I ordered a computer hard drive from Dell's web site and I received an email notification that the drive would be shipped on or about 10/29/02.
On October 30th, I checked Dell's web site for tracking info and found that my order had been cancelled with no notification whatsoever. On October 31st, I contacted Dell by phone, and spoke to Thomas who told me that the drive was no longer being manufactured.
THIS IS A COMPLETE LIE as this particular hard drive is prominently advertised on Western Digital's web site. Using www.pricegrabber.com, I was able to find numerous places that sell this drive and have it in stock.
When confronted with the truth, I was told the price of the hard drive had gone up to 199.00 which is ridiculous because I found the hard drive for 129.00 on the web.
I was then passed onto Mike in the Software & Peripherals department and was told the same thing. I was then offered two solutions: a 120 GB at 50 dollars more or an 80 GB drive at 12 dollars less. I told him these solution were unacceptable and asked to speak to his manager. After much stonewalling, he put on hold for the umpteenth time and I then found myself talking to Customer Care rep Doreen. Very nice but couldn't do anything either. She at least, gave me the complaint addresses.
Apparently this deceptive bait & switch tactic is being imposed on the 2000 customers (according to Dell's Mike) whose orders were also canceled.
It's unfair for a company to break a sales contract at it's own convenience using deceptive practices such as false advertising, bait and switch and outright lying without suffering any penalty.
I want what I contracted for and if the drive is available from other vendors, then I want Dell to buy the drive from another vendor or I want the next higher end drive in stock at the same price.
Alfredo
Nutley, New Jersey
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