So with all these delayed colors...

So, I ordered my Inspiron 1420 the other day (July 24, to be exact), and I have an estimated ship date of August 20th, which includes the delay for the glossy screen. It just so happens that I leave for college August 17th (three days before the ship date, for those keeping score), and if I don't have my laptop in-hand by the 16th it's going to complicate things a little bit. I've heard of people getting their machines well ahead of the estimated ship dates, though, so I'm still hopeful.

I have two questions, neither of which I think any of us can answer with any sort of certainty, but it's something to wonder:

First, since 5/8 of the colored lids are delayed right now, does that mean that my Ruby Red laptop (not delayed) has a better chance of getting shipped out early? Let's say there's mine and a Midnight Blue laptop sitting, waiting for the same screen which Dell only has one of at the time. Even if the other laptop is ahead of me in their queue, would it be reasonable to think that the screen would go in my notebook instead of "wasting away" in the machine for which they have no lid? Seems to me they'd be better off shipping out whatever they can, but I don't know, might make too much sense to be implemented.

Second... is it worth calling Dell to explain my situation to see if I can get bumped in the queue? I know, I know, but hear me out - I had previously ordered an identical configuration about a week earlier, only to have it cancelled because Dell said the credit card wasn't good, something I know to be incorrect. They never notified me of the cancellation, and if it hadn't been for my checking the status of the laptop I might still not know. Is this the sort of thing I can get on a supervisor about (eloquently, of course) to try to get either free stuff (because we all love it), coupons, or bumped up in the queue? I know it's a longshot, but I figure it might at least be worth a shot. Has anyone else had an experience like this?

I know that was long, but thank in advance for any help you guys can offer.

 

Its not that hard to get dell to expedite your system.. Explain your situation. Most likely they will expedite and maybe even give you overnight shipping free.. They did for me. I also ordered a ruby red 1420 on 7/7 but had to cancel reorder on 7/19. I explained I canceled only because that was the only way I could add the IR remote to my system since no dell reps would sell it to me separately. I now have a tracking number for Fed x to deliver next Monday.. So hell yes call them. It can definitely help.. sometimes.

 

Alright, sounds like it's definitely worth a try... I just hope that they don't "expedite" the order just to get me to bug off. And I dread the amount of time on the phone this is going to take, haha...

 

Shipping upgrade is not worth your time on the phone as it will not help you .

 

Well this wouldn't be a bump to overnight, but rather a call to "expedite" my order. I'm curious if anyone's had success with such a thing, or if it's merely a pacifier for a disgruntled customer.

 

I think you should make plans on an alternate plan to bring the laptop to you at school. I might be in the same boat, i leave for school aug 12th, which was fine because my est ship date was the 6th, but then i was delayed to the 16th. If i dont get it in time i am going to be one irate customer on dell's phone lines. I think i am going to return it as soon as i get it though, i really don't like how they use ddr2 memory.

 

Blehh. Worst case, I could have it shipped to me up there, but then I wouldn't have my desktop handy for transferring files and whatnot. I don't think my flash drive can hold everything in one go. Yay burning CDs!

Can I change the shipping address on the order without reordering the whole thing? If it were waiting for me up there, I could live with it... but I need it to schedule a few days after I get there, and I'd rather not end up with all 8:00 a.m. classes...

 

See, another reason to choose a basic black laptop. Also, you get ruby red. Ruby red pretty. Ruby red stick out like sore thumb. Thief see ruby red. Thief covet ruby red. Thief steal ruby red. You got no more pretty laptop.

Sorry to rant, but to wait endless days to get your computer because of the color of the lid just seems silly to me.

 

Ruby Red isn't one of the delayed colors. It's one of three - along with black and white - that are not delayed, while the rest are to varying degrees.

Honestly, I don't see how anyone would allow their laptop to be stolen. I'm not going to some trashy campus (I know it doesn't always matter, but it does to a degree), and I'm not the type to just leave it around, or even let it out of my sight, for that matter. Plus, LoJack comes with the CompleteCare warranty, so even if it does walk off I can get it back.

Plus, that shade of red is one of the school colors, so I doubt it will stick out that much. Stop trying to rain on my pretty laptop parade

 

you would have to be pretty irresponsible to give someone the opportunity to steal you laptop, unless you didnt know your dorm-mate i suppose.

 

I'm glad I picked brown. Who the **** would steal a brown laptop...?

 

I tried to think of a witty way to say "someone who likes a feces-colored notebook," but I couldn't.

That brown is really, really close to black though, from what I've seen. I bet it shows up more outside, actually. I like the color, myself, but I'm on a bit of a "school spirit" kick, I guess, haha...

 

My school spirit would have been the blue, and frankly, I'm sick of blue laptops because everyone has them around here and at my college.

 

Ahhh, enjoy!

 

I spent over 1hr and 35min on the phone with Dell several days ago trying to get my shipment expidited due to the fact it has been delayed 3 times and now I am leaving on vacation and am afraid I won't be here if they actually do ship it on 8/2. I was shuffled around to 7 Dell reps in that call and ended up WITH NO RESOULUTION, IT WAS A TOTAL WASTE OF MY TIME. So, I highly doubt you will get anywhere. If you ordered a Ruby lappy you may have a better chance of getting your unit on time, but who knows with the mess that is going on it really is hit and miss I think.