Dell 2gb/17"lcd Monitor Deal--it's Dead Jim!

[landshark]

Deal of a lifetime just died. $1166 for 2Gb/17"lcd monitor/256MB rdram and lots of other stuff--see deal page posting--NOW DEFUNCT.
Previous upgrade price of $167 for LCD monitor has been increased to $670. Will let you know if they honor my order.

[friscokydd]

:hmm:
I've been shafted by Dell too many times to count on getting this system. I got the shaft when I ordered the speaker set a while ago, as well as with the 1 gig of memory. I got in on this lcd/comp deal last night, but I doubt they'll honor it. I got my confirmation, but I also got the same from the other orders. I'll keep you all posted as well.

[landshark]

Well they now list my order as "in production". Guess that is better than "squashed like a bug". Supposed ship date is March 15. Stay tuned.

[Tick73]

There is no point in trying to get a good deal with Dell. They will not honor such a good price. It's pointless. I tried to get the speakers and memory and have been denied twice.

[bachviet]

My speakers deal was denied! :angry:

[pongagt]

I hate to come to the defense of Dell, but i think there is a difference between a good deal and a mistake. I believe the two monitors i bought from them, including free shipping were very good deals. I have seen many other good deals too. Although, i got stiffed on the speakers as well, i would still recommend them to someone looking to buy a pre-assembled system.

[landshark]

This is a little different than a single item pricing error where Dell has to eat an unmitigated loss. Here they presumably have some reasonable markup on the rest of the system to offset the apparent undercharge on the monitor. And they've had two days to tell me they goofed, if they did, and instead tell me they are processing the order.

The exciting conclusion comes Friday. If it comes through and someone is interested in this system at around $1500 let me know. Currently priced at over $1800+tax at Dell SB.

[Metaphor]

Well, Dell just called and canceled my order for the Dimension 8200/1702FP Deal.

Calling the State Attourney General, and local BBB now.

We'll See...

~Metaphor

[dcanora]

Just checked my order status, and it's been cancelled. Called the Dell rep listed on my order, and got a message that they are "closed for a department meeting... call back in approximately one hour"

...Guess they're being told what to say...

Anyone have suggestions on how to encourage Dell to honor the deal?

-d.

[treygeiger]

Yep, I just got a phone call a few hours ago from Dell - they're cancelling my order also. Is there anything at all we can do???

[friscokydd]

:hmm: Well I knew it was coming. Whenever there's a deal, Dell will find a way out of it. I wish I was expecting more from this company, but I didn't. I doubt that they have the integrity of Gateway to reinstate our orders. I will, without a doubt, e-mail and call to give them hell though. I encourage you all to do the same.

[Paymaster]

Maybe it is time to order some more screws from Dell?

http://www.gotapex.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=36336

[gadgetdog]

just got my "we cannot honor your order" call...

too bad, would have been a good deal.

[friscokydd]

I'm curious, what did they tell you in their phone call? I checked my on-line status and it just said cancelled (without an explanation). I called, and was put on hold for a rediculously long time (so I hung up). If anyone get the dreaded phone call, let me know how they explained themselves, and if it seemed from their tone of voice that this is fightable. Thanks guys.

[dcanora]

Made my complaint to the BBB... very easy to do! I encourage you to do the same... Call Dell first, have them tell you that you can have your system if you're willing to pay $400 more for it, and be sure to drive the point home in your BBB complaint:

"...After waiting almost 30 minutes on hold, the representative told me he could reinstate the order but it would cost $400 more than the original price. I am disappointed that I placed an order in good faith, Dell accepted that order, then later decided that the only way they would honor that order is if I paid $400 more than the original price."

BAIT & SWITCH!

-d.

[dcanora]

Seems Dell has set a precedent? From http://news.com.com/2100-1017-248177.html:

CNET News.com
November 6, 2000, 12:40 PM PT

Dell Computer is promising to make amends to customers who saw a great computer bargain turn into a big disappointment when the company blamed a pricing glitch.

