Thats exactly what it seems like to me... they do sell systems without Vista, their "open-source" systems, but there are very limited options as to what you can buy without the OS. it is a rip-off, for real. i think it is probably better to get the system you want WITH vista and then fight for the refund, as opposed to buying one of their systems without the OS.
i decided to build my own computer instead of hassle with dell. better computer, better price, just a little bit of assembly work.
So I called Dell tonight, hoping to talk through the possibility of getting a refund before purchasing, and I spoke with three different people, and they all insisted that Dell has no system in place for any sort of refund. I pointed out that i had read accounts of US and international users receiving refunds, and they insisted there was no system set in place for refunds, on a global scale. i pointed out that i knew they were wrong and that as long as the customer never accepted the EULA for vista they were entitled to a refund, and they just repeated that no mechanism was in place to deliever any sort of refunds (or credits).
they did point out what they call their "open source" models, which are models without an OS installed, and they are available to customize online, but the customization of these models is somehwat limited, at least compared to other models...
i was on the phone for about 1 hour with multiple departments and at least one "manager," whatever that means.
so, i know people have been able to get refunds, but it is NOT easy at all. maybe if you have already purchased the system you have a little more bargaining power, i dont know...
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Thats exactly what it seems like to me... they do sell systems without Vista, their "open-source" systems, but there are very limited options as to what you can buy without the OS. it is a rip-off, for real. i think it is probably better to get the system you want WITH vista and then fight for the refund, as opposed to buying one of their systems without the OS. i decided to build my own computer instead of hassle with dell. better computer, better price, just a little bit of assembly work.
So I called Dell tonight, hoping to talk through the possibility of getting a refund before purchasing, and I spoke with three different people, and they all insisted that Dell has no system in place for any sort of refund. I pointed out that i had read accounts of US and international users receiving refunds, and they insisted there was no system set in place for refunds, on a global scale. i pointed out that i knew they were wrong and that as long as the customer never accepted the EULA for vista they were entitled to a refund, and they just repeated that no mechanism was in place to deliever any sort of refunds (or credits).
they did point out what they call their "open source" models, which are models without an OS installed, and they are available to customize online, but the customization of these models is somehwat limited, at least compared to other models...
i was on the phone for about 1 hour with multiple departments and at least one "manager," whatever that means.
so, i know people have been able to get refunds, but it is NOT easy at all. maybe if you have already purchased the system you have a little more bargaining power, i dont know...