If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Why can't I buy a Latitude without a company?
I have just discovered that Dell has a very strict demarcation b/n
their so called business line of computers and those for home users. I tried to buy a Latitude for a friend but got stopped by Dell's need for company account etc. What's Dell's thinking in making this demarcation? It's crazy isn't it? I don't need those fancy and colorful covering on a laptop, but just a robust machine. I am aware that I can pick up a Latitude from eBay and other source. But it's a slightly more risky route. -- |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
"Whytoi" wrote in message ... I have just discovered that Dell has a very strict demarcation b/n their so called business line of computers and those for home users. I tried to buy a Latitude for a friend but got stopped by Dell's need for company account etc. Make up something? There are a lot of us who only buy from small business with or without a real company. -- Rob |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
In article , Robert R Kircher, Jr.
wrote: "Whytoi" wrote in message ... I have just discovered that Dell has a very strict demarcation b/n their so called business line of computers and those for home users. I tried to buy a Latitude for a friend but got stopped by Dell's need for company account etc. Make up something? There are a lot of us who only buy from small business with or without a real company. But the guy said that you need a company reference number or something, and also a company account. Well, guess I could have been smarter and made up a story. But I didn't know how rigorously they enforced those rules. So... Tell me more, I'll remember it next time. -- |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
"Whytoi" wrote in message ... In article , Robert R Kircher, Jr. wrote: "Whytoi" wrote in message ... I have just discovered that Dell has a very strict demarcation b/n their so called business line of computers and those for home users. I tried to buy a Latitude for a friend but got stopped by Dell's need for company account etc. Make up something? There are a lot of us who only buy from small business with or without a real company. But the guy said that you need a company reference number or something, and also a company account. Well, guess I could have been smarter and made up a story. But I didn't know how rigorously they enforced those rules. So... Tell me more, I'll remember it next time. Order online via the small business site. I think it ask for a company name. Make something up like My Friend Inc. Once you've ordered that way you'll just use the same customer number for any other orders that you may call in. BTW: I haven't called in a order in years. I usually email a PDF of what I configure on the web site to the sales agent I've been working with. Every so often that agent moves on and I get an email from the new agent. In any event, I don't know exactly how the phone in system works anymore but if you happened to get piped over to Home as apposed to Small Business the sales geek may have been giving you the run around because they are two different groups and he'd lose the commission because he'd have to pass you off to the SB group. Good luck. -- Rob |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
In article , Robert R Kircher, Jr.
wrote: In any event, I don't know exactly how the phone in system works anymore but if you happened to get piped over to Home as apposed to Small Business the sales geek may have been giving you the run around because they are two different groups and he'd lose the commission because he'd have to pass you off to the SB group. Yes, I think that was the exact reason why an extra order was made on my account (see previous post). The unethical agent in the home user section rather than spending 2 mins on modifying my existing order (alteration to the delivery method + an extra charge), she just went ahead and added an identical order, at the same time lying to me on the phone to say that the only way to do it was to cancel the present order and generate a brand new one. The end result would have been further delays in the delivery date for a further $69 out of my pocket. Just as well I smelled fish and told her to do nothing and called back to another agent. Anyway, this kind of behaviour is so typical of those New York photographic mail order stores, one that is most unbecoming of Dell. The more I think about it, the more it ****es me off... -- |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
"Whytoi" wrote in message
... I have just discovered that Dell has a very strict demarcation b/n their so called business line of computers and those for home users. I tried to buy a Latitude for a friend but got stopped by Dell's need for company account etc. What's Dell's thinking in making this demarcation? It's crazy isn't it? I don't need those fancy and colorful covering on a laptop, but just a robust machine. I am aware that I can pick up a Latitude from eBay and other source. But it's a slightly more risky route. -- Just order online from the small business website-- but be prepared to pay sales tax which they collect on orders there. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
