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Why Apple is faultering

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Isn't it nice that Apple offers military discounts, yet they don't ship to military addresses, nor accepts the military (AA/AE/AP) in your billing address? Perhaps this discount is better suited for veterans like yourself who live in the comfort of not having to deal with APO addresses anymore.

Perhaps I wouldn't be as frustrated if Apple simply shipped to these addresses, who knows why they don't. I know for a fact that Dell offers the same military discount and ships to military addresses. Perhaps that's why all the computers on this base are PCs?

So I'm left with either hassling a relative to ship the product to me, getting slapped with taxes and overweight shipping charges. Or just pay the higher prices from a reseller who will ship it directly to you, without any of the hassle.

Who knows, maybe Apple will come to their senses someday and realize there is more to be had with all these potential customers. I'm sure that'll put a smile on your face once you see your stock rise even more.

--



http://www.sublogic.net
 
"almost" isn't good enough, especially when you're dealing with a new technology that has yet to be unveiled. But thanks for "grasping" that thought though, it's very interesting considering you don't know what you're talking about.

--



http://www.sublogic.net
 
Don't know what options you left off, but memory is better ordered from a source other than Apple and installed by yourself. Absolute simplicity to do. And cheaper.

As for the faster video cards, you will have many options as you go along. You might even be able to get a better price on Ebay. I saw an Nvidia x800xt go for about $250. I hear the almost released x1600xt kicks the 7800s butt! They all fit in a PCI-Extreme pair of slots.

Drives are also easy to add or swap out.

You can buy an Airport Extreme card from Small Dog electronics for pretty cheap. Might even have a refurbed one. The Aiport Extreme card for the G5 includes Bluetooth.

So what else is there to option?
 
I've dealt with Apple sales and support for 10+ years and have not experienced anywhere near the extreme examples that you postd.

If you have so many reasons, and aren't really a troll, then why not just continue using the computer you're using now to post with?

--

 
Shipping high value items to APO/FPO addresses where there is no delivery confirmation is an issue with many companies (e.g. Amazon, Dell, Sony).

A merchant can discount products, not exempt them from taxes. If it's just about not collecting the tax, California law is clear - if you purchase from an out-of-state merchant who does not collect use tax, you need to report it and pay it yourself.

It's unfortunate that the 7800 is not shipping, but I am not sure what Edwin wants Apple to do. Ship a computer with a card that has not been fully tested or integrated?
 
sublogic said:
I'm no Apple basher by no means, i'm just a frustrated PC user
trying to make the "switch" with no luck whatsoever on Apple's end.
Click to expand...
sublogic said:
3. Apple military, student, etc. discounts are completely useless
if you're living in a state which has sales tax, and even worse for
those who don't have the discount.
Click to expand...
Apple has no choice here since they have physical stores in-state. Actually it's probably not too much longer before the states are going to clamp down and present a unified tax model that everyone (yes, even Dell) will charge as well.
sublogic said:
It's these factors that I would say is holding a consumer like
myself from making the "switch", and the fact that a PC can be
bought from almost every huge retail store, or the fact that one
can build their own PC to their own specifications without the same
kind of delay as Apple, that is holding Apple from capturing 95% of
the world.

Don't get me wrong though, i'm a professional photographer/web
designer. I understand the importance of Macs when it comes to
these fields that keeps me hanging in there with hope of one day
owning the system in which I have set my eyes upon.
Click to expand...
I would have to disagree with some of the other points as I have actually had very good experiences with Apple employees, especially customer support. I mean if you are going to complain about the guys selling computers - have you ever talked to a Best Buy employee, or phone support from Dell? Urgh. I would say PC salespeople drive people more into the arms of macs than the other way around.

As a practical solution to your issue, what about getting a used Mac from eBay (or other source), or a new one from some place like MacMall? If a Mac is still under Applecare you can have it transferred over. You can ask for the serial number of the Mac you are buying and call Applecare to make sure it's covered.

--
---> Kendall
http://www.pbase.com/kgelner
http://www.pbase.com/sigmasd9/user_home
http://www.kigiphoto.com/Gallery
 
Look. This isn't difficult at all.

