Here is a letter that I have posted throughout 12 Yahoo.com Pocket PC User Groups..
http://groups.yahoo.com/
If you want, you can forward it to people that you know, as well..
I am very upset right now..
TO:
DellAximX5@yahoogroups.com,
Compaq5450@yahoogroups.com,
PocketPC-today@yahoogroups.com,
ipaqworld@yahoogroups.com,
pcutil@yahoogroups.com,
CC:
axim@yahoogroups.com,
axim-user@yahoogroups.com,
axim-x5@yahoogroups.com,
dellaxim@yahoogroups.com,
aximpda@yahoogroups.com,
dellaximx5@yahoogroups.com,
opusp@playful.com
Hello..
I am issuing a Mass Alert !!!
I have (2) Dell Axim's :
X5 Advanced (400 Mhz) - Purchased 6 Feb 2003
X5 Basic (300 Mhz) - Purchased 2 March 2003
I purchased them on E-bay, from others..
(Not directly from Dell)
Both units had a (1) year warranty..
My 400 Mhz is having problems..
Last Friday, after using it throughout the day at work..
I refused to power up Friday night..
I noticed the battery felt hot, and put it on the cradle... to re-charge..
It does not seem to hold a charge, once it it removed from the cradle..
I purchased another battery from someone on e-bay.
(A sealed unit, New from the factory)
I have tried this new battery, did not fix problem.
I have tried changing the backup battery, did not fix problem.
Tech support suggested that I was re-loading
"corrupted" data when I restored it..
I have tried using it from a New "Boot"
(After the system had blanked, I was forced to: (At the same time)
Hold down the Power button and push the soft reset button on the side..)
This told me "All data would be erased" (Yes/No)
.
Now, with a "Fresh" boot..
The system STILL does not hold a charge..
Anyway..
It turns out the Warranty has Expired.
The business I bought the unit from , (for $355.00) bought it on Jan 6, 2003.
Now, Since the warranty has expired. Dell cannot help me..
A) I cannot extend the warranty, now, because they can only do that for units in working condition.
B) They told me they can sell me a "Re-Furbished " unit for $199.00 (Plus shipping.)
Basically, this "Advanced X5" that I bought on Feb 6, 2003, is junk..
(Useless..)
They will not give me a credit, or anything..
Dell Tech Support told me that they do not "Repair" the units.. They just trade out units for "Re-Furbished" units..
Well.. with no repair available, and no other options..
They want me to spend a total of $554.00 (Plus shipping)
For a unit that I have had for less than a year..
(And only be available to give me only a "Re-Furbished" unit..
Not even a "NEW" unit...
My God...
This is just CRAP !!!
I work with a guy, whose son dropped his HP Ipaq..
His warranty had expired, but He was able to ship it to HP, and for a fee, they repaired it and shipped it back to him..
Dell REFUSES TO DO EVEN THIS..!!!
(No repair available..)
I just got off the phone with a Manager at Customer Support..
He repeatedly reminded me that I did not purchase this from Dell, and therfore, the warranty has expired..
He told me that there is nothing else he can do for me..
(Only to offer the $199 "Re-Furbished" unit..)
There is a used unit on e-bay, right now, for $179..!!!
So that "Deal" is NO DEAL !!!
I have a:
Dell Optiplex GX1 (Home computer..)
Dell Latitude P II-266 MHz
(2) Dell Axim X5 (Advanced & Basic)
I am getting rid of ALL OF MY DELL PRODUCTS !!!
Ever since the disaster of trying to upgrade to Windows Mobile 2003, Dell Customer Support has turned to crap..
PLEASE.... DUMP YOUR AXIM BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE...!!
Stu Bailey
opusp@playful.com