Dell complaints

kimberlemae · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 8:18 pm Post subject:

How does that work exactly? Do I have to send mine back, before I get the replacements?

There is no way in hell I am sending these 2 back, before I get the ones they are replacing them with.

I know I can ask the person at Dell I am dealing with, however; as kind and helpful as he has been, I'd probably believe yall before him on most things.

Rocke_T_Sinetist · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:00 am Post subject:

Your situation is so unusual--replacement outside warranty--they may not even have a procedure for it.

Normal system exchange does want your old system back before they ship the new one. And yes, it's pretty bogus sending off a $1000+ gizmo and 'trusting' Dell to fulfill their part of the bargain.

But if they haven't demanded the old one--or sent you a box to ship it in--you'll probably get the replacement first. For all we know, they don't even want the old one back. About all it's worth is the LCD panel.

It gets a little more interesting here. If these models are identical, that means the drive from the old one will fit in the new one. You could keep XP if you wanted to, and if both drives are the same capacity--that is, you're sending back the same drive model that was in the original, just with Vista on it. They won't care what image is on it. Oh, the plastic will have to match the case color, but that's swappable too. If you end up having to return the XP drive, plug it in the new system and take all personal data off of it. Dell has been known to ship refurb drives with the previous customer's data still on it. All this "plug it in" assumes harddrives still plug in, rather than being inside the case where you can't get at them.
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kimberlemae · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 1:15 pm Post subject:

They aren't getting the HD in this one because in May they told me that is what was wrong with it so I bought a new one, and put it in myself. I just got the specs on the other replacement laptop and am posting them over in the other thread.

Rocke_T_Sinetist · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 2:00 pm Post subject:

You replaced the HD? I hope you kept the old one. You can send them that. When they get a returned system, they only inventory by what parts are there, not what's on them or if they work or not.

But the system you return does have to have all the parts it originally shipped with, they DO inventory that, and can charge you for anything that's missing.
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kimberlemae · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 7:39 pm Post subject:

Rocke_T_Sinetist · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:08 pm Post subject:

Just to be sure they don't get anything useful, or get your personal data, drop it on the floor a couple times from shoulder height before you put it in the return system. Better, if you own a power drill, drill a hole through the case halfway between the center and the periphery.
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Commendatore · Hates with a Vengance Joined: 10 Jun 2008 Posts: 80

Get secure disk wiping software and use it to wipe your drive. Use the wiping algorithm DoD 5200.28-STD (7 passes). It fills with a special number pattern through seven passes. Very secure. Nothing can be recovered. But it's very slow. You'll have to let it run overnight.

Rocke_T_Sinetist · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 8:02 pm Post subject:

Nobody unwilling to spend $1000 can get anything off a drive with a hole drilled in it.
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FallenAngel · Super Hater Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 1493

This is true. Physically damage the drive with a drillbit and you're looking at a huge chunk of change to try and recover the data lost. Dell couldn't be bothered at that time, and you could rest easy knowing your data is safe.

HellResident · Dances with Hate Joined: 20 Nov 2005 Posts: 123

If they are really offering a replacement via exchange...take it. If not...here's what to do. Call up on an unrelated issue. Say that every time it's plugged in you get one hell of a shock just by touching the damn thing. Then ask which part it might be to replace so that doesnt happen anymore.

You'll get a new one of the latest shipping model as a safety capture.

Then rinse and repeat as a new call ont he other system.

HellResident

Rocke_T_Sinetist · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 12:21 pm Post subject:

Yep. Or tell them you smelled smoke and are afraid to plug it in. Dell exchanges all potential safety hazards, irrespective of warranty.

I didn't want to suggest resorting to subterfuge though. I suggested that to one person, and they resented it, so I don't anymore.
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