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captain_slinkyOn Black Friday, we ordered a cute little Netbook from Dell. Normally $450, this one day only would be $199 (WOO!). They GUARANTEED that it would be delivered NO LATER than December 14th. Of course they didn't deliver on that promise, otherwise there would be no need for a post. I kind of expected that there would be delays, but it's HOW they delay that is so genius!
They send an e-mail saying that there's some Federal Law that says if the order is delayed, they HAVE to cancel your order if they don't hear from you within 24 hours. Funny how I don't remember hearing anything about the "We're gonna cancel your order in 24 hours" bill in the Senate, but hey whatever.
They've pulled this delay tactic FIVE TIMES since we ordered the Netbook, each time causing a mad scramble to try and verify that YES, we DO want the thing that they sold us. I assume that each time they delay like this, there's a certain amount of people who (a) forget to respond, (b) don't check their e-mail in time or (c) just give up in frustration. Enough people to make each delay wittle-down the total amount of orders to a more semi-manageable number. It makes sense in an underhanded double-talking way, a kind of "We fully intend to give you this awesome deal as long as you say you want it before I count down from THREEtwooneohhhhhh I'm so sorry you don't want it any more okay bye!" I almost kinda have to respect that, in the same way I respect the ingenuity of the first guy to send out a Nigerian Bank Scam spam.
But what they have done now is kind of despicable. They sent out their latest "You must respond within 24 hours" e-mail at 11:45pm last night, New Year's Eve. I assume that there will be A LOT of orders that get canceled due to over-sleeping and hangovers.
They send an e-mail saying that there's some Federal Law that says if the order is delayed, they HAVE to cancel your order if they don't hear from you within 24 hours. Funny how I don't remember hearing anything about the "We're gonna cancel your order in 24 hours" bill in the Senate, but hey whatever.
They've pulled this delay tactic FIVE TIMES since we ordered the Netbook, each time causing a mad scramble to try and verify that YES, we DO want the thing that they sold us. I assume that each time they delay like this, there's a certain amount of people who (a) forget to respond, (b) don't check their e-mail in time or (c) just give up in frustration. Enough people to make each delay wittle-down the total amount of orders to a more semi-manageable number. It makes sense in an underhanded double-talking way, a kind of "We fully intend to give you this awesome deal as long as you say you want it before I count down from THREEtwooneohhhhhh I'm so sorry you don't want it any more okay bye!" I almost kinda have to respect that, in the same way I respect the ingenuity of the first guy to send out a Nigerian Bank Scam spam.
But what they have done now is kind of despicable. They sent out their latest "You must respond within 24 hours" e-mail at 11:45pm last night, New Year's Eve. I assume that there will be A LOT of orders that get canceled due to over-sleeping and hangovers.
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no subject
Date: 2010-01-01 06:52 pm (UTC)You might want to send this to Consumerist.
no subject
Date: 2010-01-01 07:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-01 11:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-02 02:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-02 07:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-04 11:34 pm (UTC)http://consumerist.com/2009/12/dell-refuses-to-cancel-an-order-that-wont-ship-for-months.html
no subject
Date: 2010-01-04 11:54 pm (UTC)http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/adv/bus02.shtm#How%20to%20Comply%20With%20the%20Rule
I still think they're abusing it. :(
no subject
Date: 2010-01-05 04:04 pm (UTC)I used to advise people ALL THE TIME against getting a Dell. I *knew* about their shady underhanded stuff like this! Why oh why did I decide to go with a Dell?!?!?