Warning! Dell Inspiron 9100 Memory Switcharoo

Just wondering if anyone else out there has had a problem with ordering 512MB Ram on 1 DIMM Card with the 9100? I ordered in the end of April, and at the time, you had 2 choices for 512MB RAM. Either 2 256 MB DIMMS or one 512MB DIMM. I ordered 1 512MB DIMM. I got the laptop, opened it and discovered 2 256MB DIMM's instead of one. On their website, under order status, I can see proof I ordered 1 512MB DIMM. They are telling me it was never an option and they are not offering that. In their current configurator it is not an option. They refuse to swap out the memory. Anyone who ordered 1 512MB DIMM, Check their laptop. It could have 2 DIMM's in it.

Anyone else have that problem??[ !]

 

WOW, that is really poor on Dell's part. Especially since Dell way overcharges for 1 X 512 chip.

I would keep complaining until you get some credit. And if it bothers you that much, send a complaint to the Better Business Bureau...I guarantee Dell will get back to you very quickly and give you some money!

 

Send them a copy of the invoice (use the e-mailed invoice or scan the one you got).

You paid for the ability to upgrade. A 512mb dimm is about $50 more expensive than getting two 256mb dimms.

Make sure you aren't mistaken. If not, threaten to send your notebook back for exchange or full refund. They have a 30 day return policy. Tell them that you aren't happy with exploitation and their improperly configured product. Chances are they'll RMA your two sticks and give you a 512mb stick.

Also, that's nonsense that it wasn't an option. I test configured that with 1gb of ram when it first came out so they must have offered a 512mb stick.

 

I agree with Air,
Call them back again and tell them your not satisfied because they put 2 256MB pieces of ram instead of the 1 512 MB that you paid for for and that you want to return your notebook under the 30 day return policy. Hurry cause time is running out; tell them they have two days to fedex the correct memory to you or they can have their notebook back for good and that you will need ups to pickup the old ram on Dell's dime. Don't let them drag this out until your 30 days is up and you have no recourse. If it gets to within a couple of days of the 30 day mark and you don't have the ram in hand, call them back for an rma to return the purchase and call your credit card company to contest the charges against your account. The CC company will send you forms to fill out about a week after you call them and by law you have 60 days from the charge to contest, but it will work in your favor if you call them before the 30 day period is up to prove that you were wanting to return during that period.

Remember to take names and write down everything to make a log if needed. It is terrible that these places bully their customers and it is even worse that most customers take it.

good luck
Jack

 

bootleg2go said something very intelligent that I forgot to mention. Take down time and FULL names of who you talk to. Also, save all e-mail correspondences. You will need to provide proof to your credit card company that you contested the issue with the company and took it as far as you could before you resorted to canceling the charge.

Also, you will probably want to (if it comes to this) return the notebook, get the refund, then contest whatever shipping charges and remaining charges they don't reimburse you for. They will be less likely to contest this smaller amount than the larger value of the whole notebook. Call the credit card company when you decide to return it to create a log and let them know your plans.

Good luck fighting the man! Let us know how it turns out, I fought and won a hard earned battle with Alienware to return my POS A51-m which had issues across the entire product line that they don't inform you of (but once you get it and are allowed access to their forums it becomes blatantly apparent seeing threats 8+ pages long that the problems weren't system specific).

 

Thanks for all your advice, I finally found someone remotely interested in helping me. (in the credit dept of all places) I am going to see if she can finish this off for me, otherwise it's going back under the 30 day return policy(which they never mentioned to me). Luckily I kept names and copied the chat conversations to notepad. Their customer service call center is a bottomless pit, who just can't admit they made a mistake.
Thanks again.

 

BAM!!!

good work for following that up!!!!

I ordered 1X512 as well! i got it though.. because i plan on upgrading adding another 512 in myself!

if they put 2x256 in there.. what good is that to you then for upgrading!!!!

and as you said.. i had to pay MORE for the 512.. considerably more from my recollection...

Loz

 

Inspiron 9100's ordered now can no longer be ordered with with one DIMM of RAM. There is a good reason for this as I found out over the weekend. Because the memory is DDR (Dual Data Rate) If you don't have two matched DIMMS of the same size and speed, the through put of the memory is cut in half. I was planning to take out one of my 256 DIMMS in my 512 config and replace one with a 512 DIMM. But now I'm forced to upgrade two. Well, I'm not forced to but if I want to keep my RAM bandwidth high, I am. It's ceaper to buy it from Crucial then dell by $100.

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by yoderman

 

i dont remember how exactly the p4 chip works on the 9100, but doesnt dual channel DDR ram require two pieces of ram that are exactly the same? if Dell sold a laptop with only one piece of ram, the dual channel ram would be useless.

i know this is how it is on my desktop, not sure how it works on the 9100 p4.

