Dell Canada M1530: "This deal just keeps getting worse"

Ok so I went online to chat with a Dell CSR about the screen. She told me I had to call tech support and gave me a 1-800 number. I called the number and got Tech for Inspirons and they told me I needed XPS (wasn't an option though?). So he gave me the XPS number and transferred me... to Bell Satelite or something??? So I hung up and called the XPS number. I talked to some guy who said I was welcome to return the unit to depot (ship it to Ontario) to get the screen replaced but there was no way to request an LG screen. They will just put whatever they have there into it BAAAAH!!!! I'll try another tech support call tomorrow and see what happens :\

 

Ouch, man, I feel for you. That's absolutely terrible. If you can't be guaranteed a LG screen, will you send it back for the switch and hope it's an LG, or just ask for your money back?

 

Well I am going to try and climb the ladder a little bit at a time for a few days and see what I can achieve. I will pay for some tech to come out and put an LG screen in, I don't care as long as it isn't 100s of dollars? If that's not possible I may try and find one new or used myself and put it in myself. If I can't do any of this before my 30 days then I may return it... hard to say. I love everything about it but this screen is a major downer.

 

I've heard horror stories about Dell's customer service.

SAD EMOTICON.

ALSO
My status was changed from In Production to Shipping Prep!
YEUUS.

I am absolutely pumped.
How hard is it to replace the screen on a laptop, anyway? Especially an XPS, it's the kind of product that seems like it would be hard to replace such things because of the build. But if it's a matter of a couple of screws and a small forced push, good luck.

 

The status of mine says shipped today.

If it anything like the sleeve (was here the following day after being shipped) I will hopefully have the XPS on Monday

And yes I do realize it comes with its own sleeve, but I wanted the plush sleeve that zips up completly

 

I have question, did anyone order notebook sleeve during this month? I ordered them on Feb. 11 and it's still two weeks. They changed the shipping date to March 12.

 

The sleeve that came with my 1530 is quite good actually. I am impressed. It is nicely padded with a flip cover that attaches using velcro. Now I just need to find a laptop bag that'll fit this monster. Many bags seem to fit 15" notebooks but not 15.4" notebooks, especially this one. IMO it is a big 15.4" notebook.

 

I ordered a sleeve on Feb 25th (The black/red one) and it came Feb 27th.

 

If anyone is thinking of doing the complete care when they order your notebook, do it. I just called now to add it on and its like $100/yr. I was like uhh... if I had done it through the website it was $150 for 3 years. So I said well, I guess I could cancel my order and re-order... hoping that the $100/yr price would come down... nope..

Oh well, just have to be careful

 

@Thund3rball: How long did your notebook take to reach you after going into shipped status? Mine got shipped this morning at 11:30 according to purolator, but apparenly its being shipped from the states somewhere...

 

Ordered Feb 18
Shipped Feb 20
Arrived Feb 27

Not bad. It was in production very quickly and then shipped 2 days later.

 

That's what I ordered it, and they kept saying its still backorder. I'm kinda mad on this.

 

I didn't add the complete care when I purchased mine either. I called to add it and got the same story... it's going to be approx $300 to add it now, blah, blah. Two CSR told me to return the system and reorder with it. I said that's ridiculous to return the whole laptop to add a warranty item. Anyway, I finally talked to someone in the extended warranty dept who said it was absolutely no problem to add it for the same price as when I purchased the system ($99 for 3 years). She also said she wished the CS reps would quit telling people they had to return the system and reorder to get the same price for the warranty. If you call again ask for the Extended Warranty Dept. Hope this helps.

 

Just got my new XPS M1530 in the mail today, and it is pimp! I love it! And to top it all off, I received the LG screen:
DW306 LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY..., 15.4WSXGA+, TLF, LGP, V2

Believe me, I have read every forum there is to read on this laptop so I was fully prepared for anything that I may find out of the box. Some people complained of plates out of alignment on the bottom or popped out, screws lose, screen lose, screen creaking, and most importantly.. getting the dreaded Samsung grainy WSXGA screen... THANK GOD I dodged that bullet.

I lucked out, no defects what so ever, all specs are what I ordered, and most importantly I got the good screen... which IMO is an outstanding screen and anyone with a Samsung should seriously consider trying to swap it out with an LG.

