[kbayer]

On Dell's site, I clicked on the Inspiron Duo to purchase. I was given an option to personalize/upgrade, or go straight to checkout.

I chose upgrade, and was presented with various warranty plans, accessories, additional components, etc.

Every step of the way, once a new selection is made, the costs are tallied as well as an estimated monthly payment if you are using Dell's financing (I am).

At checkout, I entered all relevent information and was sent a confirmation email that detailed all the specifics of the order, with an estimated ship date. In my case, I ordered late Tueday. The confirmation estimated that it would ship Thursday with Monday delivery (2 day shipping option), meaning I would not have it to enjoy over the weekend. Oh well.

It also said that part of the order would be shipped one day later, 2nd day shipping, at their expense.

Today (Thursday), I recieved an email this morning showing that the Duo actually shipped yesterday, with delivery now estimated for Friday (one day earlier), along with confirmation from Fedex stating the same. Woohoo -- don't have to wait through the weekend!

Today, I just recieved another email letting me know that the second part of the order (Dock and car charger) was shipped today and should arrive Monday.

I'm off from work tomorrow (Friday) and will be waiting on FedEx like a child waiting for Santa.

This is my first ever order with Dell and so far, it's been a wonderful experience!

Updates will follow...

[kbayer]

Well, Dell's confirmation email has been showing that I should get delivery on the 11th, as does the FedEx tracking number -- that is, until yesterday evening. The FedEx delivery times mysteriously changed from pickup on the 9th, delivery on the 11th, to pickup on the 10th, delivery on the 14th.
I called FedEx about this mysterious change and the rep was clueless. She also said that it's a "Ground" delivery, so there is no Second-Day guarantee.
Since I paid for 2nd Day, I called Dell.
They assured me that it was sent 2nd Day and asked if I would hold while they contacted FedEx, which I did.
Dell came back and said that the FedEx rep she spoke with said that all packages at the "Memphis, TN hub were stalled due to weather".

Ok. That's more than the original FedEx rep told me.

Dell then offered to remove and credit the shipping charges. Sounded good, but I didn't think that was fair. If it indeed shipped 2nd Day, then I feel that Dell did their part, so I told her to just leave everything as is and I'll wait it out. I thanked her for investigating and she gave me her direct phone number, just in case any other problems arose.

So as of now, I hate the waiting, but I love Dell's customer support!

[kbayer]

Well, FedEx site originally showed the delivery date as 11th. Then it was bumped to the 14th. Today FedEx shows the 15th.
I called FedEx and they swear it was shipped "ground" -- opposite of what Dell swears and what I paid for.
OK, so be it, "Ground".
So accepting that, I ask "why the jumping dates?".
The customer service rep said she has no control over the dates shown on the computer, and was, like the other FedEx reps, (in this experience only) clueless.
Ok.
So I'll probably be calling Dell to reimburse the 2nd Day charges, but I want to see the package labelled as "Ground" before i do so.
So now, maybe the 15th?

[kbayer]

It's Sunday the 13th. Dell shows that the tracking numbers are "temporarily unavailable" and delivery date as 2/11/11 for one package and 2/16/2011 for the other. Feb 16??? Where did that come from? Both shipped on 2/9/2011, 2nd Day.
I'm at a loss.

[holmes4]

Call Dell. I find that the web site often misses shipping information that the telephone reps have available.

[kbayer]

Originally Posted by holmes4

Call Dell. I find that the web site often misses shipping information that the telephone reps have available.

Yes, took your advice and called Dell. They were certain about the 2nd Day package arriving today (Monday), but were at a loss as far as the other. They asked for my name and number (which is obvious if they're viewing my account at the the time they're speaking with me, right?), and said that they will have a "specialist" call me within the hour.

Never happened.

Anyway, I awake this morning and check FedEx' site. Both packages now show out for delivery on the 14th (today).

Woohoo. I guess.

I took the day off just to make sure someone is home to sign for it. Google "FedEx compaints" or "I hate FedEX", or whatever, and you see the reason for my nervousness.

Little did I know how much tension and drama this could create...

Ok.

Happy thoughts.
Happy thoughts.
Happy thoughts.

[rrfranczak3]

I have had nothing but good experiences with Fedex and UPS for that matter, if it says out for delivery then you can pretty much be assured that your packages are on that truck driving around somewhere on their way to you....hang it there...you will have them today.....

[kbayer]

Yep -- after that nice lil' rollercoaster ride, both showed up about 2pm.
Now for playtime!

[avigar]

Let us know your thoughts on the Duo. I was originally going for it but decided to save cash and bought a Mini 1012 refurb instead.

[kbayer]

Well, the duo as a netbook does EVERYTHING that most netbooks do, minus having a cardreader as you may already know. The screen is superb, but as most have mentioned, only from straight on viewing.
As a tablet, the display is exactly like your home desktop, so the downside (if you want to call it that) is that some of the areas you would normally click to for example, close a screen, like the little red X in the upper right corner of the windows screen, are TINY, so you really have to have dead on finger-touch accuracy. No big deal -- it may just take a few taps to hit the target.
Android or iPad touch to click areas are normally a bit larger (not much) to be a little more finger friendly.
Scrolling and pinch to zoom is a laggy mess, best to just avoid that and use the sliders or page view option. After a day or two, I just leave pages as they are. For me, at least, the page size is sufficient.
Keyboard is great. Touchpad is sleek. Video playback is smoooooooth.
The thing is HEAVY... and by that, I mean it's like grabbing a plate from the kitchen cabinet and put a whole baked chicken on it. Hold the plate with just your fingers for a while and you'll know what I mean. It's easier just to cradle it or sit with it in your lap.
I can't believe that I haven't unboxed the dock yet... 12 hr days at work, but off today, so maybe today.