Ordering Parts From Dell - Caution!

[pagroundhog]

Hello all,

Just found out that Dell's spare parts ordering process is just as bad as their warranty and repair support.

I originally called to order a new PSU and a simple "power button" assembly; however, after two weeks of waiting, I only received the PSU. So I called customer service and they sent out the second part but it was the wrong part! Instead of getting my power button, I received a front-panel USB card with a headphone jack.... not even close. So, again, I emailed customer service and they agreed to refund my money for the second part but told me I had to call spare parts again to order the power button. However, customer service did make a good recommendation to use the Dell support Chat line to verify the part number before calling spare parts to order. I guess the logic here is that if they both give you the same part number (chat and spare parts) then you have a pretty good shot at getting what you really wanted.

In closing I will just say that I thought I was getting a really good price when I bought my Dimension 8400 from Dell; however, lacking any proficiency in all areas of support, I will never buy from them again!

Buyer beware of this brand name!

pagroundhog

[Budfred]

You know, we are pretty familiar with Dell and generally not happy with them around this forum... Have you read any of the other topics that talk about Dells??

To add to your comment about parts, they also charge incredibly inflated prices for those parts...

[123456]

Yeah. Actually, Budfred, many manufacters inflate prices. I once paid $70 for a 256mb RAM stick for a Dell 8100.

[PrntRhd]

The best thing to do is shop around and look at the whole picture before you look at the initial sales price:

Service
Support after the sale
Warranty
Support after the warranty period

Sometimes the lowest price initially is not the best overall deal.
I treat Dell as just another vendor, another choice.
(Buyer beware)

[Rick]

Also remember that when you buy replacement parts ( Laptop cd-rom for example ) you may NOT be getting a new drive.
They will tell you that the part may be reconditioned ..

[azzey]

In some cases, not even reconditioned... more like "reconditioned but actually just rubbish that's been sitting around the shop for a year" http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif... I have never had a positive experience with Dell. Until a couple years ago, we always had a Dell computer (my mom's school has an employee deal), and each one had at least one part fail--it was usually the hard drive or motherboard. I'm not talking about 5 year old computers here, I'm talking about brand spanking new (we got a new computer around every year).

I've always had respect for HP but they've even been playing some dirty games with their desktops.

[saphalline]

None of the big OEM's are really worth it, IMO. That's why I decided long ago to build my own computers. I design it, I build it, and it is good. I also never really have problems with my computers. A few odd things here and there, but always easily fixed. It sort of boggles my mind that other people have so many issues with their systems.

I don't know... maybe it's just me...

[Erik]

I work in IT. I have worked with Dell and HP. I have deployed large numbers of both brands of systems for clients. I have seen way to many come in with bad HDs, bad MBs, bad RAM, etc. As far as I am concerned if I plug it in it should work, at least tht much testing should be done.

Some syetems we get you plug in and NOTHING.

I build all of my personal systems myself. All standard parts. I have had a few minor issues, dealt with RMA and got new replacement parts back in a couple of weeks.

[Rick]

Over the years I have had to deal with a large number of OEM,VAR and Off the shelf systems.

In those years like those above I have seen almost every possible hardware and software screw up you can think of.
From Dramm (41256 / 44256 ) being installed backwards to hardware missing