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[B'z-chan]

As some of you know i've been in the market recently for a laptop. I found out i could get everything i wanted for around 1500 bucks with this model. So i'm about to order here. When i thought that it would be easier to pay monthly payments on the laptop. It would work out to $41 bucks a month, but i'm having a hard time understanding the terms of the contract. Do i only have to pay 41 bucks a month for the 24 month loan? Plus interest? If so is it a good idea at all still if i have to pay 80 bucks a month for 24 months?

I dont have perfect credit and i cant get the no interest till 2006, so i'm now worried if i should get this at all or not. I'm trying to save the 1grand from my grant so i can spread it around a little to help me out in other areas.

So should i sell my soul?

 

[Iceman]

BTW, you should probably call them to work out the specifics of the payment schedule.

 

[Megafoo Chavez]

Dude, don't buy a computer

 

[Tarazet]

As some of you know i've been in the market recently for a laptop. I found out i could get everything i wanted for around 1500 bucks with this model. So i'm about to order here. When i thought that it would be easier to pay monthly payments on the laptop. It would work out to $41 bucks a month, but i'm having a hard time understanding the terms of the contract. Do i only have to pay 41 bucks a month for the 24 month loan? Plus interest? If so is it a good idea at all still if i have to pay 80 bucks a month for 24 months?

I dont have perfect credit and i cant get the no interest till 2006, so i'm now worried if i should get this at all or not. I'm trying to save the 1grand from my grant so i can spread it around a little to help me out in other areas.

So should i sell my soul?

I'm pretty sure the term is higher than 24 months if you're looking at a $41 payment. You're almost certainly looking at a 36-month term, or else it's a 48-month term with a very high interest rate. Double-check and post again..

 

[theo]

i have had an inspiron 5150 for about a year and a half now. i'm very happy with it. worlds better than the compaq i had before it.

 

[cloudwalking]

Save up for the computer and pay it all off at once when you have the money. Sure, you don't get the computer right away, but you'll save money in the long run. Really, $1500 shouldn't be too hard to save up if you just put away a little at a time, even.

Unless you need the computer immediately, then I'd just take your time and save for it. That's what I ended up doing with my computer and I'm really glad I did.

 

[B'z-chan]

its a Variable Interest Rate, and doesnt tell me if it is annual or monthly. I've heard a lot of horror stories saying that its monthly. Which means it will fluctuate. Its a 34 month payment plan also. At least thats the schedual i got. And they still wont tell you the interest. Which makes me even more cautious cause i dont want to fuck with my credit.

 

[maharg]

Keep in mind 2 things regarding financing:
- You're paying most of the interest at the front end (google for amortization schedule to see how it works out) so even if you buy out early, you're still probably going to have to pay off most of the principal.
- Dell only lets you buy out completely or not at all. You can't advance pay principal above and beyond your point in the amortization schedule.

Odds are you might end up paying about half again the cost of the laptop in interest.


What? A variable interest rate? I really really doubt that. I'd be shocked even. And they can't not tell you the interest rate, that'd be illegal. If it were really variable it'd probably be something like Prime + 2% or Prime + 3%, but they can't just save telling you until after you've agreed.

You might be confusing an amortization schedule (where your payments go gradually from all interest to all principal) with a variable interest rate. Again, you might want to google for it.

 

[Tarazet]

its a Variable Interest Rate, and doesnt tell me if it is annual or monthly. I've heard a lot of horror stories saying that its monthly. Which means it will fluctuate. Its a 34 month payment plan also. At least thats the schedual i got. And they still wont tell you the interest. Which makes me even more cautious cause i dont want to fuck with my credit.

There are far too many unknowns here. I'll bet you anything that the $41 figure does not include interest. That's probably what you'd pay with no-interest until 2006. (Then you'd get hammered with a higher payment, btw.) Call them up, and if they can't give you straight answers:

 

[cloudwalking]

Odds are you might end up paying about half again the cost of the laptop in interest.

Yep, that was the big killer for me... I was just about to pay for my computer through financing, but when I did the math I would have ended up paying insane amounts of interest.

Unless you need the computer right now, I wouldn't do it.

