I have been buying Dell Outlet Store computers for 6 years, and have been a customer for 16 years. I have read of another member getting an outlet store laptop DOA.The last computer I brought was XPS 410,and it had a wrinkled user guide. I have been happy with my purchases from the store. I hope you have returned this computer.
Message Edited by ctalia4000 on 09-02-2008 10:28 AM
the computer actually works fine. i am not going to return it (that was Dell's "offer" to me, to return it if i wanted) as i don't think i'll find another like it with the features i want at the price i got it for. it's a bue one with the LED display (this was key for me) and a fingerprint reader for about $950. it also came with things i didn't need, like the nvidia vid card, 3MB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive.
to give this one back because it was disgustingly dirty, which i toweled down and is fine now, and was packaged kind of haphazardly, doesn't seem like a smart move to me. i'm not even sure what i want other than I wish Dell would have taken more care in how they sent this unit to me.
I've had mixed expeereince with condition. I recently bought a laptop and while all the packing and accessories were new, the laptop was not pristine, there were a few spots. in addition, it was not configured as promised. I returned it, got another laptop and it had several spots on it, fingerprints, on the screen, and the assembly quality was not great. It works fine though so I kept it. This was actually the third laptop as the first got lost by DHL. It had been more than a month since the first one shipped and I was just tired of dealing with it.
Actually, I have the exact same issue going on right now. I'll preface this by saying that I've purchased at least 4 laptops through the Outlet in the last 2.5 years. Only one had an issue and after a week of grueling phone tag, it was taken care of. I've spent close to $5K this year alone at Dell. I won't go into detail about that transaction, but it was similar to the same issues that we are discussing.
I recently purchased an M1330 through the Outlet. I received the computer yesterday. Much to my dismay, It included none of the XPS fare except the manual and that was noticeably worn. The insert was for an inspiron, which may or may not be normal. It just seemed odd to me and that was why I initially thought that was the reason that it didn't contain the XPS extras. The laptop wasn't in a sleeve, only wrapped in plastic. As soon as I pulled it out, I knew I was going to be disappointed. As I switched hands, something felt sticky. I look closer and on the right top edge, there were the remnants of some kind of sticker. How the heck is this allowed to get by people that are supposed to fully inspect this laptop is beyond me. It also places a lot of doubt in my mind of how much is actually done to these before they are sent back out. As far as the exterior, the rest was satisfactory. I opened the top of the laptop. The first thing that I noticed was that some of the sticker residue was on the inside bezel and a little had even made it to the upper right hand corner of the screen. That same upper corner of the bezel has a small chip in it. The screen has a similar issue as the OP in that it looks like some spray cleaner was used on it and it wasn't fully wiped off. There was a noticible gap at the bottom of the upper bezel. If you open the laptop fully and look down the screen, it is a large gap between the bezel and the screen under the camera. Finally, there is a small dent on the palm rest. The ac adapter was also obviously used. It was wrapped in what looked like the same way it was shipped back to Dell.
Now, most of these aren't serious issues and they would have probably been looked over if the XPS kit was actually included. They do, however, show a breakdown in quality control in the refurbished life cycle. There is no reason that sticker residue and water spots should be allowed to slip by. That is just pure laziness on the part of Dell. As I said earlier, it also adds doubt to how well these machines are even checked.
So yesterday I call about the XPS kit, thinking that it was somehow left out. I was only transferred 6 times during the course of 40 minutes. What's even worse is that I never reached anyone that actually helped me. While I was on the final hold after the 6th transfer, I had initiated a chat session that proved to be worthless in the end. That has to be my number one complaint with Dell is with their customer service. I am seriously contemplating just living with this just so that I don't have to deal with one of the worst CS in the business. But, I probably won't. I just wouldn't be satisfied in the end. I'll end up spending a couple of hours over the next couple of days talking to people that while they can "speak" English, do not "understand" what I am saying. I'll be transferred countless times because the number I called wasn't really the number I should have been calling.
Overall this is just very frustrating. I will try and add some pictures tomorrow.
thanks for sharing your pics. my situation was similar, except for the sticky residue. that's pretty gross. unless you got a very good deal with the exact specs you wanted, i'd return that thing ASAP.
it's too bad quality control is slipping like this. i can only attribute that to the hiring of employees who just don't care. i work with a person like that and it's frustrating.
I agree with the last post, if it works and it's a good deal, it's worth it. Just use a little cleaner and Goo-gone it would be fine. If the case is actually damaged I would reconsider, but it doesn't look it.
That's what I've been thinking too. I just want them to know exactly how I received it. The only thing that really worries me is that gap on the bezel. It looks as if it might be a dust collector. I emailed customer service and asked if it was acceptable or not. I even included a link to this thread. :smileyhappy:
Gabriel384
26 Posts
0
September 2nd, 2008 12:00
Thats really strange because don't they usually go through a checking process where they are
tested, cleaned, and repacked? Maybe it was just one that slipped by the system.
ctalia4000
2 Intern
•
1.3K Posts
0
September 2nd, 2008 13:00
I have been buying Dell Outlet Store computers for 6 years, and have been a customer for 16 years. I have read of another member getting an outlet store laptop DOA.The last computer I brought was XPS 410,and it had a wrinkled user guide. I have been happy with my purchases from the store. I hope you have returned this computer.
