Dell Home Makes Computer System and Electronic Accessory Shopping Easy
Written: Feb 04 '05
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Dell has been one site that I’ve had a chance to use several times. Between ordering a computer, a laptop, a digital camera, a pocket PC and finally an MP3 player – I’ve had my share of shopping experiences on the site.
Site Layout
Shopping at Dell Home is quite simply and intuitive. As you enter the site, you are given two main navigation choices. Either drop down boxes along the top, or thumbnailed categories along the right hand side. Whichever navigation you choose, the main choices include desktops, notebooks, printers, and electronics and accessories. You also have the option of looking at your account and visiting the customer service area.
Beyond the choices of different shopping categories, the main page of Dell Home introduces visitors to sales and special promotions that Dell is running, along with options to look into Dell financing options, along with information on Dell partners and other dell services or support.
Navigation into the various sections is fairly straightforward and is set up into such a way that you navigate down through various choices to get to the system or accessory that you are looking for.
If you don’t want to bother clicking down through the various sections, the site offers a search function that allows you to search on product names and or numbers (if you have a paper catalog and are looking to shop online).
What can I buy?
Most people probably know of Dell for their computer systems. They offer several different types of desktop and laptop lines for various customer needs. These range from basics bare-bones type systems all the way up to high-end gaming systems and everything else in between.
Beyond the computers, Dell has computer accessories (like monitors and other parts for your computer), printers (both photo and text printers) and electronics (this includes both Dell branded merchandise and other items like digital cameras from other manufacturers). The electronics section includes not only digital cameras, but Dell PocketPCs, flat-screen TVs, projectors and more.
My purchasing goal on my last visit to Dell Home? With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I wanted to surprise my partner with a new MP3 player. I knew he wouldn’t know the difference between them, so after some study – I found Dell’s Pocket DJ, which happened to be on sale – so I purchased it.
Actually buying something…
Dell Home makes it easy to shop for products. As you are browsing – if you find something that you want, you simply click on the “add to cart” button and the item is put into your shopping cart.
If what you are buying has customization options (like a computer), you are brought to a screen that allows you to pick and choose the options for your purchase and then shows you the updated price and gives you a chance to add the product to your cart.
Once you have got stuff in your cart – you can go to your shopping cart by clicking on the shopping cart icon. When you’re in the cart you can change the quantity of products and/or delete them if you’ve decided that you don’t want it anymore.
The Dell Pocket DJ required a few customizations – including whether or not I wanted an extended warranty plan on it and whether I wanted any accessories for the product. I opted for an enhanced protection plan (since I pictured my partner dropping it while he’s at the gym) and getting him an armband strap to hold it while he was at the gym.
Prices
While Dell is the only place you’re going to be able to purchase Dell systems, the prices on other items such as digital cameras tends to run about the same as most other major electronics retailers.
The site also runs many different promotions almost constantly. From free shipping to price reductions and often if you watch the site regularly you can get a good deal. I managed to get a PocketPC for almost $50 less than the average price and the Pocket DJ I just purchased was 10% and had free shipping.
Making the purchase
Once you’ve decided on what you’re getting and it’s in your shopping cart you should check your shopping card one last time, making sure any advertised discounts or whatever are showing and to enter any coupon codes if you have them.
Then you begin the checkout process. If you don’t already have an account at Dell Home, the site will ask you to create a profile with basic information like your address and shipping information. You’re email address serves as your logon for future visits.
When you’ve finished that (or if you are already have an account) you are brought to a shipping page that gives you various shipping options (standard, 2-day, overnight and the like) with the various prices for those shipping options.
I almost always stick with the standard shipping (which happened to be free with my Pocket DJ purchase). Dell Home uses UPS and I haven’t had a problem receiving anything that I have purchased in the time-frame that has been advertised by the shipping option.
After the shipping comes the payment page – which asks you for your method of payment. Dell Home accepts major credit cards and also offers its own credit line for purchases. If you decide to apply for the Dell credit line, there is some more information you need to complete. If you are accepted, you are given a line of credit at Dell (much like a credit card) and you can use it to make this purchase and future purchases. You can also use Dell gift certificates to pay for your purchase.
Finally you have a chance to review your order and then finalize it. You are sent to a confirmation screen. Once the order has been initially processed, you are sent an email letting you know that the order is processing.
After ordering
The Dell Home site lets you manage and check on your orders after you have made a purchase. It tracks your order through the processing stages and also gives you shipping information once the product has shipped. It’s all set up in a fairly clear and easy way that makes it easy to track your purchases.
When you receive your delivery, if it’s not what you wanted or isn’t right, Dell Home provides information on setting up a return (I’ve never had a problem where I’ve needed to return an item).
Final Thoughts
Beyond the plasma screen TVs and the printers, I think I’ve gotten one of everything from Dell Home. Whether it’s a desktop system or an MP3 player – I’ve always found Dell Home to be an easy to use website that helps you get exactly what you want when your looking for computer systems and some electronics.
Information on the site is presented in an easy to understand and straightforward way and I’ve never had a problem with getting something different from what I thought it was.
Overall when it comes to computers and some electronics, I like to shop at Dell Home. I can almost always find what I am looking for at a good price and so far I haven’t had any problems with the purchasing, shipping and ultimate use of these products.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Pocket DJ
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