 

[nitewulf]

i usually always recommend dell, but my friend recently ordered an Acer from newegg which was far cheaper and included better components. Personally i dont like Acers though, my first pentium was an Acer and it ran at far below the standard speed, Dells on the other hand have fantastic performance numbers.

 

[B'z-chan]

Buy Online or Call 1-800-915-3355
USA

Home & Home Office

Limited Warranty





Dell Preferred Account Preliminary Credit Agreement





DELL PREFERRED ACCOUNT PRELIMINARY CREDIT AGREEMENT

Offered by CIT Bank and serviced by Dell Financial Services

NOTICE: This Preliminary Credit Agreement contains an arbitration provision. Under this arbitration provision, you may be required to settle any dispute with CIT Bank, Dell Financial Services and others through arbitration and not through a court proceeding.

Definitions. In this Agreement, the words "you" and "your" mean the person who applied for this Dell Preferred Account. The words "we," "us," and "our" mean CIT Bank, who is the lender. "Account" means your Dell Preferred Account, which will be governed by this Agreement. Dell Financial Services will service your Account for CIT Bank.

Use of Your Account. Your use of the open-end credit offered pursuant to this Agreement, or its use by anyone you authorize, shall constitute acceptance of the terms of this Agreement and the Arbitration provision contained in this Agreement. Your use of the Account also acknowledges that you are of legal age to enter into a binding agreement with us.

Billing Period. A Billing Period is the interval between monthly billing statements. The Statement Closing Date is the last day of the billing period for that statement.

Payment. You promise to pay us for all purchases charged to your Account plus any Finance Charge and any other charges, including applicable fees, that may be assessed as provided in this Agreement. You promise to pay at least the Total Minimum Payment Due as shown on your billing statement each month by the Payment Due Date. We will advise you of your Payment Due Date each month on your billing statement. Your Payment Due Date is 25 days from the Statement Closing Date. Your Total Minimum Payment Due will include the Current Month Minimum Payment and all past due amounts. Your Current Month Minimum Payment is the greater of $15.00 or 3% of the New Balance shown on your billing statement, rounded up to the next dollar. The Current Month Minimum Payment Due does not include any amount in an unexpired Promotional Credit Plan that does not require a monthly payment. Your Total Minimum Payment Due will include the Current Month Minimum Payment and all past due amounts. At any time we can require you to pay all amounts by which your balance exceeds your Credit Limit. You may pay all or any part of your balance at any time without penalty.

When Periodic Finance Charge Is Imposed. The Finance Charge on purchases will begin with shipment of the product. However, you will not have to pay Finance Charges on a purchase if you pay the New Balance in full by the Payment Due Date as shown on the first billing statement on which your purchase appears. Finance Charges for the purchase will accrue from the date of shipment, but will not be reflected on the first billing statement on which your purchase appears. Accrued Finance Charges from the date of shipment will be shown on your next billing statement if you do not pay the New Balance shown on this first billing statement in full by the Payment Due Date. In addition, from time to time we may offer special promotions, such as some of those described below, which would let you repay certain purchases over a longer period of time and avoid Finance Charges.

Periodic Finance Charge. We figure the "Finance Charge" on your Account for any billing period by applying the Daily Periodic Rate to the Average Daily Balance of your Account (including current transactions) and multiplying the result by the number of days in the billing period. To determine your "Average Daily Balance", we calculate a new balance each day of the billing period for each separate credit plan that is part of your Account. For each credit plan we do the following: We take the previous balance each day, which includes any billed, but unpaid Finance Charges, Late Payment Fees and other fees, add any new purchases or charges, and subtract any payments or other credits. Then, we add up all the new balances for the billing period, and divide the total by the number of days in the billing period. This gives us the Average Daily Balance for each separate credit plan that is part of your Account. The Average Daily Balance computation results in the compounding of interest on your Account, and you agree that we may compound interest on your Account. The minimum FINANCE CHARGE imposed on any billing statement for which a periodic Finance Charge is imposed is $1.00.

Periodic Rates. The Daily Periodic Rates and the corresponding Annual Percentage Rates are variable rates and may change each month. The Standard Corresponding Annual Percentage Rate that initially applies to your Account is determined by adding a Margin to the Index. The Index is the Prime Rate as published in the "Money Rates" table of The Wall Street Journal on the last business day of each month (the "Change Date"). Any change in the Index will cause the corresponding Annual Percentage Rates to be adjusted as of the first day of your billing period that begins in the following month. The Standard Corresponding ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE will not be less than 7.99%.

