The Juggle Zone: Bargain Blog

1) It's showing that the drive I ordered was the drive shipped - this is the
normal course of things, and wouldn't account for accidental (or
intentional) product substitution.

2) Unlike you, I have the convenience of having the product in my hands. No
where on the label does it say anything about being the "Special Edition,"
it has only a 1-year (instead of the 3-year) warranty, and it clearly
doesn't contain the ATA controller card that was advertised as part of the
"Special Edition Kit" from Western Digital at the time the order was placed.

I do not know if this is simply the wrong package, or if Western Digital has
changed the specifications of this part number (WD2000JBTRL). While they
have the right to do so, Dell has a responsibility to deliver an item as
advertised. This drive was ordered back in September, and Dell advertised
it as "Usually Ships: Same Day." While a few weeks delay in most markets
doesn't mean much (a book that costs $20 today will probably cost $20 in a
few weeks), in technology it makes a huge difference. Dell knows this, and
built their company on this model (selling computers before building them).
Imagine if people placed orders for computers, only to have them delivered a
year later - they would be worth 1/4 as much (at best), and the customers
would be irate! Luckily I have not been in a rush for this drive, but the
runaround I have gotten has been unbelievable! However, the fact that as
things currently stand, I am losing out on $65 does matter to me. The ATA
card (not included with the drive shipped to me) is valued at $50, and
Western Digital charges $15 to upgrade from a 1-year warranty to a 3-year
warranty. If Dell cannot replace the incorrect drive they shipped, I expect
to be compensated full!