The pricing glitch at Dell's online store late last month mistakenly allowed customers to order computers with two concurrent promotions. But instead of the computers, customers received notes from Dell's customer service representatives saying that their systems would cost hundreds of dollars more than they were initially quoted.

And although some customers canceled their orders when they heard the price would be higher, Dell executives said Monday that they have decided to honor the "discounted" price.

-d.

[friscokydd]

I just read the article, and that's not for our computer. It's for an L series, with no monitor and either a Celeron or P3 processor. I doubt that after giving those out, they'll consider our LCD/2GHz/P4s.

[friscokydd]

Oops, I just reread the other post. I goofed. Sorry! :P

[gadgetdog]

so is someone going to contact these two news services? :rolleyes:

[dcanora]

You can voice your opinions at Dell's customer forum, http://delltalk.us.dell.com/messages/overview.asp?name=order_status&page=1

I've started a thread asking where Dell has posted their policy on cancelling orders due to pricing errors...

Speak up!

-d.

[landshark]

"Wait, Bones! It might still be....alive!"

After several weeks negotiations I was able to secure a system from Dell at very considerable savings. If you placed an order that they canceled, I urge dogged persistence. You have a decent legal claim that the confirmed order is an enforceable contract.

If you did not get in on the deal, or don't want to expend the considerable time and effort in wrestling with Dell, you may still be a secondary beneficiary. I am keeping the flat panel monitor but selling off the rest of the system along with a new-in-box 19" flat screen trinitron monitor (DELL Model# p991)at a very substantial discount.

Here are the major specs:

2.0GHz P4 PROCESSOR
256MB RDRAM
80 GB 7200RPM ULTRA ATA HD
64 MB NVIDIA GEFORCE2 MX W TV-OUT
SB LIVE! 1024 DIGITAL SOUND
HK-695 HARMON-KARDON SPEAKERS
24X/10X/40X CD-RW DRIVE
WINDOWS XP HOME
MICROSOFT OFFICE PROFESSIONAL XP ($350 UPGRADE)
19" DELL FLAT SCREEN TRINITRON MONITOR (P991)
10/100 PCI FAST ETHERNET NIC

Last I checked,this system prices out at Dell/Home at a little over $1900. Before I go to the hassle of Ebay, I thought I'd give got/apexers a crack at it for $1349 + actual shipping (probably around $100 unless someone can clue me into some beter deal). Even with shipping it's about a 25% discount. Excellent deal if you like the configuration.

[Showtime]

Welcome all fairly new GOTAPEXers. 3 or 4 of you all over this Dell deal. Hopefully it comes in for you guys.
I got a 2 ghz p4, 80 gig, 128 ddr ram for $700 or so shipped. Got it a couple of months ago for my Dad.

[Tse How]

Jesus, how many "pricing errors" has Dell had? I think at a certain point they have to take the blame. Either take more care in advertising their products, or honor all their "mistakes". If they aren't mistakes, its just a form of bait and switch. I'm sure there are many in the several thousand orders they get, that actually buy the system anyways.

[Burzhui]

Originally posted by bachviet
My speakers deal was denied! :angry:

i got rimmed as well

[Burzhui]

Originally posted by Metaphor
Well, Dell just called and canceled my order for the Dimension 8200/1702FP Deal.

Calling the State Attourney General, and local BBB now.

We'll See...

~Metaphor
Oh stop being a dick, it was a mistake it either goes through or it doesn't it was obvious it was a mistake, dell has provided us with some sweet deals... relax

[Metaphor]

Oh stop being a dick, it was a mistake it either goes through or it doesn't it was obvious it was a mistake, dell has provided us with some sweet deals... relax

Don't you know that you are entitled by consumer protection laws to have pricing errors honored? It is infact against the law for a company to try and disuade a customer from persuing their rights under these laws. I did finally get the order honored, after the my state att. gen. made a phone call. Live long and peacefully in your benevolence and ignorance.

