Amazing what a little online activism can do, isn't it?
Posted on 02/28/2002 12:39:43 PM PST by TheDon
Steven Buys a Firearm
NEW YORK (CNN) --He is the Mrs. Olson of high-tech, the Maytag repairman of motherboards, the Mr. Whipple of the computer world. He's the latest hot commercial pitchman, with a jargon not unfamiliar to Bill and Ted of "Excellent Adventure" fame -- or his high school-age fans.
He's Steven, the Dell guy, and he's helped Dell Computer Corp. generate some serious cash since the ads started running on television a year ago.
"Dude, you should have bought a Dell," he proclaims in commercials, and consumers have responded. While personal computer sales were down 31 percent during the first three quarters of last year, Dell's market share went up 16.5 percent -- more than double the previous year, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Steven has now reached cult status, except among the firearm owning public.
The flap began when Jack Weigand, the president of the American Pistolsmiths Guild, ordered a Dell Inspiron 4100 notebook on Feb. 13, with a promised delivery date of Feb. 21. When the date came and went, Weigand phoned Dell to find out what the problem was.
What he eventually learned astounded him: Weigand would not be shipped his PC because of the name of his business, Weigand Combat Handguns, which is located in Mountaintop, Pennsylvania. Dubbed a "Renaissance gunsmith" by American Handgunner, Weigand is known for crafting high-quality, custom revolvers.
It turns out that a manager in Dell's (DELL) export compliance department flagged the shipment as a purchase that was prohibited under U.S. law. Weigand was told that his order had been canceled because, in these post-Sept. 11 days, the name of his company sounded a bit too terroristic for comfort's sake.
In an interview on Wednesday, a Dell representative acknowledged there was no reason why Weigland should have been denied his Inspiron 4100.
"There was an unfortunate series of events," said Dell spokeswoman Cathie Hargett. "We should have, when the name of his company triggered a red flag, followed up with him immediately to ensure that his order was not in violation of U.S. export rules. Knowing what we know about him now, we know that is not the case."
Hargett said Dell was revising its internal procedures to prevent such snafus in the future.
Beyond this, Dell wants to reassure the firearm owning public that they are 100% behind the 2nd Ammendment. They have decided to produce a new commercial with Steven at a firing range selling other shooters on the positive benefits of "getting a Dell".
If they do this, I will also never buy anything other than a Dell!
Amazing what a little online activism can do, isn't it?
If so, Steven at the firing range would be a huge hit with gun owners!
Does this mean they'll stop supporting HCI?
(Sir, if you're lurking, please get rid of Steven. He reminds me of Bill Clinton, for some reason)
Oh, come on. One incident that was, I believe, actually a mistake and all the pro-gunners want to stop buying Dell computers.
Maybe the guy who was supposed to call Weigand was out sick for a few days. Maybe his ticket got lost or something. But I don't believe that Dell had any intention of denying Weigand a computer just because he sells guns. It was, as they said, an unfortunate mistake.
To show that it was a mistake they immediately apologized and took responsibility for the incident. Heck, even Michael Dell himself sent an apology and explanation. And now they're even talking about producing a multi-million dollar ad (if you believe the CNN story) that is pro gun.
What would Dell have to do to make it up to some of you? Sheesh!
I for one won't buy any other computer than a Dell - not for home, not for the office. The original story worried me a bit and I started to think about alternatives. But Dell turned it around quickly and most satisfactorily.
Go Dell!!! I can't wait to see the ad.
I couldn't find the article on the link given above, so I'll believe it when I see it.
If true, this is great news.
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