Dell refunds €77 for removing Vista Basic and Works 8.

Oracle

Great News! Someone just got a refund of €77.53 (15% of total order price) from Dell Germany for removing Vista Basic and Works 8 from their new Dell computer: http://linux.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/03/25/1944209&from=rss Of course he installed Ubuntu instead; good choice!

There was another man last year who did the same thing. But this time it was even easier- it just took 2 emails for him to get his refund, and one of the emails was giving his bank details.

I definitely intend trying this if I get a new PC. I'd rather get the refund than have Linux pre-installed. Something tells me if it was pre-installed prices wouldn't go down by 15%.

**I've already posted this on the Unix forum: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055071596
I think it's also a bargain alert for anyone who's willing to try Linux. **

HelterSkelter

DO you know how much they will give back for Works on it's own?

Oracle

The person in the article got back these amounts:
EUR 42.29 for Windows Vista Home Basic
EUR 35.24 for Works 8.0

All the details are on his blog: http://www.thealternative.ch/tiki-index.php?page=Software-Refund-en

Also Boards poster Macros42 on the Unix thread has a few suggestions on how to go about getting Works/Office discounts: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055071596

Iristxo

Well, I don't know much about computers or software myself by have been told by a couple of friends that I am much better off WITHOUT Vista. They said to me that it slows down the computer something terrible and that it is always checking for "copyrights" etc, making it difficult for you to copy cds, dvds, downloading stuff and the like. They also tell me that it makes the system really unstable (well this is Microsoft, what else is new, says you).

But as I mentioned, this is what I have been told and I don't really know much about it myself so I stand to be correceted here of course!

Sir Oxman

That is an excellent bargain alert!
I wonder does it apply to Dell Ireland? (I presume it does)

Sponge Bob

It would . yes. Its an EU wide right.

We would get even more back because our VAT is higher than Germanys at 21% against 19% .

jrey1981

Yeah my friend got vista on her Dell laptop and it's appalling.

Sir Oxman

Sponge Bob wrote:

It would . yes. Its an EU wide right.

We would get even more back because our VAT is higher than Germanys at 21% against 19% .

Very good news for Dell buyers then.

Oracle

The reported refund is for Vista Basic, a lot of Dells now come with Vista Premium. It's more expensive so it's probably worth more on the refund.

The other great advantage of this idea is that formatting the hard drive not only removes Vista and Works but also all the other unwanted software Dell put on their new computers (for example, trial versions of anti-virus, Office and photo editing software, plus the branded media centre and support software.)

If there's anyone buying a Dell, who's interested in seeking a refund and using a different Operating System (i.e Linux), PM me if you want some help. Alternatively the (very helpful) Unix forum is the place to go: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=32

Sir Oxman

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6506027.stm

As a footnote, Dell are now going to offer Linux on their systems...

gerryo

Oracle wrote:

If there's anyone buying a Dell, who's interested in seeking a refund and using a different Operating System (i.e Linux), PM me if you want some help. Alternatively the (very helpful) Unix forum is the place to go: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=32

I was considering buying a Dell, but was put off by Vista.
I've deferred the purchase for a few more months, don't really need it now, but it would be great if I could just put Ubuntu on it & save the cost of Vista & Works, I use Openoffice.

How does this affect the warranty, or does it?

Akula

Anybody gotten dell ireland to give them this?

The problem is it means phoning them which makes it more difficult to get the epp discount.

Oracle

gerryo wrote:

I was considering buying a Dell, but was put off by Vista.
I've deferred the purchase for a few more months, don't really need it now, but it would be great if I could just put Ubuntu on it & save the cost of Vista & Works, I use Openoffice.
How does this affect the warranty, or does it?

If you want to put Ubuntu on I'd suggest becoming familiar with it first and trying it on your WIndows system in a dual boot configuration. That's if you're not already familiar with Linux.
Regarding warranty installing Linux shouldn't affect the warranty, Dell make computer hardware so if it's a hardware issue they should support it. This is taken from the Direct2Dell blog (quote applies to notebooks but there's no reason it shouldn't apply to desktops as well) at http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/category/1021.aspx :

"If you buy a Dell notebook and run Linux on it, does Dell's hardware warranty still apply? Absolutely. You'll need to demonstrate you're having a hardware problem using the Dell Diagnostics CD.
Will Dell (today) provide full Linux software support for that system? No. You'll be counting on a community support model for software issues, but many people are already a part of that global community and it suits them just fine"

Akula wrote:

Anybody gotten dell ireland to give them this?
The problem is it means phoning them which makes it more difficult to get the epp discount.

Good question Akula, not that I know of, if anyone has tried and either got it or not I'd like to know. I'd ask anyone who is going to try, or has tried to PM me and I'll keep a tally of the successes or otherwise, and I'll post the updates here. Also I think you don't necessarily need to phone them at all. See the links in the post above. The German Dell customer got his refund with 2 emails. So I'm sure you can get your EPP discount via EPP web site and still ask for your Vista and Works refund.

