Freidman, The World is Still Round

Okay, like most Americans, we aren't exactly frivolous with our paper and printing. We have a Dell 725 printer and have already gone through both the cartridge that came with the printer and a spare that we brought along. They are quite small and, in my view, offer an opportunity for Dell. Before I get too wrapped-up in the printer, however, I need to back up to our first experience with Dell support.
With all the media activities we were doing on the computer (and the frequent use by a 3-year old), it was inevitable that the Computer would go on the fritz after a couple months. I was able to use contacts here in Palm Meadows as well as the Dell web site to reach customer service and, much to my surprise, had a tech dispatched to my house to do a re-install of the Operating System. The communication and follow-up by Dell was first rate (although, we still run on India time) and the computer was up and going within a couple weeks - yes, that is very good here. Having Dell in town was very helpful.
So we run out of printer ink and I am trying to order more. The Internet site isn't working for me (I think because the ISP is still a little funky), so I switch to Skype. I call the number and get "Hello, this is Richard. May I have the number you are calling from please," in an Indian accent. Hmmm. Okay, let's roll with this, so I give him the Minnesota number we use. No record.
"Is there another number?" "Richard" asks.
Having had the earlier service, I tell him my Indian phone number.
"Are you calling from Canada?" our service agent asks.
"No, I am in Bangalore - India," I respond
-Silence-
Hello?
"Sir (yes, we have switched and he is no longer trying to disguise the accent), you cannot order ink cartridges for India here."
"Uh-Huh, I want to order ink cartridges to be shipped to Minnesota, USA." I say as I swat a mosquito attacking my leg.
"Sir, you have to call the India service number." (Translation: I am in India and I will get you the number to call to do the needful -see Loud Americans for further explanation).
I get the number - a local number.
When I call (after three tries I am successful), I am told that I have to use the web site (the one that I couldn't get to work here) and cannot order it on the phone.
As it turns out, to get a Dell printer cartridge online, you have to make a statement that you will not export the cartridge to countries like India - National Security? So, one cannot get a Dell printer cartridge in India, even though Dell has a significant operation here.
I am using this as just one example of how it appears from the surface that things here should easily work, but actually are still pretty incongruent.