Get answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions relating to DFS Direct Sales, and our Computer Products. If you don't see your question answered below, click here to contact DFS Direct Sales Customer Service.

FAQ's

About DFS Direct Sales
About the Products
Tax and Other Related Fees
Order Processing
Shipping
Payment
Warranty
Returns
Customer Service
Laptop Skins


About DFS Direct Sales [ top]

1. Are Dell Financial Services LLC and DFS Direct Sales affiliated with Dell, Inc.?
   
   Dell Financial Services LLC (DFS) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dell, Inc., the world's leading online computer systems company. Dell's global reach and market dominance allows DFS to directly integrate our services with the needs and demands of Dell customers the world over. www.DFSDirectSales.com is the largest source of refurbished, previously leased Dell computers and accessories.
2. Do I have to register an account to place an order?
   
   Yes.
   
   You will need to create a user profile through the registration process to place an order. Credit card information will NOT be stored on your profile.

1. What does "refurbished" mean?
   
   Refurbished: These systems are tested to ensure quality workmanship standards remain excellent. Refurbished products are visually and diagnostically inspected to ensure these items function. Refurbished systems may have some observable cosmetic imperfections, but they will not affect the performance.
2. What are "Dell Hot Deals"?
   
   These are products in our inventory which have been discounted significantly. Items chosen as "Dell Hot Deals" are at DFS sole discretion and limited to stock on hand. Rain checks are not available.
3. What comes with each system?
   
   Please refer to our What's in the Box tab included on each product detail listing page for complete information on what is included with each system.
   
   We are pleased to announce the new Dell Video Support Center. This site has over 300 videos to help you out with software, hardware, RAID issues and lot's of how-to's! Please take some time to look at the videos to get a better understanding on your system. It will continue to grow each week. If your issue is not covered in the video, then please call Technical Support at 1-800-891-8595.
4. Do manuals come with the computer?
   
   No.
   
   Manuals do not come in the box. Manuals can be found on Dell's support site www.support.dell.com.
5. What disks or CDs come with DFS' systems?
   
   An operating system recovery/reinstallation disk (when operating system is indicated on the listing) will be included with the system. The recovery/reinstallation disk is not a Microsoft Retail Installation CD. An Owner's Manual for the system will be loaded as a .PDF file on the hard drive.
6. Can I customize / upgrade the system I am interested in?
   
   To help keep our costs low, each system offered for sale is prepackaged and ready for shipment. We are not able to open the packaging to change systems configurations.
   
   For additional information on Dell accessories, please visit: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/DellPartsFamily.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=biz&cs=555
7. The item I am looking at only says it has a DVD-ROM. Will I still be able to use regular CD's with it?
   
   Yes.
   
   However, our items that include a DVD-ROM drive or CDRW do not ship with software to play DVD movies or write to CDs.
8. Does my system come with wireless capability?
   
   "YES" indicates that a wireless card is installed. Wireless details can be found on the configuration detail tab of each product listing.
   
   "NO" indicates that a wireless card IS NOT installed, however the ports are available to allow you to add wireless hardware.
9. Does an AC adapter come with the item I am viewing?
   
   Yes.
   
   An AC adapter ships with each laptop.
10. Does a floppy drive come with each system shipped?
    
    No.
    
    Search for Dell spare parts at: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/genselector.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&manufact=694&s=dhs&stype=2&~f=lg
11. How often does DFS add product to the website?
    
    New inventory is added as it becomes available, typically several times each week.
12. Can you upgrade the RAM, hard drive, video card before shipping?
    
    No.
    
    All products are preconfigured and can not be modified.
13. Will the item I am currently viewing allow me to access the internet?
    
    If the item indicates "56K" in the product listing description the unit is capable of connecting to the internet through a phone line. Please contact your ISP (Internet Service Provider) to find out what their requirements are to ensure system compatibility.
14. When it is indicated, which version of Window XP is installed?
    
    Windows XP Professional. Service Pack upgrades are available at no cost when downloaded from the Microsoft, Inc. website.
15. What does "No O/S" or "No operating system" mean?
    
    The operating system is the basic software that is necessary for your computer to function and to run programs that are installed. Units that do not include an Operating system will require one for basic functionality.
    
    Anti-virus, Anti-spyware, Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, DVD decoder software and other applications are not included with the Operating System.


16. Does DFS Export?
    
    No.
    
    DFS does not ship items purchased from DFSDirectSales.com outside of the 50 United States.



17. What are “Business and Education” products?
    
    These are products sold on our site classified as Class A equipment by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and are intended for use in a business /commercial environment. Residential use is prohibited.
    
    

1. Why is tax charged and how much tax will be assessed to my purchase?
   
   Dell Financial Services, LLC is required to collect and remit applicable sales tax based on the ship-to- address.
   
   
2. Why is my order being charged an Environmental Fee?
   
   Under California law, Dell Financial Services, LLC is required to charge a fee on certain electronic products identified by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) as Covered Electronic Devices (CEDs).
   
   The fee is based on the ship-to address and size of video display, measured diagonally.
   
