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Delay.........ahhh

post #1 of 10
10/27/04 at 7:10pm
Thread Starter 
Well a first time buyer of one of these alienware machine, "Area-51m Case with 15.4" WideSXGA+ 1680x1050 LCD Display - Conspiracy Blue | Intel Pentium 4 Processor w/ HT Technology 3.4GHz 800MHz FSB w/ 512KB Cache | Motherboard: SiS648FX + SiS963L AGP8X Chipset |AREA-51M 766 8X DVD+/-RW| 256MB DDR PC-2700 at 300MHz | Area-51m ATI 9700Module with 128MB DDR"

And I hit my first delay..............I am being told that they are out of stock on AREA-51M 766 8X DVD+/-RW drives for the Area 51m. After reading alot of post on out of stock items, maybe they need to re-adjust thier re-order points or invest in a Inventory Planner.

What gets me is that the delay is not posted on the web page like the disclosure of the limited availability on the case colors. I think they need serious help in Inventory Planning department.

Stuck in Phase 4
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post #2 of 10
10/28/04 at 11:02am
Hey Senseless -

To be honest, I'm starting to question the validity of the backorder info we are all getting. I placed my Area 51m order on 10/09.

Two weeks ago, I was told the cases were backordered. Last week I was told the display was backordered, and yesterday I was told once again that the case (blue in this case) was backordered...again.

Now you are hearing that its the DVD Drive for your order. Either they are taking 'just in time' inventory management way too literally, or they have a supplier problem, or they are feeding us some nonsense.

One bit that is curious is that in the Phase 6 description it says if a backorder exists, an email will be sent 'immediately' identifying the specific part that is not available. I've been in Phase 6 for a few days, and have not received any emails (I've spoken to the Order Status guys a few times).

All in all, I'm not unhappy with this process, as I understand this is a custom PC being built pretty much to my specs - but its a bit frustrating when it starts to feel that there might be a bit of smokescreen going up regarding the timelines.

PhazeZero

[1] Area-51m™

Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2
Desktop Enhancements: Exclusive AlienGUIse Theme Manager
AlienRespawn: No Alienware® Respawn Recovery Kit
Case: Area-51m Case with 15.4" WideSXGA+ 1680x1050 LCD Display - Conspiracy Blue
Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor w/ HT Technology 3.4GHz 800MHz FSB w/ 512KB Cache
Motherboard: SiS648FX + SiS963L AGP8X Chipset
Memory: 1GB DDR PC-3200 at 400MHz - 2x512 SO-DIMMs
Video Card: Area-51m ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON™ 9700 Module with 128MB DDR and Half-Life 2 Coupon Bundle
Sound Card: Sound-Blaster Pro Compatible 3D Audio
Hard Drive: Hitachi 60GB 7200 RPM ATA100 with 8MB Cache
Smart Bay One: DVD Burner (added during Phase3)
Ethernet NIC: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet NIC
Modem: 56K Modem with V.92 Technology
Productivity Software: Microsoft® Works Suite 2004
Mobile Transport : Alienware® Premium Backpack
Optional Mouse: Microsoft® IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 - USB - Space Black
Free Alienware T-Shirt: Free Alienware® T-Shirt - Black
Area-51m Multi-function Infrared Remote control : Free Area-51m Multi-function Infrared Remote control (a $39.95 value)
Free Alienware Mousepad: Free Alienware® Mousepad
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post #3 of 10
10/28/04 at 11:17am
mine was just sent today and i ordered on 9/26 so u still have about a 2 week wait my friend.. sorry to inform u. but AW CS wont do it so i said fuk it ill tell ya..AW sucks my donkey kong sachelle of testi juice
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post #4 of 10
10/28/04 at 11:39am
Thread Starter 
What gets me is that aftering being told it was that 8x DVD +/RW drive issue, you have the sentia that are on a 5 day order process being shipped out before mine.

I went ahead researched the difference between the two cases and the slim 8x DVD +/RW drive would fit into the regular Area 51m, it the exact same drive, with a differenc of just a face plate change.


