card, although it might seem obvious.

***REMEMBER THIS IS STILL ALL BASED JUST ON THE GRAPHICS CARD, NOTHING TO DO WITH SYSTEM RAM***
For the one with a GDDR2 memory type:

* 400 mhz Clock speed
* 12.8 GB/s Memory Bandwidth Max


Now for the GDDR3 memory type:

* 700 mhz Clock speed
* 22.4 GB/ms Memory Bandwidth Max


Now, this is where I hope everything will fall into place. In your new Dell Inspiron Systems, you guys have put in the GDDR2 version of the GeForce 8600m GT, aka "the underclocked version". Now at that first link I have given (here it is again), this link provides the details on your website. In order to get to this website with this information, one has to be customizing their new notebook, and have to click on the "Help Me Choose" link provided by the Dell site, then you have to click on the "Compare Side-By-Side" tab in order to get to this site. Now as I have said before, you guys state that if you choose the 8600m GT 256 MB, you will be receiving a 22.4 GB/s Memory Bandwidth, which then means that we will be receiving the 700 mhz clock speed, AKA the GDDR3 memory type for the video card. Now, since I play games, having this extra Clock speed, and memory bandwidth max can make a big difference. If I were to just surf the web, use e-mail, etc. this would not make a difference.

I hope I have explained everything throughly enough. If you have any more questions, just e-mail me back.



Now comes another problem, since this was written Dell has removed the memory bandwidth part of the graphics card comparison. This further shows that they admit that they were wrong.

To get at what I am asking everyone that has worked enough to get to the right reps that will do it, have received a $100 credit towards their account, or a $100 coupon. Since I really don't need the cash back, I would rather have a $100 coupon in the interest of ordering a digital camera from Dell.

To further support my issue, here are a couple threads in the forums about this topic, the first one is where I got the above information from:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=140216&highlight=differences

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=140086


Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
(my name here)

 

I took a screenshot of the ad just in case they tried to pull something and it looks like they did take it down...

 

They've always had the disclaimer:

The Home & Home Office site and offers contained herein valid only for end users and not for resellers and/or online auctions. Pricing, specifications, availability and terms of offers may change without notice. Taxes, fees, shipping and handling and any applicable restocking charges are extra, and vary. Dell Home & Home Office new purchases only. Limit of 5 systems per customer please. Dell cannot be responsible for pricing or other errors, and reserves the right to cancel orders arising from such errors.

My guess is that they'd rather just offer you $100 to shut you up and keep you from returning the notebook.

Which is a good question... how many of you would return the notebook or cancel your order because of the clock speed of the memory?

I'm thinking about canceling my order and going with another vendor just cause I'm a bit tired of waiting for my order to get built and shipped.

 

There have been a few people cancel in lieu of the asus G1S. I honestly am not sure if I would or not. This graphics processor is more powerful then my desktop, but if it's being limited to the memory bandwidth then what good is all that power?

Edit: I actually just saved the pic, then embedded it into the email as well as attached it. Thanks again for the pic!! I'm gonna rep you for that one.

 

Thanks a ton, I will send a copy of the link to your screenshot to her as well. That just proves the point even more.

 

I filed a claim through the Damged, Wrong, and missing link in the dell customer service page, i was contacted a day or two later. She asked what i wanted to do, i said if there was anyway i could replace the card that would be best, but otherwise i would just like compensation. She responded that she did not know whether they carried the gddr3 and that i should contact sales, i was sure they didn't at this point. I told her i think it would be best if i could just get a $100 credit back. She took another day or so and responded that she had done it, the next day i had a confirmation in my email box. Took all of 20 minutes of mine to type the emails.

Sure it took almost a week to get my compensation, but it took less time of mine, and there was no headache trying to break through their heavy accent. I got a $50 coupon in response to my missing remote through the phone, that was a pain in the butt. She was very nice but hard to understand. IMO this would be the best way to get compensation if you don't need it NOW.

 

Well for the first time Mallika was unable to help, here was her response:

I am sorry that you are facing issues with the order. Kindly get in touch with the Dell Technical support department at the phone number 800-624-9896 as they would be the best to help you with this issue. As I belong to Customer Care department and I am not technicaly trained.

And inreference to the coupon that you are asking for, I am sorry I will not be able to issue a coupon as we cant offer multiple concessions as we have already given you two items for free.


I guess I will have to try other means...