If you fail to make a required payment and do not make that required payment by your next Payment Due Date or if you exceed your Credit Limit, your Account may be placed into Default Rate status. When an Account is placed into Default Rate status, all Promotional Credit Plans will automatically expire, all accrued Finance Charges in these plans will be added to your Account, and a higher corresponding Annual Percentage Rate will be applied to all balances in your Account. This Default Corresponding Annual Percentage Rate will be determined by adding a Default Margin to the Index. The Default Margin, current Default Annual Percentage Rate and current Default Daily Periodic Rate will be shown on your final Credit Agreement. The current Default Annual Percentage Rate will not be more than 4.0 percentage points above the current Standard Annual Percentage Rate. Not withstanding the prior sentence, the Default Corresponding ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE will not be less than 16.99%.

The Standard and Default Daily Periodic Rates are determined by dividing the Standard and the Default Corresponding Annual Percentage Rates by 1/365th (1/366th in a leap year).

The current Standard Corresponding Annual Percentage Rate is the rate that appeared on the previous Credit Approval page. This current Standard Corresponding Annual Percentage Rate, the current Default Corresponding Annual Percentage Rate, the current Standard and Default Daily Periodic Rates, the Margin and the Default Margin that will apply to your Account will be contained in the final Dell Preferred Account Credit Agreement that will be mailed to you.

Promotional Credit Plans. In addition to purchases that accrue Finance Charges and require monthly payments as described previously in this Agreement, Promotional Credit Plans may be offered from time to time on specific purchases for qualified buyers. Purchases made under these Promotional Credit Plans may have different finance charge calculations and required minimum payments. A Promotional Credit Plan is strictly limited by its terms and the terms and conditions of the special promotion to which it relates. In addition, the benefits of a Promotional Credit Plan will expire and all accrued Finance Charges in these plans will be added to your Account if you fail to make any required payment on your Account when due. The special promotions that may be offered include: Same as Cash (SAC) Plan - If you pay the entire purchase price before the expiration date of the promotion, as indicated on your billing statement, no Finance Charges will be imposed on the purchase. In addition, balances in this plan will not be included in calculating the required Current Month Minimum Payment during the promotional period. If the entire purchase price is not paid before the expiration date, Finance Charges from the date of shipment will be added to your Account at the end of the promotion period. Because payments are generally applied to Same as Cash Plan purchases last, you will have to pay the entire New Balance to avoid additional Finance Charges. We may offer promotion periods of 60, 90, 120, or 180 days, or promotion periods of different lengths that we will announce from time to time.
No Interest Credit Plan - If you pay the full purchase price before the expiration date of the promotion, as indicated on your billing statement, and pay the Minimum Payment Due each billing period when due, no Finance Charges will be imposed on the purchase. If such payments are not made, Finance Charges from the date of shipment will be added to your Account either when you fail to make a payment during the promotion period or at the end of the promotion period. Because payments are generally applied to No Interest Credit Plan purchases last, you will have to pay the entire New Balance to avoid additional Finance Charges. We may offer promotion periods of 60, 90, 120, or 180 days, or promotion periods of different lengths that we will announce from time to time.
Deferred Payment Credit Plan - Balances in this plan will not be included in calculating the required Current Month Minimum Payment during the deferred payment period. You will not be required to make payments on your purchase (or your entire balance, depending on which promotion we offer), but Finance Charges will accrue during the deferred payment period in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. We will announce the length of the deferment period when we offer this promotion.
Same as Cash/No Interest Credit Plan - During the promotion period, no Finance Charges will accrue on your purchase. In addition, balances in this plan will not be included in calculating the required Current Month Minimum Payment during the promotional period. We may offer promotion periods of 60, 90, 120, or 180 days, or promotion periods of different lengths that we will announce from time to time.
Promotional Rate Plans - We may offer Promotional Rate Plans with promotional periods of 60, 90, 120, or 180 days, or promotion periods of different lengths that we will announce from time to time for a specified number of days.



