[Alex Murphy]

"By using the software, you accept these terms. If you do not accept them, do not use the software. Instead, return it to the retailer for a refund or credit. If you cannot obtain a refund there, contact Microsoft or the Microsoft affiliate serving your country for information about Microsoft's refund policies."

Nice trick - and one I may have to employ!

[Signalman]

When you communicate with Dell, either by email or phone, you’re going to get someone in New Delhi. Or maybe it’s Bangladesh. Either way, it’s going to be a frustrating experience. Trust me, I’ve been through it.

[Tenacious 1]

Did Dell take back the computer along with the software? Or did they just refund the amount of the software?

[unixfox]

The “fine print” they don’t want you to see.

[ShadowAce]

[papasmurf]

Another good reason to buy laptops from http://www.sagernotebook.com.
They will sell any notebook without an OS and deduct the cost before invoicing and shipping.

Add that to their reliability, world class service and amazing bleeding edge technology, and you've got a winner.

[Gondring]

Dell gave me a $3500 machine back in the 90s because they tried to rip me off (they substituted components they had promised would be used) and I challenged the charge to my credit card by use of the Fair Credit Billing Act.

Dell tried bullying me. The credit card company (Citi) tried bullying me (on my side, yeah right!). Fortunately, I had read the small print (note that they've changed it since then, so it's almost impossible to prevent their fraud, and last I checked, the real terms and conditions of the sale must be requested in writing and the ones online don't count!)

I negotiated in good faith, offering to return the system if they'd just pay return shipping, or to swap out the components if they sent the promised ones, etc., but they refused. Eventually the time ran out for them to make good, and I redirected their huffing and puffing to the Federal Trade Commission.

Of course, I couldn't call for Tech Support on the machine. :-)

[apexwm]

Thanks for posting! I too have had the same luck getting Windoze refunds for a few PCs. On new PCs, Dell seems to have finally gotten the message that users do NOT want Windows. They have been very cooperative. However, I have found that they will NOT refund Windoze on any used/refurbished systems in the Dell Outlet. They claim that the original Windoze license was sold with the original PC, and that it cannot be refunded.

Hopefully, more will jump on board and request more refunds, so that Dell will hopefully someday actually sell more PCs on sale with Linux. Right now as we all know, you can still buy PCs cheaper even with Windoze included.

http://members.apex-internet.com/sa/windowslinux