Why Apple is faultering

Greg Henry said:

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.

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You mean like Bill Gates and the Windows OS when it came out and hundreds..yes documented hundreds of problems and Microsoft would not admit to it being a flawed operating system. Just my opinion also.

--
Keep Taking Photos,
Jeff
The Digital Wolf

sublogic said:

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."

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Why on earth would the sales person at Apple first suggest an authorized reseller? Instead they did exactly as they should have done, they offered a SOLUTION to you that would allow them to keep the sale themselves. In case you don't have a clue about sales, sales people work on commission. If they don't sell something to you, they don't make a sale and they don't make any commission. Simple as that. They offered you a suggested solution that works for other military people in the past and present. I live right next to McConnell AFB and most of the base personell live at normal street addresses. Less than 15% live in on base housing. Therefore the other 85% can have Apple ship a military discount order right to their door. The other 15% likely ALL know another military person who has a regular street address who will help them place and have their order delivered. Here is a suggestion for placing an order for a new Mac. I found it on Apple's asia.apple.com website as an authorized reseller in of all places...Guam!

MITECH INTERNATIONAL - Gold Service Provider
1088-Rt 16, RK Plaza
Ste 5, Barrigada
Guam 96913
Tel: 671 637 -4441/632-5310
Fax: 671 637 4230
Email: [email protected]

All resellers that I work with can BTO any Mac you want. You might check with these guys and see if they can help you. Or you could continue to complain. Your choice.

--
Scott Weierich
Derby, Kansas

Majikthize said:

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.

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------------------

Excuse me... smart ass....

When I first bought the "snowball" Mac, I did just that. As a long term Win user, I was trying to figure out how to correctly and completely uninstall a program, so I went to the so-called "help" area and did various searches that ranged from "uninstall" to "remove", "programs", etc etc. The results? "How to burn a CD". "How to download music with your Mac". "Reinstalling OSX". etc. 90% of the time I would consult the help menu, it would come back with results that were not even related to the question. At the time, there were posts in the Apple forums even from Mac users who admitted the help menu was not the most comprehensive or accurate one out there, especially for new users.

Take a nap. Maybe your smart-ass pill will wear off by then.

DigitalWolf said:

You mean like Bill Gates and the Windows OS when it came out and
hundreds..yes documented hundreds of problems and Microsoft would
not admit to it being a flawed operating system. Just my
opinion also.

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-----------------

And your opinion would be correct.

I did not mean Apple is the ONLY company that sneaks problems by the consumer until they're caught. Gates invented it. I'm saying that some Mac users tend to place Apple on Mount Olympus, and fail to realize that just like any other company , they do not care about the consumer, but only the bottom line (ca-ching $$), like everyone else in the corporate world.

Oh god you found it too! good for you! Maybe if you paid attention to any of my other replies then you would have realized I already knew about that place. I wouldn't even go as far as calling them an authorized reseller, considering their outrageous prices and lack of supplies.

Poor sales person, wonder if he still got his commission when I cancelled my order with Apple. Considering Apple has a "where to buy" category, you'd assume if you couldn't order through Apple, then they'd at least try to "switch" you by showing you the means of locating an authorized reseller through their website.

Considering Apple doesn't ship to Guam, nor APO.. that kind of defeats the purpose of sending it to someone you know who lives out in town, doesn't it?

--



http://www.sublogic.net

Greg Henry said:

Majikthize said:

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.

Click to expand...

------------------

Excuse me... smart ass....

When I first bought the "snowball" Mac, I did just that. As a long
term Win user, I was trying to figure out how to correctly and
completely uninstall a program, so I went to the so-called "help"
area and did various searches that ranged from "uninstall" to
"remove", "programs", etc etc. The results? "How to burn a CD".
"How to download music with your Mac". "Reinstalling OSX". etc.
90% of the time I would consult the help menu, it would come back
with results that were not even related to the question.

Click to expand...

OK, ya got me. Help doesn't help on this one. FYI, uninstalling an app in OS X is generally a simple matter of dragging it to the trash and emptying the trash. Most OS X apps are actually bundles of invisible files that are presented on the desktop as a single "application" icon. There is no "Registry" in OS X. There are some apps, though, that are not so well-behaved (Norton Utilities comes to mind), and their installers still insist on putting files in several different places on your HD (e.g. Library > Preferences and Library > Application Support). For these, the best bet is to run the installer again and see if there is an "options" button that allows you to select an uninstall option.