1. What do you not understand about Apple and taxes. They don't have a choice. Do you think the WANT to do this? No, they don't. They do it because they have to. Their execs don't want to break the law. Simple as that.

2. Apple has their reasons for not being able to ship to military addresses (whatever they are but I am sure there are valid business reasons for this being the case) - that is the way it is. If you want a mac, buy one form a reseller - you generally get a better deal anyhow if you bargain a bit (extra memory no charge, other configurations, stuff thrown in - we do it all the time). I run my multi-state business on macs and that is what we do. Usually, unless they have a point of sale presence in your area, they don't charge any sales tax and they don't pile on the shipping either. There are any number of these that are just fine. Apple's discounts are no great shakes - you can usually more than make this up with freebies from the resellers.

3. Apple is not faltering by any measure. I'm sure that many computer companies wish they had the financials that Apple does. Don't you think the CEO of HP would trade his eye teeth for the what is financially happening to Apple right now? You bet he would, and in a heartbeat. Yes a lot of it has to do with the iPod, but that is part of Apple's long term digital hub strategy which, there is NO DOUBT, is working extremely well. It goes right with iMovie, iPhoto, Garageband, FinalCut, Aperture - both consumer and professional tracks. Why do you think Dell, Sony, HP are all trying to copy it? Simple it works and it works extremely well.

So, I'm not sure what the problem is with you on this one. But if you want the machine, this is what you will have to do to get it there. Unfortunately for you, that is the way it is. So, I guess it is your decision. Seems to me the choices are pretty clear.

Incidentally, I've not had anything but excellent customer service and tech support from Apple. That includes the Apple store near my business all the way through the tech warranty support that Apple provides on hardware. They pioneered the 3 day warranty service turn around logistics that are now just starting to be used elsewhere in the industry. Apple has more entry points into service and customer support than almost any company I've ever dealt with - and it is quality trained.

So, I'm not buying it. I think you've gotten yourself into some weird mental traps about whose problems most of this stuff is. On the tax issue for example - you need to write your elected representatives on this. That is not Apple's issue. It is weird to blame this on Apple.

J.
sublogic said:
Isn't it nice that Apple offers military discounts, yet they don't
ship to military addresses, nor accepts the military (AA/AE/AP) in
your billing address? Perhaps this discount is better suited for
veterans like yourself who live in the comfort of not having to
deal with APO addresses anymore.

Perhaps I wouldn't be as frustrated if Apple simply shipped to
these addresses, who knows why they don't. I know for a fact that
Dell offers the same military discount and ships to military
addresses. Perhaps that's why all the computers on this base are
PCs?

So I'm left with either hassling a relative to ship the product to
me, getting slapped with taxes and overweight shipping charges. Or
just pay the higher prices from a reseller who will ship it
directly to you, without any of the hassle.

Who knows, maybe Apple will come to their senses someday and
realize there is more to be had with all these potential customers.
I'm sure that'll put a smile on your face once you see your stock
rise even more.

--



http://www.sublogic.net
Click to expand...
--

'Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please.' -
Mark Twain

(equip in profile)
 
sublogic said:
1. Apple does not ship to APO/FPO and any U.S. territories,
eliminating millions of potential customers like myself.

3. Apple military, student, etc. discounts are completely useless
if you're living in a state which has sales tax, and even worse for
those who don't have the discount.
Click to expand...
I don't know if this will make you feel better or worse about your predicament, but here's something I just saw on Macintouch

just spotted this one at Military.com - a hefty Apple discount for US military personnel just in time for Christmas!

Expires: 01/01/2006
Military Discounts on Apple iPods & Other Products

Apple salutes the US Military. Now government and military personnel can receive up to 17% off Apple products for personal use. This includes the world's most popular digital music player, the iPod.
Call 1-800-MY-APPLE and mention military discount
OR
Click on the "Get Discount Online" button to access these exclusive discounts.
OR
Visit any retail Apple Store and bring proof of military or government status.
Free Shipping on orders over $50.

