I live in New Orleans and my brand new 2005FPW is underwater. Help.

Question

I just purchased it July 15th; I haven't even owned it for two months yet. I bought it during one of the special sales for $501.83 and I've loved it since. And then a month and a half later I had to evacuate and we didn't have enough room in the car for it. So I left it behind. In my room. On the first floor. That's now under nine feet of water. But we're not allowed back in the city for several months. Thus the problem shows itself. Because I can't contact customer service without a service tag, but I can't find out my service tag mainly because I'm banned from my home for several months. And of all times, I'm finally heading back to college this weekend and that's when I absolutely need it the most. I used it this summer for gaming, but now I need to work (I'm a graphic design major/ broadcast design minor; using a computer is my life). And because I also left my old CRT back home, I'm now 100% without a computer display. It would be enormously appreciated if anyone could help me out in any way, shape or form. I'm kinda stuck here on this one. I have all my Order Acknowledgments and Order Confirmations saved in my email account to prove I DID in fact purchase it when I said I did, and for what price. Please, I need your help. Thank you, Webb

ravik521 · Answer

Im sure if you contact dell and tell them your name and phone #, they should be able to show some sympathy and give you a new machine free of charge. HURRICANE KATRINA AINT YOUR FAULT!!! I know what you mean school starts for me on sept. 8th! Hope all goes well

SR45 · Answer

Your monitor, if purchased separately, does not have a service tag number.  You have a customer number or order number for the monitor.  Dell also should have your phone number on file to look it up this way as well.  Dell does not know what really happen to your monitor, since they are in a different location, and no way to verify it.  If you have home owners or renters insurance, this will help, but I don't know if Dell is going to give anyone a new anything from this disaster.  Far too many scam artist around and they are in a business to make money.  If you had the replacement warranty from Dell, that would be a different matter...  Good luck, but don't hold your breath in that Dell will give you a new monitor

iceman215 · Answer

My advice is that if you homeowners insurance file a claim for it. Thats really all you can do cause dell doesnt cover natural disasters unless you purchased the complete care package. Sorry for your loss.

Tom

BubBowen · Answer

I'm also very sorry for your loss. But at this time the ONLY thing you can do is file an insurance claim. Even Dell's Accidental Coverage does not cover natural disasters, as that's what insurance is for. Dell's covers dropping, spilling coffee, kiddoes, pets, etc, but not Lightening, Floods, Fire's, etc.

Good luck and we're thinking about all of the Katrina Victims!

mike.katrina · Answer

I too am from New Orleans and purchased a Dell System 3 months ago.  Though the system is still under warranty, there will be no compensation forthcoming from Dell because the computer was destroyed in a natural disaster, Hurricane Katrina.  As a graduate student writing a dissertation at Tulane University, I'm going to have to buy another computer at full price, but this will be difficult b/c my wife and I both lost our jobs, health insurance, etc.  I have friends who have received assistance from other companies and would greatly appreciate it if Dell might help us out.

broadwaybabe050 · Answer

I go to Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, Ms which is 30 min. north of Picayune.  I left my laptop at my dorm unaware that the hurricane was coming this direction.  My dorm did not receive alot of damage but the roof leaked and my computer received water damage as well as some other personal belongings.  The computer sat in water for a week untill i was able to get to my dorm to get it.  My mother has contacted dell several times about this and they keep saying that its 'an act of God' and they dont cover natural disasters.  My computer has full coverage on it but they dont want to do anything about it.  I also have to go back to school Monday and I really need my computer.  Dell has really ticked me off!!!

BubBowen · Answer

As bad as I feel for everyone and wish I could personally help, Dell is not the bad guy in this one.  Even if you have full coverage, it is very well stated that Acts of God are not covered.  Pretty much anything covered under Home Owners insurance is NOT covered by Dell.  If your car was demolished and it was still under warranty, would Chevy, Ford, etc be responsible for giving you a new one?   Hope you all get your lives back in order quickly and safely.     Take care,   Bub

SatireWolf · Answer

Did it ever occur to anyone that living below sea level with water on both sides of you was a BAD idea?

It's like voluntarily living in tornado alley in Oklahoma, just not a wise property investment. And besides, the LA people elected the frelling ideots who refused to properly fix the only things keeping the city dry. Pumps/Levies?!!??!

broadwaybabe050 · Answer

I would not expect an automobile manufacture to give me a new car if I "ONLY" had a warranty on it. Although, having purchased the complete care package I do expect Dell to honor their policy. This would be very bad publicity for such a large company to do to the victims of Katrina after all we have been through. After all, many companies are giving so much and what has Dell giving...the shaft! Just think of all you stand to loose should this hit the air ways...and all of those government contracts too. Yes, I'm mad. I have called many times about my daughters computer and gotten only the run around from Dell. I have the determination to fight this and if it takes going to court so be it...I won't stop. I will start Monday contacting the media and government agencies.

What happened to freedom of speech...you tell me what I can and cannot say here.

parkerti · Answer

Broadway:

They are just holding up their end of the agreement. It's all in writing and clearly spelled out somewhere. The water damage is not the issue. It's what caused the water damage. For instance, if you had accidentally dropped your notebook into the lake while it was turned on and it was damaged, that would be an accident. Katrina and the floods were natural disasters and if they are excluded in the contract, then why would Dell cover them?

Also, sorry for what happened to you. That is really the pits and I hope your life gets back to normal someday soon.

Desolation Row · Answer

New Orleans was a city surronded by water before the United States was a country. Using your logic, the Louisiana Purchase was a bad buy.  Your compassion is touching.  And the word is levee.

Desolation Row · Answer

When my house in New Orleans filled with 8 feet of water during the hurricane, my month-old Dell Dimension computer ( printer still in the box) was destroyed. Dell refuses to replace it...told me to report it to my insurance company. Guess what, Dell? FEMA flood insurance will not  be sufficient to even pay off my mortgage, much less replace my computer. We have lost every single thing we owned...buying shoes, clothing,mattresses, towels, dishes, etc. takes priority over replacing a computer. If Dell thinks insurance will cover our losses, they are living in a dream world. On the other hand, we in New Orleans are living on Desolation Row.

Monitors

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