 

well i just chatted with dell and they linked me the latest bios and driver. funny thing was latest bios is A00 which is the first bios. But for the hell of it i flashed it and installed latest driver, hoping that maybe in some weird dimension, dell had severely underclocked the DDR3 memory. obviously no go. nothing changed and I am now supposed to wait a call from tech support to tell me what i already know, but if it helps get the credit...

 

ok final update, taked with tech support for about 5 mins, he confirmed everything I told him, he told me to contact customer service. Did so, and with very little hassle overall was given the $100 credit. So to tally it all up, I have received a $60 Bluetooth remote, a $50 Targus Messenger (it's on the way as I type this), and a $100 credit. So $210 value for a little of my time, not bad, not bad at all.

Edit:

Oh yeah, plus next day shipping on everything, the remote, bag, and system.

 

Interesting I've tried but haven't been able to get them to give me the credit and also pissed that people who have ordered after me are receiving their laptops when mine is still being "build"

 

That very well could be why you are having trouble. I intentionally waited until I received my laptop so that I could argue, yes I have it, yes I can prove it's not to spec, and with the help of the screenshot another poster had, I was also able to prove that it had, in fact, originally existed that they had posted speed. Coupled with that and the nvidia website showing that the 8600M GT was supposed to be running at 700 MHz. It was impossible for them to argue I had not gotten what I paid for. As well as an order date of June 28th, proved that I had ordered it before the removal. Use this information to help you, but only after you get the laptop, and use the dell online chat and have everything ready to show them. Tell them to use the program that lets them see your screen as your doing stuff. That was how I was able to prove my point. The first guy tried telling me I could just overclock it, and I had Ntune running and showed him that the clocks don't stick. So he ended up sending me to tech support, the rest is all above in other posts.

 

Ahem, my email.

 

Is it still possible to get the credit?

 

Okay? You posted your email to help others right?

 

Yeah. That was me.

 

It all depends on when you ordered it because i think dell took the wrong info down.

 

Hey, I gave you rep for it Larson She ended up telling me no anyway... But I was able to get it using that info in other way, as stated above.

Ok, I seriously hate comcast, my internet goes out more then anywhere else I have ever lived. Fortunately their is a guy with a open network, that does not mind if I use it. I asked. But it sucks because right now my connection can fluctuate down to 12% and even disconnect. Grrrr.. sorry had to vent.

Thanks again Larson.

 

Haha, no problem. I forgot about the rep or else I wouldn't have said anything. I'm sorry .

Hey, but thats awesome you were able to get compensation! Did you get a coupon or actually money back? I was only able to get a coupon. Good job!

 

When I had comcast, it went out on average two times a day. Finally decided to switch to Qwest DSL. It has only dropped once in the two months i've had it. There was a small speed drop though. But it was worth it IMO.

 

how long do you guys think I have before they start changing this. it would seem really sweet to get another 100 bucks back but I don't know when I'm going to be buying my laptop.

I'm planning on getting a 1520 btw

 

You know, Dell took down the "22.4 GB/s" description a couple weeks ago.

If you ordered after that, and are still trying to get compensation - shame on you.

 

There is no shame if the NVidia website says otherwise.

 

Nvidia purposely lets the distributor choose what type of video RAM to put in, it has nothing to do with nvidia!

 

Larson, it was credited back to credit card.

VJM, right after I wrote that the other guy's internet quit working too...

Work in progress, you missed the boat on that one. Now if you do it, it is quite morally impermissible, and I hope you think twice before trying. Those of us that ordered before anyone else got their machine are the ones truly entitled to the credit.

Matt, there is shame because you know now. When we ordered, no one had their laptop and we had no way of knowing. I don't know if you were here then or not, but there was a massive deal of excitement over a couple heated issues, and the number one thing was does the machine have DDR3? But now you know, and the dell site no longer says anything, so it would not be right for you to say anything, plus I don't see how you could argue it?

 

I know when i ordered - July 12th they still had the 22.4 Gbs description up. and i didn't know anything about it NOT being that. That's why I'm emailing them about it. That and the Audio fault. they need to sort both of these ot IMHO. It's stopping a good laptop being a GREAT laptop for me. I did call them about the remote, but i wasnt going to push for it.. it was just irritating with everyone else getting one, and all the reviews having one, but no way of gettingone at the time (you couldn't add it then)

 

With an order date that early, I think (not that my opinions should really matter to anyone!) that you have a right to complain if you felt misled. I ordered on 7/7, and posted in Dell's own forum about the issue on 7/11 here:

http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_video&thread.id=164569

I completely agree with you there. Its not a huge deal, but it is a little annoying.