I ordered by new Dell XPS 435MT online on the 8th February 2009. I had a couple of 'dry runs' on the ordering system trying one or two different configurations and I was impressed by how the online system warned me if any components weren't compatable (I thought only Paul could do that?) I finally decided on my optimum configuration and proceeded to the online checkout, chose my payment method (CC) and pressed the 'buy now' button. All done I retired for a well earned cup of coffee.
The following day Monday 9th February 2009 I recieved an email form Dell advising my order had been processed and my system was in production as of the 9th and that the estimated delivery date was the 17th February 2009 (on or before that date), Wow! so it looked like I would get my new PC within 10 days (I thought only Paul could do that for me?).
I studied the Dell site in great detail and read all of the FAQ's regarding the process which would deliver my shiny new desktop.
I eagerly checked my email and my order status at
www.Dell where it seemed that my system had become stuck in the build phase. I gave up checking my order status after 3 days and resigned myself to the idea that they would send me an email as soon as my system was on it's way (on or before the 17th).
Nothing heard so I checked my order status again on Saturday 14th and shock horror I noticed that the delivery date had slipped by one week and was now the 24th (on or before this date) in addition the new message stated that my order was in production as of the 14th? so had they been lying to me when they had originally stated that my order had been in production as of the 9th? After a cup of tea and an hour or so to calm down and think about things I decided to send an unhappy customer email to Dell (couldn't call them becasue it was the weekend). just after I despatched said email I recieved an automated email (not in response to my email, they must have passed in the ether!) from Dell apologising that my delivery date had changed and this was due to an unprecedented demand for this particular product.... Bull
!
On Monday 16th February I recieved an email from a nice lady with an Indian name telling me exactly what the automated email had told me but failing to answer any of my specific points, in other words a scripted response.
Again I resigned myself to the fact that it was probably not worth engaging in a lengthy email exchange as all I would get would be scripted replies so I settled in to wait fully expecting to recieve another delay message a week later.
On Tuesday evening (yesterday) I opened my email to discover a scheduled delivery alert from Dell, WTF I thought. It was generated at 1631hrs and informed me that my system had been despatched and would be delivered sometime between 0800hrs and 1700hrs on the 18th February 2009...Today!
Now it's just as well that I am self employed so I quickly sent in a day off request to myself, authorised it myself and gave myself the day off in order that I could be at home to take delivery. How the heck do Dell expect anyone who is working full time at some company to react to a delivery alert giving such short notice?
My new system arrived this morning about an hour ago and I've carefully unpacked it to find that everything is there and it looks absolutely fantastic. The only thing that gets me is that it is even smaller than my existing Dell yet it packs so much more power!
I'm going to have a cup of coffee and read the manual before beginning the set up. I'll let you know how I get on.
Watch this space.