"I've had two successful dealings with Dell. Both were shipped--relatively--expediently and encountered no problems. One order was for a PDA and another was for a full laptop computer system. Both transactions went smoothly."

"This company has HORRIBLE customer service and continually exercises deceptive advertising practices."

"I have had 2 experiences with Dell...One Good :)and One Bad :(!
First the good, I ordered a Dell Digital Jukebox. It came very quickly, like 3 days, no problem works great, sounds good, no problemo. I was very impressed, shocked even, that it was so easy.
Now the bad :(
The next time, I ordered an ATI Video card, the price was very competitive and since I am a "preferred member" I got a big discount and some other bonuses. So I got it.
That was on Nov. 1st. It's now Dec. 22nd, I've gotten 3 notice of delay e-mails, each one getting farther and farther away. The last one said I shouldn't expect it by Jan 11th, of '05!! DUDE! You can't call them, I was on hold for probably 20 minutes when I realized life was passing by, I tried to e-mail them, but the site just sends you back to the page that says your order is In Production and it's completely useless.
So, now I just sit and wait and I figure by the time I get the card, there will be something better on the market, or our species will have completely evolved to using some other form of machinery besides computers.
When I got it, it said "5-6 Days For Delivery!" now it says 3+ weeks! They might as well say, "Buy this for your grandkids because by the time you get it you'll be spending your days on the porch with Shaniqua your nurse, wiping the drool from your toothless mouth wondering about the bygone days of yore!!!"
Dude, Dell...you guys suck!"

"Dell customer service has gotten a lot worse over the years. It wasn't that great when the call centers were based in the US, operators were not knowledgable, often relying on automated menu systems from their computers to answer questions in a rigid, ordered fashion. Now the call centers are based overseas, so now you're lucky if you can even understand what they are saying. Last time I called customer service I was transferred to Mexico and also Ireland. Needless to say, I understood the woman from Mexico more than the guy from Ireland! He was extremely rude, and to make matters worse, when I asked for his name, I guess he sensed I would lodge a complaint, he bluntly said, "I can't give that information." and hanged up on me! Never in years of calling customer service have I ever experienced that. Never again with Dell."

"I have ordered twice from Dell, once a hard disk and recently a camera lens. Both times I was told that the items are on backorder. Apparently, DELL is trying to run a "superstore" type of venture, so except perhaps from computers, DELL does not seem to stock the rest of the stuff they show on their site. They probably have third party fulfillment. Nevertheless, in both cases they did come through ok. They shipped brand new equipment at competitive prices. In fact, on the latest order of the lens, I spoke to customer service and I was told that it was on backorder and that it was slated to arrive sometime around the 10th of January (order placed December 11th). Incidentally, I did not find the person at customer service rude or difficult to work with. On the contrary, he was kind and he really worked hard to get my business because I was sceptical about the long wait for the backorder. I decided to order since my previous research indicated the price was unbeatable. Guess what! The lens actually arrived in less than a week, and it would have made it sooner if the courier did not have unexpected delays at their sorting facility (I know this for sure because they did not deliver on the day their website indicated it would, so I called them).

In conclusion, I will confirm others comments that you will probably have to wait with DELL, but in my case the customer service was ok and the stuff I bought were fine and at competitive pricing. I have not been pushed to buy stuff I did not want and I did not get price hacking in any way. I have got horrendous treatment and price hacking from other "cheap" websites, but not from DELL. Was I simply lucky? Well if I was then I was twice and perhaps I should run to the casino for new year's...."

"Ordered Canon ZR-85 from Dell.com 12/13/04 because their discounts provided a good price and the supposed good reputation of the company. Their Web site showed "Usually ships within 24 hours." Later in the day after placing the order, noticed status of my order showed "in production." Now when I click on that 'status,' Dell says the camcorder is suddenly backordered. (Their Web site still shows the "24 hour" shipping notice.) Waited on line 58 minutes for customer svc to find out status. Could tell me nothing.Transferred me to customer care department. Person finally answered. Said her system doesn't show camcorder backordered, but if the status on Dell site shows that, it must be so. Could not provide any additional info. Warning: Don't order unless you have plenty of time to wait (on hold and for the shipment itself.)
UPDATE: On subsequent call to Dell, requested a supervisor. He agreed to send shipment next-day when released. Order was received just prior to Christmas Day. "

"Ordered 8400 on the 7th supposed to be delivered on the 16th.Come to find out DELL canceled the order without notifying me.Now they say if i want to get it by the 20th ill have to agree to a higher price than before.They basicly treat there customers with the bait and switch tactic.Its really sickening a big company like DELL resorts to doing this.If at all possible get your pc elseware. "

"If it takes me 3 minutes to order a digital camera on Dell.com, why does it take an hour to cancel it over the phone? I ordered a digital camera for a Christmas gift for my girlfriend. When I checked my order status, the shipping date was for Jan 27th 2005. I ordered it on December 13th with a 2-5 day shipping option without any warnings of back orders or delayed shipping. I only found out after I had made the order. There is no cancel order on their site, you have to call them. I was on hold for 45 mins. While i waited for a rep, and when I told her I wanted to cancel the order, I was put on hold for another 15 mins while she typed it up."

