This is a summary of my experience with Dell. Most of it is not terrible but, if you read this, you will understand why Dell sales are plummeting. In Canada, they should be non-existent.

My first experience with Dell was in December 2004, when I purchased a fully loaded laptop - about $3,000 at that time. It was great for a year. Then the trouble began. The first component that died was the DVD burner after about 14 months. I had used it to do backups - possibly 20 times over a one-year period. Then it gave out. I had no further warranty as I had not "purchased" an extended warranty. Honestly, you would expect a DVD burner to burn more than 20 or so DVDs but, as you shall see, that is par for the course for Dell products.  

The saga continued with problems with the screen, the internet connection, the rubber pads on the bottom, etc. I decided to run with a large flat monitor and a docking station. I got a Dell monitor. That did not last long - like all things Dell.

In May 2007, I decided that it was time to look for a new computer and I decided that I wanted anything but Dell. I shopped around and decided that I wanted (did not need) a powerful computer so that meant Core 2 Duo, 2 Gigs RAM, etc. On June 23rd, I came into the office to do some work. After a while, I took a break and got Friday's newspaper. And out popped an ad for a Dell 6400. It was everything that I wanted - and the price was $1-200 cheaper than anyone else. So I called - and ended up in India, speaking to an idiot who knew less than I did. First, I told him what I wanted and he replied that the 6400 had been sold out for about 3 weeks. He offered me another, more expensive model. I told him that this was known as "bait and switch" and was illegal in Canada. He asked me the date of the ad I was looking at. I told him that it was one day old.

When I asked him what return to depot service meant, he said that every major city in Canada had a depot and there depots at least every 150 miles so all I had to do was to bring the computer there! Well, he was wrong. The call disconnected and I called back and got Rana. We went through the same thing with the supposedly "out of date" ad. He explained that they had the same computer with a 17" screen for $300 more. I explained to him what "bait and switch" was and we agreed that I could have the more expensive computer for $40 more. On the Monday, I spoke to Guillaume Bouchard. The computer came with one year of next business day service. Guillaume decided that he would sell me 2 additional years of next business day service - regular price $399. He offered it to me at $210. OK. I'm a sucker. I took it. Actually, knowing how bad Dell computers are and how they fall apart - based on personal experience - I think that I got a good deal.

Did I mention the Dell employees - such as Guillaume Bouchard. Talk about really sick people! Guillaume sold me my new system and later, after I complained about a Dell monitor to him and before I had received the system, cancelled the order. What a fuck! It's ok. I happen to know a lawyer and I got the Dell computer despite Mr. Bouchard. Hopefully, Mr. Bouchard will soon receive therapy for his problems.

But talk about problems! First and foremost, if you are not a computer geek, you will find Vista daunting. It is not somewhat different from XP, it is a whole new world. The start menu is different, the Desktop is different and the file management system is different. There is also a "security system" that will remind you of the TV commercials with their "cancel" or "allow". The TV commercial is 30 seconds, Vista is forever.

The new computer bombed after about six (6) months. A lawsuit was instituted - seeking a full refund and compensation for my wasted time. (Did I mention that I was a lawyer?) The terms of the settlement are confidential but I am smiling from ear to ear!