So there is living proof that whatever they are telling us is BS and they would rather try to improve thier look by having 5 day turns then accomadate the customers they have already.
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post #5 of 10
10/28/04 at 12:01pm
Thread Starter 
Spoke with Nick a supevisor at AW this morning and basiclly confirmed that this was the issue.

Alienware is using parts to ship out 5 day orders before regluar orders, so they could live up to the 5 day system.

Compelelty BS and a sham........................

I know this thread might turn into a flame one, so flame away, since you already have your machines.

But before you do understand the process........................In order to have 5 day system they create what they call a forecast. Those forecasts are built, so your parts are taking for those forecasts.
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post #6 of 10
10/28/04 at 12:15pm
They have all the parts for my system, but they say they have some delays in production... And it looks like it's gonna be standby for a couple of more weeks, even thow they told me it should be assembled and shipped next week! (hoping) Just like they told me yesterday that it would enter production yesterday afternoon.

I checked into that 5 day deal actually, because I could get a cheaper deal on the same system, and it would still ship in five days!! But when I called them up, the sales person (can't remeber his name) told me that these systems where refurbished ones?! (I don't get that, since the Sentia case is brand new isn't it?). And that it would take abit longer for me, since I was canceling my old purchase to buy a new one, and that would be some more paperwork...

Arrrh!.. With that beeing said, I realy starting to get used to this waiting game, and hey, I'm still here waiting for my AWsome little lappy!

It's like Gossard267 said in this thread

http://notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=47404

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gossard267
Also, keep in mind that AW has an highly sought-after product available only through them, so they realize that for 98% of the people ordering, they can basically take their sweet time.
Even thow I don't think this is the way to go for Alienware in the long run...

cheers
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post #7 of 10
10/28/04 at 12:40pm
Thread Starter 
I still don't see the logic, "the sales person (can't remeber his name) told me that these systems where refurbished ones" Refurbished or not the drives sitting in these units could be used in other system to fullfill order. Hey later on down the line if I have a problem with the drive I get get it replaced under warranty, they are hot swappable drives.

Please don't say well I am not going to take a refurbished drive...............Hell you wouldn't know unless someone told you anyway.
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post #8 of 10
10/28/04 at 1:06pm
I'll say it again... the thing to do, is just not wait for the stupid thing to come and look up your status everyday but instead just chill (I know its hard, I'm waiting too ) and call once a week to make sure that they are still onto it.
I've been told by a salesrep last week that the battery is backordered, then I wanted to talk to a supervisor because of the fact that I wasnt informed about the delays , and the supervisor told me that its the f*cking display thats backordered... so I think its all bullshit ...
call to make sure everything is moving, dont wait for the thing... and then be happy and jolly when it arrives ...
The only point is, that I find it kind of redicules that a product so expensive ($3K) takes so long... not very customer oriented...
Although I must say, on a positive matter, that no one has ever been rude or unhelpful on the phone. Only everything moves too SLOW...

Zero
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post #9 of 10
10/28/04 at 1:26pm
I know how it can be. I was delayed twice because of my 8x DVD writer. However after only a months wait my notebook got delivered to my door step. After that you will forget about all the delays and the phases all together.
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post #10 of 10
10/28/04 at 2:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Z_is_Me
I know how it can be. I was delayed twice because of my 8x DVD writer. However after only a months wait my notebook got delivered to my door step. After that you will forget about all the delays and the phases all together.
heck, i haven't quite gotten it yet, its in Fed-Ex's hands as we speak, but from past ordering experience from other places, I agree, you tend to forget all the waiting you've done...heck, i'm tryin to tell myself to not forget about the forums too when my laptop DOES get here.
I only found the forums after I had ordered the notebook (and i'm glad I did), its been an invaluable asset in finding info on the notebook and great support for the waiting game (not sure what i would have done if i didn't know about how long it took....)...

not to mention the photos section, i LOVE pictures....
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