~Metaphor

[dcanora]

Metaphor-

Are you saying you got the 8200/1702FP deal? I contacted the BBB and AG in TX and got NOTHING. Could you be so kind as to post or send the order number so I can get the Dellsters to reinstate my order as well?

:deal:

Thanks a million!
-d.

You can email me at dcanora.at.hotmail.com

[dcanora]

I apologize in advance:

*bump*

-d.

[Burzhui]

Originally posted by Metaphor


Don't you know that you are entitled by consumer protection laws to have pricing errors honored? It is infact against the law for a company to try and disuade a customer from persuing their rights under these laws. I did finally get the order honored, after the my state att. gen. made a phone call. Live long and peacefully in your benevolence and ignorance.

~Metaphor


read their terms and conditions.

[dcanora]

Actually, I asked Dell Customer Service to point me to the term or the condition that states they are allowed to cancel an in-process order because they feel there was a pricing error. Dell couldn't do it.

Businesses can refuse to honor advertised prices that contain errors. Because of historical bait-and-switch schemes, it is much harder to refuse to honor a priced good. (Think item on a shelf.) So, if you agree that buying from Dell online is the electronic equivilant of a store, then they should be held accountable -- if they are required to honor pricing errors such as these they are less likely to let it happen again. Otherwise, they can use these "errors" to entice consumers to enter into a purchase, and then try to extract more money from them when the "error" is "found".

Brick and mortar stores are bound to the prices they put on their products... why shouldn't online merchants be held to the same standard?

Metaphor: Did you really get your deal honored by Dell? If so, please provide us some proof so we can do the same! :)

-d.

[dcanora]

From Metaphor's silence I can only construe that his claim of being granted the deal from Dell isn't true. (Hey, I made a ryhme! :P) Guess he was just trying to make a point...

Sucks for us. :(

-d.

[landshark]

Don't be so quick to impugn Metaphor's character dcanora.

I have no idea whether he got Dell to honor the deal or not.
I know I did, but I also know that there is no secret formula for success that I or Metaphor or anyone else can simply hand you. It's clear from all the post's I've seen here and elsewhere that Dell has not decided to throw in the towel on this in some blanket fashion.

To prevail you have to be willing to keep yelling (metaphorically, no pun intended) with sufficient credibility to get someone to believe that they are better off making peace with you than not. If it were as easy as "Call Joe Schmo at 1-800-NICEGUY" then everyone would have gotten their orders a long time ago.

The point is, it's up to you.

[dcanora]

Don't be so quick to assume I was trying to impugn anyone's character...

It is Metaphor's silence, not his willingness or unwillingness to help that leads me to wonder if he actually was granted the deal. If you re-read my post, you'll see I wondered aloud if he was just making the claim to help make his point -- a point I agreed with and helped to defend, mind you. I didn't call names, disparage or in any way attempt to impugn.

IF he did get the deal, and provided us with some proof (such as his order number), it would help us convince Dell to give us the same deal. ("Hey, this guy ordered the same system around the same time I did, and you honored the price on such-and-such a date. I demand you do the same for me.") He might have been lucky and found the right combination of things to say and people to say it to. While he is not by any means obligated, it would be in the spirit of this forum for him to share information that might be us get the deal. If not, it would at least be polite to decline to do so.

I am not sitting idle waiting for someone else to do the work for me. I have complained to Dell, the TX BBB and Attorney General, as well as encouraged others to do the same. Unfortunately, I did not find the right combination of things to say and people to say it to. If I had, you would have read about how you could duplicate my good luck here.

Of course I want the deal because it's such a good one. But I am also livid at Dell's cavalier attitude toward their responsibilities as a merchant. What they do (and do, and do again) would not be tolorated if they were a brick and mortar business. If I had found a way to get the deal, you can be certain I would want as many people as possible to know about it -- I think Dell should bear the burden of their mistakes instead of placing that burden on their customers.

:cheers:
Peace-
-d.

