Don't let a dispute damage your credit

Gina Akers of Joshua had just about had it with her 10-year-old computer in October 2004, when she saw a television commercial advertising a new Dell for only $499.

Akers said she thought it sounded like a great deal, so she called Dell and placed her order, upgrading to a flat-panel monitor and adding some software.

She said the Dell operator told her that after rebates, her new computer would cost $800.

"It all sounded so great," said Akers, 54. "But I never got the rebates. I never got the forms."

Two months later, however, she did get a bill from Dell on the credit account she opened with them to finance her purchase.

Akers said that the bill was more than $1,500 and that Dell was charging 29.9 percent interest.

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