______________________________________________________________
the more you discover, the more you find out how little you actually know

 

I don't get my Dell Inspiron for about another two weeks. But I've already downloaded the manual and specs form the Dell site. I like to do my research well before I buy and be ready to trun it on and run when I get it. Like I said before I was planning to upgrade one stick of RAM to a bigger size. Well, that turned out not to be an option. I can get 1 GB for from Crucial for $260 and from 4AllMemory for $240. Both for two DIMMS of 512 MB. Now Dell charges $350 for the same amount, this even when we are not taking the 512 or 256 offered.

I've found Dell prices outstanding with regard to features and performance and service. However, the RAM there is way over priced. It's not like they have a huge stock pile of the RAM from high price days. That said, Dell is the only maker I've found offering an WUXGA screen, 60 7200 RPM drive and 400 DDR RAM. These all make for a fast machine that will last technology wise for longer.

I purchased a fully loaded 9100 with 3.2 Ghz HT CPU, 512 RAM, 128 ATI, WUXGA, 60 GB 7200 HD, 802.11 g/b, bluetooth, 4 year onsite + 4 year accidental dammage and a year's free training, free shipping, extra battery for $2507. Now you can get somewhat similar systems, lacking a bit. But no where near the price with such a warranty.

I only had two issues with my Inspiron 8000, both parts were replaced over night and the last waranty repair was 2 days before the 3 year was up. I hope I will like my 9100 as much. It will certianly fly next to my old 1 Ghz 8000.

 

Yes, you are correct. Dual Data Rate (Dual Channel) needs to be in match pairs. The Inspiron 9100 manual indicates as much. If Dell listed it as having one a one stick option, the memory would operate at 1/2 the speed of its capabilities. Still fast, but not nearly as fast. I believe that they might have mistakenly offered one DIMM. If they did, it was wrong. Currently the promotion is for an upgrade to 512 (2 DIMM) from 256 (1 DIMM). That said, they don't offer a one DIMM option and should not.

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Frydryce

 

My 9100 is in the boxing phase right now. I ordered the free upgrade of a 1 512 stick of memory as well. I just looked at the packing list and it says 2 256 sticks. CRAP! I wanted to buy an addititonal 512 from crucial and not Dell.
I guess it's back on the phone with customer service.
Thanks for the heads up.

Has anyone had this issue resolved?

 

Here is the content of a Dell chat session. If this is any indication of what kind of service I am going to receive I am going to be pissed.
I am on hold with India...I mean Dell now. Wheeeee .... let the games begin.

Welcome to Dell Chat. Please wait for an available agent. You will be notified when your chat is accepted by an agent.
{ME7:17:39 AM} [4406860105] Hello
The session has been accepted.

{Roger 7:18:16 AM} Thank you for contacting Dell Consumer Customer Care Chat. My name is Roger and my rep id is 46504. Please allow me a moment to review your question.
{Roger 7:18:57 AM} How may i assist you ?
{ME7:19:27 AM} hi roger, My 9100 is in the boxing phase right now. I ordered the free upgrade of a 1 512 stick of memory as well. I just looked at the packing list and it says 2 256 sticks.
{ME7:19:53 AM} i ordered the 1 stick of 512
{ME7:20:13 AM} is this a mistake?
{Roger 7:22:42 AM} No there is no mistake
{ME7:23:43 AM} So why am I getting 2 sticks 256 of ram instead of 1 512 stick like I ordered?
{ME7:26:31 AM} ...
{Roger 7:27:06 AM} Right now 512 stick is not available so we are sending you two 256 stick ....
{ME7:28:29 AM} When will it be available? Will you send it to me as soon as it is in stock and I will send the 2 sticks of 256 back?
{Roger 7:29:33 AM} yes you can do that.
{ME7:30:12 AM} What do I need to do to make that happen?
{Roger 7:31:05 AM} you can call us back at 1-800-624-9896 and the extension 66966 .This is the phone number for the customer care department.
{ME7:31:58 AM} There will be no charge for this service (exchanging the memory) correct?
{Roger 7:32:18 AM} there will be no charge for this service.
{ME7:32:51 AM} How will I know when the sticks of 512 will be available?
{ME7:33:40 AM} Why can someone order the 9100 with 2 512sticks today and I cannot just have one 512?
{Roger 7:34:58 AM} Please contact the sales department for this. 1-800-915-3355 and the extension number 62032

{ME7:36:14 AM} Thank you
The agent has ended the session.

 

LOL - that's great. I'm convinced they just have robots answering these things. Good luck with the phone call!

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

Dell customer service smokes crack!!
Talking about getting the run around. Wow
One rep says one thing and the other says another.
CRAP!!!
They are going to [EDITED BY MOD] me.
I am tired of talking to Dell reps.
I guess I will have to pull the dimms and sell them on flEbay and upgrade with crucial memory. 512 costs 135.00 -- Dell wants 350.00 for 512.
Hmmmm... not liking Dell much so far. And I haven't even received the box yet.

 

Anyone used RAM from 4allmemory.com. They say they guarantee compatability with the 9100 and it carries a full lifetime warranty. 512 MB for the 9100 is $119, multiplied by two of course to get me to a GB.