Why Apple is faultering

[sublogic]

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.

1. Apple does not ship to APO/FPO and any U.S. territories, eliminating millions of potential customers like myself.

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.

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.

4. Apple seems more focused on announcing and releasing new iPod innovations ASAP rather than announcing new Apple Mac innovations and releasing them ASAP. Apple quad, 6-8 weeks for Nvidia GeForce 7800 GT option, are you kidding me?

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!

6. Apple billing people are also completely useless and completely rude! To the point where you can't stand their lies and rudeness that you cancel your order completely.

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.

--



http://www.sublogic.net

 

[Leon Wittwer]

before you say they are faultering.
--
Leon
http://homepage.mac.com/leonwittwer/landscapes.htm

 

[sublogic]

I see their iPods are their selling point. Maybe its because you can find them at any retail store across the world. Even in Guam, where they evidently don't ship to. I wish I could say the same for their Powermac G5 products.

oh the frustration.

--



http://www.sublogic.net

 

[Paul Cypert]

I feel some of the frustration. They have no Thailand store and all the resellers charge a hefty fee. Like 2400 US for a dual 2.0. They ship from Singapore which is pretty close....but I would have to ship from Singapore to the states and then have my mom ship from the states to me in Thailand. The computer would literally have gone around the world only to end up a few hours north. I understand why they do what they do but it does suck for some of us. Good news is that everything should be getting cheaper soon...

Paul

 

[Scott Weierich86292]

I don't understand point number 3. Why shouldn't a student pay sales tax?!? If the price is $2000 retail and the Apple student price is $1800 and they live in a sales taxable state, the student is STILL SAVING $200 with or without sales tax. If the student buys it from an out-of-state mail order company, the student is STILL suppose to pay a use tax which is equivalent to the sales tax percentage at the end of the year. You sound like you are trying to have students get out of paying taxes that they should legally be paying.

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.

1. Apple does not ship to APO/FPO and any U.S. territories,
eliminating millions of potential customers like myself.

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.

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.

4. Apple seems more focused on announcing and releasing new iPod
innovations ASAP rather than announcing new Apple Mac innovations
and releasing them ASAP. Apple quad, 6-8 weeks for Nvidia GeForce
7800 GT option, are you kidding me?

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!

6. Apple billing people are also completely useless and completely
rude! To the point where you can't stand their lies and rudeness
that you cancel your order completely.

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.

--



http://www.sublogic.net

--
Scott Weierich
Derby, Kansas

 

[jrdigitalart]

...how badly do you want to switch?

As an ex wintel user (15+ years) I made the switch almost a year ago and I have experienced nothing but satisfaction.

I still occasionaly use the wintel machine but always experience a need to return to my G5 ASAP.

Yes, prices are dearer AND Apple can be known for its arrogance, but if your need to switch stems from frustration of wintel and perhaps (in my own case) a lack of productivity, just do it and reap the rewards.

JR

 

[sublogic]

I used to own a Mac when I first began using computers. Like many, I started using them at school. I hated mines however, not many applications were available for the Mac, it seemed that PC's was where it was at'

Its been six years since that time has passed, and I have moved into a profession that requires myself to be more efficient. I've owned several PC's, most which have died on me, for the most part.. I was plagued with multiple crashes and viruses which lost me important data and efficiency.

My old Mac still works till this day, even though it collects dust. As a professional photographer/web designer, I understand the importance of Macs in these fields. Thus I am determined to make the switch for my workflow, but my patience is growing thin.. i've been without a computer for 2 months! The announcement of the new Quad system seems perfect at this time, but i'm hungrily awaiting Apple to ship this item with the Nvidia 7800 card.

--



http://www.sublogic.net

 

[sublogic]

No, if you like paying taxes, then by all mean, go ahead and throw your money away. I'd like to think that these discounts are just a way for Apple to get around these taxes, for the most part, other online retailers such as Dell, BHphotovideo, etc. exclude the sales tax and still accomodate the purchase by throwing in rebates and discounts as well.

Now imagine you had no discount, and had to pay the tax.. who then would want to do business with that company when the same product can be had for cheaper elsewhere? My only problem with that other company is that they don't offer bto/cto options.. Apple is control.

