Dell Cancels Gun Business Owners Order

RugerForum.com ^ | Feb 26, 2002 | Jack Weigand

[RJL]

I am writing this because I feel every Firearms owner should know this story.

I placed an order for a Dell notebook computer on February 13 on line with Dell. I was given a tentative delivery date of February 21st. I was watching the order through the Dell on line tracking system; I also opted for the automatic email notification of when the machine was to be shipped.

Well the 21st came and went, I am a Pistolsmith I know things can happen. I made a phone call on the 25th, did a voice mail message for my salesman to get back to me and I was looking for the delivery date. The 25th came and went with no callback. On the 26th I placed another call this time to cancel the order. After a few hours I got a call back, with this amazing reason for the delay. It seems someone in Dell had already canceled my order, when I asked why I was told Dell was afraid I was going to use the machine for illegal purposes. When I asked why someone would think that I was told it was because of the name of my business “Weigand Combat Handguns Inc.”. Because I am involved in firearms I might be doing something illegal. Now keep in mind I was never called or informed of this decision the order was just canceled.

Many of you know me personally and know I run my business about as squeaky clean as possible. In addition being the President of the American Pistolsmiths Guild I am under additional scrutiny as to how I run my business, if I am not clean how can I be the President of an organization that promotes just that! I was informed by a Dell supervisor not long after all of this the reason I was refused was because of their post September 11th policy of screening buyers.

I would like to respectfully ask the firearms community to do the following. If you intended to buy a Dell and because of this letter you do not, email Dell and let them know why. Feel free to distribute this account to all you know in the Firearms community, I think they need to know. I for one am sick and tired of people assuming just because we are involved with firearms that we are doing something illegal. I also do not believe Dell deserves our business if this is how they intend to treat us.

God Bless Jack Weigand President American Pistolsmiths Guild Inc.

------------------ www.jackweigand.com

[Verax]

Wasn't Michael Dell about 15yrs old in the mid eighties?

[Verax]

Bump!

[Verax]

Nice leter...good work!

[VRWC_minion]

There is a WeigandAmerican Pistol

[VRWC_minion]

I found Weigand's internet site, he has an update page

http://www.jackweigand.com/

[cuz_it_aint_their_money]

I would contact a lawyer if Dell does not correct this. I would be surprised if they can legally do this. They would have to show they did not sell computers to any gun dealer, including the big companies, to escape liability. (This is just an initial guess, I would have to research more.)

I would guess they would have to stop selling to the Department of Defense also!
After all, the DOD is probably one of Dell's biggest customers, as well as one of the biggest firearms users in the country!
Anybody want to venture a guess as to how Dell will explain this away?

[Woodman]

If you are looking for a desktop try MicronPC I have been very satified and the prices are good as well.

[OldFriend]

Jack Weigand may be luckier than he thinks. My daughter's company bought her a brand new Dell laptop......over $2,000. Needed the entire guts replaced. Didn't work from Day 1. Lost time and money!

[RandallFlagg]

What the hell?! Is Dell going the "Use cheap junk" route like Packard Bell?

[steve-b]

Personally, I prefer to go to a smaller outfit -- you can generally get more options. The catch is that you'll need to check them with an outfit like resellerratings.com.

The outfit I eventually went with (CompuCheap) did a great job (a month and a half with no cause for complaint). As for politics... their "Links" page includes the NRA, the Federalist Papers, and "Slap Hillary" (but AFAIK they'll sell you a computer even if you're a liberal ;-) ).

[Mr. K]

HAS ANYONE VERIFIED THIS STORY FIRST?????????????????

THIS DOES *NOT* SOUND LIKELY, AND MAY BE A LIB 'PLANT' BECAUSE DELL HAS BEEN A BUSH SUPPORTER (AND REAGAN)

[twigs]

Dell has switched to 70-80% temporary sales staff, as of the middle of January. It's no wonder this is happening. They treat their temporary help very badly.

This may explain the problem we had with Dell last week. My husband and I ordered a Dell laptop two weeks ago. We received it before it was even due to be shipped. The problem is that we received TWO. We called them and they have told us to hold the one and they would send out a shipping label for us. We still have yet to receive it. Their registration and shipping numbers were hopelessly confused. Very bad administration on their part. But we love the computer!

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I am not a gun owner, however, I think your story is sad. It is a sad example of ignorance. I will freep them for you. Keep up the good work.

[sport]

When did he pass?

[SJackson]

I'll post this to all three threads.

Just curious, has anyone gotten a response? My E Mails keep getting bounced back "You have responded to a system-generated mail; therefore, we are not able to respond directly to this reply.

A note, Dell has a Forum at Dell Customer Care where they are "accepting" comments.

[Registered]

Looks like I won't be buying a lottery ticket any time soon ;-)

[nralife]

didn't see this listed...

[saminfl]

I'll stick with Macintosh, thanks all the same.

For what it's worth, Bill Gates has been a very generous contributor to both Planned Parenthood and Handgun Control, Inc.

And the Apple management was trying to push Monica out of the way so they could service Clinton.

[sport]

Did you learn anything from that transaction?

[Harrison Bergeron]

BTTT