--
Jim Robertson
 
I guess when you are the most profitable computer company presently on the planet, all those things don't much matter.
--
Dave Lewis
 
I'll just comment on one of your points right now.

"5. Apple sales people are completely useless to the point that they can't even do their job right, like spelling your last name correctly!"

I suppose just about any salesperson could spell someone's name wrong by mistake. I am not sure what this has to do with Apple salespeople.

I am lucky enough to have 3 different Apple stores fairly close to me. I have also found that some Comp USA stores have Apple salespeople working in the Apple dept. On the other hand, stores like Fry's which sell Apple products do not have Apple salespeople and are completely useless in answering Apple questions IMHO.

What I am trying to say is this: If you are dealing with an actual Apple salesperson I think you will find most, if not all of your questions answered accurately and courteously. Apple stores actually provide free live training during the week. I have been an Apple owner since 1984 and so far have not had a bad experiance with Apple salespeople.

Sorry, I cannot answer your military vs Apple questions.

Ken Leonard

Mac Tips

http://porg.4t.com/MacTips.html
 
Apple has a retail sales presence in most states in the country now and even the ones they don't they sell in the educator market. The result is that they are required to collect sales taxes. I agree that the sales tax issue is a thorn in folks side, but if you look at it carefully, you quickly realize that thorn hurts the local dealer much more than it does you. I just purchased a new PowerBook from Amazon. The main reason I went with them was the $200 rebate they offer, but not having to pay sales tax was surely another consideration.

Most of your criticisms of Apple are in reality criticisms of our economic and political system. Apple simply operates within the legal parameters every other honest company operates under. You really need to look carefully at USA prices including sales tax and compare them to prices in other countries and you quickly realize almost everything is a bargain here.

If you are living in another country, you will just have to deal with the constraints that residence imposes. Apple has nothing to do with any of that. If you look carefully at your list of criticisms, you quickly realize those are mainly criticisms Apple can do little about.
--
Dave Lewis
 
--Buy, use a Mac and did just that. What is the problem? Who cares about Apple if you enjoy using the equipment???

Keep Taking Photos,
Jeff
The Digital Wolf
 
When I say useless, I mean useless. Yeah they were nice, but what sales person isn't? I'm not trying to spark a conversation with them, I just want my billing and shipment information to be accurate.

When I first called to inquire about shipping to Guam, all I got was a "Do you know anyone that can ship it back to you from the states?". Whatever happened to "Oh we're sorry, we don't ship to Guam.. let me see if I can find an authorized reseller near your area."

Sure enough I found an authorized reseller with the help of google on Apple's website on my own.

As for the billing lady I spoke to, don't even get me started with her. She proceeded to be rude to me everytime I asked any questions regarding why I was unable to change my order on my own like the sales person told me I would be able to do through my Apple ID account.

I was already frustrated enough with finding a way to get the machine shipped to me.

--



http://www.sublogic.net
 
I know about this discount already but it doesn't help me at all if they can't ship to military, nor accept my military billing address. I'd say it's better suited for veterans who don't live on base in the states or live near an Apple retail store. But thanks anyway.

--



http://www.sublogic.net
 
"The Aiport Extreme card for the G5 includes Bluetooth"

No it doesn't. The Bluetooth option is only available as a BTO option at time of purchase. I've seen it available unofficially online but they are very expensive. If you have to add Bluetooth yourself, go for a USB dongle, they are a fraction of the price and work identically.

The AirPort Extreme card is widely available as an accessory and is very simple to fit.
 
sublogic said:
1. Apple does not ship to APO/FPO and any U.S. territories,
eliminating millions of potential customers like myself.
Click to expand...
I'm not aware of any computer maker that ships to ALL addresses in the world.
sublogic said:
2. Apple does not accept any military designations such as
(AA/AE/AP) for their billing address either, so even if you wanted
to ship to the states, you'd have to work something out with the
sales person.
Click to expand...
Maybe I'm being naive here, but if you're a U.S. citizen, wouldn't your credit card be under a U.S. billing address?
sublogic said:
5. Apple sales people are completely useless to the point that they
can't even do their job right, like spelling your last name
correctly!
Click to expand...
I would laugh at them, but not consider this a reason to mistrust a company.
sublogic said:
Don't get me wrong though, i'm a professional photographer/web
designer. I understand the importance of Macs when it comes to
these fields that keeps me hanging in there with hope of one day
owning the system in which I have set my eyes upon.
Click to expand...
I know several "professional" photographers and web designers who use Windows PCs.
-----------------------

Ok, I am also one of those "tried to switch" people, and while I understand your frustrations to a point above, I will tell you the REAL reason that I at least, decided to basically give Apple the finger as far as getting any future money from me...