Credit Limit. Your "Credit Limit" on your Account will be shown on your billing statement. You, not we, are responsible for preventing the balance on your Account from exceeding the Credit Limit. You agree not to make any purchases that would make the unpaid balance on your Account exceed your Credit Limit. If you exceed your Credit Limit, we may require you to immediately pay the excess, plus Finance Charges and an Overlimit Fee, as described below. You also agree that we may increase or lower your Credit Limit at any time. If your balance exceeds your Credit Limit, your Annual Percentage Rate may also increase.

Charges. The following fees, when imposed, will be added to your balance. The following amounts are our current fee charges. We reserve the right to change the fee schedule from time to time and, if we do so, we will give you any notice required by law. You may call Customer Service for a current fee schedule. If you fail to pay us the Total Minimum Payment Due in full by the Payment Due Date on your billing statement, you agree to pay a Late Payment Fee of $29.00.
An Overlimit Fee in the amount of $25.00 will be imposed for any billing period in which your balance (which includes Finance Charges and any fees) exceeds the Credit Limit on your Account.
A Not Sufficient Funds Fee in the amount of $25.00 will be imposed if your bank returns your check or payment instrument to us unpaid, or will not honor your direct debit, or we cannot process such payment, for any reason. You will incur this Not Sufficient Funds Fee even if your payment is later honored by your bank upon subsequent presentment.
Miscellaneous Fees may be imposed, including a charge for copies of billing statements that we are not required by law to furnish you without charge. The rates are: research time $15.00 per hour and billing statements $4.00 per copy.
A Phone Pay Fee in the amount of $10.00 may be imposed for processing a debit from your checking account over the telephone. This fee is considered a



Statements. We will send you a billing statement for each monthly billing period as required by law. You agree to notify us if you do not receive any particular billing statement.

Form of Payment. All payments must be in U.S. Dollars, and be made by check, money order, electronic funds transfer or such other means as we may expressly permit. Do not send cash. Any payment made using a check or draft may not be processed or applied to your Account if it is postdated; incomplete (such as when a signature is missing); the numeric amount is different than the written amount; or it is not made payable in accordance with the instructions on your billing statement. All credits for payments on your Account are subject to final payment by the institution on which the item of payment was drawn.

Generally, we will not accept any payment that is not drawn either on a financial institution located in the U.S. or the U.S. Post Office. If we do, we may charge you any bank collection fees we incur. We can accept late or partial payments, and payments that are marked with restrictive endorsements such as "payment in full," without losing any of our rights.

Application of Payments. In our sole discretion, we will decide how to apply the payments on your Account. Although we apply payments as of the date we receive them if they are paid in accordance with this Agreement and the instructions on the billing statement, your available Credit Limit may not reflect credit for your payment for up to ten days after we receive your payment. In some circumstances, restoring your total available credit may be further delayed.

Default. Your Account will be in default if: (1) you exceed the Credit Limit in effect on your Account; (2) you fail to pay when due any amount owed under this Agreement; (3) you fail to pay any of your debts to other creditors as they become due; or (4) you made any misrepresentations to us in applying for credit. If you are in default we may require you to pay the total outstanding balance on your Account immediately. We do not have to notify you or demand payment in order to take this action. As described below under Account Cancellation, we can cancel or suspend your right to charge additional purchases to your Account at any time.

Collection Costs and Attorney Fees. As permitted by law, you agree to pay all reasonable attorney fees, court costs and other collection costs actually incurred by us in the collection of any amounts you owe us under this Agreement or which are incurred by us in the event of your bankruptcy or insolvency.

SECURITY INTEREST. To the extent permitted by applicable law, you hereby grant to us and we are retaining a purchase money security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code in the merchandise purchased on your Account until such merchandise is paid for in full. You agree to assist us in executing any documents necessary to perfect our security interest. If you do not make a minimum payment due on your account by the date on which it is due, we may repossess any merchandise that has not been paid for in full.

Account Cancellation. You may cancel your Account at any time by notifying us in writing. We may at any time and for any reason, without prior notice, refuse to authorize any purchase on your Account, or suspend your Account and your right to use your Account. In addition, we may at any time and for any reason, without prior notice, cancel your Account. Upon cancellation, we may require you to pay the full outstanding balance of your Account. No cancellation or suspension of your Account will affect your obligation to pay any amount you owe us under this Agreement. You agree that you will not try to make a purchase after you have been notified that your Account has been cancelled.

