Need to return home laptop under UK Distance Selling rules but used business account

Hi guys,

I recently got my new XPS 1330 laptop, but ironically on that day found out that the new Penryn processors are now available for it and the prices are not that different to what I paid for my T7500 model.

I am therefore thinking of returning the laptop under distance selling rules and then ordering the newer model when a good deal comes around.

The big problem I potentially have with this is that I ordered the laptop via the 'home' section of the Dell website (which has different deals to the business side) but used my business account login. I previously bought a server for my business with the account. Therefore the order has my name and the business name on it. I run my business from home though, so home and business addresses are the same.

I didn't realise that DSR do not apply for B2B sales. However, what I'm wondering is whether my order would be classed as a consumer sale. I ask this as I used the home section of the site, chose the 'home' option when asked how the laptop would be used (during checkout) and I have been sold a 3 year *consumer* warranty on the laptop (clearly stated on the order confirmation PDF).

I'm hoping the last point will allow me to get the refund under DSR. It would not be possible to have a consumer warranty on a sale which was classed as B2B right? The consumer warranty differs from the business one I assume?

Have any of you guys had this issue before or know how Dell see a home sale completed with an account that was previously used for business?

Any help and guidance on how to approach this will Dell would be appreciated.

 

How did you pay? Did you order the laptop in your name or your company name? Your absolutely right about the DSR only applying to consumer purchases.

 

Hi Neil,

I ordered on my debit card and as I used the login to the account I ordered my server from my company name was on the invoice - along with my own name.

I did go via the home section of the site though and I've bought a 3 years 'consumer' warranty, so wouldn't that mean the order is a consumer order? Otherwise the warranty won't be valid if you see what I mean.

Any idea where I stand on this?

 

On your debit card or your company's?

If the invoice is in your company's name then and you used a company debit card then essentially it was a company purchase and therefore DSR and Dell's consumer terms don't apply. I'm assuming you'll be claiming this a business expenses for tax and/or VAT purposes.

 

Hi Neil,

Thanks again for your help on this.

Yeah, I did use my business bank account debit card although the card is not in my company name, it's in mine.

Doesnt the fact that I ordered a home laptop via the home section of the website mean anything though?

If Dell see this as a B2B transaction then they will have to change the warranty to a business one right? At the moment I have a 'consumer' warranty which can't be right if this is a business sale.
Aren't business warranty different to the consumer ones?

 

Just so you know guys, if you ever order from Dell using your business account login - i.e an account which you used to order business hardware before, Dell will 100% consider this a business transaction even if you ordered via the home section of the site.

This is what I did. Ordered a consumer laptop with a consumer warranty (clearly stated on the invoice) but used the account which I previously used to buy my business development server.

I tried to argue this with Dell as I wanted to return my 1330 to get one with the new Penryn processor as it's now a similar price to what I paid for mine (ordered end of Feb.. ;( ). They wouldn't budge one bit.. I wanted to know how they can say it's a business transaction when they have clearly sold me a consumer (home) based warranty. The best they could offer was to tell me to ring up to change my warranty over to a business one.. Oh and have given me the complaints address if I wish to complain.. :|

I would be more angry and put out, but during the time I spent emailing them I've fallen in love with my T7500 equiped 1300, especially now that it has x64 Vista on it. It really is a great laptop once you've installed s/w to stop the HD clicking and the awful CPU whine..

Top machine..

Although I do wish I could have got the T9300 and 350GIG HD as it's a little gutting to know I missed out by about a week..

Such is life.. So just be careful if you have a business account and sometimes order stuff for home.. All it takes is that email and password and you completely forfeit your distance selling regulation rights..