See, I'm not such a bad guy - a wise-ass, yes, but a wise-ass who's willing to help someone who's not a troll. Insisting that Apple provide a manual for Windows users struck me as suspiciously troll-like. Maybe I was too quick to pounce.

--
'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

watch the broad generalizations, please.

"everyone else in the corporate world" Please, that is just downright offensive - and Apple is not a particularly good example of what you allege. For example, they have a great education program that is better than most companies by a long shot. For example, in our world, the are offering Aperture at a very healthy discount even at its new release to those qualified to receive education discounts. Please note too, that those included in the education discounts are very broadly defined (includes even PTA officers for heaven's sake). Sure, they are not perfect, but they do try.

I also find it offensive that you say such things. I personally own a sales oriented business. We have OFTEN gone to extremes to take care of a customer even though it COST us money and we made nothing (just spent half my day on such an issue as a matter of fact). In addition, we have been very careful to hold both ourselves and our company to a high ethical standard - and yes, it has also cost us money and lost sales. But even more important, in my geography and industry, I find that to be much more the norm than the exception.

What about corporations like Target that have very generous charitable contribution programs putting a lot of money back into the community? What about corporations loaning execs (at no charge) to help run and manage United Way campaigns? None of these things have a positive impact on the bottom line except that they create good will - but it costs the company a lot to do these things. What about the companies that offered up Katrina aid, for example? Or the companies that adopt a military unit and send them stuff from home - and then never advertise the fact? Or the airlines (most of them in bankruptcy) who still offered up airplanes to fly relief supplies to the Gulf Coast after Katrina? Or how many companies match contributions to certain charities or offer paid and uncharged time off for community service.

There are lots of examples and, believe me as a business owner, when I tell you that these cost us money and do nothing to help the bottom line. We do it just because we can and feel an obligation - and we don't advertise it. We do it because we and our employees care about it. But, better yet, it isn't just my company - I know lots of companies (big and small) who do the same thing and for the same reasons. It is also true that non of us are perfect either.

So, please watch what you say when you paint "everyone" with such a brush. It isn't true and it is patently offensive. If all we cared about was getting a bigger pile of bucks - we would do none of these things. But, yes, we do exist to make a profit. Incidentally, if we don't make money, we don't have the money and resources to make these contributions either.

J.

Greg Henry said:

-----------------

And your opinion would be correct.

I did not mean Apple is the ONLY company that sneaks problems by
the consumer until they're caught. Gates invented it. I'm saying
that some Mac users tend to place Apple on Mount Olympus, and fail
to realize that just like any other company , they do not care
about the consumer, but only the bottom line (ca-ching $$), like
everyone else in the corporate world.

Click to expand...

--

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

(equip in profile)

JohnJ80 said:

watch the broad generalizations, please.

Click to expand...

Don't be overly sensitive, maam.

JohnJ80 said:

"everyone else in the corporate world" Please, that is just
downright offensive -

Click to expand...

It was a sentence. Not Armageddon

JohnJ80 said:

of what you allege. For example, they have a great education
program that is better than most companies by a long shot.

Click to expand...

I would tend to bet Microsoft has donated more money to education in terms of sheer dollars, but that doesn't make them demigods, either.

JohnJ80 said:

example, in our world, the are offering Aperture at a very healthy
discount

Click to expand...

They are offering it at a discount in "your world"? I'm on the same world - do I get the discount?

JohnJ80 said:

I also find it offensive that you say such things.

Click to expand...

You are FAR too sensitive to text in an online room, maam.

JohnJ80 said:

has also cost us money and lost sales. But even more important, in
my geography and industry, I find that to be much more the norm
than the exception.

Click to expand...

You speak for ALL companies in your region, and their integrity? Wow. you ARE important, aren't you?

JohnJ80 said:

What about corporations like Target that have very generous
charitable contribution programs putting a lot of money back into
the community?

Click to expand...

You mean companies like Target and Wal-mart... moving into smaller towns and causing all of the local mom and pop businesses to shut down due to their low prices? The prices they get from importing their goods from countries where kids make the stuff for 5-cents a day in wages? You must have read that book "The Wal-mart Way" and live by it. yikes.

JohnJ80 said:

Or the
airlines (most of them in bankruptcy) who still offered up
airplanes to fly relief supplies to the Gulf Coast after Katrina?

Click to expand...

You mean like Delta, who is currently trying to legally cancel their contracts with their pilots so they take a 50% pay cut? (watch the news). Donating a few airplanes for military is good PR - not good integrity.

JohnJ80 said:

There are lots of examples and, believe me as a business owner,
when I tell you that these cost us money and do nothing to help
the bottom line. We do it just because we can and feel an
obligation - and we don't advertise it.