Final Agreement. This Agreement is a final expression of the agreement between you and us and may not be contradicted by evidence of any alleged oral agreement.

Amendments to This Agreement. We may change or terminate the terms in this Agreement or the services or features of your Account (including increasing your Finance Charges) at any time. We may also add new terms to this Agreement or services and features to your Account. Any change in terms or any new terms may apply to any outstanding balance as well as on subsequent transactions and balances. To the extent required by law, we will notify you in advance of any changes in terms or any new terms by mailing a notice to you at your address as shown on our records.

Assignment of Account. We may sell or transfer your Account or any amounts owed on your Account to another person at any time without prior notice to you. If we assign your Account, this Agreement will still be in effect and any successor will have our rights in this Agreement to the extent assigned. You shall not have any right to transfer your Account or assign this Agreement to anyone.

Telephone Monitoring. Your telephone communications with us may be monitored and recorded, in accordance with applicable law, to improve customer service and security.

Change of Address. If you move or change your billing address or e-mail address, you agree to notify us of your new address in writing or online at www.dellfinancialservices.com.

Authorized Users. You may authorize the use of your Account by another person. You will be liable for all use by such a person, and you agree to pay all amounts incurred by the use of your Account that are made by you or anyone whom you authorized to use your Account.

Liability for Unauthorized Use. You may be liable for the unauthorized use of your Account. You agree to notify us immediately upon learning of the possible unauthorized use of your Account. You will not be liable for unauthorized use that occurs after you notify us verbally or in writing. You shall notify us of unauthorized use of your Account, in writing, at: Dell Preferred Account
Attn: Security Department
12234 North I.H. 35B
Austin, Texas 78753-1705

Unauthorized use does not include use by a person to whom you have given authority to use the Account.

Credit Investigation and Reporting. You agree that we may investigate your credit in connection with the initial extension, review, or collection of your Account. You agree that we may examine employment and income records and verify your credit references and also may report to credit reporting agencies, merchants, and other creditors the status and payment history of your Account.

Delay in Taking Action. We will not lose any of our rights under this Agreement if we delay taking action for any reason. To the extent allowed by law, we may take other action not described in this Agreement, and by doing so will not lose our rights under this Agreement.

Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is found to be unenforceable, all other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Applicable Law. The laws of the United States of America, including the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. Sections 1-16 (the "FAA"), and the laws of the State of Utah apply to and govern this Agreement and your use of your Account.

Limitation on Product Claims. You agree that with respect to any purchase financed by the use of this Account: (1) you will select each product you purchase; (2) we are only financing the purchases at your request; (3) we do not directly or indirectly offer, sell, select, or provide any products you purchase; and (4) we are not a seller, supplier, merchant, or warrantor. Consequently, except as otherwise provided in the Notice below as required by 16 CFR 433.2, you agree that claims relating to your purchases, including any defect or warranty related to the purchases, are not our responsibility.

NOTICE

ANY HOLDER OF THIS CONSUMER CREDIT CONTRACT IS SUBJECT TO ALL CLAIMS AND DEFENSES WHICH THE DEBTOR COULD ASSERT AGAINST THE SELLER OF GOODS OR SERVICES OBTAINED WITH THE PROCEEDS HEREOF. RECOVERY HEREUNDER BY THE DEBTOR SHALL NOT EXCEED AMOUNTS PAID BY THE DEBTOR HEREUNDER.

Arbitration. Any claim, dispute or controversy (whether based upon contract; tort, intentional or otherwise; constitution; statute; common law; or equity and whether pre-existing, present or future), including initial claims, counter-claims, cross-claims and third party claims, arising from or relating to this Agreement or the relationships which result from this Agreement, including the validity or enforceability of this arbitration clause, any part thereof or the entire Agreement ("Claim") shall be resolved, upon the election of either you or us, by binding arbitration pursuant to this arbitration provision and the applicable rules or procedures of the arbitration administrator selected at the time the Claim is filed. The party initially requesting that a Claim be settled by arbitration shall have the right to select one of the following three arbitration administrators: the National Arbitration Forum ("NAF"), the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") or JAMS.

