still sticking with Dell just because its the XPS 1330

Ive always had great experiences with Dell since I bought my first system from them in 97. Since then Ive accumulated 3 more Dell systems at home and a couple for my businesses. However my most recent experience turned me away, but I couldnt resist the charm of the XPS 1330 anymore.

Some of you may know I ordered the XPS 1330 from a Kiosk on July 9th with a few discounts. After a salesman who could barely type entered all my order spec info, and my social security number for a Dell Preferred Account, I was sent happily along with a printout of my summary order. Turns out there wasnt an official order number, customer number, or account number on my printout when I wanted to check on my system status a day later. I was still waiting on the confirmation email 48 hours after.

So I called and chatted with 7 different Dell reps. All telling me they cant do anything without an order number, because without an order number the order doesnt exist. All of these complete strangers/employees of Dell of course asked my social security number and mothers maiden name to check the status of my Preferred Account which was charged for the order that did not exist. I wasnt too comfortable just giving out my social to complete strangers and was really disgusted by this practice as well.

Finally a member on here referred me to Dell financial services who cleared my account for me, and offerred to reorder the system for me. I was so fustrated by the process I was determined to wait. However the Dell employees were determined to sell me the system, calling my cell phone 2 consecutive times per hour, every hour on the hour for 4 days straight. These calls also went to my home and work numbers as late as 11pm at night. I used the phone at my parents place to call into Dell, and they reported getting calls as early as 7am and as late as 11:20pm from Anna at Dell to assist me with an order I had called about.

In 4 days there were:
61 calls logged on my cell phone
28 calls logged on my home caller ID
9 calls to my parents, and friends phones I used to call Dell
13 calls to my office from the same Dell rep

For those keeping track that was 111 calls total from the same Dell rep attempting to contact me even after I cancelled my order and told her I would not like to reconsider. I had to get pretty rude and nasty with her and a supervisor to stop the calls. If sales people are this bad, the Dell collections people must be much worse. I still get calls and hangups from the same number on the weekend, so I may be tempted to let her hear the very worst from me if necessary, lucky for her I was in public among business associates and family when she called.

Anyways I couldnt resist the temptation. After this experience I still want the XPS 1330. I went to Best Buy and CompUSA to tinker with thier Sony SZ models, and HP models, but I keep comming home and looking at the Dell XPS 1330 website until 2am like its laptop porn or something. I even bought the Sony and brought it home and now its a gift to my parents.

So I reordered myself directly from the Dell website. I now have a ship date of 8/31 but I dont mind. EVERYTHING WENT EXACTLY AS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO. I got acknowlegement email immediately. I got confirmation email immediately. I checked the status the next morning, and its showing its in build. This is how it should be. Easy. Stress free. Automatic. Finally.

I gave up my $200 worth of discounts I had before, but I dont care. It was more headache to work with some live person than it was to just order it myself. I was being nice and wanted someone to get thier commission, so I thought I didnt mind ordering from a live person. After that experience Im order myself online everytime now.

So here I am, back with Dell after all the crap they put me through. They still have my loyalty only because its the sexy XPS 1330 this time. Maybe I'll appreciate it more when I get it just because of what Ive gone thru for it. Hopefully it wont dissapoint. So yes Im back in line behind the other XPS 1330 fans, feels good to be back in the group.

 

Hahaha, I enjoyed reading your post. I'm sorry that happened. I think somewhere there was a glitch in Dell's system. I'm sure it wasn't the same rep.

You'll enjoy the M1330! What specs did you get and what was the final price?

 

I might be doing the same thing--although i wasn't feeling this way yesterday. I placed my order on 6/29 (and "EVERYTHING WENT EXACTLY AS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO") and then two days ago Dell randomly canceled my order... I'm so upset and frustrated that i don't want anything to do with dell...

...but then i look at all the other comparable notebooks, at what I'd be getting if i don't get the m1330... shoot.

I guess if Dell can place another order for me at the same price as before, then I'll just have to do it and go all the way to the back of the line....

...maybe.

 

Did you use a university discount like the Drake deal? Maybe thats why they cancelled. it. My first order hit so many bumps, I just felt it was a jinxed and unlucky computer I would be getting if I followed it thru. Thats why I cancelled, reconsidered, then reordered.

 

Dell XPS M1330

Crimson Red
2Ghz T7300
Slim and Light LED with Webcam
1GB Ram (upgrading myself later to 2GB)
160GB HD (5400RPM)
128MB NVIDIA GeForce video card
Fingerprint scanner
6 cell battery (9 cell created delayed shipment backorder)
Bluetooth capability
1 Yr warranty
1 Yr accidental damage and lojack theft

$1953 + tax = $2114 shipped 8/31