Is £57 for 5 minutes advice fair value from Dell

Happychappy

aliEnRIK wrote: »

Clearly its a complete ripoff
However, as database has already said. YOU decided that it was ok to pay that. They told you in advance what it would cost and you decided to pay that cost
I cant see what else you can do really

I totally agree, I was stuck without the computer and needed access to it ? no access to another computer and all my working files and documents are on the computer.

simple really and left with no choice then accept it. My point is whether it is reasonable of a company to charge a fee for technicla support on a product four weeks old and completely supplied by them, i.e. software, hardware etc. They say the software is not under gaurantee, they only gaurantee the hardware and any software fault is down to the owner, although it was sold with Vista installed.

DatabaseError

I would have thought the re-install would have wiped your data/documents!
If you have no other PC, surely a trip to the local library or net cafe would cost less than sixty quid?!
Give dell a call and then write and complain, they used to have a very good reputation for CS, then they realised that most people want cheap PCs and lappys, not well supported ones, better to sell 1000 lappys at £300 than 100 identical ones @£350 with free support.

redux

I'm assuming at that price what they've sold you is a support contract for 12 or more months, which perhaps isn't such terrible value if it's needed again, but I could be wrong.

But in that case contact ought to be on an ordinary phone number, and the premium rate ought to be used to cover one-off pay as you go queries.

I'd contact them and ask for details of what you've actually got and say you do feel it was sold to you under some duress without choices being set out

Happychappy

redux wrote: »

I'm assuming at that price what they've sold you is a support contract for 12 or more months, which perhaps isn't such terrible value if it's needed again, but I could be wrong.

But in that case contact ought to be on an ordinary phone number, and the premium rate ought to be used to cover one-off pay as you go queries.

I'd contact them and ask for details of what you've actually got and say you do feel it was sold to you under some duress without choices being set out

Unfortunately it was a one off get you out the mire fix, and as far as Dell is concerned they have no warranty on any software, the warranty is purely hardware. They did say the boot failure would be due to an electrical spike, which is difficult to envisage as the computer was switched off and is connected to an anti surge 4 plug socket. I have written to Dell, however I think I would be better in believing in Santa than expecting any refund.

It is a double wammy as the premium phone charge is one thing, but a seperate charge as well is a little rich.

Millionaire

I would not of paid it.

sco0ter

Happychappy wrote: »

Thanks for your free advice, although slightly flawed, No it isnt in the manual and I did read it, although it says about reinstalling and wiping the hard drive, all it says is to insert the installation disc and click restart and repair? this does not overcome the fail to boot up screen, you need to know to also press the F12 and then three other sequences. I am sure some people like yourself clearly know to press one of the F keys, but others do not.

Google it would be fine ? but how does one do that without a computer :rolleyes:

But thanks for your advice, I shall file it and flush accordingly...

Actually according to the online dell inspiron 530 manual it mentions the F12 key numerous times as well as how to launch the diagnostic and repair disk as well and reinstall/repair the operating system. If you had maybe tried that you would have come across the REPAIR option

Millionaire

sco0ter wrote: »

Actually according to the online dell inspiron 530 manual it mentions the F12 key numerous times as well as how to launch the diagnostic and repair disk as well and reinstall/repair the operating system. If you had maybe tried that you would have come across the REPAIR option

I was thinking that, I have had numerous Dells in the past and I remember they had instructions listed for re-installation and repairs etc including the use of F keys.

[Deleted User]

If you couldn't have fixed it, then yes, £57 quid was quite reasonable to get your PC fixed. Doesn't matter how long the advice took to give - you needed it, and it fixed the job.

Is it right for dell to charge an hourly rate of £650.. debatable.

You could probably have got the advice for free by asking on this forum. Think of it as a lesson learned.

DatabaseError

^ I'd imagine if the problem had taken an hour to fix the charge would have been the same, similar to a plumber's call out charge (only less )

Happychappy

ringo_24601 wrote: »

If you couldn't have fixed it, then yes, £57 quid was quite reasonable to get your PC fixed. Doesn't matter how long the advice took to give - you needed it, and it fixed the job.

Is it right for dell to charge an hourly rate of £650.. debatable.

You could probably have got the advice for free by asking on this forum. Think of it as a lesson learned.

How is it a lesson learned :T and why do you feel I needed to be taught such a lesson as I believed a warranty meant a warranty, and a gaurantee was meant to be just such.

How can I explain further, there is NO PAPER TROUBLESHOOTING MANAUL, there is a SUPPORT DISC which I was totally flabbergasted and amazed to find wouldnt work due to the computer not working, minor inconvenience I know, there is a paper "setting up your computer" guide, there is a "product information" guide, there is also a warranty and service centre contact list. There is no paper troubleshooting guide.

How pray tell does one ask the geeks, or access Google or ask for free on this forum from a telephone call box, I couldnt wait for the next day as I needed to work on documents for work the next day?

Clearly it was my fault that I hadnt prepared myself by buying a second computer in readiness for the first one to crash and not be able to access the online documents. I am now preparing a book full of questions of what to do in readiness for the next crash, and I shall download and print the intire manual, oh to be so blessed as some with hindsight.

Wish I hadnt asked.

Mods please delete:rolleyes: