Dell Proves a Bit Gun-Shy

Wired ^ | Feb. 28, 2002 | Declan McCullagh

[the]

WASHINGTON -- Dell Computers is under fire from gun aficionados after it refused to sell a laptop to a handgun maker.

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.

[the]

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[Nitro]

Hey Dude, you aint getting a Dell!!

[the]

Larry Pratt, the president of Gun Owners of America, said Dell's nervousness is part of a growing trend that treats gun owners as second-class citizens.

Heck, it's even in the dictionary. Check it out on Dictionary.com, definition #2.

[the]

Dude! You're gettin' a boycott!

[rface]

Dell wanted to send Weigand a free Inspiron 4100 -- which starts at $1,100 -- as compensation for his troubles. But Weigand won't take it, saying that people might think he caused a fuss just to save some cash.

"They offered the free machine and I declined," he said.

good article...

[Nitro]

I already hated them because of that greasy looking slack-jawed idiot on the commercials, but this has absolutely sealed their fate!!

Sell Dell short immediately!!

[4CJ]

Dell wanted to send Weigand a free Inspiron 4100 -- which starts at $1,100 -- as compensation for his troubles. But Weigand won't take it, saying that people might think he caused a fuss just to save some cash.

Kudos to Mr. Weigand.

[taxtruth]

LOL!Good post!

[arly]

Glad to hear this I am in the Market for a computer... guess what Dude it wont be a dell!...

[rface]

from Weigand Combat Handguns Inc.

Update 2/27/02

After fielding hundreds of emails and dozens of phone calls today my heart felt thanks to all who responded.

I was contacted by a Dell representative this morning a Mr. John Hood. John made the following remarks...... He extended Dells sincerest apologies for the incident. He said Dell would review and possibly change the screening policies to prevent this from happening again.

Dell offered to ship the machine I ordered to me at no charge, I respectfully declined the offer.

John told me he would have a statement sent to me sometime Thursday morning the 28th stating Dells position on this issue for me to post here for all to see. I will post the statement as soon as I receive it.

I thank the Firearms community as a family for being so willing to come to my aid.

God Bless
Jack Weigand
President
Weigand Combat Handguns Inc.

[the]

Thanks! I hope to make this meme stick!

Dude! You're gettin' a boycott!

Repetition helps ;-)

[MississippiMan]

I believe this was either an honest snafu as Dell has stated, or else a misguided liberal within the company. In either case, it's ridiculous to continue to beat the company up after they've retreated and offered the guy a free notebook. I'd take that free notebook in a heartbeat. Who among us has not made a glaring error or two in our lifetimes? It took far more courage for them to speak up as they did once the media spotlight was on them than it would have to have stuck by their silly decision. Give 'em a break.

MM

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

." "Export laws apply domestically"

OH, they do? Well, I guess I won't be "importing" any DELL products to Alaska anytime in the near future (20-30 years)!

They probably don't want me as a customer, anyway, since I own (gasp!) GUNS

[Registered]

[the]

But I want more than that from Dell.

I want Dell to publicly take a stand for freedom & liberty.

I want Dell to not hide behind an EXPORT regulation as an excuse for not selling a computer to someone in Pennsylvania!

It is. as a company, lying, spinning and back-pedaling on this.

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

In the interest of full disclosure, how much DELL stock do you own?

[the]

Oops, I blew a comma there. "It is." should be "It is,"

[Cyber Liberty]

Dell is a fairly good-sized computer distributer at the tender mercies of government bureaucrats. Do you really expect them to sound off like a bunch of FReepers?

[SaveTheChief]

So.... Does anyone want to buy a Dell Inspiron 4000? I don't want it anymore.