[Resolved]  Dell — Cash Payment issues

I customized and ordered a Dell inspiron laptop on August 11th 2009 and received a quotation from them ( Quotation No.: IRSO2728594).

I communicated through email and over the phone with one of their representative named Aloysius. He told me that I have an option of paying by cash at CITIBANK and gave me details ( not complete details - no TIN number).

I went to CITIBANK Branch at CP in New Delhi on the 14th of August 2009. But Since the amount crossed 50K they were not willing to accept the cash unless I gave them a PAN number . Then I called the Dell representative and one person from the finance department told me to do the payment in two. One 49K and then the rest Rs 48796 in two payment. But the Bank told me that this is illegal and that they are not going to accept it.

I told the bank people that this is what Dell guys told me to do and that I am willing to take any risk if at all it is there, but the bank people were stern and said it is illegal to do that way.

Finally, one of the bank staff told me to ask them (Dell) for a TIN number. He further told me that he has many customer buying Dell Laptop and that they all provided TIN number. When I called up the Dell Representative and ask for TIN number he gave me after letting me hold the phone for about 5 mins.

After getting theTIN nunber I made the payment. After about 4 hrs I got a call from Dell confirming the that they have recieved the payment and they told me that it will take another 24 hrs to complete the whole process. I also scan and send a copy of both ( 49K and Rs 48796) the bank challan to Alloysius who's the Dell sales representative that communicated with from the beginning.

After not getting a reply or an acknowledgment regarding the mail that I send even after two days, I was a little nervous and called them up on 17th August 2009. I talk to Aloysius and I was very surprised when he told me that he has'nt received the mail. He asked me when I sent it to him and I told him the date ie 14th August 2009.

A couple of hours I got a call from another guy from Dell who told me that I can pay the other remaining half of the payment!!!

I was shocked!! I told him that I have made the payment in full on the 14th August 2009, and that a guy from Dell called me up that evening confirming that they have received the payment!! I also told him that I send them a scanned image of the bank challan. Then he asked me the name of the person who called me! I was a little pissed so I asked him sternly whether they have any problem with the payment. Then he told be he'll check it out from his side again and hung up.

I am very worried now. I already paid Rs 53696/- to Dell expecting a laptop from them, now I'm very worried whether they are doing all this fraud and are going to cheat me. First of all they told me to do the payment in an illegal manner and did'nt provide me with a PAN or TIN number. Second, now they are confused or try to confuse me by telling me that I have'nt pay the amount in full and asked me to deposit the second remaining amount Rs 48796.00 (Rs. 53696 - Rs.4900) again.

The representative told me he'll call me back and I'm waiting for his call... and I'm very worried.