the day dell refused to sell a computer

[cosborn72]

UPDATE: I have talked with Dell, and they are going to sell the computer to me. The issue had less to do with the OS and more to do with a mis-inderstanding with the original order taker.
I did have to order it through the home section of their order department, but I was able to place the order with a business card and received my tax exemption.

Despite the small bump, Dell's customer service has been good, and I plan on buying more computers from them in the future. Assuming they continue to embrace open source!
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I had a surreal experience with Dell today.

My boss asked me to order a new computer for our small, non-profit business. Wanting to support Dell in their decision to sell computers with Ubuntu installed, I decided to order one.

First, I talked to a small business representative, who informed me that I could not order one of the Ubuntu-based computers through the small business department. I had to go through the "home and home office" department.

I called the Home office department. I asked the representative if I could buy one of the ubuntu computers for my company. She said (and I quote), "these Dell computers are designed for personal use only, as long as you use it for personal use, you can purchase one."

So I lied and said I would....

Next, I tried to buy it on our business credit card. They would have none of that. She told me that I had to buy it through a personal card. Now, as a non-proft, our business does not pay sales tax (10% in Tennessee). Had I bought it with my own card, I would have had to pay tax (~$90), which my company would not have reimbursed me for. So.....no Dell today.

I really wanted to support Dell and I am just blown away that they would REFUSE MY MONEY because I was buying it to use for a business. What company goes around telling its customers how they can use their products? What business model does that fall under?

More importantly, are they really supporting Ubuntu and Linux? They didn't seem too supportive to me.

[blah blah blah]

Supporting a small business must be different from supporting a home user.

[Spike-X]

What company goes around telling its customers how they can use their products?

Where have you been for the last few years? Bought a DVD lately?

[the.dark.lord]

Where have you been for the last few years? Bought a DVD lately?

That's really annoying, isn't it?

cosborn, why don't you get a System76?

[FuturePilot]

So why are they for personal use only? Do they not have faith in Linux?

[PatrickMay16]

Sucks... Oh well, sucks for Dell too, since I'm sure System76 won't refuse your money, right? Heh heh heh heh heh heh.

[steven8]

So why are they for personal use only? Do they not have faith in Linux?

The thing to do is call and see if any of the windows-based computers are for home use only, or if they can all be purchased for either. If they can all be purchased for either, ask for a reason.

[yabbadabbadont]

Submit your story to Slashdot or Digg. If it gets picked up, you will probaby find out that the "peons" manning the phones "misspoke" the official policy. That's what happened the last time when someone was denied the ability to purchase the extended hardware warranty.

[Al Fairclough]

Yes, I agree with yabbadabbadont . Somebody has their priorities backwards. Talk with a manager and ask why Dell is refusing to sell you a computer. If that doesn't work, go over his or her head. Remember, crap always flows downhill.

[macogw]

It's probably because they want you to buy the more expensive Novell SLED workstations if you're a business.