Karlinhos
37 Posts
0
September 3rd, 2008 01:00
the computer actually works fine. i am not going to return it (that was Dell's "offer" to me, to return it if i wanted) as i don't think i'll find another like it with the features i want at the price i got it for. it's a bue one with the LED display (this was key for me) and a fingerprint reader for about $950. it also came with things i didn't need, like the nvidia vid card, 3MB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive.
to give this one back because it was disgustingly dirty, which i toweled down and is fine now, and was packaged kind of haphazardly, doesn't seem like a smart move to me. i'm not even sure what i want other than I wish Dell would have taken more care in how they sent this unit to me.
ctalia4000
2 Intern
•
1.3K Posts
0
September 3rd, 2008 06:00
It is nice to know the computer is running fine.
mdembski
1 Rookie
•
27 Posts
0
September 3rd, 2008 18:00
serrada
3 Posts
0
September 5th, 2008 08:00
Actually, I have the exact same issue going on right now. I'll preface this by saying that I've purchased at least 4 laptops through the Outlet in the last 2.5 years. Only one had an issue and after a week of grueling phone tag, it was taken care of. I've spent close to $5K this year alone at Dell. I won't go into detail about that transaction, but it was similar to the same issues that we are discussing.
I recently purchased an M1330 through the Outlet. I received the computer yesterday. Much to my dismay, It included none of the XPS fare except the manual and that was noticeably worn. The insert was for an inspiron, which may or may not be normal. It just seemed odd to me and that was why I initially thought that was the reason that it didn't contain the XPS extras. The laptop wasn't in a sleeve, only wrapped in plastic. As soon as I pulled it out, I knew I was going to be disappointed. As I switched hands, something felt sticky. I look closer and on the right top edge, there were the remnants of some kind of sticker. How the heck is this allowed to get by people that are supposed to fully inspect this laptop is beyond me. It also places a lot of doubt in my mind of how much is actually done to these before they are sent back out. As far as the exterior, the rest was satisfactory. I opened the top of the laptop. The first thing that I noticed was that some of the sticker residue was on the inside bezel and a little had even made it to the upper right hand corner of the screen. That same upper corner of the bezel has a small chip in it. The screen has a similar issue as the OP in that it looks like some spray cleaner was used on it and it wasn't fully wiped off. There was a noticible gap at the bottom of the upper bezel. If you open the laptop fully and look down the screen, it is a large gap between the bezel and the screen under the camera. Finally, there is a small dent on the palm rest. The ac adapter was also obviously used. It was wrapped in what looked like the same way it was shipped back to Dell.
Now, most of these aren't serious issues and they would have probably been looked over if the XPS kit was actually included. They do, however, show a breakdown in quality control in the refurbished life cycle. There is no reason that sticker residue and water spots should be allowed to slip by. That is just pure laziness on the part of Dell. As I said earlier, it also adds doubt to how well these machines are even checked.
So yesterday I call about the XPS kit, thinking that it was somehow left out. I was only transferred 6 times during the course of 40 minutes. What's even worse is that I never reached anyone that actually helped me. While I was on the final hold after the 6th transfer, I had initiated a chat session that proved to be worthless in the end. That has to be my number one complaint with Dell is with their customer service. I am seriously contemplating just living with this just so that I don't have to deal with one of the worst CS in the business. But, I probably won't. I just wouldn't be satisfied in the end. I'll end up spending a couple of hours over the next couple of days talking to people that while they can "speak" English, do not "understand" what I am saying. I'll be transferred countless times because the number I called wasn't really the number I should have been calling.
Overall this is just very frustrating. I will try and add some pictures tomorrow.
serrada
3 Posts
0
September 6th, 2008 02:00
Here are the pictures from the M1330 exactly as I received it. I haven't cleaned it yet since I don't know if I will keep it or not.
This is the sticker residue on the top.
This is the sticker residue on the side.
This is the sticker residue on the inside and on the screen. Also, you can see the chip in the bezel. This also shows the water spots on the screen.
This is the large gap between the bezel and the screen at the camera.
These are just a few examples of what they are currently letting slip through.
Karlinhos
37 Posts
0
September 6th, 2008 11:00
thanks for sharing your pics. my situation was similar, except for the sticky residue. that's pretty gross. unless you got a very good deal with the exact specs you wanted, i'd return that thing ASAP.
it's too bad quality control is slipping like this. i can only attribute that to the hiring of employees who just don't care. i work with a person like that and it's frustrating.
i sure hope dell gets its act together.
Gabriel384
26 Posts
0
September 6th, 2008 16:00
serrada
3 Posts
0
September 7th, 2008 02:00
That's what I've been thinking too. I just want them to know exactly how I received it. The only thing that really worries me is that gap on the bezel. It looks as if it might be a dust collector. I emailed customer service and asked if it was acceptable or not. I even included a link to this thread. :smileyhappy:
I think I got a pretty good deal.
T5550 (1.83Ghz)
3GB ram
250GB hdd
Vista Premium
9 cell battery
Intel graphics
Fingerprint reader
$749 + tax and shipping