Shipping "Dell-ays"

[Andrew Baxter]

As students head back to school there might be something missing from their backpacks -- the new Dell laptop they ordered weeks ago. Shipping delays on the new Dell Inspiron and XPS line of notebooks are causing people to wait several weeks longer than they anticipated for their notebooks as Dell keeps delaying existing orders and pushing out delivery dates.

Here at NotebookReview.com we've actually witnessed a 200% traffic spike in our Dell forum for the past 4-weeks, and a majority of that traffic is coming from people visiting the forums to discuss their problems receiving Dell notebooks they've ordered. There were so many posts in our Dell forum concerning this issue, we had to open up a new forum dedicated to Dell shipping questions. So what's going on?

Dell hasn't said much regarding delays on Inspiron notebooks, but they have publicly indicated that they're having trouble with XPS M1330 orders due to quality control issues with such things as the paint job and component supply shortages. It seems this is also occurring with the Inspiron line of notebooks now as well. The Inspiron 1420, 1520 and 1720 are all in sharp demand (good for Dell) and Dell and its suppliers apparently can't keep up with the volume of orders they have received (bad for customers).

To demonstrate the amount of frustration consumers are experiencing with these shipping delays, witness a thread called "Post when XPS M1330 ordered and when/if shipped", it's approaching 9,000 replies to it in the past month, that's far and away a record for our popular discussion forums, and indicative of the number of frustrated customers. Heck, we even have long threads dedicated to XPS M1330 delays broken out by regions: UK M1330 Order Status Thread, European M1330 order progress.

In regards to Inspiron delays, customers are coming up with metrics for what's causing the longest delays on shipments. One forum poster was nice enough to make a post informing others how long their order would be delayed based on the color lid they selected. For instance, here's the breakout for the expected delay if you order an Inspiron 1520:

• Black, white = no delays
• Brown lid = 5 days extra
• Yellow lid = 6 days extra
• Blue lid = 8 days extra
• Red, green, pink lid = 11 days extra

Want a pink lid? That'll be 11-days extra wait time

So instead of ordering the color lid they really want, people are opting for the black or white colored Inspirons to get the notebook sooner. Other known delays appear to be due to options such as graphics cards.

If you've ordered a Dell notebook and are experiencing large delays receiving your notebook, our condolences to you. Forum member Flamenko recommends using some strategies to win concessions such as warranty upgrades, OS upgrades, or even money back for the inconvenience of delays in his very useful post here: how to get money back and concessions from Dell for shipping delays. And, if you're one who likes to compete, you can enter your name on the list for "Who has waited the longest" to see if you can win the waiting game

[mujtaba]

It's been a while since I had laughed this hard.

Nice one !

[Greg]

I like the public announcement on how to get more stuff from Dell. They really need to step up to the plate and fix this. But rather than see a free backpack or warranty upgrade, I'd rather see it ship!

They wanted to make a comeback with their new designs (since HP took over their spot in the food chain), but I guess they weren't adequately prepared for the surge in orders. Der...

Funny thing: recently, I had to contact Dell about one stupid thing about a desktop. Customer service (not tech service!) was actually relieved to be dealing with a problem not related to the new laptops. She even said that to me! I just laughed...

So keep on battering Dell, and maybe they'll fix it!

[nickspohn]

Dell loves giving out $100 off coupons for stuff like this. Makes me want to order a notebook to just get those coupons




Love the title too.

[Apollo13]

So checking Dell it's 18 days to ship, up to 11 days delay (plus 4 for weekends), that's 33 days if you really want Flamingo Pink. Is this about accurate now, or is it even longer? I saw all the threads in the Dell forum, got intimidated by the traffic, and went to another forum!

I agree, paying a Jackson or two for a backpack is much better than a long delay and getting a free one (and not even getting much choice in which one you get at that).

Makes me glad I went with Jet Black instead of Midnight Blue.

[jtromans]

The help and support available on the threads listed above is great - the monster thread is hard to get a handle on and can grow by 30 or 40 posts during a day, but the people there are great.

I agree with Greg's comment about just wanting them to ship... and enough already with the freebies! If it was here when they said it would be I wouldn't have even thought of asking for free stuff.

[fabarati]

Funny title.

200% increase in Dell traffic o.O!!! But cool to post how to get concessions.

[Rasp/Straw.Icecream]

I'm glad we're getting accurate information on the laptops.There was too much confusion going around. I even called the CSR's a few times and i kept getting different answers. Even the CSR's don't know what's going on I agree that Dell should have been well prepared for the high demands on the notebooks. Hopefully they'll speed up this process

[vize]

Amazing....with their prices already pretty low, I wonder how they are making money with all the concession coupons they are giving out.

[Andrew Baxter]

I will add that Dell aren't the only guys experiencing logistics issues with shipping laptops, Lenovo is quite well known for this issue as well, it's just really unfortunate on the timing with these Dell machines because everybody is trying to get a notebook for school. At least Dell is being public about the problems with the XPS, I'd like to see them step up and explain the Inspiron issues as well.