--



http://www.sublogic.net

 

[wrider]

No, if you like paying taxes, then by all mean, go ahead and throw
your money away. I'd like to think that these discounts are just a
way for Apple to get around these taxes,

Interesting logic. How does Apple get around taxes? It collects state sales taxes from CA residents and pays it to the state.
for the most part, other

online retailers such as Dell, BHphotovideo, etc. exclude the sales
tax and still accomodate the purchase by throwing in rebates and
discounts as well.

Wow, you want it all your way don't you. If you want a bunch of cheap stuff with "no taxes" go back to the PC.

Now imagine you had no discount, and had to pay the tax.. who then
would want to do business with that company when the same product
can be had for cheaper elsewhere?

This is called the American way. Every company in the world deals with the fact that someone might be selling their product cheaper than they would like. It happens all the time. I wrote and published a book (on my Mac) and I sell it for the list price of $30 off my web site and at symposiums. I have discounts for multiple purchases and students, etc. i also sell the book at 40% off to wholesalers who sell the book for whatever they want. This is the business world. As a supplier, you choose your marketing plan and stick with it. Being inconsistent is a lot more upsetting to people than anything else.
My only problem with that other

company is that they don't offer bto/cto options.. Apple is control.

A lot of people buy things without discounts and pay the taxes. If you want to complain about it that's your choice. All the Apple people i know are not rude or arrogant. I know people who work there and ones from the local Apple stores. You seem to have had some very paticular problems related to your life situation. It doesn't make Apple a bad company if they don't meet your needs exactly. This does not constitute faltering either.

You might be a lot happier if you looked at the things that the mac can do for you and just buy one and start enjoying it. You can add what you want later. This kind of whining doesn't get a lot of sympathy. You might want to consider if your attitude is affecting the way people deal with you.

--



http://www.sublogic.net

Sincerely,
--
Wendell
http://www.wendellworld.com

 

[58volts]

This is like complaining that BMW's are more expensive than Ford's, which would you prefer to drive?
Style and comfort come at a premium!
Apple has no control over state taxes or credit card shipping policies.

 

[sublogic]

That's easy for you to say, you probably don't pay taxes, and you probably live in the states. If only it were easy as 1,2,3.. but it's not.

You make it sound like all Apple people are jolly people, well I cancelled my order today, because the sales person couldn't get my name correct, and when I called to imply about my web order, the billing lady was completely rude to me from the beginning.

Plus you can't simply add things later as if it was a PC, except RAM. the Nvidia 7800 gt card and the airport extreme + bluetooth are only offered as BTO options from Apple, everytime I call to imply whether these will be available as kits in the future, the sales person/customer service/tech are completely clueless when it comes to this question.

As for price, this isn't an issue. I just think it's silly to pay taxes over the internet, it's really hilarious when Apple goes out of their way to add that .07 sales tax from that ITMS song you just purchased. But when you're forced to cancel that AppleCare plan to pay for that $300 sales tax, then there's an issue.

--



http://www.sublogic.net

 

[Rod Smith]

Well, well.

I spent a lot of time time in our military, and although I never enjoyed paying taxes, my opinion is that everyone who claims to be a citizen should pay taxes. No exceptions.

I also spent a lot of time on Guam, and long, long, long before it became a tourist destination.

And finally, I am an Apple stock holder. It is a heck of a "falter" when the stock goes up more than $2 in one day, don't you think? I think I'll buy some more of that faltering company!

It is truly a shame that you've had such difficulties in trying to get a Mac shipped to Guam, and have had such problems with Apple personnel. But I am absolutely certain that if I was in your predicament, I would have had a Mac and would not be saying they (Apple) are "faltering" because they (Apple) won't ship to an APO, or complaining that they (Apple) won't give you enough discount, or whining about paying taxes on a purchase.

It is no wonder you have a hard time with "ordinary" employees on the phone following company guidelines. I've always found that people will bend over backwards to help if they don't detect an "attitude" problem.

Rod Smith
Niceville, FL

 

[Victor E]

You make it sound like all Apple people are jolly people, well I
cancelled my order today, because the sales person couldn't get my
name correct, and when I called to imply about my web order, the
billing lady was completely rude to me from the beginning.

Yes Apple can be rude. Gateway people are even more so.