For the purposes of this arbitration provision, "us" shall refer to CIT Bank, the servicer for the Account, which is currently Dell Financial Services, LP, and any assignee or purchaser of the Account or any receivables arising from your use of the Account.

Any arbitration pursuant to this provision may be resolved without a hearing, if permitted by the rules of the arbitration administrator. If a hearing is held, it shall take place within the federal judicial district in which you live or at such other location as agreed by the parties. The party initiating arbitration must pay the filing fee. If you initiate arbitration, you may seek a waiver of the filing fee and any other charges of the arbitration administrator under the applicable rules of the arbitration administrator. If you seek, but do not qualify for such a waiver, upon written request we will advance 50% of the filing fee and any other charges of the arbitration administrator. Each party shall be responsible for payment of their own attorney fees, witness fees and similar expenses. However, where authorized by applicable law, the arbitrator's award may include attorney fees and the full cost of arbitration.

The arbitrator shall apply applicable substantive law consistent with the FAA and provide written reasoned findings of fact and conclusions of law. Judgment upon the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. The non-prevailing party may appeal under the rules of the applicable arbitration administrator to a three-arbitrator panel. The party making the appeal shall pay all costs of the arbitration administrator related to the appeal.

This arbitration provision shall survive termination of your Account as well as the repayment of all amounts you owe under the Agreement. If any portion of this arbitration provision is deemed invalid or unenforceable under any law or statute consistent with the FAA, it shall not invalidate the remaining portions of this arbitration provision. In the event of a conflict or inconsistency between the rules and procedures of the arbitration administrator and this arbitration provision, this arbitration provision shall govern. No class actions, nor the joinder or consolidation of any Claim with the claim of any other person, is permitted under this arbitration provision without the written consent of you and us.

YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IF A CLAIM ARISES YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO SETTLE THE CLAIM THROUGH ARBITRATION AND ARE GIVING UP YOUR RIGHTS TO LITIGATE SUCH CLAIMS IN A COURT OR BEFORE A JURY OR TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION WITH RESPECT TO SUCH A CLAIM. OTHER RIGHTS THAT YOU WOULD HAVE IF YOU WENT TO COURT, SUCH AS ACCESS TO DISCOVERY, MAY ALSO BE UNAVAILABLE OR MAY BE LIMITED IN ARBITRATION.

You may contact the arbitration administrators and obtain their arbitration rules or learn how to file a Claim with NAF, AAA, or JAMS as follows: National Arbitration Forum
P.O. Box 50191
Minneapolis, MN 55405
(800) 474-2371
www.arb-forum.org

JAMS
45 Broadway
New York, NY 10005
(800) 352-5267
www.jamsadr.com

American Arbitration Association
1150 Connecticut Ave., NW. 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20036-4104
(800) 925-0155
www.adr.org



STATE SPECIFIC DISCLOSURES
As required by Utah law, you are hereby notified that a negative credit report reflecting on your credit record may be submitted to a credit reporting agency if you fail to fulfill the terms of your credit obligations.

NOTICE FOR CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS: California law requires that we inform customers that should they fail to fulfill the terms of their credit obligation, a negative report reflecting on their credit record may be submitted to a credit reporting agency. If you are married, you may apply for a separate account in your own name.

NOTICE FOR OHIO RESIDENTS: The Ohio laws against discrimination require that all creditors make credit equally available to all credit worthy customers, and that credit reporting agencies maintain separate credit histories on each individual upon request. The Ohio civil rights commission administers compliance with this law.

NOTICE FOR MARRIED WISCONSIN RESIDENTS: No provision of a marital property agreement, a unilateral statement under Sec. 766.59 Wis. Stats., or a court decree under Sec. 766.70 adversely affects the interest of the creditor unless the creditor, prior to the time the credit is granted, is furnished a copy of the agreement, statement, or decree or has actual knowledge of the adverse provision when the obligation to the creditor is incurred.

Your Billing Rights - Keep This Notice For Future Use

This notice contains important information about your rights and our responsibilities under the Fair Credit Billing Act.

