Dell's Exploding Computer and Other Image Problems

[survivor999]

A Dell notebook computer that burst into flames last month in Osaka, Japan, has damaged more than just the conference table where it sat smoldering. The incident, publicized in photos on the Internet, has also hurt Dell's recent attempts to improve its image.

The company said the incident got more publicity than such incidents usually do when they happen to other manufacturers. In part, that is because Dell's reputation for responsive customer service was already under attack after the company, the world's largest PC manufacturer, started to cut costs at its call centers last year. Dell, reacting to the savaging it has received on blogs and Web sites over the cuts, recently responded with a program to spend more than $100 million to improve service.

Photos of the flaming and smoking notebook were posted on a technology news Web site called the Inquirer on June 21 (www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article =32550). The story was passed around to other Web sites and blogs like Consumerist.com. It was also the subject of a brief article carried later that day on the Dow Jones Newswires.

Two days later, Cindy Shaw, a securities analyst with Moors & Cabot, notified her clients about the publicity. Last Thursday, citing reports of a second smoking laptop, this one in Pennsylvania, she advised them that "should this story also hit the mainstream press, we believe there is headline risk and potentially negative demand ramifications for Dell."

Bob Pearson, vice president for corporate group communications at Dell, called Ms. Shaw's reaction "somewhat irresponsible."

Ms. Shaw said neither she nor her firm had made any financial bets that the company's stock would fall. She does, however, recommend that clients sell the shares.

So far, though, Dell's stock price has been largely unaffected.

More here: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/10/technology/10dell.html?pagewanted=print

[gatorboy]

1. "Dude, you're getting a –SWEET, JESUS! I'M ON FIRE!! AHHGHHH!!!"

eom

[Greyhound]

3. ROTFLMAO!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[ixion]

9. lmao

thanks, I needed that. :rofl:

[slor]

10. LOL...

that was funny. Thanks, there has not been much to laugh about.

[madrchsod]

14. very funny----you know some one could have gotten hurt!

thank god the investors did`t lose any money...dell is about as stupid as the dude guy

[benburch]

2. Some people have tried to pass this picture off as an exploding Apple!

Which makes me wonder if Dell is behind that disinformation?

[Nomad559]

4. iBook on fire

http://wcco.com/consumer/local_story_148150249.html

:)

[benburch]

7. Correct. All things with these batteries can burn.

But passing off these pictures was what I was talking about.

[Skidmore]

5. Gives a whole new meaning to "explosive data."

[survivor999]

6. And this explosion was NOT TERROR related!

[Greyhound]

8. Dell "recently responded with a program to spend more than $100 million...

...to improve service."

What a farce! They've cut twice that, easily. Like all of the rest of the indifferent corporations, they are living off of a bygone reputation and the sheeple's gnat-like memory.

[Benhurst]

11. "Should you, or any member

of your I.M. force, be caught, or killed, the secretary will disavow all knowledge of your actions.

This tape will self-destruct in five seconds."


:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[TlalocW]

12. Sad thing was

They were playing Counterstrike. That happens whenever you frag someone.

Bad publicity couldn't happen to a better republican-loving-controlled business - big supporter of Bush, constant outsourcing of American jobs overseas, and when I have spoken to their tech help - either foreign or domestic they kept telling me it was something I had to call Microsoft about even though I knew better.

TlalocW

[Solo_in_MD]

13. There was also at least one DoD one that burned up

It was officially blamed on a 3rd party battery

[alfredo]

15. Dell is losing its dominance.

How far it will fall is anybody's guess. I think they have enough customer loyalty to stay on top for a long time. Bad press like the burning laptop doesn't help.
http://www.macnn.com/articles/06/07/06/consumers.want.macs/


HP tied with Apple, while Dell maintained a sizeable lead with 41 percent, according to Investor's Business Daily. Dell, however, saw a 14 percent decrease since April of this year. Those looking to buy desktops specifically see Apple at No. 2 with 16 percent of the market, a 10 percent increase since May.

[catmandu57]

16. Revenge of the dell dude

fire me mothers, take that booga booga.