   Visit the website below for detail information:
   http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/EWaste/index.cfm
   
   
3. Do you accept tax exemptions and if so, how do I place an order to receive my exemption?
   
   No.
   
   We do not accept tax exemptions on our website.

1. How long will it be before I receive my order?
   
   Once we receive your order, it will typically take 2-3 days to process. Please make sure your billing and shipping information is accurate and matches your credit card. From time to time we may need to contact you for additional information if descrepencies are indentified.
2. Why haven't I received an email concerning my order?
   
   We batch process orders. Orders are released every morning pending verification. It could be a day or two before you get a confirmation email regarding your order. In the event we need to contact you, please remove any SPAM blocker as this may delay your order.

1. Can I change the shipping method on my order after the order is placed?
   
   No, In order for DFS to process orders efficiently & to keep costs down, we are unable to make changes to orders once they have been submitted.
2. What happens if the shipping address is incorrect or I refuse delivery?
   
   Returns for incorrect address or delivery refusal may result in a 15% restocking fee.
3. When will my order ship?
   
   Orders placed by 2:00 PM CST on this website typically ship the next business day upon payment approval and order verification excluding weekends and holidays. However, factory delays, issues with payment approval or order verification may delay shipment. When your order ships, a shipping confirmation email is sent to the email address associated with your www.dfsdirectsales.com account.
4. Is there an option for same day shipping?
   
   At this time DFS does not offer same day shipping.
   
   In most instances, orders placed 2:00 PM CST on this website will ship the next business day upon payment approval and order verification excluding weekends and holidays. However, factory delays, issues with payment approval or order verification may delay shipment. When your order ships, a shipping confirmation email is sent to the email address associated with your www.dfsdirectsales.com account.
5. What does Next Day delivery and 2nd Day Delivery mean?
   
   Once your order has been placed with the carrier your unit will ship Next Day Air or 2nd Day Air rather than 5-7 day ground delivery. Note: air shipments are optional and cost extra.
   
   In most instances, orders placed by 2:00 PM CST on this website will be placed with the carrier the next business day upon payment approval and order verification excluding weekends and holidays. However, factory delays, issues with payment approval or order verification may delay shipment. When your order ships, a shipping confirmation email is sent to the email address associated with your www.dfsdirectsales.com account.
6. Are there any "ship to" address restrictions?
   
   DFS only ships to addresses in the 50 United States and District of Columbia. DFS does NOT ship to PO Boxes, APO/FPO, Freight Forwarders, Hotels or Internationally.
7. Is a signature required on delivery of items?
   
   Yes.
   
   Customer signature is required on all deliveries!
8. Can I ship a Business & Education product to my home address?
   
   No, Business & Education products are intended for use in a business /commercial environment and must ship to a business address. Residential use is prohibited.
   
   

1. Can I use my Dell Preferred Account or Dell Dollars to purchase from this store?
   
   No.
   
   DFS Direct Sales is not set up to take the Dell Preferred Account or Dell Dollars. We take Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Paypal.
   
   You may use your DPA on www.delloutlet.com
2. Can I finance a purchase from this store?
   
   We do not offer financing on DFS Direct Sales. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Paypal.
3. What is the Dell Financial Services (DFS) authorization charge that I see appearing on my credit card?
   
   For your protection, we perform an authorization charge upon entry of the credit card information into our system. This is a temporarily authorization charge of $5.00 to verify the authenticity of the card number and expiration date, regardless of the address or card verification value check (CVV). Typically this charge is removed from the account within 1-3 business days. Final credit card verification is performed immediately after the $5.00 approved authorization. We will contact you if your card is rejected or declined.

1. Do these systems have warranty?
   
   All of our products include a standard 100 Day Limited Warranty. For complete details on our product warranty please see Limited Warranty.

1. What is the return policy?
   
   You may return the products purchased from DFS within thirty (30) days from the date of the DFS invoice and obtain a credit of the purchase price (excluding shipping and handling charges) to the credit card account used to purchase the products. To return products, you must call DFS at 800.891.8595 to receive a Return Material Authorization and instructions on returning the system back to DFS. For complete details on our return policy please see Terms & Conditions of Sale.
2. Is there a restocking fee if I return the product?
   
   Yes, unless the product is defective (as reasonably determined by DFS at DFS' sole discretion) or the return is a direct result of a DFS error, DFS may charge a restocking fee up to 15% of the purchase price paid.

1. I have received my computer and have an issue with the packaging / configuration / functionality. Who should I contact?
   
   Please call 800.891.8595 to report your issue to the DFS Direct Sales customer service team. Hours are M-F 9-5:30 CST.
2. I have received my computer but have technical issues. Who should I contact?
   
   Please call 1-800-891-8595 and ask to speak to a technical support specialist. Hours are M-F 9-5:30 CST.

Laptop Skin [ top]

1. What is a Laptop Skin?
   
   A laptop skin is a durable vinyl adhesive that is applied to the top cover of the laptop. Our professionally applied skins hide top cover cosmetic blemishes while providing a sleek, like-new look that does not affect the functionality of the unit. If the skin is removed or otherwise separates from your product, the cosmetic blemishes will be visible.