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December 18, 2004

Dell offer "stings" customers

One of the big marketing tricks is to set a hook to draw the clients in - and one common method of setting up a hook is via a "special offer".

Rugles points out a recent issue with a Dell offer, that many clients took as nothing more than a "sting" than a "hook", as described by the Register in Revolting customers slam dunk Dell
.

We probably spend over ��200k a year with Dell and projected to spend double that in 2005. We saw the Dell ��99 server while looking to buy a few other bits and bobs. Stuck an order in for two, both with a gig of RAM, upgraded processor etc. These would have been useful servers to train our junior guys on.

Less than an hour later our account manager came back saying they had sold them all, but offering us a different model server for nearly four times the cost. To say we are not impressed with Dell is an understatement. Shame on Dell.

A number of others reported their orders never completed - but of those who claim theirs did:

I am still awaiting my confirmation. I phoned up Tuesday and was told my order was accepted and I would receive a confirmation today. As far as I am concerned a verbal contract now exists. If I don't get these I think I will pay the ��30 for Dell to come and discuss it at my local County Court. It will cost them at least the cost of the servers just to turn up.

I guess Santa won't take the blame for this one.

Posted by at December 18, 2004 01:04 PM

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