 

Wow you are SO lucky, congrats! *sighs in self pity*

I just got off the phone with XPS Tech Support. This was the 2nd phone call I made so far. Jarrod there told me all stock is gone on the LG screens (ya ok whatever). He then told me I could do the RTDepot or return the notebook for a refund if I wasn't happy. So I said it was ridiculous that Dell would rather me return their product than try to solve my problem with the screen, and I wasn't doing RTD for a defective product. He said "ok" and set up a service technician to come and replace my screen. I should hear from them on Tuesday. I am betting I'll get another Samsung screen but at least I feel like I am getting somewhere. Maybe I can pry the tech for some info on how to get an LG screen?

 

Are you living in Canada or the US?

Any idea of the name of the person you spoke to or entension?

 

Good luck bro... Keep at it, that is my best advice to you. This is an expensive laptop, so IMO you should be getting exactly what you want out of it. I have not seen the Samsung screen on an XPS M1530, but I did go to best buy and look at a gateway that had a samsung screen installed. I could see the grainyness and dull look to it.

As far as Dell is concerned, I am guessing it is all in which rep you talk to. I have read some posts where people complained the reps were straight up unwilling to help or did not know what do. Others have indicated the rep was very familiar with this issue and put the order through for a new screen right then and there. On a positive note, I am seeing more and more posts from folks who are receiving LG screens right out of the box, so I am thinking they really are phasing out the Samsungs due to customer complaints.

 

I am in the US... sorry, I know I posted on a Canadian thread but I thought Dell Canada may have a dedicated extended warranty dept too. This was in the email confiration for the added warranty:

Thank you for ordering your Service Contract through Dell Marketing Services. Your payment has been approved and your order is fully processed. If you have any questions about this order call us toll-free at 866-867-2012

ITEM # ITEM DESC EXP DATE UNIT PRICE
900-8786 Inspiron Complete Care 12/29/2010 99.00

Dell Marketing Services
3100 West Lomita
Torrance, CA 90509-2999
866-867-2012

 

We do have extended warranty and dedicated services. I have no idea if upgrading to on-site is going to be $99 but after reading your post I am talking to Dell on Monday and see if I can swing a deal? I'll treat it the same as anything with Dell. If at 1st you don't suceed, hang up and try a different CSR

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/sna.aspx?c=ca&cs=CADHS1&l=en&s=dhs&~topic=apos_warranty_step1

 

Took a page out of Thund3rball's book and called and got my service tag number so I could see what screen I got. Looks like I lucked out and got the LG screen
M809C MODULE..., LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY..., 15.4WXGA+, LGP, M1530

@Thund3rball - If you happen to add the Complete care warranty for $150 for the 3 years let me know. Called 3 times now spoke to 3 different reps and Im getting the $100/yr story.

Almost tempted to do it for $100 so at the end of my 3 years ill drop my notebook off my roof and get a new (well refurbished notebook) but should still be faster than what I got now 3 years later

 

They replace a 'Complete Care' notebook with one that's refurbished?

 

They just need to give you a notebook that is of equal power as far as I know. In 3 years time, you'd think they wouldnt have any 2.2Ghz notebooks around new. And even refurnished probably not, probably end up with a Quad-core or something, and Im sure they wouldnt give it to you new.

 

Well that's the 2nd post in this thread about receiving an LG screen on initial order. Maybe I should send this one back and re-order? Where are you located and when did you order? I am going to wait till Tuesday and see what I get from the on-site tech if he can tell me right away.

 

I ordered mine Feb 25th. Just got a call from Purolator, telling me it should be here tomorrow

Maybe because I only went for the 1440 x 900 screen is why I got LG?

Im in Ontario, Canada

 

BAH! So the tech guy came yesterday and replaced my screen with the exact same part number, the Samsung I already knew it was the Sammy but I wanted to see the tech make the switch.

1st of all Dell sent him the right panel but the wrong cable because he is a business on-site tech. He does latitudes not XPS or inspirons? Anyways no matter the just used the cable in my system.

2nd of all he never did an XPS before so luckily I already had the service manual on my USB flash drive so I printed off the pages for changing the display. Yikes that could have been messy without those. He was very careful and I asked him a lot of questions while he worked and I watched like a hawk.