Notify Us in Case of Errors or Questions About Your Bill. If you think your bill is wrong, or if you need more information about a transaction on your bill, write us on a separate sheet at Dell Preferred Account, Attn: Billing Inquiry Department, 12234 North I.H. 35B Austin, Texas 78753-1705. Write to us as soon as possible. We must receive your written inquiry no later than 60 days after we have sent you the first bill on which the error or problem has appeared. You can telephone us but doing so will not preserve your rights.

In your letter, give us the following information: Your name and Account number.
The dollar amount of the suspected error.
Describe the error and explain, if you can, why you believe there is an error; if you need more information, describe the item you are not sure about.



Your Rights And Our Responsibilities After We Receive Your Written Notice. We must acknowledge your letter within 30 days, unless we have corrected the error by then. Within 90 days, we must either correct the error or explain why we believe the bill was correct.

After we receive your letter, we cannot try to collect any amount you question, or report you as delinquent. We can continue to bill you for the amount you question, including Finance Charges, and we can apply any unpaid amount against your credit limit. You do not have to pay any questioned amount while we are investigating, but you are still obligated to pay the parts of your bill that are not in question.

If we find we made a mistake on your bill, you will not have to pay any Finance Charges related to any questioned amount. If we did not make a mistake, you may have to pay Finance Charges, and you will have to make up any missed payments on the questioned amount. In either case, we will send you a billing statement showing the amount you owe and the date that it is due.

If you fail to pay the amount that we think you owe, we may report you as delinquent. However, if our explanation does not satisfy you and you write to us within ten days telling us that you still refuse to pay, we must tell anyone we report you to that you have a question about your bill, and we must tell you the name of anyone we reported you to. When the dispute is finally settled, we will tell anyone we report you to that the dispute has been resolved.

If we do not follow these rules, we cannot collect the first $50 of the questioned amount, even if your bill was correct.

this is what they sent me about their terms of service. I really do need the laptop right now. As it would be of great help, since i dont have much time outside of being on campus.

I guess its not really worth it. 30% of 1500 bucks then the 1500 bucks. Which is a lot of money. I guess its not the best for me.

 

[Tarazet]

The Standard Corresponding ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE will not be less than 7.99%.

That's outrageous. You could try to get a better loan through your bank, or a credit union, or a student loan...

 

[mrroboto]

dude i financed a dell and i would have rather been ass raped by satan himself rather than the absolute nightmare i had to put up with.

first of all-all and i mean ALL your tech support help is based in india. now no offense to my indian friends but i can't understand a freaking word they're saying on the phone.

i was billed phantom charges during the time i financed. i caught these charges at least 5 times and they never explained why they were on the bill (under "misc charges"-wtf?!) and had them taken off.

if you happen to be late 1 day on your payment-be ready for your phone to ring constantly ALL DAY LONG from those same dell india collection agents. there were a few times i was admittedly late on my payments due to unforseen medical issues in my family. anyways, these people are 1) totally rude 2) hardly understandable from their dialect 3) act like you broke into their home at night, stole all their money and took their wife and children.

the finance rate was a killer (over 20%) and to top it off, the second day after i set up my computer-my brand new dell failed on me-the seagate harddrive FAILED!

i called tech support(that was fun) and they sent out some contracted "service agent" who looked like charles manson. he then pulls out a USED harddrive. i'm like "wtf, i just spent $1,500 on a BRAND NEW COMPUTER WITH A BRAND NEW HARDDRIVE why are you giving me a used harddrive? i want a new one! he said that dell uses refurbished parts to service their customers. i said bullshit and told him to leave and i'd call dell.

well i called india errr i mean dell again and they assured me i'd get a brand new harddrive and they'd send out a new tech with one.

a few days later the tech arrives and opens up another USED harddrive. i said "man, dell told me i'd get a new harddrive" and at this point i was tired of fighting it and said "put that one in".

anyways we jump ahead now to pay off the computer and get out of the nightmare of financing through dell.

those !@#$%%@ kept my account open incurring financing charges after i had paid them off in full and told them specifically to close the account.

i then had to call india again and argue with them again to close my account, they had my money and the account was paid in full.

they finally wiped the financing charges they billed me after i had closed the account.

my experience with dell was literally hell (no pun intended).

i will never, ever touch a dell product again.

they can in fact go to hell.

have fun, don't say you weren't warned!