Here's the text of the 2 emails this Dell customer sent and the replies (includes a couple of comments from him as well) :

Client
Hello
I received the machine, the ordering went flawlessly. Thank you! :-) Unfortunately, it was not possible to order/buy the machine without Windows Vista. I do not need Windows Vista and would like to make use of my right to return it. I declined the license and have formatted the PC. So, the conditions as designated in the Dell/Vista-license are fulfilled
and I would like to get the purchase price for Windows Vista Home Basic refunded. Please inform me about how to proceed further. Thank you!

Dell
Thank you for your email.
As you do not want the Windows Vista operating system, we will refund you the purchase price you paid for it (ca. 42.29 Euro gross). I would like to ask you to send me your bank details that I can mark the payment in our system. I need:
your name:
bank name:
city (of bank):
bank code:
account no:
The money should be paid back within one week.

Encouraged by such a prompt, unbureaucratic and above all positive answer, I sent my banking details and asked about giving back the Works-CD as well.

client
Thank you very much for the prompt and unbureacratic reply. I feel positively confirmed to have made another purchase with Dell. My bank details are:
>your name:xxx
>bank name:xxx
>city (of bank):xxx
>bank code:xxx
>account no:xxx
Is the Works package, which I also do not use, offered for free by Microsoft? If not, could we include this also. I can return the sealed CD or destroy it.
Thank you for your help!
Best regards xxx

The next answer (only two lines!) really exceeded my expectations. Kudos to Dell Support!

Dell
Thank you for your reply. MS Works will also be refunded. It should take max. one week for the money to reach your account. I am at your disposal for further questions.

He used the Dell web site Customer Support Email form, the Irish version is here: http://support.euro.dell.com/support/emailcustomercare/emea/index.aspx?c=ie&l=en&s=gen
Full details: http://www.thealternative.ch/tiki-index.php?page=Software-Refund-en

gerryo

Oracle wrote:

If you want to put Ubuntu on I'd suggest becoming familiar with it first and trying it on your WIndows system in a dual boot configuration. That's if you're not already familiar with Linux.

I'm well OK with Linux & especially Ubuntu, so no worries there. Thanks
I had a concern Dell would "orphan" the machine if it did not have Vista on, I don't think they are able to offer support for Linux, but I don't need any really.

Have just bought a new monitor + memory, so will defer the Dell purchase until after the summer (or later), but if anybody does go down the road of getting SW refunds, please post here, good or bad results!

zod

On the Dell website here : http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/results.aspx/desktops?c=ie&cs=iedhs1&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn

both the Dimension C521 and the E520 are advertised as "from €349 including VAT and delivery" .. can anyone see how you configure them to that price .. would make them very cheap linux boxes with this €77 'discount' !

Oracle

I couldn't find that price from that page, but I did find it elsewhere on the Dell site: http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?b=&c=ie&cs=iedhs1&kc=DFS00001&l=en&oc=D04C15&rbc=D04C15&s=dhs&sbc=iedhsftdppdesktop1
The catch is there's no monitor with that deal.
It's €329 with EPP discount: http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?b=&c=ie&cs=ieepp1&kc=DFS00001&l=en&oc=D04C15&rbc=D04C15&s=dhs&sbc=iedhsftdppdesktop1

So that would be €252, if you get the refund!

gary the great

I emailed Dell over the weekend about this and theyjust rang me to tell me that Works is free and all the PC’s are sold with an OS which happens to be vista and that. Unfortunatly they don’t do refunds for the operating system

Anyone else try? It’s a pity really.

MjM

I just tried this today with MS Works and I got refused, here's there response:

Thank you for contacting Dell Online Customer Care.

Unfortunately Dell will not be refunding you for Microsoft Works as this came as standard with your computer.


If you wish to purchase MS Office 2007 you can do so by contacting our part sales team on: 1800 625139 who will be able to assist you further with this purchase.

If you have any further queries please do not hesitate in responding directly to this mail and I will be glad to assist you further.

Heres what I said to them first:

Hello,
I recently learned of a Dell customer in Germany who received a refund from Dell for software he was not using, namely Windows Vista and Microsoft Works. I myself do not use Microsoft Works and I would like to receive a refund for it as I am going to purchase Microsoft Office 2007. I have not opened the Microsoft Works 8.5 CD and i have uninstalled Microsoft Works from my PC.

Thanks

They tried ringing me too although I couldn't answer because i was at work. So much for the refunds.:(

testicle

You need to reply.....

It may have come as standard, but you paid a license for them. AS you have removed them, you want your money back

zod

surely the OCDA would know this ?

About ODCA
The Director of Consumer Affairs is an independent statutory officer, responsible for providing advice and information to consumers, the regulation of credit intermediaries, the licensing of pawnbrokers and the enforcement of a wide range of consumer protection legislation. This includes misleading advertising, misleading price indications, price display order, product pricing, food labelling, footwear and textile labelling, product safety, E-commerce, distance selling, package travel, unfair contract terms and timeshare.

You may contact this Office about false or misleading claims about goods, services and prices and we will investigate the matter. The role of the Office is to give information and guidance to consumers on their statutory rights. The Office does not intervene or become involved in individual issues or disputes between consumers and sellers of goods or service providers.

they can be emailed here : odca@entemp.ie