Alert the media... Dell Delays!!

Seriously, I think we should.

Collectively those of us waiting for our computers should write to the tech writers of our local papers. Dell has such an untarnished commercial image, I get the sense that they can simply shrug off a couple thousand disgruntled customers because they will be swimming in profits despite our massive disappointments.

I have seen so many ads for the delayed notebooks I see colored dots when I close my eyes. Something has gone terribly wrong in Texas, or wherever they put these darn things together, and together we have a voice; perhaps an opportunity to apply a little pressure. Not to the poor CSR's in India, but to the corporate fat cats that are probably in Cabo enjoying what's left of their summer vacation with the family.

We deserve answers, from what I've read, we've all gotten answers, but none of them seem to make sense, and none of them are getting us our notebooks any sooner. I've begun notifying tech writers in my area... it can't hurt, can it?

Just a thought...

 

Yeah! Let's stick it to the man! I just watched School of Rock which is about stickin it to the man so I'm inspired.

 

digg this http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3880

 

All of these threads talking about sticking it to Dell and trying to get all this crap for free are starting to get really old. I've only been a member here for about a week, and that's just about the ONLY thing I see posted in the Dell forums. In case none of you have read ANYTHING besides the articles talking sh*t about Dell, the whole laptop industry is facing shortages on parts and equipment. Not only that, but Dell pulled a classic electronics marketing move, offering their laptops in designer colors. Did people really expect that they were just going to be able to order one up and there would be plenty to go around for the whole world? It seems like a lot of people on here don't understand simple concepts like supply and demand, and how huge a company like Dell really is. It is IMPOSSIBLE for them to satisfy every single customer every single day. Problems arise, things get delayed, sh*t happens. I know some people have been waitng for a long time, but seriously, how many of these threads does there really have to be? There's a thread somewhere else that was just started by someone who ordered theirs on Monday, and they're already complaining about having to wait forever.

People that say things like this are one of the biggest things wrong with this country. Everyone just assumes that every corporation and company is out to screw the consumer, and sit back and laugh while things get screwed up and problems arise. You don't have the postition to apply any "pressure". What do you honestly expect them to do? Suddenly snap to in shock and awe that a group of people from an internet forum have suddenly banded together with the iron-fisted agenda to "apply pressure" to their money-grubbing evil corporation? You can't expect me to believe that you honestly think that's what's going on at Dell right now. You don't think that they're pissing themselves right now, afraid of all the bad press they're getting? You don't think they're trying their damndest to rectify they situation? Or is every big company that you deal with just out to screw you and laugh?

 

I'm not sure if you were referring that to me or not, you've been on this forum for like a week and telling people who've been waiting 1+ month to stop whinning about the delays. And if you were referring to me, I waited about 3 weeks. I called 2days before the EDD, dell csr promised me I would have it in time. I had to cancel and reorder it with jet black so that I can have it on time for school.

 

I was, and it didn't say that in the thread. My bad. But my argument still stands.

 

the only thing i can add to this thread is a response to something specific that was said:

Dell's commercials are centered around the fact that the laptops are built when you place the order and they get out to you as soon as possible. This link shows you what I mean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BxCcDFnwTc
That being said, yes I do expect to order one up and get it within a reasonable time. I believed them when they said my laptop was going to get here "on or before the estimated delivery date." And as far as Dell having laptops available for everyone who wanted one..Yes, I believe they should have had all the necessary equipment to get the job done because they are a large corporation who should have thought about the demand for these new innovative colored laptops ahead of time. I don't think that they prepared the way they should have.... how can you come out with a new line of colored laptops and not expect that the majority of consumers would want one? What's wrong with dell is the management and being a consumer I feel I do have a right to expect what I paid for and I feel I also have a right to expect that product to be delivered on a timely basis. A lot of us need the laptops for school so dell is truly inconveniencing us. Complaining about it is our right.

The thing that we are most angered about is the lack of communication within the corporation. No one who works for CS really knows what the hell is going on and since we can only talk to dell reps, the consumers are being left in the dark as far as what the situation really is. We're mad not only because we have to wait but also because we're waiting in the dark

 

Rep to jak2 for, well, just for not being Mr. Anderson (who, coincidentally appears to be a real jak*ss.)

 

iucandi,

Well said, bravo!

