2 posts tagged “chiquita”
Just read Paul Thurott blog posting about his big Dell adventure. And sent him this email.
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Hi Paul,
I'm enjoying getting to know you through the WW net-cast.
I'm glad fascinated that I'm not the only one who gets the run around from Dell when trying to spend hard-earned $$ with them.
My story turned out a little better bitter.
Sept 30
College aged son had computer meltdown.
(Cheap Fry's box bought for $100, 3 years ago).
I try quick fixes and determine death of machine.
Listening to TWIT network, think: try Dell.
Go on-line, configure unit, all is well. They give me a 5 day ship date.
Oct 4
I think to myself, check on new computer.
Log into Dell website. Find new, improved ship date: Oct 15
No reason given.
I get busy with some other drama and let things settle for a couple of days.
Oct 6
Try contacting Dell, get phone tree run around. Say "forget it". Go out to dinner with wife for anniversary.
Oct 7
Try contacting Dell, this time via chat. Went well as could be expected. Still no real answer as to why machine is delayed.
Go for long walk with Chiquita the wonder dog. Clear head. Call Dell.
Ask for supervisor. Can't get one. Ask harder. Still can't find one. Then said the magic words:
"Cancel my order please, I can go buy a machine very close to this at Best Buy and have it up and running this afternoon". Can you say, "HELLO SUPERVISOR"?
Supervisor talk to me about my case, gives me a case number and thinks I will be happy. Wrong.
I insist on getting something for my trouble outta these guys or stop goes the order.
Supervisor checks with her supervisor and offers me free (but very cheap) printer.
(I asked for a computer and they can ship me a printer early but clearly not the contraption that I was expecting.)
Supervisor is getting frustrated with me. I remain polite, calm and monotone (similar to you).
I explain that while their offer of a printer is nice, I really want to get my son off of my wife's computer and able to do his course work and whatever else he would like to do with his computer. So, please, just cancel and let me be on my way.
The final offer is they would attempt to dispatch, to my home, the computer I ordered within the next few days and would call me to follow up. And send me their cheap printer, just for my trouble. All of this and they would send me the printer with no shipping charge and overnight me the blinking printer.
I accept, just because I am feeling like being a nice guy, and that's what nice guys do who have been married to the same woman for 27 yrs.
Oct 9
Get automated message from UPS that I'm to expect a package from Dell on 10/10. Yippee, the computer.
Wrong. The stinky little printer they threw at me.
Oct 10
Get printer. Whooppeeeee. Still no machine to attach to printer.
Oct 11
Check Dell website. See something interesting in order status window.
I'm being charged for rotten, throw away piece of garbage printer.
Go out for another walk with Chiquita the wonder dog.
Walk down to Starbucks and get Venti Gold Coast.
Call Dell. Give case number. Still have to go through all kinds of verification just to talk about this charge.
Great Dell service.
Informed that I will not be charged for printer.
I say: "Great, prove it to me by removing it from website".
Can't do that. Assures me that there will be no charge.
I say:"By the way where is computer?"
Am told that it will ship by end of week.
Oct 13
Check award winning, customer friendly, Dell website (the same one still telling me I'm being charged $85.00 for brick with ink.)
Still no shipment of computer. Forget dog, take 5 minute walk around block. Call Dell. Prove to them, once again, that I am not John Wilkes Booth. Ask about computer. Am told that it shipped. Why is famous on-line retailer computer system not able to provide that simple piece of information?
Oct 15
Get tracking number. Finally. Check UPS. No delivery date expected. In fact, no information really of any kind other than destination. How do they do that? I have been using UPS for business nearly 25 years and have never seen this little information regarding a parcel.
Oct 16
Son leaves for conference in Houston. Still no computer, should have by return on 10/19. Houston is under 8 inches of water, son manages to stay dry.
Oct 17
Get phone message from UPS. (NOT ON PHONE NUMBER I PROVIDED TO DELL FOR THAT PURPOSE). Package delivering Oct 18. Take life in hands and ask wife if she will curtail her entire days worth of activities to watch and wait for BROWN TRUCK. (Experience tells me that UPS will deliver sometime prior to noon, so I'm happy and willing to take one for the team at this point.)
Computer finally arrives.
As a child Christmas seemed to take forever, but this experience, well you know.
Oct 18
Son arrives home. Finds two packages in room. Waits until I get home for the unboxing. (Bless his heart.)
Set up computer. Wireless keyboard and mouse doesn't like Dell. Plug in their K&M and go about making computer secure.
Dad sits on bed, smiling at son as he downloads, patches and preserves computer for safety on the 'net. Dad reads packing list. Dad finds all of "free" software preloaded on computer that he opted out of. Dad wants to take dog for a walk, but she is hiding from me for some reason. Instruct son to remove all garbage software, reboot machine about 5 times and let him take over the reigns of his new machine.
Oct 19
Son informs me that printer did not ship with cable. Of course. Dig out extra USB 2.0 cable and contribute once more to Michael Dell Retirement Fund.
Oct 30
Listen to WW netcast while walking Chiquita the wonder dog and LMAO hearing about your Dell, Apple and HP experiences. Write email to Paul Thurott. Drink a couple of cups of coffee and hope that I never have to resort to buying a Dell anything ever again. Computer works fine.
For those of you scoring at home - Son: Happy. Wife: Happy. Dad: Exhausted.
Net effect:
- Never do business with Dell ever again.
- Buy new walking shoes.
- Take advantage of company discount at HP store for any new computer purchase.
- Think about buying MacBook (black, of course).
- Give dog a bone and a hug for her friendship.
- Did I mention no more Dell?
Respectfully yours,
Doug Walker
dougwalk.vox.com
Just got finished taking my wonderful dog out for a walk. Here she is; her name is Chiquita (our little banana dog.) She is a career changed guide dog and what that means is that she went through all of the training before actually going into service as a working guide dog. Her only failing is that she is too solicitous (see definition #4). But all in all she is a wonderful friend to have on our daily walks. She is very good with our son Christopher and loves anyone who comes her way (except that mail person who walks up to her house!)
I'm taking my Friday evening coffee break at home this week.
I just didn't have it in me to go down to Starbucks to get my end of the week buzz.
Speaking of buzz. Does anyone listen to the pod cast Buzz Out Loud?
These guys are a riot. The very best in daily tech news and LOL funny.
Try it, you'll like it!
Guaranteed or your money back!
