...Thanks to the economic downturn, the budgets of state and local governments particularly in California are not it great shape, as you know.
And you can blame that on the misguided economic policies of the Bush administration. Not the ACLU.
I agreed with you until that last line. It's political charged and wrong when faced with the economic facts. The problem has stretched back many years before as I will show you.
First off: The Fed lowering the prime rate for so long. Our economy has been headed in disinflation for many years before Bush senior even. Check the charts yourself. The inflation rate dipped below 1% twice and then the Fed took action to prevent deflation. It was by this action that created a speculative real estate bubble, and that's fine. We have had many of them, California, New York, Hawaii and other places all have had speculative real estate bubbles. Speculating in real estate is not a problem, it's game of the wealthy of musical chairs and the last one owning property loses. However it's not for the middle class or the poor. It does stimulate the economy with a lot of jobs and does create inflation, which it did which is easier to control that deflation, especially run-away deflation which the Fed feared would occur with all the cheap goods flooding in from China. (It was China's oil demand before the Olympics that drove up gas to over $4 a gallon, not speculators alone)
What made this real estate bubble especially bad is that liberal companies and banks in California (the now bankrupt one and begging for 7 billion) started to dapple in sub-prime, with the loans being sold to investors. That arrangement was started back in Clinton days with his revisions to the Community Reinvestment Act (originally designed to prevent redlining) to force banks to give out loans they didn't want to. To get rid of these loans, Bear Sterns created the first mortgage backed security, and investors could gamble owning these risky BBB rated loans.
When the Congress switched Democratic, in 2005 saw the two government sponsored organizations (GSE's) Freddie and Fannie mandated to increase their sub-prime exposure when they wasn't exposed before. To dump these toxic loans because there wasn't enough investors willing to take them, a new device called a CDO was created, mixing AAA and BBB rated securities and then it was rated AAA. So the worlds investors, even entire countries, were bilked. That's why the mess has spread worldwide basically. (People at Moodys need to be tarred and feathered)
It was a crooked capitalist response to crooked socialist government action. You can't just give houses and loans to people that are not able to pay in a socialist manner and expect them to pay in a capitalist manner if they are not making enough to do so.
The three rules of lending: Credit, Collateral and Character, went out the window by government action via the CRA. People could snitch off banks who didn't give them a loan it was that bad. Banks were given credits if they played along, and as long as the government or investors were willing to take the toxic loans off their hands, they played.
You see what Clinton did was separate the bond that occurs between a lender and the borrower. Before him, there was no such thing as a mortgage backed security. The new Congress in 2005 sure made the problem worse by getting Freddie and Fannie involved in sub-prime to the point that both were over leveraged something like 70x!
Greenspan, McCain and Bush all tried to stop Congress. Greenspan told Congress "your privatizing the profits and socializing the risks". Bush and McCain tried to pass bills that failed, they were viewed as being "racist" by Congress because the majority of sub-prime was assumed to be minorities. (actually there are more poor whites than minorities). Eventually the Treasury took over the two highly over-leveraged companies and that's when the real estate bubble collapsed, because the government wasn't backing any more loans and the party was over. Naturally the Democrats lynched Bush, blamed him for everything and spoiling their fun.
What people sometimes to fail to realize is our government is three parts, the House, the Senate and the White House, three seats of power. When the Congress (House and Senate) went Democratic under Bush, he basically became a lame duck president. Nearly powerless and unable to do much of anything with the Congress ignoring him on political basis. So with that, how can the Dems blame Bush, when it was them in power and caused things to get out of hand?
Now after every real estate bubble there is a post real estate bubble recession, it occurs because of the (mainly) construction workers get laid off, due to the end of speculation and "flipping" of improved properties. Eventually as the population grows, new housing is needed and the workers are rehired.
