Report: Dell Support Uses "Sweepstakes" to Push Pricey Warranties

16.08.2012
High-pressure warranty sales tactics are nothing new in the tech world, but one sales pitch by Dell tech support seems a little more underhanded than usual.

According to , Dell is using sketchy tactics to push premium warranties. Laptop Mag called Dell tech support to ask about laptop battery life. During the call, a Dell support representative claimed the caller had won a "daily drawing" to purchase a four-year extended warranty at a discount. Instead of the normal price of $512, the support rep said the warranty would only cost $317.

When Laptop Mag's caller declined the discounted warranty, the support rep persisted, claiming that only three people won this drawing each day. The rep then tried to push the discounted warranty three more times, at one point replying in a "clearly agitated tone" that he was "only trying to save [the caller] money."

Laptop Mag was understandably confused about this daily-drawing tactic, so they asked Dell PR how long it had been happening. Dell PR told Laptop Mag that daily drawings are "not a regular practice nor encouraged tactic in tech support" and that they have "used [Laptop Mag's] feedback to reinforce this with our teams."

Dell's tech support reputation isn't exactly spotless. A 2011 PCWorld survey found Dell's Web and phone support to be average for , but below average for . A ranked Dell among the worst in reliability and service. (In previous years the company fared better.)

Shady warranty sales tactics, however, are hardly limited to Dell. Over the years, customers have accused retailers such as , , and of misrepresenting what's covered under their own warranties or what isn't covered under manufacturer's warranties, or using overly aggressive tactics.