• Report: #156293

Complaint Review: Dell Computers

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  • Submitted: Wednesday, September 07, 2005
  • Last Posting: Saturday, March 14, 2009
  • Reported By:Fort Lauderdale Florida
Dell Computers
dell.com Internet U.S.A.

Dell Computers Selling empty ink cartridges ripoff Internet


1Author 2Consumer 0Employee/Owner

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Less than a month ago, I bought a black ink cartridge for my dell all-in-one printer. As soon as I put it in and printed a page, it told me the black ink was almost empty and I needed to replace it. I thought it was a mistake, given that I had just replaced the cartridge, and ignored it.

I tried to print today and it told me the cartridge was empty so I called Dell's customer care center and friendly whatshisname told me I had to order a new cartridge but he couldn't do anything because 21 days had passed since my order. Stress meter goes up and I say: I'm sorry but as I previously explained to you, I just bought the cartrige and this is the 2nd time I print and - by the way - there is nothing about a 21 day policy on my invoice?????? long pause at other end..... Repeat 21 day policy and tells me I need to order a new black cartridge. I ask to speak to a manager because I am stuck with a Dell printer and have no choice but to order the ink from them and this is unacceptable.

He can't transfer me to a manager, so I insist.... he offers to give me a discount coupon that I can use online to purchase a new cartridge at no cost to me. I accept. He says he has to put me on hold to process the coupon request. 10 minutes later. He has to put me on hold because he's waiting for the coupon number. 10 minutes later I finally get the coupon number and all's well that ends well but I'm worried for my future with Dell so I check out this website. My oh my. Other people think like I do. How interesting. Other annoying things I've slowly discovered about Dell over a 1 year relationship:

Customer Care Center: Outsourced to Panama a friendly customer rep once told me. You know what they say - you get what you pay for and this is what $2/hour wages get you.

When they put you on hold - you're not on hold - they have a silencer at their end, they can hear everything you say.

There are no managers working for Dell. I've been denied access to one 2 times now so, as far as I'm concerned, they don't exist.

Dell Preferred Credit Card: If you use this to order online they require you to enter your social security number or they will not process your order. I have complained about this and consistently gotten "scripted" emails that never never never answer any of my questions. I gave up but it pisses me off.

Jasmine
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
U.S.A.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 9/7/2005 6:07:54 PM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/computer-manufaturers/dell-computers/dell-computers-selling-empty-i-4ebd6.htm.

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1Author 2Consumer 0Employee/Owner
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#1 Consumer Comment

Possibly defective

AUTHOR: Jason - Simpsonville (U.S.A.)

Fully possible that you received a defective cartridge, but you should have called them immediately after discovering the problem. Putting it in and expecting the problem to correct itself wasn't a great idea. After all, how are they to know that you aren't trying to scam them?

And investigate buying ink locally. You can probably find it cheaper, have it quicker, and better ability to return.
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#2 Consumer Suggestion

PROBLEM IS A RESULT OF DELL'S ANTI RE-FILL RE-DESIGN

AUTHOR: Michael - El Segundo (U.S.A.)

Dell in an attempt to FORCE consumers to purchase thier outrageously overpriced ink has now re-designed the ink cartridges to REFUSE TO PRINT.

This works when the ink cartridge "suspects" it has been tampered with. As a result a percentage of cartridges "shut down" after short use. It is the strip on the front. A circuit inside the cartridge triggers the shut down when the ink falls below the minimum level. This can occur if an air bubble, during shipping or otherwise, hits the circuit.

Once that happens it shows as "empty" and refuses to print OR prints so badly you are FORCED to get a new cartridge.

This was all done because of the ink re-fill kits. Basically you can get a re-fill kit online for which can last 10 or 100 times depending on the volume of ink you buy. I used the same cartridge for 10 months at a time re-filling every day and it worked perfectly. This saves you tremendous amounts of money as Dell's toners are outrageously priced at $20.00-$30.00 PER CARTRIDGE. The actual manufacturing cost is estimated at $2.00 per cartridge. When you add international shipping, Customs duty and final delivery etc the price is about $3.00 per cartridge (estimated).

So as a result of the re-fills they had been trying to re-engineer thier cartridges for several years. And from what I was told by a former Dell employee it was only in 2008 the new cartridge designs took effect in order to FORCE the market to purchase thier outrageously priced toner. Thats right. Your GOING to purchase our ink!

In my case I run a small paper-intensive business. I need to re-fill every day. I had a A920 and got a A968. Now that Dell has made this change it will cost me $3,750 per month if I use the toner they want.

As a result I will purchase a printer from their competitors!!!!

Competitors who do not use such practices in thier ink cartridge design. OR if I need to I will purchase an older model! And I can bet you many others will do the same. So much for the money making "genius" at Dell who thought this would work on the market. It wont. I speculate that Dells sales of printers will fall over the next 4 years becuase of this since it takes the market a while to catch on.

Your cartridge did not work because of this. My advice? Do not purchase a Dell.


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