Dell Computers. Crap service.

[ShipsWoofy]

yes, but many people with little or no computer experience will look to companies like Dell to buy their first machine. The confidence of a big retailer etc.

Just seems an odd way to sell your product, the requirement to already own that product.

 

[BrendanS]

OK, I'm confused, why do you need to have a Dell to buy a Dell?

 

[ShipsWoofy]

you don't. You need a computer and Dell surely would prefer it if you had a Dell, no?

I do not want to get into nit picking, but selling computers by marketing only to those who already have computers is mad, IMHO.

It was just an observation, nothing sinister.

 

[BrendanS]

Their marketing model is superb, and they haven't gained that position by sitting still. OK, they prefer you to buy online, but face it, how many prospective buyers don't already have internet access.

Those that are not already online will buy through a retail chain or through 'trusted advisor' They are not missing out, as if not internet adept, will not have the skills to find out that Dell are a good buy.

Same applies to Evesham and Mesh, who I would rate above Dell for quality and pre and post sales support, both of which I highlighted in original post, and also said don't go for Time or Tiny, which has also been mentioned in this thread

 

[doris]

Crap call centres

I bought a Dell last summer. When I rang the much advertised number the women on the end of the line spoke v. poor english. What I wanted was not a standard package and she couldn't cope with that combined with my hardly understanding her. Eventaully she put the phone down on me. I tried again with the same result. Three strikes and they are out I thought, one last try. This time I got a v. helpful bloke who I could understand. It turned out that the women were in Bungalore, he was just outside Dublin. Also he could do a deal customising what I wanted and saved me a huge amount, giving me exactly the bits a wanted and nothing superflous. The Cabin Boy, my computer wizz, checked out the deal and could not beat it either online or locally. With the software thrown in it was also way cheaper than assembling a box oneself. Best of luck.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Re: Crap call centres

NHS round here uses Dell, need a new machine, spec it on line, punch in an order no and Robert is pretty much your mother's brother. Easy that way.

For home use, Novatech or a stack of parts and put it together.

 

[TrueBlue]

Upgrades.....

A point which is nearly always ignored is "upgrade ability".

I bought a cheap laptop from Pico (remember them). A very good machine for its time and money. Came to try to upgrade it. Wanted to go to XP. More memory - forget it chips, hardwired in it somewhere and expansion connector not available. Ditto hard disk, non standard connector. Bios upgrade not available.
No drivers for display etc, etc.
Result can only run Win2000 - actually much better than XP as far as it goes.

Bought a Dell 8000 with (Ugh) WinMe. Upgrade to Xp - compatibility info automatically on Dell site. Memory - standard chips. Bios flashable and copes with 60G disk. Device drivers - all available on XP disk. Won't go on...

I wouldn't buy IBM 'cos a lot of their stuff is fixed to prevent you from using third party upgrades. Similar with Compaq (HP) - incompatible Bios and so on.

So there you have it.

 

[tjfmmaes]

Interestingly enough, Ramcomputers pricelist is dated Dec 2003.... Methinks things have moved on a bit since then. Also, a computer company that has a website that looks worse than most amateur efforts (given the availability of very very cheap e-commerce website design applications), does not really inspire confidence.

I have now bought 7 laptops from www.cetukltd.com ( Shoplaptops, Fujitsu Siemens ), all of them siemens ones. Great service, good laptops, no problems.

 

[ShipsWoofy]

I did not notice that. Very suspicious..... Scrub my recommendation.

 

[mikewilkes]

[ QUOTE ]
I have now bought 7 laptops from www.cetukltd.com ( Shoplaptops, Fujitsu Siemens ), all of them siemens ones. Great service, good laptops, no problems.

[/ QUOTE ]

How can you recomend them when you have had to buy *7* ????????


I will stick to Dell - thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dave1258]

Dell are OK if you realise what sort of outfit they are.

They want you to select and configure your machine on the internet, if you are able to do this you can get some really good deals.

For example just after Xmas I got a 2.4Mhz Celereon, with 512Mb of Ram, 40 GB hardrive, 48x CD ROM, Soundcard, Ethernet Card, Keyboard, Mouse with Windows XP Home for £151 delivered (No monitor) delivery was within 10days.

I don't think you could have too many complaints with that

 

[mikewilkes]

I am not complaining about Dell at all. I have bought 2 over the last 6 years or so and am very happy with the current machine.
I still know Jack S**t about computers but I aint complaining about Dell.

 

[duncan]

is that deal still available?

sounds way to good to be true!

you really mean 151?