Click to expand...

JohnJ80 said:

So, please watch what you say when you paint "everyone" with such a
brush. It isn't true and it is patently offensive.

Click to expand...

Very sorry to have caused a ruffle in your nickers, maam. Did not realize you would take a general post so literally and not realize that the English language is sometimes "general" in nature. SO sorry.

You truly have not a clue.

John

Greg Henry said:

JohnJ80 said:

watch the broad generalizations, please.

Click to expand...

Don't be overly sensitive, maam.

Greg Henry said:

"everyone else in the corporate world" Please, that is just
downright offensive -

Click to expand...

It was a sentence. Not Armageddon

Greg Henry said:

of what you allege. For example, they have a great education
program that is better than most companies by a long shot.

Click to expand...

I would tend to bet Microsoft has donated more money to education
in terms of sheer dollars, but that doesn't make them demigods,
either.

Greg Henry said:

example, in our world, the are offering Aperture at a very healthy
discount

Click to expand...

They are offering it at a discount in "your world"? I'm on the
same world - do I get the discount?

Greg Henry said:

I also find it offensive that you say such things.

Click to expand...

You are FAR too sensitive to text in an online room, maam.

Greg Henry said:

has also cost us money and lost sales. But even more important, in
my geography and industry, I find that to be much more the norm
than the exception.

Click to expand...

You speak for ALL companies in your region, and their integrity?
Wow. you ARE important, aren't you?

Greg Henry said:

What about corporations like Target that have very generous
charitable contribution programs putting a lot of money back into
the community?

Click to expand...

You mean companies like Target and Wal-mart... moving into smaller
towns and causing all of the local mom and pop businesses to shut
down due to their low prices? The prices they get from importing
their goods from countries where kids make the stuff for 5-cents a
day in wages? You must have read that book "The Wal-mart Way" and
live by it. yikes.

Greg Henry said:

Or the
airlines (most of them in bankruptcy) who still offered up
airplanes to fly relief supplies to the Gulf Coast after Katrina?

Click to expand...

You mean like Delta, who is currently trying to legally cancel
their contracts with their pilots so they take a 50% pay cut?
(watch the news). Donating a few airplanes for military is good PR

• not good integrity.

Greg Henry said:

There are lots of examples and, believe me as a business owner,
when I tell you that these cost us money and do nothing to help
the bottom line. We do it just because we can and feel an
obligation - and we don't advertise it.

Click to expand...

Greg Henry said:

So, please watch what you say when you paint "everyone" with such a
brush. It isn't true and it is patently offensive.

Click to expand...

Very sorry to have caused a ruffle in your nickers, maam. Did not
realize you would take a general post so literally and not realize
that the English language is sometimes "general" in nature. SO
sorry.

Click to expand...

--

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

(equip in profile)

JohnJ80 said:

You truly have not a clue.

Click to expand...

Anything you say... maam.

Why are you being so rude and referring to John as a female? Did he refer to you as something other than male and I missed it?

Yes, all corporations are absolutely evil from the largest to the smallest, they are all out to screw you, Greg Henry, over and over and over again. I suggest you do something about it and move to a country without a true free market economy. China, Viet Nam, Cuba, Iran, North Korea...go live there for 12-18 months and then report back to us how much better it is there than here, but I doubt that would be your experience. The fact of the matter is that most companies, again from the largest to the smallest, are FOR PROFIT companies. If they tick off their most valuable asset, their customers, on a regular basis, guess what? They don't make profits and they don't stay in business. Will crappy things happen? Will there be less than stellar employees from time to time? Will there be policies in place that don't make each and every customer peachy keen happy? Yes. Will this be the exception rather than the rule? If the answer is yes, the company will be successful. If the answer is no, the company will flounder. At this point in time, can you say that Apple is floundering? Not by any stretch of the imagination. Kinda stinks doesn't it?

Greg Henry said:

JohnJ80 said:

You truly have not a clue.

Click to expand...

Anything you say... maam.

Click to expand...

--
Scott Weierich
Derby, Kansas

Scott Weierich said:

Why are you being so rude and referring to John as a female? Did he
refer to you as something other than male and I missed it?

Click to expand...

I'm sorry - I don't remember you even being PART of that conversation, however, I didn't even bother looking at their name - I was reacting to their overly emotional behavior.

Scott Weierich86292 said:

Yes, all corporations are absolutely evil from the largest to the
smallest, they are all out to screw you, Greg Henry, over and over
and over again.

Click to expand...