 

Yes actually. That is the point of ordering something. You usually want it to first exist, and then for there to be one for you, whether it be a coloured lid, or a CPU. What would be the point of Dell offering this feature if they weren't going to be ready for all the orders coming in? Dell is one of the biggest computer manufacturers in the world and people have set expectations when they buy from dell, that surely one of the largest computer manufacturers in the world will have enough parts right after having a new product line come out to hold up the the amount of orders they are going to receive. It seems to me as if you think dell brought out a whole new line of laptops and desktops expecting no one to order them. I don't think it's much of a surprise to see how many people are buying from dell, so I don't see why they shouldn't be prepared for so many orders. When a brand new product comes out, from one of the largest computer manufacturers in the world and they run out of supplies people have the right to be upset. It's up to Dell to make sure they are prepared for the hordes of orders coming in. People who just ordered are complaining because they immidiately see their ETA is 3-4 weeks away, and are confused how this is possible when ordering from one of the more trusted and reliable companies in the world. Just be glad you only have to wait 2 weeks...so far...

Personally, I am not as upset as most, but I have just ordered so my ETA time hasn't been pushed back yet. As excited as I am to get my first kick ass computer, if it does get pushed back, I'm sure I'll be pissed and try to get freebies but there is nothing wrong with that.


edit/ps: i repeated a lot of what iucandi said...but still....

 

Because you know me, right? No matter what the forum, the e-thugging always persists...

I'm not saying that none of your complaints are valid. I'm saying that you can't expect every company to be fully ready for every situation. Maybe Dell dropped the ball, and just wasn't as prepared for the color thing as they should have been. But the buying public was also just as naive in thinking that as soon as something as gimmicky as this was released, they'd be able to get one immediatley. It's the exact same thing that happened with colored iMacs, colored iPods, colored this and colored that. The same thing happens with any gimmick like this, and for the buying public to not expect delays and shortages is as much their own fault as it is Dell's. No I'm not excusing them for the situation. And yes I agree that when you order something, you expect to recieve it in a timely manner. But people saying things like "together we have a voice" and "maybe together we can apply some pressure" just irks me. I'm sure at this point, Dell is WELL aware of consumer frustrations, and I'm sure are doing what they can. If they aren't providing their CSRs with all the answers, that's a foul up on their part, yes. But how much can they tell them that isn't already public knowledge?

 

There's already been numerous articles from all around the tech sector of the web that have been dedicated to all aspects of the delays, mostly pointing out Dell, but also (correctly) pointing out that notebook parts shortages are rampant throughout the industry.

 

I'd have to agree with Mr. Anderson on this one. Sure Dell dropped the ball, but nothing we can do about it. Well besides cancel, but it seems people still want that Dell

 

Exactly. I mean in all seriousness, what more do people expect the Dell CSR's to tell them? Not trying to be a jerk here, but that's the bottom line.

 

screw MR anderson.....KILL THE BEAST(DELL)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...LOL

 

When I suggested that we use our voice collectively, it was essentially in response to the fact that I am STILL getting inundated with ads for these computers that they can't seem to get out to people. And to take the heat off of the CSR's which I feel terribly bad for at this point, and put it on the people that control how information is given.

I realize that the tech sector is aware of the delays, but I don't think the mainstream media is, and present company included, the new inspirons weren't necessarily marketed to the tech sector.

I want what I ordered, and I want to be respected as a customer. There is a certain level of service that is expected when a company with a reputation such as Dell is involved. I'm not a techie, I ordered a Dell because it generally has the repuation of high quality, reasonably priced products that are backed up with good customer service.

Yes, I could cancel, but at this point, I've invested nearly half of my summer waiting for my computer (original order of 6/25). So I don't want to get out of line and have to wait even longer. I had an expectation that a company the size of Dell would be able to manage their inventory in an effective manner. And that after this long in the industry, they would be able to launch a new product without these type of customer service meltdowns. Just be straight with us.

They are still marketing this product as a back to school product. I'm starting to think they mean "back to school from Christmas break".

 

What do you consider mainstream media? I doubt local newspapers are going to pick up the story if that's what you mean.

 

When I placed an order for my midnight blue laptop they gave me an ESD and the EDD. Sure they claim that unexpected things may happen such as the delay and as a result they have the right to change and manipulate the ESD all they want. But when I ordered that laptop, I thought of that date as a promise to me that Dell would at least try their best to get that laptop to me by that time. Well, unfortunately for Dell, they did screw up big time because of their "unseen" shortages. Maybe its just my impatient side of me that cause me to complain alot on this forum but what about all the calls they made to make me wait out. Three days before the ESD, while it was still build stage, THEY called me to assure me that the product would ship on or before the ESD. I waited, and the ESD passed. I called back about three times, and all the reps gave me different answers. I haven't confirmed which was the real truth behind it. I've been lied to by dell and for a product that's worth more than a grand, I expect to have a better customer service. Sure the laptops that dell make are worth more than what they should be but that doesn't give dell an excuse to treat us like rats locked up in a cage not knowing what's going to happen to us.

