Dell: If you are considering a Dell laptop purchase read this...

If you are considering a Dell laptop purchase read this...

Like many people, I decided it was time for a new laptop. And also, like many people, I immediately went to Dell.com to "build" my own the way I wanted it. Once I was satisfied with my choice and the price, I pressed submit. That was the last time I was satisfied with Dell.

I started a discussion on the Dell forum for "Small Business Network" that details my travails. I simply laid out what happened, and was happening to my order. Suffice it say that Dell not only has/had manufacturing issues (my order was delayed), but it now seems that Dell has a corporate policy of stonewalling their customers who have issues. It reminds me of the castle lord having boiling oil dumped on the heads of the rampaging, unhappy peasants trying to get into the castle.

What was most amazing was the number of others who were seeking comfort in knowing that they were not alone in their issues with Dell. We all received similar corporate script readers telling us that we made a great choice in picking such a popular product (the reason for the delays), but there's nothing anyone can do.

I even had my order canceled by Dell after telling them not to do so (twice!). When I asked them to reverse their error, they all replied with the robotic drone of "there's nothing we can do", you must simply re-order your computer and get back in line.

I eventually decided that there was something I could do, and voted with my feet and my dollars, going elsewhere.

It's a shame. Dell makes a pretty good product, if you can get it. What is most annoying is the corporate policy of no longer being helpful (even when they make the mistake), but simply to be robotic and casually taking the losses that come with it.

A good company that no longer cares about their customers, is no longer a good company, and in fact my eventually no longer be a company at all.

If you are interested in the details you can read about it at:http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p/19262871/19450820.aspx#19450820