However, because of the involvement of sub-prime by liberal banks, mortgage companies and the two GSE's, there is a overabundance of underwater mortgages and even the middle class and some wealthy default. The fallout effects business and communities, factories and a general depression state which we are experiencing now. People are spending all their money on their underwater mortgages, with little other disposable income to buy other things. This would have not occurred if the three rules: Credit, Collateral and Character were not ignored in the favor of giving housing as a right mandated by government action.
I do believe some regulations, like Glass?Steagall Act, should be re-enacted. Because banks are banks and investing companies are gambling. The two shouldn't be mixed. But that's not the cause of the problem, rather it doesn't help.
What I find especially troubling, is that despite the Democrats crying over deregulation, they go ahead and ignore common sense and get the government involved in sub-prime with our tax dollars. They certainly didn't do anything about their liberal banks and mortgage companies, mostly based in California, who initiated the problem in sub-prime lending. The first bank that failed was Indy Bank in California and it has the most failures.
Perhaps with deregulation, the banks knew how to behave responsibly so they needed more freedom to create new structures, less chains and more options to solve problems. But what was really needed was regulations for the government and their meddling mandates, especially those in Congress from behaving like kids with moms credit card on a Friday night.
Bush did want to help those who couldn't get a mortgage, just like Clinton wanted too, but somewhere along the line, I blame the Congress, they went crazy and overboard to the extreme. I believe it was done as political sabotage because the Republican Congress and Admin were doing such a great job and the economy was flourishing, the Dems couldn't have that. It could be the Congress just were irresponsible and ignorant, not being naturally conservative like Republicans are.
So we tried it the liberal socialist California way and it got us here, now we are trying it Chicago's way and that's no solution.
Texas has a vibrant economy, good employment and virtually no real estate bubble mess.
I shop at the Apple store in San Francisco quite a bit. I've told the sales folks there countless of times to hand me my purchases in a bag that does not scream "steal me". Of course, it's not the fault of clerks.
It really irks me that Apple does not seem to see a problem of watching their customers carrying thousands of dollars in computer hardware out of their store in big bright-white boxes with a picture of the latptop/iMac prominently displayed on the side walking outside their store in a major downtown metropolitan city near the Tenderloin, where thieves, crackheads, punks hang out and not think "Hmm... maybe our packaging / wrapping should be more discrete?"
I no longer purchase high-ticket items at their stores. I'll just order them online and have them shipped. When I buy items that are placed in their bags, I bring another bag, backpack, something that conceals what I'm carrying. It's really stupid what they do.
It's irresponsible what they do. Some simple common-sense would do wonders.
So you stay home all day waiting for the UPS/FedEx person or do you take the risk that someone following the FedEx/UPS driver takes it prior to you getting home?
Really? REALLY? So everyone who sells expensive items should put them in plain, drab boxes simply because there's a possibility of getting robbed when you leave the store? You can't possibly be serious. Once you get it out, it's YOUR responsibility, not theirs. Drive it straight home if you're so worried and keep the doors locked. Put it in the trunk before you leave. Seriously, getting fed up at Apple over something like this is just plain retarded.
Really Einstein?? I mentioned the San Francisco store. If you bothered to comprehend my post, that store is blocks away from any parking lot. Are you saying you have the ability to transport directly from a middle-of-downtown-store into an automobile without having first to WALK to the vehicle? Once I'm in my car, It's my problem. I'm referring to the part of getting to point-A so I can start point-B.
That store is also right next to the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) subway. What about those that buy a laptop and take it on the train? A regular unmarked shopping bag would solve that. Apple does not need to use flashy white / silver bags with their huge logos plastered on it. I know it looks trendy, but I don't want anyone knowing what store I have been to. Those iMacs don't need all that fancy exterior packaging billboard that screams expensive.
I agree, it's my responsibility if I get mugged for carrying out something that people will see is expensive. Which as I said in my post... I no longer do that!
Get over yourself. The world obviously works differently than how you live in it.