"Whytoi" wrote in message ... In article , Robert R Kircher, Jr. wrote: "Whytoi" wrote in message ... I have just discovered that Dell has a very strict demarcation b/n their so called business line of computers and those for home users. I tried to buy a Latitude for a friend but got stopped by Dell's need for company account etc. Make up something? There are a lot of us who only buy from small business with or without a real company. But the guy said that you need a company reference number or something, and also a company account. Well, guess I could have been smarter and made up a story. But I didn't know how rigorously they enforced those rules. So... Tell me more, I'll remember it next time. -- "Whytoi Enterprises", with your usual home address and phone. Be sure you're calling the small business division ( I was told 400 employees or less). You shouldn't have a problem. That should get you your Latitude. Stew |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
On Wed, 05 Jan 2005 11:28:23 GMT, Whytoi wrote:
But the guy said that you need a company reference number or something, and also a company account. Well, guess I could have been smarter and made up a story. But I didn't know how rigorously they enforced those rules. So... Tell me more, I'll remember it next time. What about using your work address, or your wives, or you another relative? |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Whytoi wrote:
I have just discovered that Dell has a very strict demarcation b/n their so called business line of computers and those for home users. I tried to buy a Latitude for a friend but got stopped by Dell's need for company account etc. What's Dell's thinking in making this demarcation? It's crazy isn't it? I don't need those fancy and colorful covering on a laptop, but just a robust machine. I am aware that I can pick up a Latitude from eBay and other source. But it's a slightly more risky route. -- I didn't know if it was required or not and ordered on the phone and told them "independent contractor" Its the whole Business vs personal thing. People say I don't need to drive a truck but I got tired of reaplacing vehicles every few years, so I bought a truck since it was designed to last longer since it was intended to be used for a business. I buy all contractor grade tools instead of black and decker crap as well. |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Like Ira says, just order online via the Small Business section of the
website. Make up a company name if it's a required field - hell, make one up anyway just so nobody second-guesses the order. If the credit card is good, Dell will take your money. If you have a sales rep or did talk to someone on the phone, *never* enter the sales rep's code into the online order form.-- it will only stop the order cold in it's tracks and even though you think your order is happily speeding it's way through production, you'll get a call a day or two later from the human rep wanting to "handle" the order. I no longer put our Dell "account" number on my orders for this reason. Unfortunately their system works this way and is completely stupid. It ****es the customer off by delaying the order if you do want to do the "right" thing and give the person a commission. My (former) sales rep at Dell told me when you put these codes in, they have some sort of "exception" batch report that runs every night and an excel spreadsheet of these orders is passed around in the department for phone followup. Totally non-tech. I assume now every time I order a PC from them a new account number is created. So I have like 50 account numbers. Not a big deal, it's not like I get special treatment or discounts. Dell's byzantine "sale" pricing is hit or miss anyway. -- Paul "Whytoi" wrote in message ... I have just discovered that Dell has a very strict demarcation b/n their so called business line of computers and those for home users. I tried to buy a Latitude for a friend but got stopped by Dell's need for company account etc. What's Dell's thinking in making this demarcation? It's crazy isn't it? I don't need those fancy and colorful covering on a laptop, but just a robust machine. I am aware that I can pick up a Latitude from eBay and other source. But it's a slightly more risky route. -- |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
XP on a Latitude CPx | John Fryatt | Dell Computers | 18 | December 17th 04 10:18 AM |
Substitute Hard Drive Dell Latitude D600 | joe smith | Dell Computers | 1 | June 3rd 04 01:35 AM |
What drives work in a Latitude external drive case? | A.E. Eckberg | Dell Computers | 3 | May 10th 04 10:58 PM |
Problem with Dell TrueMobile 1300 Wireless in new Latitude 600 | Bob Schor | Dell Computers | 2 | February 15th 04 02:20 AM |
How to replace Dell splash screen on startup?? | Jenny | Dell Computers | 17 | February 1st 04 06:12 PM |