"I ordered this on the phone on Dec 8, and was originally (while discussing it) quoted that it could be received by the following Friday Dec 14. She later - when I was finalizing the order - clarified it as Ship on the 14th. I said, Fine since she thought it could go out earlier.

No chance. It's Dec 23, the computer is theoretically built (I've had a dozen calls and chats so far). The best information is that it is finished, and is in packing and should ship tomorrow, but nobody knows. One person said it's shipping DHL but there's no tracking number, and another said it's not shipping yet.

How does a computer company not use computer tracking??? Everyone's line is "I'm not in , I'm in Sales/Service". Any complaints are met with excuses and VERY defensive tones.

Well, my next defensive move is to cancel if it's not shipped tomorrow. I'm not willing to work with such sub-par sales. I can't imagine how the support will be!"

"On December 9, 2007 I ordered a Dell 1520 laptop for my wife as a Christmas present. I was notified on December 19th that there was a part backlog, and that my order was being delayed until 12/31.
This was not the first time that this happened to me with Dell. In July of 2007 a Dell computer that I ordered for my daughter for college was delayed by 30 days. In the most recent case, it was clearly stated on the Dell web site that if my order was placed that day, that it would be delivered in time for Christmas. After the usual need for multiple calls to Dell, arguing with them that as loyal customer that they need to figure out a way to fulfill my order, and days of waiting for an answer as to what they could do, there ended up being nothing that they actually *would* do to keep their commitment to a great customer. I have made a decision to make no further purchases from this once reputable, now disappointing company. I recommend that others think two or three times before purchasing from Dell, or to avoid Dell if at all possible."

"I ordered 3 items from Dell only because I had a gift card that was about to expire. I usually order from Newegg, but I had the gift card. This experience confirms why I order from Newegg.

I won't go into large amount of detail:
-Dell's website is clunky and awkward
-Their order confirmation email is all text based with a few random hyperlinks, no organization, no color, no graphics, very hard to decipher.

CONS
-The shipping confirmation email was worse. There were a total of 7 links in the body of the email and some were so long that they wrapped around 2 lines, and I have a 22" monitor. There was no rhyme or reason to the content.
-Most other online retailers have a nice easy way to click a button or link to directly track your shipment, not Dell. The last link in the email took me to an order status web page, that was just as awkward, and from there I had to click another link to view my tracking numbers. FROM THERE, I had to click each individual tracking number to take me to UPS and track the package.
-Dell had one package listed as shipping with DHL. DHL had no record of the package. Turns out the package was actually shipped UPS and has been "rescheduled"
-Dell's shipping method indicated 3-5 business days. Package #1 arrived in 4 business days (5 total days), Package #2 arrived in 5 business days (8 total days), Package #3 is scheduled to arrive in 7 business days (10 total days).
-Dell's prices were ridiculously high on some items to offset the occasional coupon
-Dell charges tax in my state

Pros
-packaging for the hard drive I ordered was decent and it was not simply in bubble-wrap, loose in a box.

Overall, Dell did nothing more than confirm my reasons for shopping elsewhere with all my other purchases. Their website is clunky, their order emails are circa 1995, and their handling of shipping notifications and tracking is terrible.
"

"I ordered a Sony Handycam DCR SR82 camcorder from Dell. Everything was pretty straightforward. The following business day I receive an email alerting me that the order had been pushed back due to unexpected delays to the estimated ship date of December 20th. Today I checked my order on the Dell website to see if there was any progress made. I discover that my order had been cancelled with no explanation as to why. After fifteen minutes of being on hold for some customer service representative, he politely handles my claim and explains that Dell couldn't fufill all the orders and it had stopped carrying the item. The representative tried to sell me some other camcorder products but I was frankly fed up with Dell. I've had previous issues with Dell in the past I will not bring up here. Strongly suggest avoiding this store."

"Ordered an MSI GeForce 8800GT 512 MB GDDR3 Graphics Card fom Dell on 11/24/07. Received a delay notification on 12/10 with a new shipping date of 12/17. On 12/17 I receive another delay email now saying the new shipping date will be 12/26. Just in time for Christmas. NOT. I have now canceled my order and am done with Dell. Ever try to call customer sevice? You get an outsourced company in India and a customer service rep. that can speak barely speak English. "

"I ordered a video card that was on sale back in August. Dell's website said the card was in-stock and would ship within 24 hours. A week went by and I heard nothing from Dell. I got on the online chat and was told the card was backordered. Esitimated time? They didn't know. Two weeks later I finally received the card. It was shipped in an ENVELOPE, and once I opened it up the box looked as if it had been ran over by the DHL van that delievered it. Long stoey short, I had to wait for a replacement card and return the smashed one. Dell may be great for purchasing cheap PCs, but they are no good for computer components. Stay far far away from them!"

