As a few of you may recall, my home town was devastated by a tornado on November 6th, 2005. Dozens were killed and several hundred homes and businesses were destroyed. The reason I mention this is because it has something to do with the kind corporate Dell.
You see, I purchased a couple of computers from Dell in late October 2005 from Dell. These computers had a couple hundred dollars of rebates on them. First off, Dell does NOT send you any rebate forms nor any instructions on how to redeem the rebates, or even let you know that you have a rebate available. You have to call them and inquire as to how to claim your rebate. That took most of one day getting through to someone. Then, see how easy it is to find the "appropriate" rebate form for what you may have purchased. I assure you, it isn't happening very easily.
Anyway, I donated several days of my time to helping the tornado victims and the clean up effort. At the time, trying to navigate the Dell maze to get their rebate was not the first thing on my mind. After I helped as much as I could with the rescue and clean up efforts, I began the process again of getting my Dell rebate forms sent in. I navigated the numerous pages and finally found the correct form and filled it out. I made sure that I included all proper documentation etc. and mailed out my rebate claim forms. Afterall, it was for a couple hundred dollars.
About a month and a half later I receive a letter from Dell telling me that my rebate has been denied, I was one day late in sending in my rebate forms. They begin the 30 day window to send in their rebate forms the day they ship the computer from their factory! Besides being upset that it is obvious that Dell has made their rebate process so difficult that I'm sure that a good portion of people simply give up, they now slam me for one day.
Not to give up yet, I send them newspaper clippings, website links etc. showing them why I was one day late; my time spent helping the tornado victims. I thought that surely a upright company like Dell would understand that helping my fellow neighbor in a time of disaster would be a legitimate excuse for being one day late, especially considering that they begin their 30 day time frame when they ship from their factory; a rather cheap shot at trying to prevent people from redeeming their rebates anyway. Dell responded to me that although it is regrettable that we had dozens killed by the tornado and hundreds left homeless, I should have known better and made sure that I honored my obligation to Dell and gotten my rebate form in within the 30 day window from their shipping date. Their final word is that they are going to screw me out of $200 for helping out our tornado victims.
I realize that this sounds like a personal issue, but I'd just like everyone to know what kind of company Dell is. They have made it clear that they wouldn't walk across the street to piss on you if you were on fire. They intentionally make it nearly impossible to find their rebate forms. They also later billed me $55 for a "Windows Training Guide" that I never agreed to purchase. I found that little surprise on my credit card. When questioned on that, Dell told me that most people appreciate them doing so. I had to call my credit card company and refuse that charge since I never agreed to that, and never would have agreed for a Windows Training Guide!
After my experience with Dell and their response to me proving that they are now leaches who will steal from you and have no compunction to screw you out of a rebate, I'll never buy anything from Dell again. Unless you are ready to spend hours trying to make sure you chase down their elusive rebate forms and watch your credit card for later charges tacked on without your knowledge, I'd highly recommend not buying from Dell. I assume their company must be hard up for cash, but they have crossed the line with me. Dell can go to Hell!!!
You see, I purchased a couple of computers from Dell in late October 2005 from Dell. These computers had a couple hundred dollars of rebates on them. First off, Dell does NOT send you any rebate forms nor any instructions on how to redeem the rebates, or even let you know that you have a rebate available. You have to call them and inquire as to how to claim your rebate. That took most of one day getting through to someone. Then, see how easy it is to find the "appropriate" rebate form for what you may have purchased. I assure you, it isn't happening very easily.
Anyway, I donated several days of my time to helping the tornado victims and the clean up effort. At the time, trying to navigate the Dell maze to get their rebate was not the first thing on my mind. After I helped as much as I could with the rescue and clean up efforts, I began the process again of getting my Dell rebate forms sent in. I navigated the numerous pages and finally found the correct form and filled it out. I made sure that I included all proper documentation etc. and mailed out my rebate claim forms. Afterall, it was for a couple hundred dollars.
About a month and a half later I receive a letter from Dell telling me that my rebate has been denied, I was one day late in sending in my rebate forms. They begin the 30 day window to send in their rebate forms the day they ship the computer from their factory! Besides being upset that it is obvious that Dell has made their rebate process so difficult that I'm sure that a good portion of people simply give up, they now slam me for one day.
Not to give up yet, I send them newspaper clippings, website links etc. showing them why I was one day late; my time spent helping the tornado victims. I thought that surely a upright company like Dell would understand that helping my fellow neighbor in a time of disaster would be a legitimate excuse for being one day late, especially considering that they begin their 30 day time frame when they ship from their factory; a rather cheap shot at trying to prevent people from redeeming their rebates anyway. Dell responded to me that although it is regrettable that we had dozens killed by the tornado and hundreds left homeless, I should have known better and made sure that I honored my obligation to Dell and gotten my rebate form in within the 30 day window from their shipping date. Their final word is that they are going to screw me out of $200 for helping out our tornado victims.
I realize that this sounds like a personal issue, but I'd just like everyone to know what kind of company Dell is. They have made it clear that they wouldn't walk across the street to piss on you if you were on fire. They intentionally make it nearly impossible to find their rebate forms. They also later billed me $55 for a "Windows Training Guide" that I never agreed to purchase. I found that little surprise on my credit card. When questioned on that, Dell told me that most people appreciate them doing so. I had to call my credit card company and refuse that charge since I never agreed to that, and never would have agreed for a Windows Training Guide!
After my experience with Dell and their response to me proving that they are now leaches who will steal from you and have no compunction to screw you out of a rebate, I'll never buy anything from Dell again. Unless you are ready to spend hours trying to make sure you chase down their elusive rebate forms and watch your credit card for later charges tacked on without your knowledge, I'd highly recommend not buying from Dell. I assume their company must be hard up for cash, but they have crossed the line with me. Dell can go to Hell!!!