Cancel my 1520 order or not?

I ordered a 1520 on Friday, got a great price with the student discount and Dell financing discount, but today got notification that they need to ask me some questions to confirm the financing. If I don't call in 3 days, the order will automatically cancel. I usually don't worry too much about complaints you read, because you see them on every product sold, but I'm still concerned about the screen issues posted here, especially since they are mentioned in some of the official reviews. Circuit City has a Toshiba on sale this week for $779 with an AMD processor & 2GB of memory. With it, you get a free printer, router, and a case. The Toshiba screens are very good IMO. Now I need to decide what to do. I really like the looks and first rate build quality of the Dell, and the price is great considering how much laptop you get. I just need some reassurance that the screen isn't like looking through fogged plexiglas as some have made it sound. I ordered mine with the WXGA+ screen.

 

uh.. we need more information like what is your 1520 specs and price before we can tell you your deciision.

 

If you got a good deal from Dell I say keep it that's just me. You have 21 days to decide if you want to keep it. You may find you'll like it once it arrives. I recently purchased a Inspiron 1501 which usually gets laughed at and I love everything about the laptop including the white cosmetic bumpers, lol.

Those CC, Best Buy and Office Depot deals happen quite often. Also CC charges a 15% restocking fee if you open the box and you decide to bring it back. Dell gives you 21 days.

 

if the prospect of a screen (grainyness) and the sound issue is really important to you you might want to look for a different laptop. there are apparently various fixes that people have done to fix the sound. If you have time, i would continue with the order and just decide when the laptop comes. You can always return it after use (within 30 days if i'm correct) if your unsatisfied. i remember reading this somewhere but can someone confirm?

EDIT: i guess its 21 days =p

 

dell also has a restocking fee unless you want to argue with dell

 

I wanted to return my Inspiron 1501 because I had ordered a Vostro 1500 and Dell told me if-so-facto 21 days with no restocking fee although if you open the box you pay for shipping. If it's unopened they will call DHL for a pickup.

That's how two Dell reps explained it to me. I kept it cause they knocked off $75 off the price but they were prepared to have DHL pick it up free of charge.

 

that is interesting cause the reps i talked to in my case said that the restocking fee only applies to computers that are returned after the 21 day return period. i even asked what if i open the box and use it and they both said that it wouldnt be a problem as long as it is returned with all material within 21 days. if it is after, then they will charge the restocking fee.

 

brian -> Reread Rodknee's post. He agrees with you, it's within 21 days and no restocking fee. The issue is shipping, if you open the box then you have to pay, if it's unopened Dell will send someone to you to pick it up.

 

I have a chat log of a customer care rep telling me I could return it for a "complete refund" if Im not satisfied, when it gets here. So, policy or not, thats what Im going to focus on, if I need to return it..

 

If it was sent with "free shipping", how much -is- shipping to send it back?

 

You'd have to ask USPS or whatever parcel service Dell requires you to use I'd assume.

 

I guess you are right. I just wanted a ballpark figure for what shipping usually is, for people who dont get free shipping. Within the US.

I mean, is it closer to $20 or $100?

 

It's free if you return it within 21 days. The rule is if it's unopened, Dell calls DHL for a free pickup. If you open it and make a bad excuse as to why your returning it then the Dell CSR makes the call if they will pay for shipping or if you'll pay. Also the configuration comes into play as a highly configured expensive system will not be as easy to get Dell to pay for shipping.

If you pay my advise is to take it to Office Depot and they will tell you exactly the UPS rate is for shipping it back to Dell. With shipping and insurance I would expect it to be in the $35-45 range.

 

I have my 1520 and i love it. The screen is slightly grainy but it is only obvious if you are right up to it. From >1' it is just fine. It doesn't interfere with reading anything, it is just there up close. Honestly, I have absolutely no problem with my screen.

 

Thanks for all of your comments. What I ordered was an:

Inspiron 1520
Intel® C2D T5450 processor (all the processor I need, and I think a better match for the 5400RPM hard drive & 667 MHz RAM)
Vista Home Premium
Black
2GB DDR2 667MHz(more to be added)
Glossy widescreen 15.4' display (1440x900)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator x3100
160G 5400RPM SATA HDD
6 Cell battery
CD/DVD burner
Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini-Card

I'll be using it for photo editing with Photoshop and Nikon Capture NX, a small amount of video editing with Pinnacle (nothing serious), then just the normal web surfing & Office applications.

The price after all the discounts was $772, really a steal compared to what CC or Best Buy sells theirs for. I've noticed that HP's or Toshibas with this processor and 160-200GB hard drives & 2GB memory are usually priced in the $1000-$1200 range at the local retailers. It's good to know that you can return it without a restocking fee (if unopened). I didn't realize that.

 

You can return without a restocking fee within 21 days, free shipping if unopened.

 

i didnt know about that free shipping on unopened boxes. that is good to know for the future.

and gettin Dell to pay for shipping on an opened item is not always a done deal? the CSR's ultimately decide at the time whether to pay for it or not?

 

Thanks for the info, Rodknee

 

Thanks for this. All the negative posts were starting to get to me. You have the same config as mine, so thats good.

The screen doesn look dim to you?