 

A couple more articles

Dude, you're not getting a Dell: shipping delays hound PC maker
http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/10/dude-youre-not-getting-a-dell-shipping-delays-hound-pc-maker/

Hey Dell, Where Are Those "Very Cool" Laptops Your Customers Ordered?
http://consumerist.com/consumer/no-...ool-laptops-your-customers-ordered-286343.php

 

When my order got delayed the rep told me they only come to know on the shipping date....since i was informed on my shipping date,i was quite frustrated. I was like wat the heck...how is it possible for a corporation like Dell not to know well in advance that the orders would get delayed...It seems there is lack of communication between different dept or a deliberate attempt by Dell to keep its customers in dark....the least i expect is timely communication....C'mon is it too much to ask for....So clearly there is something wrong ....

 

Do you write like that too? Just using 3 or 4 periods in a row between senctences instead of actually ending them and starting new ones using one period and a space?

I'm not trying to attack you personally, but I have never been able to understand how people start posting like that.

 

Well Mr. Anderson i'm sooo sorry if my posting/writing skills offended u as i never took any writing skill lessons
Neways If u really are bothered about the subject then lets concentrate on that rather then diverting from it... Personally i would not bother to react on ur comment since i'm here to share my experience. Believe me i already had gone thru lot of frustration coz of the delay and would rather njoy my time here.

 

You text message and talk on AIM a lot, don't you? You post in internet/IM shorthand.

And relax, I said before I wasn't attacking you personally. Just making observations. Beyond that, the thread going off topic shouldn't be too much of a tradgedy, considering there are 35 dozen other threads on the same subject.

 

I agree, no hard feelings :twitcy:

 

Very interesting thread...
I have ordered three Dell Inspirons so far. I have canceled two of them because they would be delayed and at the time of the delay, they would be indefinitely (the CSR could not tell me when to expect them). As you see in my sig, I have ordered a Jet Black. I expect to get it before the ESD. Why? Because there was no delay on that color when I ordered...just like there was no delay when I ordered a blue and red laptop. I also expect to not have a delay because no one else has had a delay on the Jet Black Inspiron. Or at least from what I can tell.

Did Dell screw up in this matter? Absolutely.
Do I think I deserve more from Dell because they have delayed my computer a couple of times? Absolutely.
Did I deserve to have CSR ignore me and refuse to call me back? Nope.

When you offer a new product with an excellent price (a brand new colored laptop with free 2 GB RAM and free 160 GB HD and a several customizable features and a sub $1,000 price tag is a great price) you need to be able to get the computer to the person in a timely manner. Especially when that person has ordered a computer with no delays on any aspect of their laptops.

Since supply is down, the price needs to go up. If they can't get their price to their customers in a timely, they need to cut out the ads. They will end up getting more angry customers and fewer. It is a snow ball effect.

Do I think we have a right to stick it to the Man? Absolutely. I don't know about the rest of you, but I am an American and I have the right to tell Dell what I think of them. Of course they have the right to ignore me. Which they have. If you have read Dell's blog, they completely ignore the Inspiron shortage.

Will this be the last time I buy from the Dell. Probably. Next time I need something, I will check out other companies' offers. Since I have not been screwed by HP, Gateway, Toshiba, etc (except Apple - they have screwed me more than Dell) I will be checking them out.

I can guarantee you that I am not alone. So we can stick it to the man, but something tells me that the man does not care. At least he has not said anything yet.

 

If you really want to "stick it to the man" why not just cancel your order? Nothing hurts more than hitting him in the pockets.

(Then maybe mine will go through faster!!)

 

Mr. Anderson,
Please keep in mind that you have not received any delay notices. It's always easy to be understanding when you are not the one with the problem. I'm willing to bet if your order were to be delayed twice, you'd be on the phone explaining to Dell that you understand the manufacturing process and they obviously aren't using very good process.

 

Eh, it's possible. But it's probably also because I'm not really hard up to get mine. My new laptop is just a new computer for me, something to unchain me from my desk way back here in the back of the house, and be my new fun tech toy to play with. I still have my kick-ass desktop rig until it sells.

This is it:

http://bend.craigslist.org/sys/390925712.html