In August or early September I bought online and custom built a Studio XPS 9100 from Dell Comuter. The computer was supposed to come with Office 2010 Home and Business software installed. I activated the software according to directions after I received and set up the computer in my home. However, I had trouble with the software.
I bought an extended service contract from Dell for my software. I didn't think the software was receiving automatically downloaded updates, so in early March I tried to manually update the software. However, I was asked to purchase the software for an additional $500 or so from Dell's website. I called my software warranty number to complain because the computer was supposed to have come with Office 2010 already installed.
The Dell technician I spoke with determined that I only had a trial version of the Office software installed on my computer. That technician deleted the old trial version on my computer and gave me an updated trial version. I spoke with several additional Dell customer service people and technicians about receiving the real version of the software I had paid for with my Dell. None was able to download a real copy of Office 2010 Home and Office. They all wanted to know my serial number, which was supposed to have appeared on my purchase receipt. I found my purchase receipt, which I also showed the Dell technicians. The receipt showed Microsoft Office 2010 was supposed to come preloaded on my computer but the receipt didn't give any serial number. I also did not receive any Microsoft Office 2010 disks in the mail.
I didn't complain at the time I first received my computer because I (wrongly) figured Dell knew what it was doing and wouldn't cheat its customers. Bad idea.
I finally talked to a Dell Computer technical manager who said he couldn't download a copy of the Microsoft software and also couldn't refund the money I had paid for it on my receipt because I was asking for the software and/or a refund too late after the purchase date of the computer. So, it appears that Dell Computer does not give you everything you pay for when you order a computer from them, especially if you order a custom built computer. I don't intend to make the mistake of buying from Dell again.
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