Dell Computer
If your business is firearms, then you
can't be trusted.
This is a testimonial from a pistol smith whose computer order was
canceled by Dell because of the name of his business, "Weigand Combat Handguns,
Inc." Jack Weigand may be a TSRA member.
Some members are suggesting a boycott of Dell by gunowners which I favor. I can beat
the tom-tom on the web site and in the newsgroups. What I need is feedback from all of you
regarding this incident. I believe that this boycott will grow rapidly across the
Internet. Other pro-gun organizations will be promoting the boycott. I believe
that it would be good for our PR and result in gun owners joining TSRA.
Jim Nicholson
TSRA
I am writing this because I feel every Firearms owner should know this
story. I placed an order for a Dell notebook computer on February 13 on line with
Dell. I was given a tentative delivery date of February 21st. I was watching
the order through the Dell on line tracking system; I also opted for the automatic email
notification of when the machine was to be shipped. Well the 21st came and went, I
am a Pistolsmith I know things can happen. I made a phone call on the 25th, did a
voice mail message for my salesman to get back to me and I was looking for the delivery
date. The 25th came and went with no callback. On the 26th I placed another
call this time to cancel the order. After a few hours I got a call back, with this
amazing reason for the delay. It seems someone in Dell had already canceled my
order, when I asked why I was told Dell was afraid I was going to use the machine for
illegal purposes. When I asked why someone would think that I was told it was
because of the name of my business “Weigand Combat Handguns Inc.” Because
I am involved in firearms I might be doing something illegal.
Now keep in mind I was never called or informed of this decision the order was just
canceled. Many of you know me personally and know I run my business about as squeaky
clean as possible. In addition being the President of the American Pistolsmiths
Guild I am under additional scrutiny as to how I run my business, if I am not clean how
can I be the President of an organization that promotes just that! I was informed by
a Dell supervisor not long after all of this the reason I was refused was because of their
post September 11th policy of screening buyers.
I would like to respectfully ask the firearms community to do the following. If you
intended to buy a Dell and because of this letter you do not, email Dell and let them know
why. Feel free to distribute this account to all you know in the Firearms community,
I think they need to know. I for one am sick and tired of people assuming just
because we are involved with firearms that we are doing something illegal. I also do
not believe Dell deserves our business if this is how they intend to treat us.
God Bless
Jack Weigand
President
American Pistolsmiths Guild Inc.
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www.jackweigand.com
Page Updated: 02/26/2002