Shady Business Practice. Unethical?

I saved an Alienware computer last night for 1499.99 in my cart, since I couldn't get a hold of an Alienware person on the phone. (It was past their business hours). I log on today to check my cart and purchase my order, and the computer is now 1998.99. They had changed the price in my cart, as well as the cart I had shown friends about this "great" deal they had that was valid until April 15. Any suggestion as to how I can get the price they offered? Or am I screwed because I didn't take screenshots?

 

Did you get the price emailed to you as an invoice?

That would be the only way you could get the price you had before

 

Depends. In some cases a rep may still honor the deal, especially if you have a screenshot of the shopping cart. Some reps would say no even if you have a solid proof.

 

Same thing happened to me, except it was 1 hour later! Fortunately, I had printed the cart. Called Dell, rep asked that I scan and e-mail it. I did so, and the price was honored. If you printed it, or have an e-mail on it, I am sure they would honor if you don't wait too long to do it. If the person who answers does not, ask for a Supervisor or call back to get someone else.
Good Luck!
EDIT: This is not shady or unethical. Prices change! I have seen prices change in minutes on Amazon. Just the nature of the beast.

 

Yeah, I'm a first time "Big Rig" buyer, and didn't even think of taking a screenshot. Oh well. Nature of the beast.

 

You don't have to take a screen shot. There is a hyperlink aptly titled "Print Cart". You got nothing to lose by calling. Give it a shot, and good luck.

 

I did call, multiple times, and every outsourced employee told me that it was "Impossible" to have the configuration in my cart for the 1499.99 I claimed it had been. BUT for 1499 they could offer me some other, less powerful, less "What I wanted" computer. I will take my money elsewhere and deal with a company that doesn't call their customers liars. If it had been a typographical error fine, but at least admit that it was there. Sorry for the rant, just upset me is all.

 

I understand. Outsourced employees suck for sure. I just don't know if you are going to find anything better anywhere else. I do wish you luck!

 

yeah, printing invoices to pdf is always a good idea...

 

What I've learned is outsourced employees are very likely to lie and deceive.

A perfect example of this is that the reps will flat out lie to customers and tell them in order for your warranty to work outside your country, you have to buy a 3 year warranty plan, but in reality, all you have to do is fill out a country transfer form (which works because I'm living proof since mine was bought from the US).

I wonder if they lie to make a cut for personal gain or are they trained to lie/deceive.

 

I don't doubt that they lie to maximize profits. But I have always been told that in order for you to have international warranty, you'll have to chose 3 year next business day warranty plan (either at purchase, or upgrading). They even have a document on their website specifically stating this. Then if you move, you simply fill out a country transfer form.

 

Actually, that's true.

What they mean is, by default, with the one year warranty, if you're living in the US, and are on holiday in Italy for three weeks when your laptop breaks, Dell Italy won't help you. You have to wait until you go home.

If however, you have the international warranty, an Italian tech would be sent out to you the next day to repair your laptop.

The international warranty basically negates the country transfer form.

 

I actually purchased mine in the US and had it serviced already in Canada.

All I had to do was to fill out an international warranty transfer form online.

I'm leaving to teach to China from Canada later this year and I confirmed the form will work once again.

Even if they have documentation on their website, it's more lies/deception since I'm living proof you don't need it. My friend from Canada who is teaching in Asia right now had his serviced just last month over there and he had purchased his M17 from Canada with the 1 year warranty it came with.