I received a bill from Dell Financial Services (the company that handles leases for Dell Computer) for $462.32, which I assumed was the "fair market value" for my leased PC. But when I called DFS, I was told that I owed this amount for keeping the PC three months past the lease's expiration. I asked why I was not notified that my lease had ended, and was told, "It's in the contract you signed." With my other leases, I receive a notice before expiration.
Scott D. Harrison, Hoboken, New Jersey
Letter of the Week responds: Lindsay Maresh, senior corporate communications analyst at Dell Financial Services, declined to clarify the company's policy regarding notification of lease expirations. However, a DFS customer support representative confirmed that keeping track of the expiration date is the leasee's responsibility. (By contrast, Gateway and Micron alert customers well before a lease ends.) Harrison has reluctantly accepted DFS's offer to forgive him two months' leasing fee if he buys the PC. The lesson? Before signing a lease, read the fine print.
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