"Order the video card on Nov. 26, 2007. Received the invoice from Dell saying the estimated ship date is Dec. 11, 2007. Called them on Dec. 10 to confirm on the shipping date. The Rep. told that the item would be shipped out on Dec. 10 as scheduled. I asked couple times about that, because the rumor that they didn't have anymore in stocks. Then on Dec. 11, received email from Dell saying the estimated ship date was pushed back 'till Dec. 19. This is the horrible way to do business. I will bring my money and do the business somewhere else. Thank Dell."

"Ordered a Radeon 3870 listed in-stock on Nov 21st, finally got an email said it would ship on Dec 10th, I called Dell to confirm this because I really couldn't wait any longer, I was told it would ship that day. Today I get an email saying its back ordered. Dell is totally worthless, 45 mins on hold and they disconnect me."

"What's the difference between a Dell and a Brick? You can build something with a brick! We have 3 Dell laptops and 2 Dell desktops. ALL 3 LAPTOPS ARE BROKEN!! And getting them fixed?...right, if you can get beyond the scripted outsourced people who you cannot communicate with to save your life! I talked to 6 Dell service reps, disconnected from 4 of them with no call back!!! I had one laptop replaced very quickly two years ago when I had a problem, this time it's been over a year and they still won't help me out. That system is now dead, but thankfully still under warranty.

Why does it say 5000 characters max for the Comment section? Because most people would use more than that to explain how horrible Dell's service is! Those who are recent purchases and satisfied with their purchase just have not yet had their system crap out and had to deal with Dell service reps. Good luck when you do!

My system has gotten so bad after my motherboard and wireless card got replaced yesterday that I can't even hardwire to the internet! My battery is going, going, gone. When I purchased my daughter's laptop I had insisted on a warranty for international service, as she was going to school abroad. They now tell me they can't help her out, as her power adapter has recently crapped out and she has final exams this week! My husband's laptop is giving him some very serious shocks, but it's out of warranty, so much for that.

We're now looking at HP. How much worse can it get? Really? If you're thinking of Dell, take a serious look at these posts and see how many of them are dissatisfied with Dell's service before you buy."

"
I'm a little taken back by all the negative reviews for Dell. My experience has been nothing but positive. I bought a scratch and dent 1501 laptop in April for $375.00. It died on Sunday 12/2/07, called Dell and they had a repair person at my house on Thursday 12/6/07 who replaced the motherboard. I could not believe the in-home service for a $375.00 laptop. "

"I will give them this, their CS chat people (laptop in india) are very courteous. Thats where the good stops.

Ordered an MSI 8800GT on Nov. 27, after I finished paying, the confirmation email showed my order expected ship date on 12/12 (>2 weeks!) But i said OK fine, their estimates are very pessimistic, so I let it go. A few days later, it was revealed that this item was actually BACKORDERED(dell did not have ANY in stock) and the manufacturer was pushing back shipments of batches.

You should note that none of this information came from dell directly, but through MSI, and many calls to their customer service from myself and people in the same boat as me. Nor were customers informed that the item was backordered on the order page.

Never dell again."

"This is my third purchased from dell(laptop, WD harddisk,canon backpack, laptop bag). As of my experienced Dell has a good price,good customer service and fast shipping service.I will order again in the future.

"

"Wow, very bad support! don't return my money after a cancellation. USELESS!"

"Dell E6400 desk top.

I have to say I have had no problems at all with this computer. I upgraded the video card myself and checked with customer service first to make sure I would not void the warrenty. They knew what they were talking about and were helpfull. I also purchased a laptop that I sent back before the 30 day return deadline was up. There was nothing wrong with it and they took it back and paid the return shipping. I got a free printer with the laptop and they said keep it. "

"this is the last computer i am buying from dell ever, after 7 years of over 10 machines bought and dozens purchased for others I am throwing this machine to the trash can (delld610). customer support went from so so to unbearable and the past year using this machine was a total nightmare, this morning phone call was the straw, after mocking my name and doing nothing to help but suggesting I probably have bad luck and maybe it was an act of god that this d620 model sucks so bad I was refused help. this machines is a wate of money and dell wouldnt return my money after 26 DAYS have past, wouldnt exchange it for something else ONLY same model, so I replaced with same model and got same nightmare again. one usb port never worked, computer gets realy hut and slows down significaly, the processor fan is making VERY loud noises. the mother board was replaced 3 TIMES so dont blame me for refusing to replace the mother board again or agreeing to recieve the same model from your refurbished trash bin of shame."