Why Buy Dell When You Can Buy SuperDell?

Gordian Blade

I found this on Free Republic and thought it would be worthwhile to copy it here. Maybe my next computer will be a SuperDell instead of a Dell:Dr. Michael S. Brownfrom Enter Stage RightDell Computer Corporation has been riding high lately with an advertising campaign based on the slogan: "Dude, get a Dell!" Last week, Dell stumbled into a confrontation with American gun rights activists that illustrates interesting changes in the nature of that community.Millions of politically active gun owners are now linked via a sprawling and unorganized network of web sites and email distribution lists. Valid information and rumors both propagate at light speed. On February 26th, an email spread through the network like wildfire. Jack Weigand is a highly respected Pennsylvania gunsmith and President of the American Pistolsmiths Guild. He sent out a message describing his unpleasant encounter with Dell. He reported that Dell cancelled his order for a laptop computer, because the name of his business, Weigand Combat Handguns, suggested that he might be planning to use the computer for criminal purposes. They also rudely neglected to inform him of the cancellation.Stories like this are a serious hot-button issue for gun owners, who are sick and tired of being demonized for the last couple of decades. Connectivity, computer skills and hard feelings are a potent combination. Within hours, Dell was inundated with hostile emails and phone calls. Dell's damage control team moved quickly. An apology from Dell was forthcoming on February 28th, but not before angry net-gunnies were further incensed by the discovery that Dell was listed on an obscure web site that allows Dell customers to donate a portion of their payment to Handgun Control Inc. Dell's rather lame apology claimed that their cancellation of Mr. Weigand's laptop order was a misunderstanding motivated by their desire to comply with federal export laws designed to keep high technology from falling into the hands of terrorists. They offered Weigand a free computer, which he respectfully declined.There is no way to know how much this fiasco cost Dell, but it has provided an unexpected windfall for a flamboyant computer retailer in Utah. Dell Shanze, owner of Totally Awesome Computers (totallyawesome.com) received plenty of free publicity when his gun-owning customers posted their praise of his pro-gun policies. Millions of gun owners now know that Dell Shanze, affectionately and ironically known as "SUPERDELL," encourages his employees to carry their lawfully owned handguns on the job in his nine retail stores.In an email interview, Shanze recounted his background on gun matters. It seems that he once bought a shipping and packaging store that had been robbed three times. (No doubt he got it at a good price.) He carried a gun openly on his hip and never had another robbery attempt. Even though he no longer owns that store, it still remains unmolested by criminals.He explained that his philosophy is based on his own experience: "Good guys with guns are legendary in the minds of bad guys and just a rumor of an armed business owner will prevent the vast majority of any robbery attempts." None of his stores has ever been robbed.As if this weren't enough to earn the loyalty of computer-savvy gun owners, he also offers $100 off any computer purchase if the customer will bring in their handgun and concealed weapon permit. Out of state purchasers can simply fax their permit. Many gun owners are now saying: "Dude, get a SUPERDELL!" Corporate managers should take note and avoid repeating past errors. Any sign of prejudice against lawful gun owners now risks a confrontation with millions of net-wired activists. Dr. Michael S. Brown is an optometrist and member of Doctors for Sensible Gun Laws, www.dsgl.org. His email is rkba2000@yahoo.com and he is not affiliated with any company mentioned in this column.

wundudnee

net-gunnies.........I love it!

---

"If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?" Will Rogers

luger01

As a System Administrator, my lab buys tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars in computer equipment yearly. Dell has been a significant supplier for Windows and Linux systems.You can sure bet that after hearing this (and after I verify it with Mr. Weigand, with whom I've done business in the past), that Dell will not only hear about my extreme displeasure, but unless I see a change in attitude, I will be recommending a different supplier.For those who own Dell stock, you'd better sell before you get Enron-ed.

Gordian Blade

I'm going to post a reply to my own topic, how's that for vanity?At first, being the trusting person I am, I was going to take Dell's statements on the matter at face value and let the issue drop. My thinking was that if Dell wasn't pro gun rights, at least they were neutral on the issue. However, after thinking it over, some things don't make sense.First, let's look at the issue of "Combat" being a key word that triggers their supposed anti-terrorist filter. Does it make sense that the front company for a terrorist organization is going to put "Combat" in their name? More likely, they will call themselves the "Innocent Widows' and Children's Relief Fund" or "Political Education Institute" or something like that.Second, I did a quick check of searching "Weigand Combat Handguns" on Yahoo. Sure enough, that took me to the home page of Weigand's business. Total time to search and get to the page: less than 5 seconds. If it isn't clear enough from the home page that it is a legitimate business, Dell could easily have accessed a Dunn and Bradstreet or similar report on the business and easily discovered it was legitimate.Call it paranoia, but I now believe (in the absence of evidence to the contrary) that someone at Dell knew exactly what business Weigand Combat Handguns was involved in and deliberately blackballed the order because of it. I'm not saying it was general company policy, but it was evidently the policy of someone responsible for taking orders. The company's explanation of what happened implies it was merely an oversight, which I do not believe to be the full story. I think they are protecting someone in their company who is anti gun rights.

Gordian Blade

Saxon, I understand where you're coming from. I agreed with what you are saying a couple of days ago, but now after I've thought it over I'm not convinced that Dell has come totally clean on what happened. If more comes out to show that Dell made an honest mistake, I would be happy to consider them for my next purchase.

getten,old

Sorry to disagree with you saxon,Even though I'm new here and I don't challenge your honesty in defending Dell,I feel if they are sincere in their "Mistake!"Why don't we see little "Steven" saying" sorry Dude we didn' mean to discriminate against thousands of you law abiding gun owners." Or could it be they might shoot themselves in the foot again and then have the gun control freaks refusing to buy DELL? hey need to really clarify their actions by more than a pitifull sorry "DUDE." It's their buisness that is taking the hits.They spend millons selling their product,they spend some on damage control. As the saying goes "just my 2 cents"Ps.I don't own a Dell and have no personal grudge in this!

getten,old

Sorry about that post it should have read, they need to spend some money on damage control.

Gordian Blade

Hi Getten,old, I'm getten old too! One of the good things about this forum is that you can go back and edit your own posts if you made a mistake, or even delete them. Click on the little pencil-and-paper icon above your post.For example, I just did it.[This message has been edited by Gordian Blade (edited 03-04-2002).]

Iconoclast

Saxon, I have to go w/ Gord here. The Dell response was a 'Spin City' defense. Anyone wishing to export a sys can order it as "Joe Schmidlap of East Overshoe, NH" and have the guts on their merry way to Beijing in the Diplomatic pouch the day it arrives. Michael Dell didn't grow a company from a dorm room to the biggest computer maker in the world by being that stupid. Until I see something proactive / positive come from them, I'm going to take the incident, not the BS excuse, at face value.