"Ordered a kodak 7590 digital camera and received it 5 days later. Can't complain about that in December. But, I was hoping it wasn't my camera in the brown box that sat at my door because it was rattling around inside. No packing materials whatsoever! They just stuck the kodak box in the brown box and sent it off. I haven't tried to use it yet, but I'll update if it's broken."

"This is the first time ordering from Dell all in all the order went well. Was unsure with order at first with all the neg feed back from people and poor customer service Dell is known for.
Purhased a 4700 with free 17 LCD and printer. I added some upgrades that included a better 17 LCD more memory and larger video card. Dell was also offering free 2 day shipping with order.
Placing the order was easy, got email notifications and order shipped on time with no delays.
Just keeping my fingers crossed that I never need customer support."

"The delivery is a day earlier than expected. I'm not commenting on the quality of the good, it's just as advertised."

"I placed my order #997912119 on 11/27/2004 and expected prompt shipment of that product (Dell Dimension 8400 PC). The Dell website, in fact, stated that orders should ship within 2 days of payment approval. That date has long since passed, and still nothing but delays. I have received delay notification e-mails, all of which were non-specific, and all I have gotten from Dell's Customer Care organization is an explanation that a part is out of stock, and it is the Christmas season. All of which, are unacceptable.

I believe that what Dell is doing has nothing to do with motherboards being out of stock, but rather that the ones they do have are being diverted to higher profit margin bundles that have been ordered. This is despicable, and I expected more out of Dell than to be treated
like this.

What I think should have occurred was for Dell to step up and offer a better system, at the same price, that could have been shipped immediately. This really sucks, and I will begin telling everyone I come into contact with to buy from anyone except Dell because of this. Furthermore, in the professional world, I am in a position of
considerable influence for the designation of PC hardware for use by my client - this is several thousand PCs, and one vendor that will not
ever be under consideration is Dell.

I have filed a formal complaint with the Texas Attorney General's office and the Better Business Bureau because these jerk offs should not be allowed to get away with it. DON'T BUY DELL PRODUCTS - THEY BAIT, SWITCH, DELAY, AND THEN LIE."

"Ordered a Canon EF100-400 4.5-5.6L IS USM lens from Dell. Got 2 emails for confirmation. Last email had the order no and ship date. I logged on to My Account and looked at the order status and it showed a EF 75-300 4.5-5.6 USM lens which is a cheaper lens. Contacted Dell customer service and was told by a gentleman who couldn't quite master English that my only recourse was to cancel, which I did. This sounds like bait and switch to me"

"I placed an order for a Canon EF100-400 IS USM and I got the email confirmation and email acknowledgement.
Checking my order status, Dell is doing the bait and switch,they have another Canon lens which isn't the one I order. Dell is false advertising.
"

"Dell shipped to the correct address in the time stated, but they couldn't get the billing address right.

I called them about a month after recieving the computer so I could find out why I didn't get an invoice and of course they had the wrong billing address. (I tried to change during the order process but was not allowed. I also tried to change after recieving the PC, was not allowed at the time).

I called them up and of course I could barely understand the person on the phone from India. The language was off and the phone line was terrible. I gave them my address and they were going to ship me an bill.

Two days later I get a call from Dell that I was over due and wanted me to make a payment over the phone. No I'm not making any payment over the phone to someone who just called. Of course they wanted my SS# or account number to correct the problem but do I look like I was born stupid. Who in their right mind would give some a payment over the phone. (They wanted my check routing number and not a Credit card).

I tried several time to contact Dell and straighten out the matter only to be hung up on the phone. Sent to voice mails. Told that the supervisor was busy or call back during Dell business hours.

I use to think highly of Dell and it's service. This is the worst service that I have ever encounterd with retain organization. Would I purchase another PC from Dell? Never. Would I recommend any of my friends purchase a Dell? Not anymore.

They have some serious problems with handing out the finicial service to India. The people I contacted were rude, unable to understand, untrained, or unable or caring to help.

My time is money and it best spent with HP or Gateway. I'm sure the service will be better.

Dan Pruett "