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

[Mamzelle]

re:lawyering...

You know, if Dell sets itself up as a protector of the public from those who would criminally use Dell computers...doesn't that mean we should presume admitted liability if they fail in an unrelated regard?

Wondering if a legal could answer this question, because I seem to remember reading that it is not advisable to try to put a safety rug at your business where you KNOW ice is likely to accumulate and cause someone to fall. If someone crosses the rug and falls anyway, that will make you more liable because you are tacitly admitting the danger...am curious about this...

[AdvisorB]

Thank you SamWolf.

I let them know that I will never order any dell products. I reminded them of what happened to k-mart when they stopped selling guns and hired fat rosie as their national spokesman (well, she is a man after all.) I also stated that I was a stock broker with a major national brokerage firm, and that, henceforth, would never recommend the stock to my clients, and would convince the 25 or so clients with positions in dell to dump this dud immediately.

[Trust but Verify]

I'm with you. I'm guessing there is a misunderstanding here.

[Harrison Bergeron]

Fascinating. I was just this afternoon perusing the Dell product line for two new computers (I'm shopping for some non-techie friends. I prefer to roll my own, but my friends insist on a name brand.

Until I get further information that Dell has cleared up this little "misunderstanding," I've got half a dozen other "names" to shop from.

[MrB]

I agree they need a Freepin'.

However, we don't need to get hysterical ourselves and "not spend one dime on a Dell", etc.
It really sounds like some liberal lame a$$ low level order processor took it on themselves to screw with a gun dealer.

I have had great service with my Dell that I bought last year, and correspondingly absolutely rotten service with HP.

Let's contact their customer service, in Freepin' droves, and let them know that there are a lot of us computer users out here.

[ContemptofCourt]

How funny, you guys piss and moan whenever a liberal files a suit, but when it happens to a conservative, "sue them".

Not that I can even see a lawsuit here.....

[RJL]

Did you talk to anyone in customer service?

This is not happening to me, I just posted the note.

I did go to his web site, it is legitimate, he seems to be known on the Rugerforum.com. I also sent a note to Dell asking if this was true and expressing my dissapointment if it is true. I have not gotten a reply from Dell yet.

[TheDon]

Sounds like this guy is blowing this out of proportion. An employee at Dell has made a mistake, and needs to be corrected, that's all. Buy Dell, they make great systems, and I have had great service from them.

"Dude, you're getting a Dell!" (Tm) Sorry, couldn't resist.

[abner]

Bumping for home.

[Cyber Liberty]

That is my initial impression....

[Texbob]

I placed an order on Jan. 5 with Dell, they turned my credit down and would not tell me why. I called and talked to a credit mgr and demanded to know why, they would only say I would get a letter from their credit reporting Co. When I did not get the letter I called again and demanded the name and address of their credit reporting agency. I got it and called them. On their report I had 12 good references and No bad marks. I called Dell again and demanded an answer while telling them I no longer wanted a Dell and would never want a Dell because of their bussiness practices. A month later I got a letter stating they turned me down because they could not determine if I was who I said I was, which I know was a cover for age discrimination. My name and address in in the phone book and appeared on their Caller I D and was the address on the credit report. I have complained to the Atty. Gen of Texas and the Fed's who over see lending practices. I am 70 years old and I think they were afraid they would have to collect from and estate. Dell had gotten to big for their pants and you can look for them to decline like all bussines who mistreat their customers.

[Waco Uppo]

Just emailed Mr. Dell.

I'll share the company's reply should I receive one.

If this story is true I am done buying from Dell. Never again.

[Don Joe]

"When I asked why someone would think that I was told it was because of the name of my business 'Weigand Combat Handguns Inc.'"

1. Tell them it's a gross misunderstanding, and that "Weigand Combat Handguns Inc." is the name of your gay theater troupe. Tell them it's a "high camp" thing, in your betht lithp. Then tell them your real name is "Steven".

2. When they say how they're tho relieved that you're a Normal Perthon", and that they can ship your order, say "thank you very much."

3. Then, tell them to stick their POS up their collective bunghole, sideways, hard, and follow it up by saying, "Gee, looks like you've got a Dell, dood."

4. Wrap up by telling them the next voice they hear will be that of your corporate counsel, and then say farewell by sneering "Have a nice day, $&#&#&&", and hang up the phone.

Trust me, you'll feel much better for it. :)

[Dave S]

Before we go off half-cocked (pardon the pun) on Dell, let's give them a chance to make this right. It's quite possible this was the act of some low-level peon busybody who took it upon himself to bring his warped political views into work with him.

I agree. Seems he gave up awfully quickly before he went on to make an issue out of it. Once he spoke with someone at Dell and had an opportunity to show them that he was a legitimate business, he should have pursued this further to see what kind of response he would get rather than (pun intended) going ballastic because of fauly execution of corporate policy.

I wouldnt be surprised that the same people that were all over pilot training schools for being dumb enough to teach arabs paying cash to steer jumbo jets, are the same people who are now all over Dell on this. I would bet additionally that those most upset with Dell are those that are okay with arab profiling at airports. Assume Dell had good intention for putting up initial roadblock. Comdemn them only when its shown they refuse to sell to legitimate businesses for some political reason.

[wardaddy]

Sorry Mister Trial Lawyer Sir, but I believe in fighting fire with fire.....until such flame is extinguished. To do otherwise is foolhardy. If we Conservatives exploited the talents of your comrades the same as the liberals do, I would wager that tort reform would indeed come about in short order.

BTW, I happen to like some divorce, criminal, and tax and corporate lawyers as a rule.....and have enjoyed their most needed services on occasion.

[Chemist_Geek]

How funny, you guys piss and moan whenever a liberal files a suit, but when it happens to a conservative, "sue them".

"What's good for the goose is good for the gander."
"Hoisted by their own petard."
"The shoe doesn't fit so well on the other foot?"

Shall I continue? When the liberals end their social engineering efforts and end-runs around the legislature via the courts, then and only then I will say that the courts aren't a valid avenue for conservatives too.

[snippy_about_it]

lol! You are clever.

[Humidston]

Bump from a Dell user. Please let us know what they have to say before I start FReeping.

[Dead Corpse]

Another Bump from a tech who sometimes does contract work at Dell. Watching this closely. I've met Mr. Dell and he doesn't seem the type that would condone this.