[Metaphor]

Sorry, I have a real-life-job or else I'd have hung out here anxiously awaiting everyones replies.

Here you go...

No problem. By the way, your order has entered the first stage of construction.
-----Original Message-----
From: xxxxxxx[mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2002 4:36 AM
To: [email protected]
Cc: xxxxxxx
Subject: RE: Canceled Internet Order:7xxxxxxx7


Hello Jeff,

I, too, want you to know how much I appreciate the way you have addressed our concerns with Dell. Please let your supervisor know that we think you have made your customers a fair deal in a difficult situation! Thank you.
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2002 2:04 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Canceled Internet Order:7xxxxxxxx7


I will get Greg to replace the order.

As soon as I have the new order number, I'll email you with it.
-----Original Message-----
From: xxxxxxxxx [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2002 3:40 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Canceled Internet Order:7xxxxxxxx7


Thank you, Jeff:

I have kept in correspondence with xxxxxxx, and discussed your solution with her. She has indicated her willingness to go ahead with your proposed solution. I thank you for the efforts you have put into making sure that xxxxxxx's experience with Dell is a positive one. Please let us know how to proceed.

Sincerely,
xxxxxxx
Information Systems Administrator
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2002 11:59 AM
To: xxxxxxxxx
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Canceled Internet Order:7xxxxxxx7


Am I to understand that you're asking for an additional 100 dollars off of a system that already has 500 more dollars off of it than it was supposed to due to a pricing issue on the 17in flat panel?

An order that already has promos applied to it totally 350 dollars off.

An order which at this point is 350 dollars negative margin to Dell.

I'm sorry, at this point the offer to conclude this issue is to place the order at it's original price of 1378.68. Nothing more.

Please respond with either yes or no.


-----Original Message-----
From: xxxxxxxx[mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2002 1:10 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Canceled Internet Order:7xxxxxx7


Dear Jeff:

There was an additional rebate of $100.00 if one did not choose to double the systems memory for free, which xxxxxx did not do. The rebate was good until March 13th. I've included a copy of xxxxxx's original confirmation that has her original price before any mail-in rebates, and also have included a copy of the mail-in rebate pdf.

This would indicate that if a new order is to be generated, the final price would need to be $1278.68 to reflect the $100.00 mail in rebate that xxxxxx would no longer be elligable for.

Sincerely,
xxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2002 11:01 AM
To: xxxxxxx
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Canceled Internet Order:7xxxxxxxx7


In honoring the price, I'm referring to the original price of 1378.68. This already included free shipping, and included the 100 dollars off additional you refer to.


-----Original Message-----
From: xxxxxxx[mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2002 12:48 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Canceled Internet Order:7xxxxxx7


Dear Jeff:

Your solution looks to be quite agreeable. I would like to ensure that as part of the original pricing, that the free shipping, and $100.00 mail-in rebate would also be taken into account. If those issues can be addressed to where the original pricing of the order is honored, Penny would like to proceed.

Thank you for your efforts.

Sincerely,
xxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2002 5:56 AM
To: xxxxx
Subject: RE: Canceled Internet Order:7xxxxx7


If I may I suggest as an altnerative solution: I can create a new order at the original pricing and bring this matter to a close.

Let me know.
-----Original Message-----
From: xxxxxx[mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2002 6:25 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Canceled Internet Order:7xxxxxxx7


Good afternoon, Jeff:

I have yet to receive a response from the director of the on-line division. Could you please send me an e-mail back with his/her contact information, so that I may contact him/her regarding my dispute?

Thank you.

Sincerely,
xxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, March 15, 2002 2:05 PM
To: xxxxxx
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Canceled Internet Order:7xxxxxxx7


I will forward your email to the director for the on-line division.
-----Original Message-----
From: xxxx[mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, March 15, 2002 3:55 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Canceled Internet Order:7xxxxxxx7


Jeff:

Although I appreciate your quick response, I believe that the point that being made has been ignored. I agree, there was indeed a pricing discrepancy of $503.00, but that is hardly a mistake that a customer can be held responsible for.

