On Sun, 1 Mar 2009 18:01:47 -0800 (PST), AndyHancock
wrote:

After reviewing Consumer Reports, I went to the Dell site to order a
laptop. No options but glossy display, and only Vista. Tried chat
and phone, but they're closed (phone icon says 8am-9pm, but
apparently, not). Swum around the site in a few circles trying to
find an email address, which seemed highly abnormal in its
elusiveness. Finally found a webmail form. Filled in the many
mandatory details (most of which only makes sense for post-sales) and
got repeatedly asked for a correct address.

I took stock of the time spent at the Dell site. The result was an
overwhelming sense of futility in dealing with a vendor in this
manner. Spending the evening swimming around a site designed to
confound the visitor and not getting beyond square one is a bad sign,
especially if this is only indicative of presales behaviour. The
debacle with the user group forum drives the nail into the coffin.


I don't understand you. If your experience is that bad, why bother
with Dell? Can't you buy another brand? I think what Consumer Report
says is irrelevant if your experience is so different.