Dell Outlet - Scratch & Dent on display?

Hi all,

I just got the courage & time to find a XPS16 in the dell outlet and it happened to be of the Scratch & Dent variety. I've heard mostly positive things about these with the only complaints being minor scratches off to the side & casings - so I had high hopes...

When I received my laptop, it had minor scratches on the outside and the palm rests (I could definitely live happily with those); however, when I powered it on, it had a small scratch (~5mm) right smack dab in the middle of the display that jumps out, especially against bright backgrounds. I also have two clusters of dead or stuck pixels on the left side portion of the screen.

I know that the name Scratch & Dent is exactly what it implies, but I've never heard of anyone getting one right in the middle of the screen?

I'm curious to see if other people have had this problem & wanted to just let everyone know that it definitely is possible (and therefore the category name). This one's going back & hopefully I won't have to eat the restocking fee for those dead pixels, but I'm prepared to pay it since I got exactly what I ordered - certified refurbs for any future purchases, for sure! Any advice or comment would be most welcome.

Cheers! & cover those coughs & sneezes...

 

If you mind those defects you can just return it for a full refund/or credit, and buy a "previously ordered new" sxps 16 laptop from the outlet.
The PON laptops and S&D laptops are pretty close in price so you should just go with PON to be safe

 

Previously Ordered New doesn't guarantee a problem free laptop though. I ordered a E6400 that was labeled this and it some had build quality issues like loose, movable hinges, flex in keyboard, etc.

 

True, but often it is a brand new laptop that someone ordered, and then after it was built, the order was canceled. So those end up in the outlet.

So if you get a laptop with defects, you have a 21 day return policy. You can return it for a full refund and go, or return it for a replacement

 

Clusters of dead pixels and scratches on the screen are not cosmetic defects; and are not normal at all.

 

Well, if you're just not happy with just the screen, ask Dell to send a tech out to swap LCDs. I'm sure they'd rather do that than do a return.

 

i spent a long time attempting to explain this to customer service.
the term "cosmetic deficiencies" on a screen itself IS a defect, considering the screens specific purpose is to look a certain way. a very very certain way.
he wouldnt listen to me. in any case i think whatever problem i had stopped existing... it was tiny probably a spec of dust.

 

Thanks for all the replies - I called up Dell Customer Service, and I mentioned that I'd like to return the laptop due to 1) scratch on display, 2) two clusters of dead/ frozen pixels. She said she would get a return specialist, and I waited for about 35 minutes until I spoke with another rep.

I asked her if scratches on the display were covered, and ultimately, I never got a straight answer about it. However, they offered to send a tech to replace the screen, and I agreed with that option.

So, bottom line - from what niffcreature said & my experience, it seems it's possible to get a scratch on the display from the dell outlet. so watch out, bargain hunters!