I spent the day before yesterday on the phone to companies, whinging about their products. I had luck with apple. I complained that the wires on my power adaptor was fraying, and that it might cause a fire. (true). The lady told me to go to the shop. I pointed out that this was my 4th power adapter, and that I wasn't going to buy another one. I asked to speak to her manager. After listening to bad classical music (I'm a fan of classical music) for about an hour, I got a supervisor, who explained to me that since I had had such bad luck in the past he'd make an exception. Today my power adaptor arrived by courier.

I'll write up my phone call to Dell some other time.

umm......congrats?

That's handy to know actually, I've never had much luck with Dell or (godforgiveme) Tiny. They were all strange and didn't 'get' what I was talking about.

Can you get a warranty on your adapter now?

Thanks for being one of the reasons that companies jack their prices up. We all applaud you.

You think that's bad you shoulda seen my call to Dell - Delhi that is. I actually have a valid complaint with my apple adapter - they're disgracefully poorly designed. Anyway I call up dell to try to get some new speakers for my cousin, and the fucking rep wanted me to TAKE THE COMPUTER INTO MY LIVING ROOM!!! I said I used it mainly for porn and that my wife would freak (all the time I had a thick american accent.) The agent couldn't even speak for laughing, but I stayed dead serious. Then I call them up on my mobile and spend an hour playing distorted music to them. They take remote control of my computer to install new drivers, and finally fob me off to their virus people. I need to call them back. I was not charged for my 50 minute mobile phone call. (about 50c per minute).

Back on the line to Dell today - more whinging from me - asked to speak to a manager - he said since it was out of warranty I was SOL and he'd transfer me to sales to buy new bits and pieces. I explained I wasn't happy with that situation, and that legally computers and the like have to last a few years and that warranties are an American concept - in Europe we have "consumer rights" and if they are going to do business here they need to abide by applicable laws.

He said sorry I feel that way, and said he'd transfer me to their "escalations" department.

Anyway, the goods arrive monday.

I'm going to hell.

What Dell machine do you have? I haven't ever had a problem with any of their products personally, and I'm pretty clumsy at the best of times.

Problem??? The speakers are excellent, but the mouse is an older-style ball mouse which sticks, has inertia, and isn't very good (don't have anything against ball mice,some are brilliant).

Just trying to get free stuff.

Hmm. Lovely speakers, complete new pock of them - worth mucho bucks. I swapped the dell ball moule with my cousin for a logitech laser, at least until my bluetooth mouse comes from hongkong. Definately a good scam.