Don't Don't Don't get a BTO machine period. (IMO) If you hate it you can't send it back because it has been customized. You WILL pay more for your upgrades than if you DIY from Newegg or Crucial or OtherWorldComputing.

If you get in the "wait till it gets better or fixed" mode with Apple, you will never own a Mac. They have a way of keeping you in suspense at all times.

Taxes, VAT, watever, is your legal responsibility period, just because company "a" makes you pay your due and company "b" does not, doesn't insure you to never get bitten by the tax man if you buy from "b". In Oregon USA, smokers who have been ducking the tax man (a no sales tax state to begin with) purchasing smokes from the internet from no tax sites, are being charged the sin tax by the state now. OUCH! Paying back taxes really bites if you get caught.

Amazon might ship to you where you are, and I really bet B and H will too. Get a Stock machine, then do the upgrades yourself when the upgrades are available (7800 GT).

If you really want a nice PC I just got done building my second AMD 4800+ X2 dual core machine with 7800GTX, 2GB Crucial Ballistix ram, and 3 HDD's. All for less than $3300 that the Quad is going for stock.

Honestly I would trade them both for 1 stock Quad PowerMac, if it wasn't for all the software I would have to replace too.

 

[Ender78]

Plus you can't simply add things later as if it was a PC, except
RAM. the Nvidia 7800 gt card and the airport extreme + bluetooth
are only offered as BTO options from Apple, everytime I call to
imply whether these will be available as kits in the future, the
sales person/customer service/tech are completely clueless when it
comes to this question.

Add things such as what ? Another video card, hard drive, pro video capture board, pro audio board ? What peripherals that are available for the PC are not available for the MAC. You're really asking for a lot when asking frontline sales reps about specs and configurations. Do you think your average salesperson at a Ford dealership will know what packages will be available in the future, and do you really expect them to tell you if they did? Call HP or Dell and ask them about future products and see what response you get.

As for price, this isn't an issue. I just think it's silly to pay
taxes over the internet, it's really hilarious when Apple goes out
of their way to add that .07 sales tax from that ITMS song you just
purchased. But when you're forced to cancel that AppleCare plan to
pay for that $300 sales tax, then there's an issue.

You speak as if these taxes went into corporate coffers. There are these rules called laws that Apple has to deal with in collecting tax. I believe that there is some clause in American tax law that states that you must collect tax in states where you have a physical presence. As far as I know, BHPHOTO has no presence outside of NewYork and Dell has a few centralized warehouses and/or offices.

http://www.nolo.com/article.cfm/objectID/87F6DD43-E6F2-4DFE-BCDB8E2E85DFF80B/111/277/167/ART/

 

[whazzup]

A common misconception:

Even if you buy from an out-of-state retailer (i.e. buy from B&H yet live in NJ), you are technically responnsible for paying sales tax. Most don't, and it has not been enforced as yet. However, watch out... the government always gets its share, and there have been bills bantied about for a few years to make enforcement easier.

Why Apple COLLECTS (not charges) sales tax is because it has to. Because they have a physical presence in basically every state, they are required to COLLECT sales tax for the state in which they sell the product. There is no fun or profit in sales tax, just the expense of dealing with it.

I hope this clarifies the issue for you.

No, if you like paying taxes, then by all mean, go ahead and throw
your money away. I'd like to think that these discounts are just a
way for Apple to get around these taxes, for the most part, other
online retailers such as Dell, BHphotovideo, etc. exclude the sales
tax and still accomodate the purchase by throwing in rebates and
discounts as well.

Now imagine you had no discount, and had to pay the tax.. who then
would want to do business with that company when the same product
can be had for cheaper elsewhere? My only problem with that other
company is that they don't offer bto/cto options.. Apple is control.

--



http://www.sublogic.net

 

[Rich Dykmans]

sublogic wrote:
I've

owned several PC's, most which have died on me, for the most part..
I was plagued with multiple crashes and viruses which lost me
important data and efficiency.

My old Mac still works till this day, even though it collects dust.
As a professional photographer/web designer, I understand the
importance of Macs in these fields. Thus I am determined to make
the switch for my workflow, but my patience is growing thin.. i've
been without a computer for 2 months! The announcement of the new
Quad system seems perfect at this time, but i'm hungrily awaiting
Apple to ship this item with the Nvidia 7800 card.