So you stay home all day waiting for the UPS/FedEx person or do you take the risk that someone following the FedEx/UPS driver takes it prior to you getting home?
Have you ever ordered anything pricey from Apple online? Probably not.
They get get delivered in unmarked boxes. My iMac from a month ago was in a large plain cardboard box with no exterior clues as to where it came from.
But, if someone is following the Fedex driver and gets robbed, not my problem. I've never received it. I get another one delivered to me.
If I receive it and my house later gets robbed, that's different. I'm just referring to having to walk outside of a store in a downtown area to my car without having to worry about being mugged because Apple chooses to splash flashy packaging giving reference to what's in the bag / box.
For some reason I can't really picture burglars following people coming out of a Microsoft Store.
no but they do it to those coming out of Best Buy etc. it's just that it isn't getting the press that this run has gotten.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dogcow
There are easier ways to steal Windows.
yeah just up some Black Eyes Peas and wait for the staff to start dancing. (seriously watch the chick in the white shirt on screen right at about 2 minutes in. she shoots, she scores, they have no clue)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rot'nApple
You'd think with a hundred targeted Apple customers, the police can set up an easy sting operation to nab some of these crooks... Unless profiling has crept down to the local L.A. law enforcement world! Thank you very much, ACLU idjits!
across 3 counties and several months. so really not that easly
Quote:
Originally Posted by Landcruiser
I've had a Mac stolen (it sucks) and the REAL problem is the crooks that buy the stolen ones. Apple needs to protect its customer better. The next time that stolen Mac "phones home" for an update, it gets permanently shut down until it sees an Apple store... at which point, if you are not the purchaser of record you will get a courteous escort out by your local authorities to a lovely over night accommodation.
there's a major problem with that, same as the stolen iphone. folks can lie.
it goes like this LC. I buy a computer. My name is on the record. Then I decide that I want a better one. So I sell you that first one. No sales record is made etc. So by Apple's record, I'm still the owner.
Now something happens and I get pissed at you. Really pissed. Like key your car pissed. But instead of keying your car, I report that you stole my computer.
But you didn't. you bought it fair and square. However, it gets to Apple that the computer is stolen, gets bricked etc. You can't prove you bought it so you get arrested.
Or, another version. Someone breaks into my place and steals my computer. And then sells it to you claiming he just doesn't want it anymore cause he's getting a better one. You buy it under good intentions not knowing that it's stolen. It gets bricked etc. ANd you take the blame for a crime you didn't commit.
and so on.
Quote:
Originally Posted by doyourownthing
apple needs to protect its customer better? it's apple's fault that your product was stolen?
at two local stores (here in LA but not right near the Manhattan Beach one) the staff were totally volunteering to hold computers and such and take them out to folks cars when they were done with their holiday shopping and ready to head home. Which was probably a headache for them. But it was better than having someone casing the busy parking lot and breaking windows and such
So you stay home all day waiting for the UPS/FedEx person or do you take the risk that someone following the FedEx/UPS driver takes it prior to you getting home?
The expensive stuff from Apple that I've ever received via UPS or FedEx had to have a signature.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sflocal
What about those that buy a laptop and take it on the train? A regular unmarked shopping bag would solve that.
If it's such an issue, why can't you bring your own?
Back in the day, I rode BART from Market St. to Oakland, then took a bus to Alameda to get home from work. I might've brought home an iMac type box at 5:00 PM but not at 8:30 PM. A little discretion goes a long way. If you are that concerned with your personal safety, then take ownership of it. Get a friend to go along. Take a cab. Etc. etc. etc.
Really Einstein?? I mentioned the San Francisco store. If you bothered to comprehend my post, that store is blocks away from any parking lot. Are you saying you have the ability to transport directly from a middle-of-downtown-store into an automobile without having first to WALK to the vehicle? Once I'm in my car, It's my problem. I'm referring to the part of getting to point-A so I can start point-B.
That store is also right next to the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) subway. What about those that buy a laptop and take it on the train? A regular unmarked shopping bag would solve that. Apple does not need to use flashy white / silver bags with their huge logos plastered on it. I know it looks trendy, but I don't want anyone knowing what store I have been to. Those iMacs don't need all that fancy exterior packaging billboard that screams expensive.
I agree, it's my responsibility if I get mugged for carrying out something that people will see is expensive. Which as I said in my post... I no longer do that!
Get over yourself. The world obviously works differently than how you live in it.
Wow, a real genius here. Ever hear of calling a cab? Better yet, call a high security car service. That way you can be assured that the driver is ex-Mossad and is packing heat. Better yet; fuck the parking. Get a Hummer and just pull up right on the sidewalk in front of the Apple Store (but don't get out unless you're packing, baby.
Man if anybody ever deserved to be robbed; you're him.
I think you should write a letter to Steve Jobs about this. (seriously; get over Yourself)
Wow, a real genius here. Ever hear of calling a cab? Better yet, call a high security car service. That way you can be assured that the driver is ex-Mossad and is packing heat. Better yet; fuck the parking. Get a Hummer and just pull up right on the sidewalk in front of the Apple Store (but don't get out unless you're packing, baby.
Man if anybody ever deserved to be robbed; you're him.
I think you should write a letter to Steve Jobs about this. (seriously; get over Yourself)
Calling a cab to go to an Apple Store when you have a car? Thinking a cabbie is inherently safer than driving yourself? Suggesting a security service by ex-Mossad? Suggesting anyone who wants to shop at an Apple Store to first buy a Hummer and then drive up on a sidewalk to park? All that really makes sense to you or is your humour overly dry?
I shop at the Apple store in San Francisco quite a bit. I've told the sales folks there countless of times to hand me my purchases in a bag that does not scream "steal me". Of course, it's not the fault of clerks.
It really irks me that Apple does not seem to see a problem of watching their customers carrying thousands of dollars in computer hardware out of their store in big bright-white boxes with a picture of the latptop/iMac prominently displayed on the side walking outside their store in a major downtown metropolitan city near the Tenderloin, where thieves, crackheads, punks hang out and not think "Hmm... maybe our packaging / wrapping should be more discrete?"
I no longer purchase high-ticket items at their stores. I'll just order them online and have them shipped. When I buy items that are placed in their bags, I bring another bag, backpack, something that conceals what I'm carrying. It's really stupid what they do.
It's irresponsible what they do. Some simple common-sense would do wonders.
Of course if they watch you purchase something then follow you, it doesn't matter what kind of bag or backpack it is in.
Calling a cab to go to an Apple Store when you have a car? Thinking a cabbie is inherently safer than driving yourself? Suggesting a security service by ex-Mossad? Suggesting anyone who wants to shop at an Apple Store to first buy a Hummer and then drive up on a sidewalk to park? All that really makes sense to you or is your humour overly dry?
Oh please. I wouldn't suggest this guy take a cab to the Apple Store when he has his own car. That would be ridiculous. I'm suggesting that he take a cab from the Apple Store to his parked car (sheesh! )
In all seriousness. Let's get down to what should really be happening here (and everyone here knows it) That's right baby. Class Action all the way. We're taking Apple to court for making their boxes too pretty, and putting the public in danger. I will post a site so everybody can sign on shortly. We can win this one people!
I've had a Mac stolen (it sucks) and the REAL problem is the crooks that buy the stolen ones. Apple needs to protect its customer better. The next time that stolen Mac "phones home" for an update, it gets permanently shut down until it sees an Apple store... at which point, if you are not the purchaser of record you will get a courteous escort out by your local authorities to a lovely over night accommodation.
Fortunately or unfortunately the world is not as simple as your above comments. Ownership is only determined in court. Only the police have the authority to identify stolen property and then only if a police report is filed and the items clearly identified - and then if contested it still goes to court. No private company can legally determine ownership. Do you own that product just because you have a receipt or have it registered? Not legally. Only a State Registration or Deed is proof of ownership - as those transfer to the new owner when the property is sold. So if you buy an Apple car or Apple house and have your proper registration or deed - you are gold. Everything else is just some blathering fool crying they own something and making demands on a private company that only a court can determine.
apple needs to protect its customer better? it's apple's fault that your product was stolen?
Of course not. OK, poor choice of words on my part. I should have said, "Apple could protect its customers better". We pay a premium for the privilege of having a MAC and Apple has the capability to further set themselves apart from the crowd. After all, that's what Apple is all about. And frankly I'd rather not put a Windows sticker on my MAC box (as was humorously suggested above) just to fit in with the Windows herd. My comments were merely a suggestion on what I believe Apple is ALREADY technically capable of doing. I was not passing blame or responsibility.
yeah just up some Black Eyes Peas and wait for the staff to start dancing. (seriously watch the chick in the white shirt on screen right at about 2 minutes in. she shoots, she scores, they have no clue)
She didn?t steal anything. It looks like she walked in with it in her hand and decided to put it in her purse to facilitate the dancing.
Have you ever ordered anything pricey from Apple online? Probably not.
They get get delivered in unmarked boxes. My iMac from a month ago was in a large plain cardboard box with no exterior clues as to where it came from.
But, if someone is following the Fedex driver and gets robbed, not my problem. I've never received it. I get another one delivered to me.
If I receive it and my house later gets robbed, that's different. I'm just referring to having to walk outside of a store in a downtown area to my car without having to worry about being mugged because Apple chooses to splash flashy packaging giving reference to what's in the bag / box.
Is the concept beyond you?
So you are saying if you left this store with a large brown unmarked computer box, etc., that the problem would be solved?
Fortunately or unfortunately the world is not as simple as your above comments. Ownership is only determined in court. Only the police have the authority to identify stolen property and then only if a police report is filed and the items clearly identified - and then if contested it still goes to court. No private company can legally determine ownership. Do you own that product just because you have a receipt or have it registered? Not legally. Only a State Registration or Deed is proof of ownership - as those transfer to the new owner when the property is sold. So if you buy an Apple car or Apple house and have your proper registration or deed - you are gold. Everything else is just some blathering fool crying they own something and making demands on a private company that only a court can determine.
Point taken, but not completely accurate. Ownership is not ONLY determined in court. If you have legal proof of ownership and the other party does not, case closed. If I have a pink slip and purchase receipt with my VIN for my stolen Apple Car, I can file a stolen Apple Car report to the police. That's all the proof I need. Apple has the ability and does track product ownership by serial number (and they are not as easily filed off).
If I made the effort to send a police report to Apple regarding a stolen MAC, I wouldn't expect Apple to prosecute someone that showed up with a stolen MAC (or other track-able product), but I would love to get notified and have the option to call the police and send them on over to the Apple store. There are a lot of ways to track and verify ownership, and a computer is very easy to track these days. And you are right, the world is not a simply place, we can only suggest ideas to improve it.
no but they do it to those coming out of Best Buy etc. it's just that it isn't getting the press that this run has gotten.
yeah just up some Black Eyes Peas and wait for the staff to start dancing. (seriously watch the chick in the white shirt on screen right at about 2 minutes in. she shoots, she scores, they have no clue)
across 3 counties and several months. so really not that easly
there's a major problem with that, same as the stolen iphone. folks can lie.
it goes like this LC. I buy a computer. My name is on the record. Then I decide that I want a better one. So I sell you that first one. No sales record is made etc. So by Apple's record, I'm still the owner.
Now something happens and I get pissed at you. Really pissed. Like key your car pissed. But instead of keying your car, I report that you stole my computer.
But you didn't. you bought it fair and square. However, it gets to Apple that the computer is stolen, gets bricked etc. You can't prove you bought it so you get arrested.
Or, another version. Someone breaks into my place and steals my computer. And then sells it to you claiming he just doesn't want it anymore cause he's getting a better one. You buy it under good intentions not knowing that it's stolen. It gets bricked etc. ANd you take the blame for a crime you didn't commit.
and so on.
at two local stores (here in LA but not right near the Manhattan Beach one) the staff were totally volunteering to hold computers and such and take them out to folks cars when they were done with their holiday shopping and ready to head home. Which was probably a headache for them. But it was better than having someone casing the busy parking lot and breaking windows and such
If I was buying a MAC or anything of value, I'd be damn sure to get a receipt. Of course there is always a "what if" scenario but if you are a careful purchaser and seller, you can eliminate about 99.99% of those what ifs. Personally, I always ask for a receipt or proof of ownership when I buy something used. If you don't, well, good luck.
Anyway, it was only a suggestion that Apple help solve this problem. That's what they are in the business of doing... solving problems and improving the customer experience. Right? You don't have to answer that.
The cold weather must be really getting to some of you!
Hummers, Mossad, Political discourse, Jailhouse experiences, Tenderloin(s) , Brown-paper bags... and much, much more... all in the same topic. You could make a Jason Statham movie from this thread!
May I suggest (to a select few) that you should put your head in a microwave and "*reboot" your brain... that is if it's still attached and not in a bucket of saline and formaldehyde.
*Sorry, I meant "Restart...", naturally with "Cmd-Opt-P-R".
Hummers, Mossad, Political discourse, Jailhouse experiences, Tenderloin(s) , Brown-paper bags... and much, much more... all in the same topic. You could make a Jason Statham movie from this thread!
So you are saying if you left this store with a large brown unmarked computer box, etc., that the problem would be solved?
Let me simplify this for you. This is the way a store works. They sell stuff in big AND small sizes. Some things are in BIG boxes... and other things are in tiny boxes. Some things aren't even in boxes. Some are in shiny plastic wrappers. Big boxes have to be carried out. Little items can be put in a PLAIN bag and taken out. Some people know they go to an Apple store and bring a different bag. Other people may see the store spontaneously while walking and go "OOh.. I wanna buy" and don't think of bringing a plain bag ahead of time.
I'm not referring to carrying out an iMac. That's pretty obvious. But iPods, iPhones, MacBooks, etc... those can be put in bags that don't gather too much attention. Heck, if I were a thief, I'd concentrate on someone carrying a big item vs. having to wonder what might be in that bag. Could be an iPhone, or it could be a $30 phone cover. Too much to think about.
Comments
...Thanks to the economic downturn, the budgets of state and local governments particularly in California are not it great shape, as you know.
And you can blame that on the misguided economic policies of the Bush administration. Not the ACLU.
I agreed with you until that last line. It's political charged and wrong when faced with the economic facts. The problem has stretched back many years before as I will show you.
First off: The Fed lowering the prime rate for so long. Our economy has been headed in disinflation for many years before Bush senior even. Check the charts yourself. The inflation rate dipped below 1% twice and then the Fed took action to prevent deflation. It was by this action that created a speculative real estate bubble, and that's fine. We have had many of them, California, New York, Hawaii and other places all have had speculative real estate bubbles. Speculating in real estate is not a problem, it's game of the wealthy of musical chairs and the last one owning property loses. However it's not for the middle class or the poor. It does stimulate the economy with a lot of jobs and does create inflation, which it did which is easier to control that deflation, especially run-away deflation which the Fed feared would occur with all the cheap goods flooding in from China. (It was China's oil demand before the Olympics that drove up gas to over $4 a gallon, not speculators alone)
What made this real estate bubble especially bad is that liberal companies and banks in California (the now bankrupt one and begging for 7 billion) started to dapple in sub-prime, with the loans being sold to investors. That arrangement was started back in Clinton days with his revisions to the Community Reinvestment Act (originally designed to prevent redlining) to force banks to give out loans they didn't want to. To get rid of these loans, Bear Sterns created the first mortgage backed security, and investors could gamble owning these risky BBB rated loans.
When the Congress switched Democratic, in 2005 saw the two government sponsored organizations (GSE's) Freddie and Fannie mandated to increase their sub-prime exposure when they wasn't exposed before. To dump these toxic loans because there wasn't enough investors willing to take them, a new device called a CDO was created, mixing AAA and BBB rated securities and then it was rated AAA. So the worlds investors, even entire countries, were bilked. That's why the mess has spread worldwide basically. (People at Moodys need to be tarred and feathered)
It was a crooked capitalist response to crooked socialist government action. You can't just give houses and loans to people that are not able to pay in a socialist manner and expect them to pay in a capitalist manner if they are not making enough to do so.
The three rules of lending: Credit, Collateral and Character, went out the window by government action via the CRA. People could snitch off banks who didn't give them a loan it was that bad. Banks were given credits if they played along, and as long as the government or investors were willing to take the toxic loans off their hands, they played.
You see what Clinton did was separate the bond that occurs between a lender and the borrower. Before him, there was no such thing as a mortgage backed security. The new Congress in 2005 sure made the problem worse by getting Freddie and Fannie involved in sub-prime to the point that both were over leveraged something like 70x!
Greenspan, McCain and Bush all tried to stop Congress. Greenspan told Congress "your privatizing the profits and socializing the risks". Bush and McCain tried to pass bills that failed, they were viewed as being "racist" by Congress because the majority of sub-prime was assumed to be minorities. (actually there are more poor whites than minorities). Eventually the Treasury took over the two highly over-leveraged companies and that's when the real estate bubble collapsed, because the government wasn't backing any more loans and the party was over. Naturally the Democrats lynched Bush, blamed him for everything and spoiling their fun.
What people sometimes to fail to realize is our government is three parts, the House, the Senate and the White House, three seats of power. When the Congress (House and Senate) went Democratic under Bush, he basically became a lame duck president. Nearly powerless and unable to do much of anything with the Congress ignoring him on political basis. So with that, how can the Dems blame Bush, when it was them in power and caused things to get out of hand?
Now after every real estate bubble there is a post real estate bubble recession, it occurs because of the (mainly) construction workers get laid off, due to the end of speculation and "flipping" of improved properties. Eventually as the population grows, new housing is needed and the workers are rehired.
However, because of the involvement of sub-prime by liberal banks, mortgage companies and the two GSE's, there is a overabundance of underwater mortgages and even the middle class and some wealthy default. The fallout effects business and communities, factories and a general depression state which we are experiencing now. People are spending all their money on their underwater mortgages, with little other disposable income to buy other things. This would have not occurred if the three rules: Credit, Collateral and Character were not ignored in the favor of giving housing as a right mandated by government action.
I do believe some regulations, like Glass?Steagall Act, should be re-enacted. Because banks are banks and investing companies are gambling. The two shouldn't be mixed. But that's not the cause of the problem, rather it doesn't help.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass%E2%80%93Steagall_Act
What I find especially troubling, is that despite the Democrats crying over deregulation, they go ahead and ignore common sense and get the government involved in sub-prime with our tax dollars. They certainly didn't do anything about their liberal banks and mortgage companies, mostly based in California, who initiated the problem in sub-prime lending. The first bank that failed was Indy Bank in California and it has the most failures.
Perhaps with deregulation, the banks knew how to behave responsibly so they needed more freedom to create new structures, less chains and more options to solve problems. But what was really needed was regulations for the government and their meddling mandates, especially those in Congress from behaving like kids with moms credit card on a Friday night.
Bush did want to help those who couldn't get a mortgage, just like Clinton wanted too, but somewhere along the line, I blame the Congress, they went crazy and overboard to the extreme. I believe it was done as political sabotage because the Republican Congress and Admin were doing such a great job and the economy was flourishing, the Dems couldn't have that. It could be the Congress just were irresponsible and ignorant, not being naturally conservative like Republicans are.
So we tried it the liberal socialist California way and it got us here, now we are trying it Chicago's way and that's no solution.
Texas has a vibrant economy, good employment and virtually no real estate bubble mess.
We need to go back to doing it Texas way.
I shop at the Apple store in San Francisco quite a bit. I've told the sales folks there countless of times to hand me my purchases in a bag that does not scream "steal me". Of course, it's not the fault of clerks.
It really irks me that Apple does not seem to see a problem of watching their customers carrying thousands of dollars in computer hardware out of their store in big bright-white boxes with a picture of the latptop/iMac prominently displayed on the side walking outside their store in a major downtown metropolitan city near the Tenderloin, where thieves, crackheads, punks hang out and not think "Hmm... maybe our packaging / wrapping should be more discrete?"
I no longer purchase high-ticket items at their stores. I'll just order them online and have them shipped. When I buy items that are placed in their bags, I bring another bag, backpack, something that conceals what I'm carrying. It's really stupid what they do.
It's irresponsible what they do. Some simple common-sense would do wonders.
So you stay home all day waiting for the UPS/FedEx person or do you take the risk that someone following the FedEx/UPS driver takes it prior to you getting home?
Really? REALLY? So everyone who sells expensive items should put them in plain, drab boxes simply because there's a possibility of getting robbed when you leave the store? You can't possibly be serious. Once you get it out, it's YOUR responsibility, not theirs. Drive it straight home if you're so worried and keep the doors locked. Put it in the trunk before you leave. Seriously, getting fed up at Apple over something like this is just plain retarded.
Really Einstein?? I mentioned the San Francisco store. If you bothered to comprehend my post, that store is blocks away from any parking lot. Are you saying you have the ability to transport directly from a middle-of-downtown-store into an automobile without having first to WALK to the vehicle? Once I'm in my car, It's my problem. I'm referring to the part of getting to point-A so I can start point-B.
That store is also right next to the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) subway. What about those that buy a laptop and take it on the train? A regular unmarked shopping bag would solve that. Apple does not need to use flashy white / silver bags with their huge logos plastered on it. I know it looks trendy, but I don't want anyone knowing what store I have been to. Those iMacs don't need all that fancy exterior packaging billboard that screams expensive.
I agree, it's my responsibility if I get mugged for carrying out something that people will see is expensive. Which as I said in my post... I no longer do that!
Get over yourself. The world obviously works differently than how you live in it.
So you stay home all day waiting for the UPS/FedEx person or do you take the risk that someone following the FedEx/UPS driver takes it prior to you getting home?
Have you ever ordered anything pricey from Apple online? Probably not.
They get get delivered in unmarked boxes. My iMac from a month ago was in a large plain cardboard box with no exterior clues as to where it came from.
But, if someone is following the Fedex driver and gets robbed, not my problem. I've never received it. I get another one delivered to me.
If I receive it and my house later gets robbed, that's different. I'm just referring to having to walk outside of a store in a downtown area to my car without having to worry about being mugged because Apple chooses to splash flashy packaging giving reference to what's in the bag / box.
Is the concept beyond you?
For some reason I can't really picture burglars following people coming out of a Microsoft Store.
no but they do it to those coming out of Best Buy etc. it's just that it isn't getting the press that this run has gotten.
There are easier ways to steal Windows.
yeah just up some Black Eyes Peas and wait for the staff to start dancing. (seriously watch the chick in the white shirt on screen right at about 2 minutes in. she shoots, she scores, they have no clue)
You'd think with a hundred targeted Apple customers, the police can set up an easy sting operation to nab some of these crooks... Unless profiling has crept down to the local L.A. law enforcement world! