Gun maker Says Dell refused to sell him a computer-Truth!

Dell Refused to Sell a Computer to a Man Because he Was a Gun maker-Truth! & Fiction!

Summary of the eRumor:
The message says it is from a gunsmith named Jack Weigand who is upset that an order for a laptop computer to Dell was canceled. He says that after he ordered it and it failed to arrive, he called Dell and was told that the shipment had been canceled by the company because they were concerned that he might use the laptop for illegal purposes. The name of his business is "Weigand Combat Handguns, Inc."

The Truth:
Jack Weigand is real and he did order a Dell computer on February 13 and did experience cancellation of his order. In a statement from the company, Dell Chairman Michael Dell said the order was canceled to give time to follow up with Weigand and make sure that there were no violations of U.S. Export law, which the company has been very cautious about since September 11. Dell has denied discriminating against any particular kind of business.

Weigand's business name, "Weigand Combat Handguns" raised a flag at Dell and they wanted to check things out before continuing with the order.

Weigand has received an email apology from a supervisor at Dell and an offer to put the order through, but has turned it down, saying he no longer wants to do business with them.

The company's statement said a serious mistake was made and that it does not discriminate against businesses or individuals based on the products they
make or sell.

For more information:

www.jackweigand.com

A real example of the eRumor as it has appeared on the Internet:

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.