Dell Customer Suport Issue (ideas?)

Okay. Here is my deal.

I ordered an Inspiron 1520 on 7/7, with an original estimated shiiping date of 7/25 (today)

I gave a shipping address of relatives in Montana, that are leaving to come to california late 8/1 or early 8/2. The original shiiping date gave a latest date of 8/1, so that was perfect. They could bring me the laptop, and I would save $108+ in tax.

Today I get an email from Dell, saying my order is delayed, and my new ESD is 8/1.

Since no one is going to be at that montana address for several months starting 8/1, I needed to change something. But changing the shipping address to california would incur that extra $108 in tax, pushing my laptop over the $ limit I had.

So I called customer service. I got a very helpful CSR (in India), and I explained the situation. She first suggested that I find another relative or friend in another tax free state(!) but then she researched things, and came back and said "I assure you, we can change your shipping address to california, and your total amount will not go up, it will remain $1377" I asked her "Are you absolutely sure?" a few times, and she checked again and said she had everything taken care of.

I thought that was awesome - that means even if it is shipped a week late, it would still arrive to my california address about the same time, for the same cost. I was very happy!

But now I look online, and my order now has a $108.55 additional tax added, bringing my total to $1493! (See my post below!)

Does anyone have any idea or information on if I should ignore this? Is this something that they will take care of internally, and the order status page is just not handling it yet? Or was I just lied to? Or were they just mistaken?

I made a promise to my wife that I wouldnt spend over $1400. This could cause some severe marital difficulties in addition to the annoyance. I will probably be -asked- to return the laptop, even if I am happy with it.

What do you guys think?

Should I change the shipping address back to Montana, and find some other way of having the parcel forwarded? I dont know of any way I could just have the parcel forwarded. My father (living at that address) has the same exact name as me, so we cant forward parcels with just my name. And I dont even know which carrier Dell plans to use. Maybe I could change my -name- on the order, and have someone file forwarding papers in Montana immediately? Does forwarding even work with DHL/FedEx/UPS?

Ugh.

 

They HAVE to charge tax if they sell it to you in a taxable state. Ask them to kick back $100 in the price as you were promised by the CSR. That's the only way to resolve it and still keep it in CA.

 

Also,

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE: (copied directly from my order status page and pasted, unaltered)

Since when does 1377+108.55 = 1493.55 ?

Im thinking there is still something going on.

 

Oh Noez they got you bad!


PEW PEW

 

More than likely theyre doing some backdoor pricing thats just not showing up correctly. The above poster is right, sales tax is sales tax. I did the same thing as you but had it sent to a state with higher tax so I wouldnt aheve to deal with it close to a move. The thing came 20 days early, and it cost me like 70 more dollars, but thems the breaks. You have two options:

1) Call up and get the CSR you spoke with and see what's up

2) Wait til your charged. I'd recommend this one because the proof is in the pudding and if its right no hassle, and if its wrong a simple refund will fix it.

You may run into problems tho if you don't remember your indian friends name.

And if what you said is true, work on the wife. Promise or no, if something like 80 bucks can cause severe marrital problems, you're in for some real shockers down the road.

 

Lol. Well, it isnt so much the amount, it is the "promise" that I made. $85-$90 over the limit isnt such a big deal. But breaking a promise -is-.

 

Either get the $100 credit for the video card or drop your warranty accidental damage which won't delay the order but will lower your price.

 

I think I see what they did. They discounted my system from $1377 to $1277 ($100 credit) and my tax on $1277 would be exactly 108.55

That would make my total actually $1385.55 - which would actually be close enough for me. If they then reduced my price an additional $8 to counter the "State environmental fee" that Cal charges, my total would be.. Voila $1377 and change.

Okay. I think they are doing what they said they would do. The $108.55 tells me they discounted my system by just the right amount to make it all even out. It just doesnt show up on my order status page yet.

At this point, I am thinking "Thank you Dell!"

I really want to give Dell a chance. The remote thing is an annoyance, but I think they are coming through for me here.

 

There ya go I've only been on this forum for a week, and its nice to see someone with some patience and foresight.

 

Just as a follow up, Dell has emailed me and verified what I was thnking.

They MUST charge the tax to california, but as I was promised the price wouldnt go up, they have agreed to refund me $116 within 8 days after my order ships, to keep my total at exactly $1377

That is perfectly fine with me. I am very happy with Dell at the moment, even though my order is delayed a week, since I will end up getting the unit at the same price, around the same time anyway (if it ships on 8/1 that is!)