Continue to buy from DELL becuase of people like Melissa? Are you serious? Isn't that analogous to "I know my chances of getting screwed are better with DELL, but when DELL screws me, a nice person will let me know?"
While I'll agree that Melissa has definitely put forth an effort to apologize for everyone's inconvenience, the fact remains that DELL's system, whatever it is, completely sucks. Just because Melissa is making amends doesn't change the fact that DELL is completely unreliable, and more importantly, has a history of doing this very thing (which I now know first hand).
This whole issue with Melissa was not only an issue with getting the V1. I tried to purchase the P10 and got the same song and dance. Great price, camera in, etc. But even though the camera was at another retailer (be it a little more expensive) at the time, the great price swayed me and I relied on Melissa and DELL to deliver on their promise (why wouldn't I). I even got talked into 2nd day air so that the camera would arrive in time for 2 very important b-day parties and my cousin's highschool graduation party. Those occasions meant something to me and my family. I'm sure everyone can be creative enough to fill in the blank with a special occasion of their own where something like this with DELL really caused an inconvenience. All Dell needed to do was tell me the truth so I could make an informed purchase, not tell me whatever they could to make me order from them.
The problem didn't just end with the misinformation that was given by Melissa (whether it was her fault or not). When it became apparent that the camera wasn't coming anywhere near when promised, I cancelled (I thought) the order and tried to order the P10 elsewhere. Cancelling the order with DELL than became an issue and Dell kept my credit card authorized for the purchase amount for almost a week which caused me a problem when I tried to get my P10 from "a company that actually HAD it." You shouldn't have to call and "TRY" and cancel on several different occasions. The day after I cancelled I called to confirm the cancel (b/c several others in this Forum suggested I do so because of their past experiences with DELL). I left 2 messages at the Melissa extension asking that anyone there please call back to confirm that the order had been cancelled. After a day and 1/2 with no call back from ANYONE at DELL, I called back and said I wanted to order a V1 (figured that might get their attention). Guess what? 5 minutes later Melissa called me. I must admit she was pleasant and explained that she had been off work the previous day. But that doesn't explain why nobody else at the extension would return my call when I asked that ANYBODY please call.
Melissa completely aside. . . it seems like several individuals could care less about DELL's business tactics. I completely understand that it is everyone's individual/personal choice as to which company the choose to order from. But it is "MY" OPINION that continuing to buy from DELL simply "because of people like" Melissa is foolish and completely ignore's the reality that DELL business tactics are misleading, and way below par with other companies even if they have someone as nice and sweet as Melissa making excuses for them. I wish Melissa well and hope that one day she moves on to a company that won't put her in this type of situation. But until then, it is just common sense that Melissa will bear the brunt of people's frustrations because she is an employee of DELL and the one making the representations to us, the customers.
That's my take. I too, am sorry for ranting and raving. Hopefully when the next set of new cameras comes out someone will benefit from the MANY DELL warnings out there and save themselves a few headaches and disappointments.
While I'll agree that Melissa has definitely put forth an effort to apologize for everyone's inconvenience, the fact remains that DELL's system, whatever it is, completely sucks. Just because Melissa is making amends doesn't change the fact that DELL is completely unreliable, and more importantly, has a history of doing this very thing (which I now know first hand).
This whole issue with Melissa was not only an issue with getting the V1. I tried to purchase the P10 and got the same song and dance. Great price, camera in, etc. But even though the camera was at another retailer (be it a little more expensive) at the time, the great price swayed me and I relied on Melissa and DELL to deliver on their promise (why wouldn't I). I even got talked into 2nd day air so that the camera would arrive in time for 2 very important b-day parties and my cousin's highschool graduation party. Those occasions meant something to me and my family. I'm sure everyone can be creative enough to fill in the blank with a special occasion of their own where something like this with DELL really caused an inconvenience. All Dell needed to do was tell me the truth so I could make an informed purchase, not tell me whatever they could to make me order from them.
The problem didn't just end with the misinformation that was given by Melissa (whether it was her fault or not). When it became apparent that the camera wasn't coming anywhere near when promised, I cancelled (I thought) the order and tried to order the P10 elsewhere. Cancelling the order with DELL than became an issue and Dell kept my credit card authorized for the purchase amount for almost a week which caused me a problem when I tried to get my P10 from "a company that actually HAD it." You shouldn't have to call and "TRY" and cancel on several different occasions. The day after I cancelled I called to confirm the cancel (b/c several others in this Forum suggested I do so because of their past experiences with DELL). I left 2 messages at the Melissa extension asking that anyone there please call back to confirm that the order had been cancelled. After a day and 1/2 with no call back from ANYONE at DELL, I called back and said I wanted to order a V1 (figured that might get their attention). Guess what? 5 minutes later Melissa called me. I must admit she was pleasant and explained that she had been off work the previous day. But that doesn't explain why nobody else at the extension would return my call when I asked that ANYBODY please call.
Melissa completely aside. . . it seems like several individuals could care less about DELL's business tactics. I completely understand that it is everyone's individual/personal choice as to which company the choose to order from. But it is "MY" OPINION that continuing to buy from DELL simply "because of people like" Melissa is foolish and completely ignore's the reality that DELL business tactics are misleading, and way below par with other companies even if they have someone as nice and sweet as Melissa making excuses for them. I wish Melissa well and hope that one day she moves on to a company that won't put her in this type of situation. But until then, it is just common sense that Melissa will bear the brunt of people's frustrations because she is an employee of DELL and the one making the representations to us, the customers.
That's my take. I too, am sorry for ranting and raving. Hopefully when the next set of new cameras comes out someone will benefit from the MANY DELL warnings out there and save themselves a few headaches and disappointments.
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