I don't remember saying they WERE. I was making a comment that large companies in general only care about the bottom line. You seem to be filling in an awful lot of words that weren't there to begin with - maam.

Scott Weierich86292 said:

is no, the company will flounder. At this point in time, can you
say that Apple is floundering? Not by any stretch of the
imagination.

Click to expand...

Considering they've never gone above a 5% use rate among computer users in general, and never risen above that number, I wouldn't exactly call them a dominate force in the computer world. The issues with the faulty iBook logic boards (which they initially covered up) and the Nano screens (which again, they initially covered up) are more recent events. As they continue to practice business in this manner more and more, you definately will see "floundering" (darn, now I'm craving fish for dinner).

There - do you feel better? Being an advocate is tiring, isn't it? Perhaps there are other causes you can invite yourself into next to feel better today as well. Have a happy holiday.

I'm with you, been using Macs since 1990 and have had one motherboard in one of the original laptops go down period. Never opened the manual, didn't know they even came with one! Uninstaller? It's called dragging to the trash. Aperture is worth converting to the Mac if nothing else.

Greg, you are absolutely on-target! Apple is floundering so-much today that if it gains another 60 cents, I'm going to sell my $39 stock at $70, and not wait for $75! Surely Apple meets all three parts of the dictionary definition, don't you think?

flounder:
verb [ intrans. ]

•struggle or stagger helplessly or clumsily in water or mud : he was floundering about in the shallow offshore waters.

• figurative struggle mentally; show or feel great confusion : she floundered, not knowing quite what to say.
• figurative be in serious difficulty : many firms are floundering.

Greg Henry said:

Considering they've never gone above a 5% use rate among computer
users in general, and never risen above that number, I wouldn't
exactly call them a dominate force in the computer world. The
issues with the faulty iBook logic boards (which they initially
covered up) and the Nano screens (which again, they initially
covered up) are more recent events. As they continue to practice
business in this manner more and more, you definately will see
"floundering" (darn, now I'm craving fish for dinner).

Click to expand...

--
Rod Smith
Niceville, FL

Another all time high. Would you consider that "faltering"?

http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?shownav=true&symb=AAPL

Ken Leonard

Rod Smith said:

Greg, you are absolutely on-target! Apple is floundering so-much
today that if it gains another 60 cents, I'm going to sell my $39
stock at $70, and not wait for $75! Surely Apple meets all three
parts of the dictionary definition, don't you think?

Click to expand...

------

Do enjoy the new villa in Greece you'll be able to buy with that. Make sure you take all the Apple software you'll need though - I'm pretty sure you won't be able to find any in the stores.

From the most recent SEC filing (from macnn.com):

• Total Macintosh net sales increased $1.4 billion or 27 percent during 2005 compared to 2004.

• Apple's U.S. education channel experienced year-over-year growth in both net sales and unit sales of approximately 21 percent for 2005.

• Net sales of iPods rose $3.2 billion or 248 percent during 2005 compared to 2004.

• Net sales of other music related products and services increased $621 million or 223 percent during 2005 compared to 2004.

• The Retail segment’s net sales grew 98 percent to $2.4 billion during 2005 compared to 2004.

• Gross margin increased in 2005 to 29 percent of net sales from 27.3 percent of net sales in 2004.

Sal

I probably should rephrase my original title from "why" to "where". You guys seem to think this is about stocks and bonds, the purpose of sales tax, not to mention you've turned this thread into a spelling/grammar contest.

For the most part, it seems like most of you have come to accept the way Apple does business. They announce a product, and don't care whether they can deliver it to you ahead of schedule or deliver it to you at all.

Even if you're determined to make the switch for business purposes, they could care less. They don't care about the little people, all they care about is marketing this idea that Macs have the edge in style and usability.

Well it worked for me, I am determined. But their plan never included me, they're more concerned about getting to the huge corporations before the average customer. Why do you think they offer students higher discounts than most other places?

These other discounts that they offer don't even compare, it's just a way to promote sales by giving a false impression on the customer that they care about you and your business.

--



http://www.sublogic.net

wow, imagine just how much that stock would rise if Apple only included consumers like myself in their agenda! You should probably be more concerned about why Apple isn't broadening their business to these millions of potential customers. Screw $75, why not go for double that amount?

Lets all write Apple a letter of explanation.

--



http://www.sublogic.net

sublogic said:

For the most part, it seems like most of you have come to accept
the way Apple does business.

Click to expand...

It's not the 5 of us reading this thread, it's the world that is driving Apple's incredible sales numbers. Ranting changes nothing.

Sal