3rd my screen is pretty much the same as before. So I called today to complain again. Tech support said once again, the only parts for WSXGA+ (1680x1050) were the same as I already had. So I asked about WXGA+ (1440x900) and he said he had zero in stock for that and zero for WXGA (1280x800). I asked how he could have zero inventory when people are ordering these things everyday. He said it's because new orders come from manufacturing inventory not replacement parts. I wanted a screen from manufacturing he said he can't do that - grrrr!

Anyways, now I am going to email and try to get my status elevated (or whatever it's called) since my issue is unresolved.

My wife also noticed she's getting the electric buzz from resting her hands on the unit when typing. So I got the tech guy to send out the 3 prong plug.

 

Well, some good news, $19 cheaper than through website... I think I'll be calling Monday to add the complete care. Better than the $300 they told me before.

Dear Joe,

This is for three years.

Thank you for choosing Dell,

Sandra G.
Canadian Extended Services
Dell Canada Inc.
Phone: (866) 440-3355,
Options 1 for English, and 2 for Extended Services
Email: [email protected]
Purchase Order Fax: (866)907-9026


Original Message Follows:
------------------------
Hello

Is this for 1 year or for 3 years

----- Original Message -----
From: "CA_Extended_Services" <[email protected]>
To: <joe>
Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2008 10:35 AM
Subject: Warranty Extension (KMM66900338I57L0KM)


> Dear Joe,
> Please see warranty quote below.
>
> Q#25593233
>
> 1 1 COMPLETE CARE,DIM,RE 131.57 >
> Pretax Total: 131.57
> Shp/Hnd: INCL
> EFS:
> FED TAX Amt: 6.58
> ST TAX Amt: 10.53
> OTH TAX Amt:
> SVC TAX Amt:
> ===============
> Quote Total: 148.68
>
>
> Thank you for choosing Dell,
>
> Jenn B.
> Canadian Extended Services
> Dell Canada Inc.
> Phone: (866) 440-3355,
> Options 1 for English, and 2 for Extended Services
> Email: [email protected]
> Purchase Order Fax: (866)907-9026
> Fax: (866) 670-6939
>
>

 

By the way, Dell Canada's website is now offerring a deal on the XPS 1530, which is rare.

http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/upsell_xps1530_systems?c=ca&cs=cadhs1&l=en&s=dhs

It is a $349 discount. The Product Red deal claims to be $439, but when you click through, it becomes $349 instead.

 

Ya the deals are getting better, the market is drying up especially in the US. Sales are going to be slumping soon.

 

I got a better deal than that on the Dell Canada website when I ordered. I wouldn't consider this a good deal. If I did I would have already returned my 1530 and ordered another in hopes of getting an LG screen this time. Configuring the 1530 seen for $999 on this page actually looks like a better deal http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/xps_hot_offers?c=ca&cs=cadhs1&l=en&s=dhs&~tab=2. No (RED) option for $999 though.

 

yea that is the spot on the site where i ordered my 1530 a few days ago. It's the best deal i've seen in a while. I didn't only spend 900bucks though. I upgraded many of the specs. can't wait until i get it!

 

Actually just went through all the options I put on mine and it only works out to be $1 cheaper. Would be a lot cheaper if I stuck with the vista premium, but the project red one came with ultimate

 

That's one of the things i hate about Dell. Depending on which link you click you get a different deal :\

Click the "Save $610" banner and you get a base model of either $999 or $1399. Click the XPS Laptops Link under the banner and you get a base model of $1099. Click that $1099 link and you get a choice of $1099, $1199 or $1399 . And only one or two paths give you more than 2 CPU choices.

 

yeah and when i got my $359 off or whatever I was ltd in hdd drive options as they only had the 200 gb option at 7200 ..nothing else except 5400..I swear they must have someone throwing darts on a dartboard with these deals and various configs...oh well...by the time I buy my next one perhaps they will change LOL!!!....

 

Just wanted to chime in and agree about the crazy mess of pathways and options on the dell.ca site. I was playing around setting up a 1530 with the new penryns and have literally managed to get 4 different prices for a system with the same specs - or similar ones, as not all options are available on each route. Nutty.
Btw, does anyone know if the choices for the discounted systems are set in stone or can the phone reps give you more options but keep the discount?