As to the disclaimer on your website it states:

Payment Terms; Orders; Quotes; Interest. Terms of payment are within Dell's sole discretion, and unless otherwise agreed to by Dell, payment must be received by Dell prior to Dell's acceptance of an order. Payment for the products and services and support may be made by credit card, wire transfer, or some other prearranged payment method unless Dell has agreed to credit terms. Invoices are due and payable within the time period noted on the reverse side of this invoice, measured from the date of the invoice. Dell may invoice parts of an order separately. Orders are not binding upon Dell until accepted by Dell. Any quotations given by Dell will be valid for the period stated on the quotation. Customer agrees to pay interest on all past-due sums at the highest rate allowed by law

I have highlighted in red what I assume you meant in you message by your statement of: "Dell is not honoring this pricing error per our disclaimer on the web site."

Dell accepted the order on March 11th when Dell sent xxxxxx an e-mail confirming the order, and placing a hold on her credit card funds.

I do not think that it would beneficial for the either reputation of Dell or the continued patronage your customers to let this complaint go unanswered. The difference of $503.00 is quite insignificant when you are dealing with customer satisfaction.

Again, please take this correspondence as indication that I am not satisfied with the outcome of this dispute. If there is nothing else in your capacity to do to rectify the situation, please forward my complaint to your immediate supervisor.

Sincerely,
xxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, March 15, 2002 1:24 PM
To: xxxxx
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Canceled Internet Order:7xxxxxxxxxx7


This order was cancelled due to an error in the pricing of the 17in flat panel. The error caused the flat panel to be $503.00 dollars too low per system. Dell is not honoring this pricing error per our disclaimer on the web site. We apologize for the error and any inconvenience this may have caused you.

-----Original Message-----
From: xxxxxxxx[mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, March 15, 2002 3:12 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Canceled Internet Order:7xxxxxxx7


Good afternoon, Jeff:

I am writing you today regarding an order that was placed on 3/11/02. The order number was xxxxxxxxxxx, and was for xxxxx xxxxxxx. Yesterday, xxxxxxx received a call from a Dell customer service representative indicating that there was a pricing discrepancy on the website, and that the order subsequently would not be honored.

It would be my expectation as a individual customer of Dell's home division, and a corporate customer of Dell's medium sized business division (Customer # 7xxxxx7 - xxx xxx xxx), that Dell would honor the prices at which it quotes and confirms to its customers. I am quite disappointed that a customer service representative would make a call to a customer, admit that Dell's website had erroneous pricing information listed, and then explain that even though the order had been confirmed and correspondence had been sent indicating that the order was accepted - that Dell was now canceling the order because of their own mistake. This, in my opinion, not only reflects poorly upon Dell's commitment to their customers and my ability to recommend them to my associates, but also encroaches upon the envelope of legality.

It is my expectation that with this correspondence, Dell will re-evaluate the situation and honor the purchase that was made in good faith on 3/11/02.

Please feel free to contact me if there are any questions regarding the transactions that have already taken place, or if there is any information that I can provide in order to facilitate resolution.

Sincerely,
xxx
Information Systems Administrator
xxx
(206) xxx-xxxx


Merry Christmas
~Metaphor

[dcanora]

Well done, indeed! Thank you for sharing your good fortune with the group, and my apologies for making premature assumptions.

-d.

[Jeffbx]

Originally posted by Metaphor
:hoboy:


Oxford unabridged:

Persistent
per·sis·tent (adj.)
Refusing to give up or let go; persevering obstinately.
(See Metaphor)

[dcanora]

Based on Metaphor's success, I sent a note to Dell this morning. Got this from Dell a little while ago:

David-

I have created a new quote for you at the original price. You may either call me with your credit card information or use Quote to Order on our website. The quote # is xxxxxxxx.

Thank You,

Mikki Lehnick
Dell E-Commerce

Thanks again, Metaphor...

-d.