Dell SMB

Full review
Dell Business Online Store is a two time loser with me. I placed an order using the Merrill Lynch preferred part of their page, and the sales clerk put in some items in my system I really didn't want, and she would remove them because they were "part of the package." It got delayed twice, and I ended up canceling the order when I got an email giving me the option of canceling. During the nightmare, I learned it had been delayed due to back ordered parts.



I placed another order through the the main site, and the salesman configured a system for me. I insisted on no back ordered parts, and he assured me all the parts were immediately available. He gave me a tentative delivery date of April 2nd. The confirmation email showed the delivery date of April 10th. My order page at at Dell.com showed the delivery date as April 24th and listed the order as "In Production." I saw the same system on sale at Best Buy and looked up "Canceling the Order" in Dell's FAQ. Basically, they will not allow canceling any order that's "In Production" because it's in the process of being manufactured. I don't accept a computer takes weeks to "manufacture." I think their real reason they put it in production is to prevent the order from being canceled.



However, the order was shipped and arrived on April 21st. No email was sent to inform me of when the order had shipped. I found out by looking on the website. There I learned, I could have signed up to be notified of shipping by email, but I think this should have been automatic. Also, I found no tracking numbers to update me on shipping progress.


Setup is pretty easy. Open the box, remove the box on top containing keyboard, cables, etc. Then turn the box upside down and lift. The unit slid out. Prop up the unit. Take a picture of the serial number, service tag, etc. (I always forget that step). Grab cables and play, match the color!


I ordered the "Your Tech Team" Specialized service, but no direct phone number came with the unit. I had to find the number off the internet page, then negotiate with a guy on the other side of the world. While his accent was not too thick, I still needed the service tag number to get anywhere. After he determined I had purchased "Your Tech Team" he gave me the phone number to North American Department, and I had to do the rigmarole again. Before getting someone that actually was from Your Tech Team. Once this happened, he gave me their direct phone number and a code. This information should have been included in the box with the computer.

Final update. Somewhat misleading sales person. Faster processor does not equal faster computer. We still have to wait way too long upon start up.