Buy it from an Apple reseller and avoid the hassle you seem to be having with Apple. If you're a professional as you state above you shouldn't be getting a discounted system from Apple anyhow.

 

[Clix Pix]

"I believe that there is some clause in American tax law that states that you must collect tax in states where you have a physical presence. As far as I know, BHPHOTO has no presence outside of NewYork and Dell has a few centralized warehouses and/or offices."

Exactly what I was about to point out. Apple has stores in most of the United States and in many locations in Europe as well. Therefore, they charge taxes when someone is ordering online or by phone because there is going to be at least one Apple facility in that state. I can order online or I can drive a couple of miles to the local Apple store and in both cases I will be paying my state's sales tax.

When I order from B&H or Amazon I don't pay taxes because those companies do not have any physical presence in my state at all. However, if I were a NY state resident and were ordering from B&H online, yes, I'd be paying the NY state sales tax based on my shipping address if I were having it sent to my residence. If I walk into the physical store and buy something there, again I would pay the state tax. An exception to this would be if I arranged for the item(s) to be shipped directly to my home in my own state rather than my carrying them out of the store.

--Connie

--
Through the years with Coolpixes and now the D70!
PBase supporter, Smug Mug supporter
http://www.pbase.com/the_feminine_perspective

 

[Clix Pix]

Is English your second language? Reason i ask is that you've misused a word in this sentence (and repeated the error in another sentence later on in the same post).

"when I called to imply about my web order..."

What you meant to say is "when I called to INQUIRE about...."

"Imply" has a whole different meaning.

Not trying to be snarky here, just trying to be helpful so that in future perhaps you won't make this same mistake.

--Connie

--
Through the years with Coolpixes and now the D70!
PBase supporter, Smug Mug supporter
http://www.pbase.com/the_feminine_perspective

 

[sublogic]

What you people don't seem to gripe is the difficulty of obtaining the system with all the necessary accessories built-in. Apple, and maybe a few others offer a BTO option on these new machines.

Since i'm planning on getting the new Quad 2.5 system, the new PCI architecture begs the question, "Will the Nvidia 7800 GT card and airport extreme + bluetooth options be available as a kit?". Apple hasn't even fully implemented the card into the system, yet they offer it as a BTO option with a shipping time of 6-8 weeks, which hasn't changed at all over the past month or two.

From what I've read, nobody knows yet, not even Apple. It kind of puts a damper on the whole system when you drop $3500 and can't get the maximum potential until Apple decides to finally get off the drawing board.

The fact that they don't ship to Guam or APO gives me no other option than to ship it to a relative in California or purchase through one of these authorized reseller who charge more.

With that being said, I've chosen to go with the reseller who ships directly to me because I don't want to hassle my relative in California with sending my shipment.

I had to exclude some accessories because they don't offer them, and I can only cross my fingers and hope I can add these features later.

--



http://www.sublogic.net

 

[Ian Eisenberg]

First, it's "grasp" Sorry.

Secondly, Apple almost ALWAYS adds the BTO options as standard items. You should see them on the Apple store within a few months.

What you people don't seem to gripe is the difficulty of obtaining
the system with all the necessary accessories built-in. Apple, and
maybe a few others offer a BTO option on these new machines.

Since i'm planning on getting the new Quad 2.5 system, the new PCI
architecture begs the question, "Will the Nvidia 7800 GT card and
airport extreme + bluetooth options be available as a kit?". Apple
hasn't even fully implemented the card into the system, yet they
offer it as a BTO option with a shipping time of 6-8 weeks, which
hasn't changed at all over the past month or two.

From what I've read, nobody knows yet, not even Apple. It kind of
puts a damper on the whole system when you drop $3500 and can't get
the maximum potential until Apple decides to finally get off the
drawing board.

The fact that they don't ship to Guam or APO gives me no other
option than to ship it to a relative in California or purchase
through one of these authorized reseller who charge more.

With that being said, I've chosen to go with the reseller who ships
directly to me because I don't want to hassle my relative in
California with sending my shipment.

I had to exclude some accessories because they don't offer them,
and I can only cross my fingers and hope I can add these features
later.

--



http://www.sublogic.net