You promised a refund, why have I called 4 times and still not received it?

On December 15th, my 4 month old 580s would not boot into Windows. I got a message "Loading WIndows 7", and the computer would just hang there, going no further.

I restored to prior versions without success in resolving the issue. I finally did a ground up Windows 7 install...still, would not boot.. I called Dell Support. The agent said the computer was under warranty, but this was a software issue and I would have to pay $129.00 plus tax. Which I did. He then proceeded to do a number of things and finally, the computer booted into Windows. I was gone for a week and when I returned, attempted to turn on the computer, and had the same error...computer would not load Windows. I took the computer to a local tech support company who, for $30.00, diagnosed the problem as a failing graphics card.

I called Dell, who promised to send out a replacement graphics card and tech to install it. Which they did. However, I also asked for a refund for the sofwtare support as it was *not* a software problem, but a hardware problem. The CS agent agreed...as did his supervisor who I spoke to as well.

The replacement graphics did indeed fix the problem once and for all.

And, I have now had to call Dell four times to find about my refund...which I still haven't received. The most recent excuse was the actual refund should be $136.35, including tax and the prior agent requested a refund of $129.00 which was rejected...and no one thought to reenter the correct amount....until I called again today for the fourth time to inquire and another agent said he would enter the refund with the correct amount ("This time for sure!"). Oh, yes...I called late last week and was told it would take 7 days, and as at that time it had been 5 days, I would absolutely see the refund today...I didn't, of course, and the refund had been rejected  two days before I called last week.

May not be a runaround....might just be an egregious example of superior bad service. However...it sure seems like a runaround. After all, it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck....Dell may have lost my business now, after 3 laptops, and 3 desktops.