Is dell being unethical?

Question

Well... STORY: I'm looking to buy a computer sometime next year. I'm currently looking at the Dell e520, which has many of the specs that I drool over.

PROBLEM: When I go through the desktop setup online (http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/services/dimen/e520s3_bundles?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs), Dell will give the option to select "savings bundles" their NO BUNDLES SAVINGS option still has a 1 year At-Home Service.

QUESTION: Isn't Dell being unethical for not offering the product without services? A customer should be able to select Products without purchasing services from any company. Am I wrong or right here? Is there a way to fix this without making a big fuzz?

The link is http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/services/dimen/e520s3_bundles?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

Answer 1

All Dell systems come with some kind of warranty at least 90 days. Bundles add stuff like extra time such as 2,3 or 4 years or accident protection or Gold support which is US based tech support. These are either bundled or can be purchased seperately. If you call Dell most of the reps will try to get you a better deal than online because they can match any online promo.

Dell prides itself on it's service and rightly so as they get high marks from industry watchdogs especially on their gold warranties. All pc manufactuers carry warranties on their systems which are included in the price. No one buys something without some kind of warranty because if it breaks down you're screwed and i believe the FTC requires some type of warranty to protect the consumer.

Answer 2

A company like Dell makes money by providing services. Their general warranty package comes with some service and the price is included in the cost of the product. They will also try to sell you other services beyond that warranty date.

Unfortunately, it is not unethical to do that and is a common practice. Do you know of another company that lets you purchase without any service included?

Best Wishes,

Sue

Answer 3

Companies have to offer a basic warranty, Dell is giving 1 year instead of the usual 90 days. Even the cheaper E521 has a one year warranty. Gateway's Gateway® GT5220 also has a one year warranty. You are buying the computer from them, Dell is buying repair services from a local third party to meet their warranty requirement without having to pay shipping back and forth if you need a repair. The 1-year plan isn't a big money-maker for them. Don't like it, buy parts and make you own computer, you won't save much.

Answer 4

Don't buy Dell. Its the worst descision I ever made.

My story: Bought a Dell computer, 1 month later memory failed, about three months later hard-drive failed. Both times I had to put the replacement part in. I could not understand the customer service agent, either. I had to ask them to repeat things. Its not the customer service reps fault. Its Dell for outsourcing jobs, and making it more difficult for me to get service.

I have the computer still, and its 4 years later. It constantly reboots, and I must re-format the hard-drive every 1-2 months to keep it working.

That said, this practice is sleazy. Besides, service? What service, thier service is horrible. Maybe not unethical since you can always choose NOT to buy thier products.