Apple Purchase Program?

Posted:
in General Discussion edited January 2014
I've been reading AppleInsider for a few months now, and I'm ready to be a switcher. I'm interested in a 15" Powerbook...I'm not sure whether I'll wait for the Aluminum version or not.



Has anyone used the Apple Purchase Program (http://www.applepurchaseprogram.com); I believe the company name is Marbella? Their prices seem to be too good to be true, which scares me. However, I seem to remember seeing their ads in MacAddict.



They have the 15"/1GHz/60Gb/512Mb/SuperDrive TiBook for ~$1700.



Are they reliable? Or am I best served spending the extra cash and using MacMall/MacConnection/etc?



Thanks for your help,



YellowLab

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 14
    fran441fran441 Posts: 3,715member
    I have no idea but it looks like a scam to me. But like I said, I don't know.



    It's not like they are asking for Western Union or anything, and if they take a credit card, you should be able to get the money back if you don't get the merchandise, right?



    Still, you know something doesn't seem right with G4 towers being sold for under $1000. <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" />
  • Reply 2 of 14
    sounds like a scam to me. you can't get them that low NEW on ebay. ANd if it is $500 less thru that program, I would have some doubts. You don't want to mess around with powerbooks IMO, as far as buying them used (on ebay) or with these "great deals" unless you get a great warranty.



    And if you do go the ebay route, make sure the seller has at least a 99% positive feedback rating with a LOT of sales (over 500) for selling computer related items.



    I bought my emac on ebay from a random seller with good feedback who had it for 3 months and went with a laptop...and got a great deal and it was flawless, but I don't think I would go that route with a laptop...b/c there is always that feeling of "did they drop it?"



    Jessica
  • Reply 3 of 14
    murbotmurbot Posts: 5,262member
    This site made the PowerPage about a month ago I think, and I did a little bit of digging around - even spoke with one of their online sales reps in a chat. Personally, I wouldn't bother with these guys.



    There were several good comments on the PowerPage article (can't find the link right now though). One person in Florida knew their address, it was temporary office space. They've got some weird terms too. You pay a $250 reservation fee to get your name on the list, then they wait a bit to get enough people on this list, apparently, so that they can then negotiate the best price possible for the group. It's funny though, any time you contact them, their last purchase "was the best price yet!" or some such thing.



    They do not guarantee pricing at all though. So it's very possible that they will end up telling you that no discount was possible and that full retail will have to be paid. You are under no obligation to purchase the computer, but your $250 reservation fee is non-refundable of course. Nice.



    Read the small print carefully too - they reserve the right to terminate the program, or just your involvement in it, for any reason they deem appropriate, and they will not refund any deposits paid. They could get a few hundred people on the hook, pull the plug on it, and wind up with 300 x $250 = $75,000. (or more, of course)



    The site looks professional, but that doesn't really mean anything. The old version that was up a month ago totally ripped off Apple's site, with their pages looking like they were taken right out of the Apple Store - descriptions, pricing, everything. Apple Legal went after them demanding the pages be taken down, and the new look was up the next day.



    Can't say for sure it's a bad deal, but it's fishy enough that I'd probably buy from someone a little more reputable. You know, if it's too good to be true, one born every minute, and all that stuff. Check into them very closely if you're thinking about buying from them.



    [ 03-14-2003: Message edited by: murbot ]</p>
  • Reply 4 of 14
    alcimedesalcimedes Posts: 5,486member
    i think in this case i'd only buy from them if i could visit them in person if necessary. too many people are ripping off Mac users lately.
  • Reply 5 of 14
    alcimedesalcimedes Posts: 5,486member
    their site is down now, but this is what i got from their cached google page.



    [quote]ellow Computer Geeks,





    Over the last few days we have done everything humanly possible to prove to you that we are legitimate.Â* We have posted our technical processes... provided you a toll free number to call and speak to us... given you ourÂ* physical address... been verified through PayPal, Citibank, and eBay... basically everything possible, we did.Â* Nobody called except people placing orders and only one person came by -- a student here in Orlando, Florida (nice to meet you, Jordan).Â* Still, you continue to complain and whine over something you refuse to understand.





    We took our site down because we wanted to do so -- to get rid of some of the complaints -- however, it will be up again in a few days once we remove every little detail that you can complain about.Â* In the meantime, please accept this as our formal invitation to call us, email us, or even stop on by.Â* Heck, pick someone to represent you and we'll even pay for the plane ticket if you're not in Florida!





    The bottom line is this:Â* We are legitimate and are very confident in our program.Â* We are here to make our customers happy and will do everything in our power to do so.Â* If you are a skeptic or don't like our business plan, then say so.Â* If you have a recommendation then let us know about it.Â* If you think we're going to fall flat on our faces or lose money, then let us do so.Â* But enough is enough.Â* Cussing out our support reps or lying about us is just nonsense.





    So the invitation stands.Â* Come on by, call us, or go play somewhere else.





    Sincerely,

    Fred Lackey

    Program Director

    Apple Purchase Program

    Marbella Technologies, Inc.

    [email protected]<hr></blockquote>



    interesting......
  • Reply 6 of 14
    murbotmurbot Posts: 5,262member
    Well, it would be great if it is all legit - those are some sweet prices.



    Seeing a 12" PowerBook that retails for $1799, advertised at their site for $1089 is a bit strange though. Could Apple really let anyone have them that low?
  • Reply 7 of 14
    They are advertising a single proc 1Ghz PM for 887 bucks! Man if only that was legit! I would buy one today.
  • Reply 8 of 14
    fran441fran441 Posts: 3,715member
    Too bad Apple can't meet prices like that. I know about 10 people who would buy a Mac at that price.



    Say, why doesn't someone call MacWarehouse and see if they'll match the offer. "We will not be undersold!" <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />



    [ 03-14-2003: Message edited by: Fran441 ]</p>
  • Reply 9 of 14
    Well I just called them and I was told by the machine that they are experiencing heavy calls and to leave my name and number and they would call back. <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />
  • Reply 10 of 14
    Thanks for the intel...



    Sounds pretty sketchy at the moment. It would be nice to see some testimonials (other than the ones on their site).



    Impatiently waiting for the 15" AlBook,

    YellowLab
  • Reply 11 of 14
    agent69agent69 Posts: 88member
    I just bought the new issue of MacAddict, cover date April 2003 (issue 80) and these guys have an advertisement on page 69. If they are scamming people, they certainly are going all out.
  • Reply 12 of 14
    fran441fran441 Posts: 3,715member
    Well can MacAddict be held liable because they printed an ad of a scam artist? If so, I'll step up to the plate and try their system.
  • Reply 13 of 14
    murbotmurbot Posts: 5,262member
    Well jeez, that does change things... maybe I'm way off base on these guys. $700 + off on a PowerBook just sounds so crazy though.



    I''ll have to check that ad. I'd say if they're advertising there it's probably legit.



    <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />



    Hey, I don't mind eating crow if I was wrong. I'd actually prefer that be the case.
  • Reply 14 of 14
    fran441fran441 Posts: 3,715member
    Ok murbot. Next time you need a Mac, buy from them, then report back to us. That should be sometime next week, right?



    [ 03-14-2003: Message edited by: Fran441 ]</p>
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