Dell Refuses Orders From Gun Businesses

Ruger Forum ^ | Feb 26, 2002 | Jack Weigand

[SirFishalot]

Dell Refuses Orders From Gun Businesses

RugerForum.com

Feb 26, 2002

Jack Weigand

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.

http://www.jackweigand.com

[SirFishalot]

I think I'm going to solicit a proposal from Dell for a 10 station terminal/ server setup for my biz. I'll let the sales rep. call a few followups and then I'll tell him that we went with another company because we choose not to do business with companies that practice discrimination against other perfectly legal entities. We don't want to become associated with activist companies who's ideals run counter to the U.S. Constitution. Losing a $16k+ sale should send my sentiments on this to Dell very clearly.

[AAABEST]

Already posted HERE with lots of comments, freep contacts and followup. Check it out.

[suijuris]

Well, I was just geting ready to purchase a Dell, but not now.

[illbenice]

Hey, I smell a civil rights lawsuit!

[SirFishalot]

Thanks AAABEST

[ppaul]

Witness: the end of Dell's market share.

[SirFishalot]

Well this should be interesting. According to my broker, I own Dell stock in a mutual fund and he suggested that I call and ask Investor Relations about this. He said the I will probably get a more direct contact than from their support lines. I'll try both avenues.

[Papatex]

Time to sell Dell. (Maybe short a few thousand shares.)

Look what happened to K-Mart when they thumbed their nose at those who choose to protect themselves with firearms.

[Seeking the truth]

Thanks Dell for making up my mind re: my imminent Notebook purchase. I had gotten specs on a Dell refurb but now I will buy the new Sony VAIO wireless.

[4CJ]

Ht them where they hurt. Bump.

[Ptaz]

Hummmmm.....I've been computer shopping as well. But pricing my configuration sent me to Gateway as Dell was higher. So...another reason not to get a Dell.

[Lumberjack]

My brother-in-law is hitting me up for recomendations on whether to buy a new Dell system or a new Gateway system. This post made that recommendation a whole lot easier for me to make.

Its sad really, because Dell puts together one hell of a nice machine from a techie standpoint. Easy to upgrade, easy to use, good quality. Well, screw'em. No more.

Oh, and any Dell reps online here, I make architecture hardware purchase recommendations for several companies. I suppose none of my future clients will be hearing me say "let's get them all Dell workstations".

[AAABEST]

Gene. What's up my-man?! 8)

Reading through these threads, it appears that Dell already lost several thousand dollars in less than 24 hrs on FR alone. That's not taking into account all the future business they'll lose for this heroic showing of blatant ignorance. Not a smart business decision.

I would tell that a little right-wingnut activism is great for lifting the spirits, but I know you're already well aware of that.

[Kevin Curry]

If this is true, it's time to shut off Dell's money flow--at least from those who honor the Second Amendment. As do all computer manufacturers, Dell survives on thin margins offset by high volume. Shut down just 5 percent of their sales and Dell will be screaming for mercy.

[poet]

I also was going to purchase a dell computer, but, not now. It's about time we employ some of the tactics of the parasites and boycott on principle rather than the extortions of the left liberals.

[ohioman]

Excellent idea! Give Dell all kinds of hell.

[Kevin Curry]

This should be carefully checked out and Dell should be given an opportunity to respond. I'll withhold final judgment until then.

[NY.SS-Bar9]

Following is text of email sent to Dell sales:

Please forward this message to your business practices manager.

I am the IT manager for a medium sized manufacturing company. We have purchased many Dell PCs in the past and intend on purchasing more as the current equipment is nearing the end of its useful life. I am also the kind of person that co-workers, friends and business associates come to when they need help or recommendations as to what hardware to purchase. I have "sold" several high-end Dell PC's to my friends.

I am deeply concerned about an article sent to me this morning. It appears that someone at Dell has taken it upon him/her self to cancel an order from someone in the firearms industry for no other reason than the "scary" name of the company. I find this practice abhorrent and indicative of a corporate culture at odds with the 150 million gun owners in this country.

I have no way of knowing if the article is correct in its allegations, but I am suspending my support of Dell products until Dell reassures the shooting community that this sort of incident will not recur.

(URL's of article follows)

[SJackson]

I'll post this to all three threads.

Just curious, has anyone gotten a response? My E Mails keep getting bounced back "You have responded to a system-generated mail; therefore, we are not able to respond directly to this reply.

A note, Dell has a Forum at Dell Customer Care where they are "accepting" comments.