Dell - received and billed for computer that did not order - computer shipped by Dell to Tanzania - situation has harmed credit rating

# 3 for April 16, 2003

Complaints.com received the following on April 15, 2003:

From: Folmsbee, Paul A [Email User]

RE: Dell - received and billed for computer that did not order - computer shipped by Dell to Tanzania - situation has harmed credit rating I am writing from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. I am a U.S. diplomat and work at the U.S. Embassy there. In April of 2001, I received a computer and printer which I did not order through our diplomatic pouch address. It was labeled and addressed to me personally. Unfortunately no one even realized it was meant for me initially. I am the contracting officer for the Embassy and we receive things all the time.

The computer was initially opened and inspected by Embassy staff. Once that happens, one cannot just return these things back through the diplomatic pouch - they need to be air shipped at cost (very expensive). When we realized that the shipment was some kind of error, we contacted Dell and attempted to return the computer and printer.

Unfortunately they did not believe I was in Tanzania and so I never got anywhere with that. Over the phone, Dell sales people acknowledged the error (the first agent needed some convincing I even had their computer). To make a long story short, I ended up writing five letters to Dell and never received a single response. I offered to ship it to them (estimated charges were about $300 back then - which they refused to pay) or to purchase it at a discounted price - , the printer in particular was of no use to me - 110 volts (Tanzania is a 220v country). No response. I did talk to a lawyer, all who were sympathetic, all who said they would take the case at expensive cost - all just to prove the point (I would be the loser financially). In the mean time, Dell recorded these events as a "sales" transaction of some kind and reported me as in default on the payments! This was reported to a credit bureau and was discovered when I applied for a mortgage. After the long saga which I could not seem to win, I decided to pay off the bill rather than have it affect my credit rating. I am now in possession of a laptop that does not suit my needs and a printer that will not work in this

country. To top if off, my credit report still is in error. The nightmare is still not over. I just received a claim from a collection agency asking for half the amount so apparently even after paying off Dell I

still am not in the clear. I will be back in the United States in June and I guess I really will have to take this to a lawyer and spend still more money on this matter. Can't someone in Dell of some executive authority read this message and help me bring this nightmare to closure? If you doubt I am, who I am, call me at the number below and find out for yourself. Paul Folmsbee

First Secretary

US Embassy - Dar es Salaam Tel 255-22-2668001 ext. 4112