 

[B'z-chan]

That's outrageous. You could try to get a better loan through your bank, or a credit union, or a student loan...

so i should see if my bank would give me a loan instead and then buy it? That sounds like a good idea. But i dont know if i've got good enough credit for a load. But at least i can try.

 

[Tarazet]

so i should see if my bank would give me a loan instead and then buy it? That sounds like a good idea. But i dont know if i've got good enough credit for a load. But at least i can try.

Yes, go and talk with your bank. Don't fill out any apps unless you like what you're hearing, because if you apply for financing in too many places, it'll hit your credit score worth 5-7 points each time, and you'll look desperate.

 

[B'z-chan]

Yes, go and talk with your bank. Don't fill out any apps unless you like what you're hearing, because if you apply for financing in too many places, it'll hit your credit score worth 5-7 points each time, and you'll look desperate.

consider me fucked then if thats the case. Cause i use bill me later all the time for items. My dream dead in just one day.

 

[Tarazet]

consider me fucked then if thats the case. Cause i use bill me later all the time for items. My dream dead in just one day.

That may or may not matter. If you don't give out your SSN# to do it, then they can't check your credit.

 

[maharg]

consider me fucked then if thats the case. Cause i use bill me later all the time for items. My dream dead in just one day.

Er, bill me later looks like it's just some kind of online-only credit line or credit card. I highly doubt you get any more hit for using it than you would for any other on-demand credit account.

 

[Forgotten Ancient]

Basically, what you're all saying is that I shouldn't get a Dell, either?

I had my friend put together my last computer and there's been quite a few problems since I've had it. Now, it randomly shuts off or freezes and it's pissing me off. I was thinking of getting a Dell, but I'll have to have it financed...and judging by this thread, it's not a good idea.

 

[nitewulf]

no you can buy it, just dont use dell's finance plan, use your credit card if possible, or take a bank loan or something.

 

[fart]

never, ever, ever finance a goddamned computer.

i thought you got a grant to pay for this thing.

and no, you should not buy a dell desktop.

 

[Tarazet]

no you can buy it, just dont use dell's finance plan, use your credit card if possible, or take a bank loan or something.

Unless he has a credit card with a lower APR than 7.99%, that would be extremely stupid. Credit cards are best used by giving away a little bit of money in interest on a small balance, so that you can save thousands of dollars when it comes time to take out a BIG loan, like a car or a house, thanks to a stellar credit rating.

Using a credit card to replace a major loan is just throwing money down the toilet.

 

[pxleyes]

first of all-all and i mean ALL your tech support help is based in india. now no offense to my indian friends but i can't understand a freaking word they're saying on the phone.

In the past year, Dell moved ALL of their tech support state-side. So as long as you are calling Dell Tech Support's 800 number, you are getting someone who resides in the USA. So no, you are wrong about the tech support.

Second, yes, Dell does sometimes use refurbished parts (i got a refurbished AC adapter when I had a surge problem between it and my mobo). However, the mobo I got, along with a couple other things I convinced them to fix were ALL new.

You might just have had bad luck, but Dell isn't one of the top (if not the top) seller of computers in the US for nothing.


Also, for you people who seem to think Dell desktops are shit (their laptops are already proven not to be), I think you need to look again. For the money you spend, you would be hard-pressed to build a comparable system now a days. A couple of years ago that wasn't the case, but now its hard to beat. Not to mention they are extremely well setup and the cooling duct they have put in their new desktops is to die for.

 

[nitewulf]

yeah, but what i do is, buy dells (i bought two) using my credit card, but pay it off within a few months at bulk amounts. so i dont have to worry about paying absurd amounts of interest over the long run.

 

[mashoutposse]

I wouldn't finance a computer, much less sign on the dotted line for 24-36 months (unless interest free, of course). The depreciation rate is far too steep to warrant the finance charges. Dell financing also carries an outrageous 20%+ APR -- NOT WORTH IT.

Plus, I hope you're getting a really nice laptop for your $1500 as that can go a long way these days (I wouldn't put that much into a Dell, personally). What are the specs?