Why are some Dell laptops sold only to business accounts?

After lots of research, I decided to take the plunge a buy a Dell Latitude E6410. While chatting with a rep via the online chat tool, I was asked if I had a business account.

Huh? How is that relevant? I have hard-earned money I'm willing to give to Dell in exchange for a laptop. Why do they care if I have a business account or not?

I've never seen this separation between "Business" and "Personal" accounts when it comes to a laptop manufacturer to get your money. Why does Dell do it?

I asked the rep and his answer was:

I don't get this. I have the money. Why doesn't Dell want it, unless I'm associated with a business? What would they lose by letting anyone buy any laptop, like all other manufacturers?

 

No idea how the situation is in your country, but I run no business and still have a business account. It's just an advertisement term so that business customers feel superior. If you're willing to pay the extra costs for a business account* you should get one.
Maybe try to get another rep.

*) That's the administrative term for the better support you usually get with a business machine.

 

I saw someone posted a list of the things you just do not do when it comes to communicating... can't remember where exactly, but I remember this! When it comes to a companies customer service reps, you generally want to avoid online chats with them at all cost.

I hope you tried another rep and got through, but if not, definitely just call instead, those reps should hopefully be more accommodating.

 

I'm in the US. Did you need a tax id to get the business account?

I've seen this "business" nonsense from dell more than once. I could get around it through a friend who has a business, but my point is:

Why the heck is Dell doing this? What's the business sense?

I find it to be a total turnoff that they refuse to service me, and I'm quite likely to go to Sony or Lenovo instead.

 

Ive looked at the Latitude and wonder WHY?
Business laptops have a slightly better processor and lower grade GPU/ graphics package. Unless this E6410 is just a school (word processor and spreadsheet) laptop, its going to be a disappointment. (NO Gaming!)
I have bought several business laptops, for work, and you should notice my signature, I wouldn't be caught with the downgrade in video processing.
Just because you cant have a Chevy Camaro (Latitude E6410), you would switch to a Volkswagen (Sony)? You are not looking at a Corvette. Who wins?

 

Which segment did you enter Dell's site? You shouldn't have a problem with the Small Business sector, or the Outlet.

 

I don't know what you're doing, but it took me about 10 seconds to put a Latitude in the shopping cart and hit checkout.

I don't know where you work, but in my experience, bosses tend to get slightly angry if you bust out Modern Warfare 2 in the middle of a meeting.

 

WHAT!!! are you telling me im not supposed to let my staff haul in their gear and family for a LAN party and pizza/beer every second friday?
we even start early sometimes and call it a " meeting "

 

here's some point fyi.
if you have a business acct you will get most likely tech support in North America but in case of any repairs onsite techs are available to schedule an appointment for you only Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm.
if you're a residential - support in India but onsite repair can be arranged even on weekend.

 

Business account usually gets better discounts on machines.

 

Sorry, I somehow lost track of that thread. No, I didn't need a tax id or something else. Except for the higher price and the better service (which I already needed) there was absolutely no difference compared to buying a consumer laptop.

 

Indeed, i made up a name well used my real name because they ask for it during tech support but i was able to buy a Latitude D630 without a issue and I'm a student.

 

I have never had a problem ordering business systems from Dell as an individual. Any time they have asked for a business name, I just use my name.

In my experience, Dell's business machines are built better than their consumer machines and usually come standard with a 3-year next-business-day on-site warranty. I have always purchased my systems through the Dell Outlet ("refurbished" or "previously ordered new" only) because I still get the same warranty and only spend about half of retail.

 

Same here, it's awesome, and I can't wait to upgrade to the new ones once they hit the outlet!

 

Just ordered a e6410 and used my name in the Business Name field. No problems...Got a confirmation email a few seconds later with an expected delivery date of 02/23.

 

LOL!!! I remember doing this at a old job when Quake was all the rage. A bunch of husbands who didn't want to go home on a Friday night.

 

I called them today, and they asked if I had a business, I said no, and they told me that I couldn't order from there, that instead I had to go to the Home branch. I hung up and called again, and told them that I had a business this time, got my laptop ordered w/no problems.

I hate the Home branch because of the language problems, they are totally ignorant of the product(s), and can be very rude. The last system I bought through them took me some three (3) hours to get it ordered.

Monday I tried buying a laptop, w/a mouse, throught their Home Outlet Store. I got a confirmation email, and when I checked on it two (2) days later, all the order showed was for the mouse, and not the latop. Calling, they blamed me for the mistake. I cancelled the order. I tried one more time, for the heck of it, on Wednesday morning, got a Confirmation email, and now all it's saying is Pending, after a day and a half. I'll just let it hang.

I highly recommend people purchase through their business branch. The people are Americans, are a lot nicer, know the product(s), and go out of their way to help you, even to see if any deals exists.

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Mwahahaha. So this explains why Dell does this silly home vs. business segregation act: outsourcing work for their less profitable and allegedly less knowledgeable customers to India or wherever. Since few will get revolted and just NOT order from Dell at all, this inane trick works.

 

I don't have a business and had no problems ordering an E6410 through their business outlet site last week. I received my laptop a few days ago and have been very happy with it.

Took less than 5 minutes to order it from their website. Not sure how it takes 3 hours to order something on the phone (were you on hold alot???). I wouldn't have that kind of patience, especially I were trying to give them my money.

 

This was their Home Systems, not Business. If they can't answer anything, they simply move you on to someone else, and on, and on, until someone can, and does answer the question(s).

Trust me, I considered forgetting it.

With the Outlet Store, I just found out what the issue was. I had asked for the two year extended warranty, and that's where it rejected me. There's a glitch in the system there for some reason.


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Ouch, that hurts.
Dell Germany has absolutely no problems selling their business class laptops to consumers (on the phone), provided you opt for at least 2yrs warranty.

Michael