Another Year......Another Headache

So my Vostro 3400 system lasted a year basically before developing a multitude of problems, good thing I got the extended warranty (yeah right).  Dell's solution as always was to throw parts at it, then have me send it to Depot with the Guarantee from a resolution expert that it would be fixed or replaced.

Well I'll give them some credit as they are currently attempting to send me a system replacement but with one major flaw. I purchased a RED colored laptop but Dell can't seem to replaced it with a RED colored laptop only a SILVER one because well no one can really say why, maybe they just don't want to, surely they have plenty of systems to choose from.

Another reason why I ask myself why do I keep doing business with Dell, I guess I am just a glutton for punishment.

So far it has been 42 days since I first contacted Dell and I do not see an end in sight good thing I opted for 3 years of warranty when I purchased this system, hopefully it doesn't take Dell that long to come to a resolution.

I guess I may have to eventually try out the whole Arbitration avenue, I don't really want to but may not have a choice.

Hmm......Now Dell Wants to Help

Dell Tech Support is so funny. I recently had a family member who had a Dell Ac Adapter go bad, so I turned to Ebay and found a very cheap Dell OEM replacement. I got on Dell tech support to confirm that the model numbers would be compatible, but I had to use my XPS service tag because I did not have the other laptops service tag.

To make a long story short they confirmed after 20 minutes or so a simple question that yes the two AC Adapters were compatible.

So now I have received two emails and two phone calls in the course of three weeks to make sure my 'problem' was solved.

Now if Dell would have shown such interest in the past this blog would not even exists.

I find it almost funny that Dell now decides to provide 'tech support' for a 'problem' that doesn't even exist.

So far So Good

Well it is sad that Dell's first level of tech support can't really do anything other than stall and waste time but it is good know that if you hang in there and can get to the right person things can happen for the better.

My XPS L702X is going strong with no issues.

For anyone who ends up here there is a thread over at NBR forums that has tons of information here

I also fixed my Vostro keyboard, Dell wanted to exchange it but since they could not guarantee the color would be Red like the one I have I said no way.

The fix was simply installing a specific quick-set driver that was hard to find which I figured out on my own.

Dell...your doing it wrong...errr....actually right this time

So wow I'm impressed after being pass on by small biz tech support multiple times over my vostro issues with the wireless card, I actually dialed up the wireless department and spoke to an American...no offense to my Indian tech support friends because you have done wonders at times.....and my issues was resolved in 25 minutes.

Also emailing michael dell got me a wonderful executive support team member for my part buying issues and from what I understand they are now giving me the parts, I offered to pay and/or send back any parts I may not need and she said this is free of charge just keep anything extra as a spair...wow..so yeah that was unexpected.

Now if I could only figure out why my Vostro keyboard does not work when it wakes up from sleep all would be good. That issue is still being looked at.

Dell you pretty much got it right this time...I'm impressed.

Dell Tech Support......Only without the Tech Support Part

So it might as well be called Dell Transfer Department....because apparently Tech Support no longer actually offers support.

They keep insisting they don't support this and that part that I need to talk to specific departments.

Really....this is beyond sad.....

Dell Sales = Bad Joke

So I still have not learned my lesson and continue to go back for some more stupidity. I can't help that I have now two Dell laptops with inferior parts that I am trying to spend my own money to upgrade and replace and I have now ordered said parts 4 times and spanning 6 weeks time and have nothing to come of it other than wasted time.

Why does it have to be so hard. If the sales agent says yes we have 'x' number in stock would you like to place an order then I should have had the parts long ago.

But this is dell at its finest...wow...just wow.....

Seriously?

So I purchased my wife her own laptop and it arrived with a dvd drive that doesn't fit and a wireless card that needs to be thrown out.

I get in touch with my favorite people ...'cough'....dell tech support, they tell me to call customer care...really?....and the first thing they want to do is send me a replacement...

Then they say that the color is not something they can match...did I mention I purchased a red laptop just for my wife...and it looks awesome by the way...except for that goofy dvd drive...see here http://i52.tinypic.com/1famw.jpg

Then they recommended I send it back and get my money back and repurchase..um no thanks.

I finally got tech support to try and help we will see how it goes.