What do you reckon I should do?

Hi

Ok. I'll explain a bit.

So I ordered a Vostro 1400 which I have now had for a couple of weeks. Although my EDD was set back to late september, I actually received it about 2 days after the original, albeit lengthy, EDD.

The laptop originally came with an SEC Samsung screen. While it was not extremely grainy, it was slightly, and that combined with extremely poor viewing angles and some washed out colours prompted me to call in for repair (specifying I did not want an SEC screen and wanted an LG).

So a day later my screen is replaced at home with an AUO screen. Gooooood lorddddd. It looks like it has a layer of grease over the top of it. It's definitely not acceptable and is effectively a downgrade from my previous screen so I ring up again to get it replaced, this is where it get interesting...

I was told Dell were aware of the issue (I should add the rep was the first person to mention the word "grainy") and that to assure me a perfect screen I had to wait until at least the 25th when they will ring me. Extremely unhappy about that considering the LG screens are reportedly perfect.

To add to that I have only recently discovered there is a good amount of what sounds like interference from something through the headphone port when no sound it playing...a sort of mechanical beeping. And to add insult to injury I really paid over the odds for my system....comparing what others got for the same price as I paid is gutting. (Better processor, larger HD etc etc)

What should I do? Honestly, I do not want to wait any longer for a call I am not sure will happen (the promised email did not arrive) and while I am happy to be tolerant of the loose battery, the headphone socket problems are just tipping me over the edge, literally.

I have previously been dealing with vostro technical support (0870 3533050), should I perhaps ring customer care? What should I be aiming for? A replacement (inconvenient for me I admit, but if i was able to get a better spec replacement I would not say no), should I wait? Demand another screen replacement now?

Thank you!

 

Are you within your 30 days? If so ask for a replacement and let them know you will keep asking for replacement until you receive a proper system as regardless of the 30 day period you have a problem that occurred within the 30 days and until it's resolved you will consider it the same (within 30 day) problem.

Barring that, if you see better prices now, you could try and get a refund and just buy again.

 

Yeah I am, that's what I am considering, and hopefully by noting the prices online at the time of the call I can get an upgrade.

The refund option is not available to me as long story short, we are now moving house and the laptop was ordered using my neighbours name and CC details to avoid any issues with it being delivered (I was preparing for longer delays). I can imagine it getting messy with refunds, being charged again and the time between both those events.

Edit: Do UK customers get a 30 days?

 

Does anyone know if Dell are able to fix the morse code like noises from the headphone jacks with at home service?

 

Oh....WINNER. Just found out my webcam no longer works. The guy who replaced my LCD with the crappy AUO has seemingly broken it....it's not even in device manager any more.

Will ring tonight or tomorrow, hard to find time tbh.

 

Personally, after I received my replacement with the same AUO greasy vasoline screen I canceled/returned and got a HP DV6500t which is better then the Dell except it doe not have the faster 86xx nvidia option. If you stay with Dell, I strongly suggest you get something other then the 1440X900 screen. If they won't let you change it, then cancel return and reorder.. Or better yet.. get an HP. I personally thing the HP has a nicer design and brilliant screens. The only thing HP lacks is the faster GPU on the dv6500t I bought but I don't care too much about gaming. Dells 1440X900 screens are the worst of the lot and should be avoided on the 14" and 15" models.

Oh sorry, see you can no longer get a refund. If you can try and get the matte screen with the 1400. I think its the best display for the smaller screen and will give you better viewing angles too. You should also have no grain with that option. The matte screen seems to have the least amount of complaints for the 1400. Second option would be for the regular TL screen. But again, stay away from the wxga + unless you want to have more fun and games with Dell.

 

Thanks HI DesertNM, I originally wanted an HP DV2500 however budget is the issue, as well as now not being able to get a refund, at least not easily.

I know with the lower resolution or matte screen it's likely I would not have these problems...but I paid dell to supply me 1400x900 screen as I love the extra real estate...it's especially good for multimedia purposes imo - and they have yet to supply me a problem free one, which is their duty. (The WXGA resolution of the HP line was another draw back to them)

The 1400 is a really nice machine, it has everything I want...and when I am at home with a monitor plugged in I can get near on 10 hours of battery life (obviously I would normally have it plugged in, but it's still an impressive example), and out and about I can reach 6 hours which is great for college purposes. It's just these problems that need ironing out humm.

Edit: Didnt find time to ring tonight, tomorrow evening is a must!

 

Get A Refund... Do It!!!

 

if you get a refund then you can re-order a whole new system if you still want it this`will also extend your return time by another 21 days which is the same reason i got a refund for the vostro and re-ordered the inspiron...

 

Call them up and get a new one

 

I was in the exact same situation as you are now. I downgraded to WXGA matte and I'm pretty happy now.

 

I understand why you would want the higher res.. I did as well with the 1420 I briefly had. But the reality is that the glass manufacturers have had issues with building decent wxga + screens. In fact, it effects others other then dell. I know that AUO had grainy issues even before the new inspiron launch. About the only good wxga + screens are maybe the LG or when they are used on 17 inch displays. So wanting a nice 1440X900 display and the reality of providing this with allot of the glass makers are two different things. I am sorry, but I suggest forgetting about that resolution or be prepared to wait on multiple replacements until dell randomly puts in a LG. Just look at Zfactor on this forum. He is waiting on replacement number 5 I believe. It will be interesting to see if he got dells attention yet. If ever there was a time that dell would go out of their way to use a specific piece of glass to insure that a customer got "a good one" it would be Mr. Zfactor for sure.

 

Thanks for the advice.

I am going to talk it out with a rep, what number should I call to reach customer service and not technical support? 0870 906 0010#3?

 

Well, I rang.....

They just weren't interested, I was put through to technical support from customer support and was subsequently speaking to the THICKEST Indian woman I have ever come across.

I had the option of waiting around 4 weeks for a replacement (no) or waiting for her to ring back with updates on a problem I happened to mention but was not the reason why I rung..........werrrughhhhhhhhhhhhhhwqoeiibgIF3QR83982YHIUJHIQYVKEWBJNL aduwbeILFNHBWA HFLIb nflhew qibefn. Death.

I am going to wait for this person who is meant to ring me about the screen until the 25th. If a call is not received on the 25th by 5PM I shall be ringing them again hopefully with someone with a little more intelligence.

 

Just call them back 5 minutes later and speak to a completely different person. Keep doing this until you get the result you want.

 

Listen ask to be put through the escaltions department. They are the ones who are "upper" in Dell and can sort it out for you.

 

Manzi.... Manzi?

And thanks for that suggestion, I will definitely try that out. Is there ANY chance of talking to an English person? I'm so sick of repeating the problems to people who barely understand me and I them.

I fear for my phone bill! This last call was 30 mins...

 

Just to keep anyone interested up to date, I sent an email to them via the "Unresolved Issues" page here. I doubt it will achieve much, but it's farrrrr easier to explain the problems I am having via email.

Will let you know if I receive a reply, I specifically stated I wanted the problem solved via email. (I am unable to take calls during the day).

I didnt give a case number or reference number, simply because I do not have one. They didn't bother to send me anything after my first replacement.