Dell Dell Scam, Rip off, inefficient repair Round Rock Texas

I am a disabled college student and have been receiving help from Vocational Rehabilitation. Voc Rehab bought a computer for me to use while in school and when I finally graduate, at my future place of employment. The purchase was made August 27, 2014 from Best Buy in Columbia, Mo. It is a Dell and the representatives at Dell say the computer was purchased in July, which is not true.

The computer I signed for would not charge the battery and did not recognize the adapter that came with the unit. The unit also emits and electrical pulse when plugged in. Not a static electric shock, but a continuous pulse of electricity. I fear for my health, safety of my personal being, and peripheral devices if I were to use this unsafe computer.

At Dell's discretion, I sent the computer to their "repair depot" in Houston, Texas. There, the technician provided a new adapter, then re-installed the operating system, for some unknown reason. They then shipped the unit back to me certifying that it was fixed. I opened the box, plugged it in, and it shocked me right away. With gloves on, I proceeded to boot the computer only to get an error that it did not recognize the adapter and the on screen error urged me to replace the adapter with the correct one. 

I called Dell's technical support team and after two hours of being transferred from department to department, explaining the whole thing to each technician and representative, they finally agreed to send me a box, so that I could send it back to the "repair depot."

This time, the technician installed an adapter daughter card, then sent the unit back to me, once again certifying that is is repaired. I plugged it in, then quickly noticed I was still being shocked. I put my gloves on and booted the machine. There again, before my eyes, was the error that it did not recognize the adapter and it would not even boot into Windows. 

Of course I called Dell again, and was once again tossed from department to department, until finally they agreed to replace the unit. But it doesn't end there. Oh no, that would be too easy. 

After waiting patiently, Dell finally got around to sending me a refurbished computer. NOT a new computer like what was paid for and their excuse was that since it was purchased in July, it was not in their time frame to replace the computer with a new computer. You may remember that this computer was bought in August, which would have been in their time frame, had it not been at their "repair depot".

I plugged the refurbished, but certified computer into the wall, and wouldn't you know it, this one shocks me too. I did not even notice if this computer recognizes the adapter or not. Horrified, I unplugged the system, and called Dell again. For the first two hours on the phone with them, no one would take ownership of the problem. Finally, I was in touch with a manager that told me it would take at least another 48 hours for the "escalation team" to decide what to do. They decided that I need to now send the refurbished computer back to Houston, so that they can have the same technicians service this computer. I protested, because they obviously have no clue what so ever what to do with it, and they do not even test it, before they send it back. I requested a refund, but Dell denies any responsibility and refuses to refund the money to me or Vocational Rehabilitation. After a quite lengthy conversation, the only resolution is for them to send yet another refurbished, but certified computer of equal or lesser value. They would not upgrade, or assure me that I would get a computer of the same value!

This is certainly not what I, or Vocational Rehabilitation bargained for. There was no previous warning to purchasing this system that Dell would not stand behind their equipment, but instead play shipping games, phone games, and do absolutely nothing to fix the situation or make things right. There was no previous warning that this system may produce electric shock to the user. (A simple Google search reveals page, upon page of similar incidents and Dell's knowledge of this situation since as far back as 2010!) Now, I am responsible for a computer that I am afraid to touch, cannot use, and if I did use it (with gloves on), this system would potentially ruin any data device that I need to plug in to it. Not to mention the fact that this type of electrical leakage will soon damage the electronics in the system. And what is this going to do to my health? If it is safe to absorb electrical impulses while performing school work, why do other companies issue recalls for the same thing?

I am disabled and cannot afford an attorney. Any help would be appreciated. I have recorded all calls, and have notes, saved emails, tracking numbers, and all numbers provided by Dell.