I ordered a laptop for my wife on December 12, 2008 from Dell. This was the first time I’ve ever bought a computer from Dell. I configured it with RAM, software and so on and the order went through. A week later I got the laptop bag I ordered but no laptop, so I checked the order email. The estimated shipping date was January 19, 2009. That was my first surprise – over a month to put together a computer by Dell?

Well, today is January 22 so I thought I would check the status online since I didn’t get a ‘order shipped email’. I clicked on the order number link I received in the original order. This took me to a page that shows an error. So I typed in my postal code and got an error saying something was wrong, and to call this number.

I call the number and after making my selections they tell me the phone number is no longer valid! So I phone the new number they gave me. I was on hold for a while and ended up getting transferred four times to customer care. The last 2 times they each ask me for my order number. Obviously no transfer of customer information taking place!

The last guy tells me the order was cancelled because it was an illegal configuration (which is strange since they let the order go through in the first place so what the ???). He offers to transfer me to sales to re-order but at this point I’m wondering if they already charged me for the previous purchase. He said the credit card wouldn’t be charged but since they sent the laptop bag I figured they must have charged something.

And why the hell didn’t I get an email saying the order was cancelled? Shame on you Michael Dell.