I feel your pain, I actually refuse to deal with Dell as their customer service alone has gotten so bad over the past few years its unbelieveable. I am working on a project that the person that brought me in had already promised Dell computers to his client so we were stuck with them. And sure enough its been one night mare after another. We ordered a $6k server that was suppose to include SBS installed... instead they gave us our OL information for the client and said to download it all from there (with other server based software from MS). Well the OS was not available to download so after speaking with MS directly they said they haven't offered OS to be downloaded like that in almost 3 years. So after speaking with dell the next morning their "fix" was giving us access to their TechNet account to download the OS Software directly. MS offered to send us the Media over night but due to the date we couldn't get it for a couple days (weekends suck). Not to mention them selling software stating it would work without any additional software, only to find out we would have to buy upgraded versions of software they sold us (adding to the cost).
Then after we received our order of 15 desktops it included Windows 7 Home instead of the 7 Pro like i told them. They wouldn't do the simple fix of swaping out our 7 Home licenses with the Pro.. instead they made us send back all 15 desktops only to trn around and configure 15 new desktops with Pro on them.
Then after ordering 2 laptops also, specifically requesting actually "MEDIA disc'" for 2 different versions of MS Offfice (Pro and Home/Business) they verified that yes we would get the media with the laptops. Well sure enough 1 laptop that had pro was nothing more then the Office 2010 starter and they gave us a piece of paper with the codes to activate/download the Pro 2010. The second laptop didn't even have any version of office installed on it. Again, after contacting them their immediate fix was "we have forwarded this to our license department".
So now, 3 weeks later and $25k in hardware/software, the project had to be extended another 1 weeks due to the equipment/software screw ups.
I told the guy who brought me in that I refuse to work on any project that is using Dell for the new equipment.
When I spoke with another Dell rep about a custom desktop config with an i7 980x in it.. and told him i was getting a quote from HP for $2700, he stated I was lieing cause dell couldnt' sell me the 24gig ram for less then 2700. I told him well thats all she wrote and would never do business with him again. I got directed to his supervisor who i issued a very strong complaint with how his "agent" was telling the customers they were lier's. He stated he was going to see about getting me a better quote. But I know i'll never hear from them again on that matter.
Needless to say.. Dell REALLY has gone downhill fast. They use to be #1 over all but honestly, the only thing keeping them alive right now is their Name... reminds me of the days when Zeos was one of the best brands out there before gateway.. and then well you get the picture..