I bought one of the "snowball" flat panel iMacs when they came out. The ones designed for "switchers", to entice us to convert. No manual. No simple books such as "if you do this on a PC, here's the Mac way", or any such thing. I had to buy large, thick OSX books and look up the basics. Two weeks later, the CDR drive on it broke. I took it in and waited 45 minutes at a "genius bar" to have someone who wouldn't look me in the eye tell me that even though I had Applecare, there would be a $50 fee to "evaluate and pinpoint the exact problem". ???? They waved that fee seeing I was about to have a heart attack in their store. Fixed it. A month later, it broke again. I sold that iMac.

Later, I try one more time, and buy a G3 iBook. Then I start hearing and reading on the Apple boards about G3 iBook logic boards going bad. People are being charged $350 to have them fixed. Months later, a TV show called "The Screen Savers" did a story on it, slapping Apple verbally for charging people for the repairs, saying it was happing to a number of people. About two weeks later, Apple posts on their site they will fix the problem for free, and reimburse anyone who paid - AFTER the media did this story. Mine is ok so far, but once it breaks, I'm not replacing it with another.

Then came the Nano. I don't have one, but know two people who did buy the first batch and they scratched up within minutes (literally) of handling, and being in pockets with no keys (just headphones). Apple denied any defects or subpar materials, until lawsuits started, THEN they said they'd repair them for free, and half admitted the screens weren't as solidly made as on other iPod devices.

So my own personal opinion about Apple is not where they ship or sell, or the fact they charge too much for some of the items. My own "real" reason for disliking them would be that they are starting to show a bit of a deceiptful charactor, where they will not admit to faulty items until the media pays attention to it, and lawsuits are filed. I have much more respect for companies that admit to a goof when they realize it, and offer folks the ability to have an item tuned up or fixed WITHOUT doing so under pressure from media attention. Again, just my personal opinion.
 
Greg Henry said:
Ok, I am also one of those "tried to switch" people, and while I
understand your frustrations to a point above, I will tell you the
REAL reason that I at least, decided to basically give Apple the
finger as far as getting any future money from me...

I bought one of the "snowball" flat panel iMacs when they came out.
The ones designed for "switchers", to entice us to convert. No
manual. No simple books such as "if you do this on a PC, here's
the Mac way", or any such thing. I had to buy large, thick OSX
books and look up the basics.
Click to expand...
Oh my God! That's TERRIBLE! How could they do such a thing? I'm sure that with such unforgivable disregard for the consumer, they'll go out of business any day now. After all, when you buy a Dell, it comes with a 700-page tome that gently guides the formerly coddled Mac user through the intricacies of Windows. I think it's titled, "How to Do (almost) Everything You Used to Do on Your Mac but Now with Just a Few Extra Keystrokes."

Look at the center of the menu bar at the top of the screen on any Mac. See that menu called "Help"? Use it. It's there for a reason. Actually tells you how to do stuff and everything.

--
'To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or
that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only
unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American
public.' -- Teddy Roosevelt
 
sublogic said:
I'm no Apple basher by no means, i'm just a frustrated PC user
trying to make the "switch" with no luck whatsoever on Apple's end.
Click to expand...
sublogic said:
5. Apple sales people are completely useless to the point that they
can't even do their job right, like spelling your last name
correctly!
Click to expand...
Yeah, spelling skills in this country have gone straight to Hell. Ain't life a *****?

--
'To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or
that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only
unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American
public.' -- Teddy Roosevelt
 
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