ZDNet UK


Skip to Main Content

ZDNet.co.uk - Winner of Best Business Website 2007
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Blogs
  4. Reviews
  5. Prices
  6. Resources
  7. Community
  8. My ZDNet

 

ZDNet UK RSS Feeds


IT Jobs

Emerging tech Toolkit

Dell pricing goof clears gadget shelves

Richard Shim CNet

Published: 24 Dec 2001 12:06 GMT

  • Email
  • Trackback
  • Clip Link
  • Print friendly
  • Post Comment

A pricing mix-up on Dell's Web site has forced the PC maker to cancel some orders with Christmas right around the corner.

The Austin, Texas-based company had been offering refurbished Altec Lansing AD880 speakers, which normally sell for $229 (£160), for about a tenth of that price on its Web site.

The speakers were listed on the site from 6 December through 11 December for $24.95, according to the company, which attributed the mistake in pricing to "human error".

Message boards geared toward online shopping discounts--such as FatWallet.com--carried news of the low price, and eager shoppers jumped at it.

"Was I trying to get a good deal? Of course, but it wasn't like I was trying to cheat (Dell) or anything--I only ordered one set," one customer, who didn't want to be identified, told CNET News.com. This customer learned of the error on FatWallet and placed an order 12 December. "There were a lot of postings about the deal, but then the (cancellation) email starting coming out, and I just hoped I didn't get one."

The enthusiastic response on the part of bargain hunters led to a quick sapping of the company's inventory, and Dell oversold the item. The company was forced to send email cancellations to customers and offered a 10 percent discount on a future software or peripheral purchase. The discount expires 4 January.

"We regret the inconvenience and responded as soon as possible, and as compensation we offered a discount on a future purchase," Dell spokesman Bryant Hilton said. The company did fill orders at the erroneous price until stock ran out, Hilton said.

Hilton could not confirm how many cancellations were sent out or how much stock the company had of the speakers.

This sort of feeding frenzy has happened in the past on online retail sites, such as Amazon.com, Buy.com and Staples.com, leaving companies with egg on their faces and customers empty-handed.

A similar error concerning a notebook occurred in August on Dell's Singapore and Malaysia sites.

E-commerce is transforming business around the globe. Get the latest headlines at ZDNet UK's E-commerce News Section.

For the latest on everything from DVD standards and MP3s to your rights online, see the Consumer News Section.

Have your say instantly, and see what others have said. Click on the TalkBack button and go to the ZDNet news forum.

Let the editors know what you think in the Mailroom. And read other letters.

  • Email
  • Trackback
  • Clip Link
  • Print friendly Print with Kyocera

Did you find this article useful?
58 out of 99 people found this useful


Full Talkback thread

0 comments


Company/Topic Alerts

Create a new alert from the list below:







Related Jobs

Global Technical Support Representative Language Speakers

Global Technical Support Representative Language Speakers The Company Bloomberg is the leading global provider of financial data, news and ...

Systems Engineer

An in-depth knowledge is essential since emphasis will be placed on proactively identifying and implementing network/system enhancements. The ...

SAS - Marketing Analyst - Horsham up to 37k

R&SA product discount. SAS, SAS, SAS Base, SAS Macro, SAS Enterprise guide, SAS Enterprise Miner, SPSS, Decision Support, scorecards, spreadsheet, ...

Featured Talkback

While full medical records may be of (dubious) value at rear/base medical facilities, these could be provided much simpler by either physical disk or electronic transfer to an "in theatre" database for individuals posted in. That £80m (and it's associated running costs) could have been far better employed in resuscitating a disbanded infantry battalion or providing a big boost in equipment quality and quantity.

By: 1000215420

Read full story:
Photos: MoD unveils £80m IT health programme