Dell complaints

[dave343]

Hey guys,

Alright, so I just got my new 1525 laptop about 20 minutes ago. Don't you just love the excitment of unwrapping your new laptop!?

Anyways I wanted to disscuss some quality issues with this laptop and get some advice if I should say anything to Dell, or if it's too small to bother with.

First and foremost, right above the media buttons almost exactly where the right speaker is, there's a small bump. It's almost as if, the plastic covering the speaker is warped slightly, or that it wasn't snapped in place properly. Either that or maybe something below is keeping it up? Either way, it's a small bump that while not affecting the performance of the laptop in anyway or preventing the lid from closing, it's a bump. And it's a detail that bothers me since I paid close to a $1000cnd for this laptop.

2nd. The lcd screen. While in windows I can see that the top of the screen aligns perfectly with the edge, however at the bottom, there is a 2mm black area/gap. Is this normal? I'm one for a screen that goes exactly from edge to edge, not perfect on the top and 2mm of black on the bottom.

3rd issue. The trackpad buttons. I've noticed that the right click works perfect, however the left click and most important button, you need to click it all the way down. With my old dell (1505) I could just tap the left button lightly and it would work, this left click I have to really make sure I click down. Defect? or no?

4th issue is with the paint job. I got Ruby red and I've noticed more now having looked at the lid that on the corners, the paint is fading... normal?

I realize that not every laptop is going to be 100% perfect, although it'd be nice if they were. I understand they are made mostly of plastics now and so not everything is going to align up... however after paying what I did, things small things kind of bother me. I can live with the 2mm of black on the lcd, but the bump bothers me.
I had a Asus M51Sn that my ex bought for me (and then took back after we broke up), and that laptop had a cosmetic defect where the right front corner would always be 2-3mm off any flat surface. Both Asus and the store told me it was cosmetic and since it didn't affect the performance nothing could be done.

Anyways, please let me know your thoughts on my quality issues and if I should call Dell and complain? Other then these issues, I love the laptop.

[Rocke_T_Sinetist]

You'll be reluctant to send back your new gizmo, everyone is. But the issues have just started, 4 out of the box, more to come, that's Dell.

I'd lean heavily toward sending it back as defective--they can't charge you shipping and restocking that way--take the credit and buy something else.

You're lucky that you got a gentle introduction to how halfass Dell is today. Not everyone gets to find out within the 21-day return period, then they're stuck.
_________________
Rocke T Sinetist
as in, 'it doesn't take a...'

[jojoangry]

dave343, My 11 year old bought a 1526 11 1/2 months ago. The hard drive just crashed out of nowhere and now they are refusing to honor their limited warranty for their cheap assed hinges saying the unit was abused. utter crap....................

[Tailmon]

I'm more than willing to bet your mysterious bump is a screw that was not seated properly. You will have more issues on the way!
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Former employee of Dell and can say that they
definitely Suck!

[dellc521]

Speaking about dell laptops, about two years ago when they started offering all the wonderful colors, they sent out e-mails to employees asking them to cancel their order if they have placed one so they could fill REAL customer orders. THEY CLAIMED AT THE TIME THERE WAS A PAINT SHORTAGE!!!!WTF???? Also at one time THERE WAS A GLASS SHORTAGE, they could not fill orders because of this we were told. The truth was the plant that produced monitors for DELL had a small fire. Why do they lie? Its in there DNA> Why couldnt they just say that asia or whomever can not produce the laptops fast enough, and also just say a plant that produces the monitors had a fire so we have a part shortage. See that was not hard.......

[incident_man]

Why tell the truth when you can spend far more time and energy on obfuscation and obstruction??
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Oceania has always been at war with Eastasia.

[jasonwentcrazy]

I'm so glad to have found someone that has the same exact problem as I do. Fresh out of the box it looked funny. Right near the cd/dvd/audio touch buttons and, as you described, just under the right speaker. [I'm sorry that you have this issue too and am just happy there is now some proof of a manufacturing defect.]

I don't have the other issues you described but honestly I never examined it very closely. I will though.

My keyboard was the main issue and it squeaked and looked warped too. I caouldn't tell if it was the top plastic bit that made it appear the keyboard was warped or if it really was. The space bar squeaked so much and the keyboard had really shoddy action on it. After a week or so my space bar just popped off. Some other keys came close.

Dell sent another keyboard and I was required to install it myself. Even after I protested. I mean, I can deliver a baby if I have to do it and if somebody walks me through it all. And a keyboard isn't any different. But the bottom line is that it's not my job. I didn't want to do it.

The new keyboard is also breaking and a few keys are tilted so far in that I am afraid to use them.

I've tried so many times to get help and Dell does not care at all about their customers.

I would really love to chat with you to see if you reached any conclusions and let me know the outcome. [Did it break eventually?] I'd also love to know the date you ordered it and all and see if we share a similar serial number. I am amazed that these things were allowed to go out like they were. The bump is so obvious that I cannot see how anyone could miss it.

And when I changed out the keyboard I was able to see under there and there is nothing obviously under there. I'm thinking it is the plastic thats warped but there was at least a wire under there that could still be the culprit.

I'm at 520-437- sixty forty and please give me a call when you get a quick moment to chat. Again, I'm dying to know the specifics with your machine.

Thanks,
Jason

And my full email/story to Dell is posted over at http://smartwentcrazy.com/jason/dell.html and I am sure it's similar to what always happens when you call them.

[dennisl59]

Get your Money back from Dell, in full, as soon as possible. Take the $$$, walk into a Walmart and buy ANY 15" Laptop except Dell. Open the box and inspect for cosmetic defects, make sure it POSTS and the OS boots before paying. No buyers remorse. Let me know how that goes. Thank You.