Dell in half-price hot water

PC vendor Dell has drawn criticism from Australians after it advertised a computer for less than half its usual price in the country, then withdrew the offer and refused to honour any orders made.

The deal, which was quickly proliferated through bargain websites, and its subsequent withdrawal, has left many customers complaining about false advertising.

“Companies get a lot of advertising mileage out of these things and there should be laws to make sure they do not make ‘mistakes’ deliberately to get the advertising mileage,” wrote a user of Australian bargain website, OzBargain.

However, Dell Australia spokesman Marty Filipowski told the Sidney Morning Herald that the offer was a mistake stemming from Dell accidentally allowing customers to delete certain accessories from their orders.

“Those who deleted the preconfigured accessories from their order where inadvertently offered the product for $238.64,” he said. “We are contacting these customers now and believe they will understand the error.”