 

i thought the same thing but the key differences is the warranties they offer with each system. I thought the same exact thing but i realized that some of the higher configed systems(usually the one all the way to the right), come with the 3 yr warranties but are heavily discounted to a degree. I got a new maxed out penryn system minus the blu ray for 20 dollare more than a similiar configed system with much lesser specs and only a one year warranty.

 

My experience has been that you can wheel and deal a little on the phone as opposed to just using the website order system. When I ordered I was able to save $70 by downgrading to 1GB ram, that was not an option on the site at the time. I bought ram from NCIX instead. You may also try to make a deal on comprehensive care, on-site warranty, or other upgrade options?

 

I finally managed to get my order in properly using a 20% coupon. Had to cancel twice because they kept ordering the 250Gb 5400RPM instead of the 200Gb 7200 RPM.

My Specs are:
T7700
2Gb
200Gb 7200TPM
Vista Ultimate
1680x1050
8600M GT
Bluetooth
Intel N wireless
3 year next business day on site warranty

Starting for a base price at $1418 adding the components the total was $1731 before taxes.

That's not too bad...

But dealing with their sales staff was agravating.

 

Nice system! I see you are in BC. I think my 1530 was shipped in 2 days and arrived about a week later. ooOoo the excitement of a new laptop.

 

Dell is ridiculous with that....also check this out

Dell.com (US) T7700 to T8300 (T8300 is $125 less)
Dell.ca (CAN) T7700 to T8200 (T8300 is $20 more)

Does this make sense to anybody>? this is retarded. Dollars may not be equal but prices should be relative.

 

I ended up not using my 20% coupon because the 1530 came only with a T7250, and two chat reps told me I couldn't substitute the CPU with the 20% coupon.

 

Somewhere on the forums here someone mentioned that due to the huge difference in our population compared to the states...we have to pay higher prices...even with our now phattened dollah... you would think that would make a dent in that....maybe we should get stevie harper on it!!!! LOL!!!

 

Too bad but that's Dell. Imagine ordering food from a McDonalds staffed with Dell employees...

The phone rep offered me the upgrade to the 7700 for $80 right away but I had to cancel that order because he made a mistake on the harddrive. The chat rep that placed my current order just accepted what I told him. I went in asking to configure the base system starting at $1418 ( that's the one with the mystery coupon) and gave him the list of upgraded parts and the coupon number.

So $80 minus the 20% is $64 to go up to the T7700

 

The excitement is gone now. That's my 3rd M1530, returned the 2 previous ones because of the screens. Both my previous units made it here in about a week from the order day.

 

A chat rep told me the same thing Fuzzy - bascially they were trying to get rid of their T7250s while luring us all in with the mystery coupon thing. Pretty stupid as I'd be interested in a real 20% off coupon right now, but I'm not interested in a now obsolete processor....

And so true, steve, the price differentials between dell.ca and dell.com on components can be ridiculous - do they think we won't comparison shop or that we'll forget that US$1 = CAN$1 (or better )?

 

I'm looking to buy a 1530, but I'd love to get the baclit LED screen 1440 x 900...any idea when it becomes available? I know it'll cost $$$ but it'll give more battery life and lower weight...am I right? Any news as to when it will be offered?

 

Ah bummer. This screen IS pretty sad :\ I am just going to order one myself from another supplier and put it in myself. I am sick of fighting with Dell about it.

 

I just checked out a 1530 at staples...it's only the 1280 x 800 screen but it's way too glossy and reflective for me. Are the better resolutions less glossy? Would backlit LED help if I can wait? Or do I have to consider something else like a Latitude D830?

 

New savings of $369 now available (and customizable with Penryn finally!)

Exp: 03/27/08

Not a bad deal?

$1749
PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB, 3MB Cache) edit
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate Edition edit
LCD AND CAMERA High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD(1440x900) & 2MP Camera edit
MEMORY 3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms) edit
HARD DRIVE 200GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive edit
GRAPHICS CARD 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8600M GT edit
OPTICAL DRIVE 8X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability edit
3 Year RTD

 

They are all glossy. I have no idea if/when LED is coming to the 1530. In my home the gloss is not bad at all. I can see in store with a million florescent lights beaming at you being a problem... but anywhere in my place I have zero issues with the gloss.

If you know gloss is really going to bug you then I would stay away from the 1530 for now.

 

Those Penryns are still too rich for my blood. My system, as is in my sig, cost as much after tax as the same thing w/T8300 before tax.