A friend of mine ordered a Dell computer online from Dell in Malaysia. The price was to be paid by 12 instalments interest free, a good gimmick by Dell Malaysia. But caveat emptor!! (buyers beware!)

There is a catch! Buyers who are not awared will be caught by a nasty surprise as my friend did.

You provide the credit card info to be charged 1/12th of the price. My friend was shocked to be charged the full price on the first month's statement. Upon complaints and enquireies, they said a mistake was made when a salesman who took the ordser was replaced by another salesman, but the new salesman was not briefed by the previous salesman about the agreed charge by 12 instalments.

My friend was in a dilemma as he didn't have so much money to pay in 1 go. Eventually he tried to borrow from his parents to make the payment on his credit card statement, but his parents thought him irresponsible and refused. Eventually I had to lend him part of the purchase price to help a friend out.

He knew he could easily pay that off by 1/12 of the price every month out of his salaries. The full price was 3 times his monthly salary, so he was caught in a jam.

What do you people think? I think it's a sly business trick to say the least, if calling it a scam is too harsh. I did advise legal or other action for ,isleading marketing, but the lawyer we consulted said it's not worth fighting such a large corporation; that they woukld surely be able to dig out some fine print to show that the 12 months interest free option is completely at their discretion.

Should we allow Dell Malaysia to get away with such tactics? I say we boycott Dell Malaysia products. What say you, please?

Adbul Damit
Brunei

could it be an honest mistake by the salesperson? I'm sure dell will not risk its reputation by doing something like that

maybe some technical mistake. your friend still can't get the instalment after complaining to dell? I think it should be quite easy for them to change the credit card charges.

I took up Dell's installment plan twice and found no problems. One was paid up early last year and another one was recent.

Remember 1 thing when ordering online... always call up the customer care upon receiving the confirmation e-mail. This is to verify the order and to amend any changes. By doing so, u get to speak to the salesperson.

go up there, and complaint.....sitting there and whining doesnt help. to me, dell is quite ok....if they made a mistake, then they will 'correct' it and u should ask ur fren to tell them.

currently payin the 2nd installment for this xps... the sales phone me up to comfirm my installment 1 wor...mayb ur fren jz too unlucky...

hmmm..i also kena once when i bought my 22" lcd monitor. I thought i opt for the 12 month installment plan. i order online so there is an option to check whether to pay full amount or later option. So i think i remember i check that installment option. But when the bill came, it was a full amount.
So i called up DELL, apparently they said i did not check that option base on their record. There is nothing DELL can do about it. So i have no proof to back me up n i wasn't 100% sure i check the option. Well like the stories go, i pay the full amount. what to do..

^ as stated above. speak to a REAL person is the best way to confirm your order. I'm not sure if dell record their telephone conversation or not... (can use as proof if got problem)

yeap... dell do record tel conversation for feedback purpose... so i think they have records... btw i think its just a mistake by the salesman (everybody makes mistake right).... i called them before and i find they provide very good services.. they usually follow up after u bought their product or u have used their services...

I've a friend who's purchased from Dell, twice. Both using installment plans.

No problems up till now.

It's a mistake on their side...I don't see why your friend went along with paying it in full amount and asking parents for money. Pretty silly

By the way, what credit card did your friend use? Installment plan are only for Maybank and Citibank card (certain Citibank Card like Cash Ready don't have this priviledge).

I bought 3 times from Dell and so far no problems. The only time is when I use Citibank Cash Ready card which I was inform by my bank that the card don't have the Installment plan.

@abduldamit most of the ppl here said its okay... so i guess its not a scam... its basically a mistake done by dell... you may blame them for that mistake but not for scamming... so i guess ur boycott thing is off... too bad... maybe u should poll and see the result... haha...

Personally, i would enquire with Dell's representative regarding this problem. I personally used the Dell's 0% 12 month Installment plan before when purchasing my LCD monitor and its good. Not like what you said about them charging at one go during the first month.

Try clarify with Dell as there might be some misunderstanding there.

ive bought my laptop from dell as well and have had no such problems....

I have no problem buying 22 LCD using installment, my fren have bought 3 notebook by installment and also no problem...

i dun want to boycott dell... dell have the best services support.

This post has been edited by shoden: Mar 7 2008, 10:08 AM

In return there's no suchs things 0% intrest installment plan, u still need to pay for handling fees 4-5% from total amount of product. Unless the product itself got very high margin profit or the retailers already mark up the price.

I took my previous lappie frm dell too....installment but how many %?
Yeah for installment you cant have 0% interest rate also

This post has been edited by Bigblock: Mar 7 2008, 10:55 AM

i purchase using installement also...no problem with it for 2 lcd and a laptop

it must be the salesperson error..

installment? i got no problem with that. why dont u just ask ur friend to call dell or the salesperson?