Dell Cancels Gun Business Owners Order

RugerForum.com ^ | Feb 26, 2002 | Jack Weigand

[RJL]

I am writing this because I feel every Firearms owner should know this story.

I placed an order for a Dell notebook computer on February 13 on line with Dell. I was given a tentative delivery date of February 21st. I was watching the order through the Dell on line tracking system; I also opted for the automatic email notification of when the machine was to be shipped.

Well the 21st came and went, I am a Pistolsmith I know things can happen. I made a phone call on the 25th, did a voice mail message for my salesman to get back to me and I was looking for the delivery date. The 25th came and went with no callback. On the 26th I placed another call this time to cancel the order. After a few hours I got a call back, with this amazing reason for the delay. It seems someone in Dell had already canceled my order, when I asked why I was told Dell was afraid I was going to use the machine for illegal purposes. When I asked why someone would think that I was told it was because of the name of my business “Weigand Combat Handguns Inc.”. Because I am involved in firearms I might be doing something illegal. Now keep in mind I was never called or informed of this decision the order was just canceled.

Many of you know me personally and know I run my business about as squeaky clean as possible. In addition being the President of the American Pistolsmiths Guild I am under additional scrutiny as to how I run my business, if I am not clean how can I be the President of an organization that promotes just that! I was informed by a Dell supervisor not long after all of this the reason I was refused was because of their post September 11th policy of screening buyers.

I would like to respectfully ask the firearms community to do the following. If you intended to buy a Dell and because of this letter you do not, email Dell and let them know why. Feel free to distribute this account to all you know in the Firearms community, I think they need to know. I for one am sick and tired of people assuming just because we are involved with firearms that we are doing something illegal. I also do not believe Dell deserves our business if this is how they intend to treat us.

God Bless Jack Weigand President American Pistolsmiths Guild Inc.

------------------ www.jackweigand.com

[billbears]

Walmart prospers

I don't know about that. Seems there was a thread around here the other day about Wal-Mart here in Raleigh.

Here it is

As for Dell, I don't think I'll be buying one. Got sold on a Gateway a few years back and with this integrated motherboard, can't do a dad blamed thing about the video card. Well I can but after it's all said and done, it's not worth it. I understand a lot of the mail order companies are doing that now. Starts to be a pain to upgrade.

With Dell's attitude on guns, it gives me one more reason just to build my own

[Dog Gone]

Those are fine, self-serving credentials, but since they are from his own website it doesn't really provide a whole lot of independent confirmation.

I find this story somewhat unbelievable, although possible. Dell is located in Austin, Texas, which is the only liberal part of Texas except for minority areas. It's entirely possible that some weenie liberal that Dell hired decided to make this decision based on his/her political views about handguns.

I don't believe for a second that this is official Dell policy. It's neither a stupid nor liberal company.

If this story is true, and Jack isn't a shill for some other company, then somebody at Dell is going to get their butt fired.

That's my take.

[RJL]

Yeah, but who is Jack? I've never heard of him.

I don't know Jack (pun intended). I did what I could to check him out.

Jack included his web site URL in the note. I went to the web site, it is legitimate, I called the phone number listed and got a recording their business hours are 9 to 4 Eastern, I sent a email to Jack he replied in 20 minutes or so.

He seems to me to be legitimate. FR's own sneekypete posted about Jack "He is a legitimate business, and well thought-of pistolsmith."

If Jack is a fraud, I am sure that Dell's lawyers will make life quite miserable for him.

[Constitution Day]

I sent a polite e-mail.

I personally like Dell and that's all they have at my office.
I have a smokin', custom-built engineering workstation which I have never had a problem with.

However, I didn't buy those computers. My employer did.

I can't dictate what their money buys, but I can dictate what my money buys!
My interest in this thread was piqued because I am in the market for a computer... which may or may not be a Dell.

CD

[Dog Gone]

Well, Jack took quite some legal risk if he made this story up, given all the tracks he left. So, I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and believe him unless I hear otherwise.

But I'll still stand by my statement that this wouldn't be official Dell policy. They are in the business to sell computers.

I fully support giving them hell. It will force them to fire the low-level person making this decision, which I'm quite sure is somebody from Austin who voted for Ralph Nader.

[Osage Orange]

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[niteowl77]

Jack Weigand is for real... he does good 'smithing and makes nice custom parts. He usually has enough business to keep him occupied, too. FWIW, as soon as I find another job, I intend to have him customize a Ruger SP101. I also intended to buy a Dell for my son when he goes to school in the fall. I guess I'll try for the former and pass on the latter.

Worried about criminal activity, huh? Hmmm... I wonder if Dell has recently halted any sales to people named Mohammed or Abdullah?

(For no particular reason, of course, because Islam is the Religion of Peace™.)

Ed

[RJL]

But I'll still stand by my statement that this wouldn't be official Dell policy.

I think we are in complete agreement, we need to be cautious and check things out. Which I/we have tried to do.

As I posted earlier, I sent a note to Dell and Michael Dell directly and we need to give him a chance to explain or make things right.

[Ouachita]

The American Pistolsmith's Guild is a well known and credible outfit. I've heard of Weigand Combat Handguns for years now. Never had any work done by them, but have seen their adds in the gun magazines. Like you said, it's probably not a Dell policy which is responsible for this.

[Dog Gone]

Good info. Thanks.

I can't wait to see how this plays out.

[oldironsides]

Just got a Dell and planned to order more to update my other two offices. I was not happy when I read Maylasia on the side of the boxes anyway. Back to Compaq or HP. Bye Dell

[ChadGore]

Dell: "Sir, you don't pass the background check! Put down the mouse and step away from he computer before someone gets hurt".

[Cold Heat]

One of my three computers is a Dell. Their service and product has given me no problems, but this buyer screening from the name of your company, gives me the creeps.

I'm sure they sell to the porno crowd, yet they deny a legitimate business.

Dell will not be hearing from me again.

[eloy]

Wouldn't own another "proprietary" box made by anyone. I learned to "roll my own" a long time ago.

[wku man]

Dude, don't get a Dell. Don't get any pre-made PC for that matter (HP, Gateway, Compac, etc). Find a good computer tech, give him/her the specs, and have one built. You'll get a better machine (Dell's components come from the lowest bidder), and maybe even save a hundred bucks or so. Best of all, you won't have to support some Commie scumbag like Michael Dell.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[Cold Heat]

Try rollin your own laptop!....:-)

[Jhoffa_]

You don't need to buy a computer..

Build your own, the psrts practically fall together when dropped.

[Standing Wolf]

I'll stick with Macintosh, thanks all the same.

For what it's worth, Bill Gates has been a very generous contributor to both Planned Parenthood and Handgun Control, Inc.

[D. Miles]

bump