Dell doesn't need new customers

I'm not sure if that's really true, but obviously they don't need me as a customer. Here's my story about dell sales:

I wanted to buy an Inspiron 1720, of course with only the best options selected. But there is one thing that I need in my laptops: a fast harddrive. And the 1720 only has options with 5400rpm drives. I used the chat feature and asked whether it was possible to have 7200rpm drives installed in the 1720, and they said it was, but of course I would have to order by phone.

So I called Dell, got connected to a sales person and asked how to proceed. To avoid having me spell out every little detail of my order, she said I should just mail her my order, she would then adjust the harddrives and mail me the order back so I could check it. She would then call me back and ask for the payment and shipping details. Well, the plan was good...
Never got a mail back, never got called back.

Two weeks later, I tried again. This time, I got another sales person. The same procedure: mailed my order, was promised they'd call me back.
That of course never happened.

Since I'm persistent, I tried again on thursday. This time, I even used the chat option to first ask on how to proceed since my first two attempts failed miserably. The guy on the chat said the same as the sales people before, and when I told him that I never got called back he promised to watch the sales people.
Once again, the same procedure. The only difference this time: the guy on the chat was online. He confirmed then that they received my mail with my order details and he promised they would call me back right away.
It's again 5 days later, no mail, no call back, nothing.

Seems to me that Dell is making so much money, they don't need new customers.

 

Seems to me they have either lazy or over-worked employees, actually.

 

I would suggest putting the order in by internet, then calling to CHANGE the order with respect to the drive.

 

...and threat to cancel the order otherwise.

 

I think like others have suggested placing an order online might work for you.... BTW from which country are you from ?

 

That has not been my experience, if you are after a computer, they go out of their way to sell it to you. Everytime I have been on the on-line chat, soon as they get my order number or enquiry, they want to call me to close the deal.

Within 30 seconds of giving my order number or contact number, they are on the phone trying to get all they can out of me.

I usually find the phone ordering a pain in the butt, you need to find a good rep and stick with them.

And better english skills from the reps would not hurt either.

 

Actually a month or so ago I had sent a query online by the online mailing form to the CSR asking whether they would bundle the Vista Disc along with my laptop.... The very next day they called and clarified the doubt and asked when I ll be placing the order and whether I needed any help in doing it.....

 

I'm trying to order from Switzerland.

 

Then probably the CSRs at your DELL Swiss office are quite lazy.... Try to talk to his supervisor next time you call....

 

I don't think it's possible to have a 7200rpm HDD on the 1720. Unless the CSR was really to redesign the entire chassis for you. There are several practical problems with replacing a 5400rpm with a 7200rpm.
1) Increase power consumption
2) Increased heat (especially when you ordered the fastest processors, and the 8600M GT)

I suggest you wait for the M1730.

 

You could always add the HD yourself....

 

I would be very upset if i was getting the run around like that. Perhaps you should consider something other than a dell.

 

Just ring them up and do it bit by bit, will only take 20 mins.

 

Tried that. They said they didn't have time for that and I should send my configuration via email (again).
Didn't work either this time.

I'm ordering a Sony now - screw them: if their service is this bad when they're selling, how bad must it be when I have a problem?

 

Seems odd that they wouldn't offer 7200 rpm drives given that it can can have TWO 5400 rpm drives.

 

they can handle it fine i could order my vostro 1700 (that is the same thing as inspiron 1720) with 2 times a 7200 that was no problem (only delivering it is a bit of a problem )

 

7200 drives draw just a little more power, but output almost no additional heat. Both power draws are with the spec for SATA connectors so you are guaranteed they'll work.

The lack of 7200RPM drives is probably just another Dell trick to force people into the XPS series for decent hardware.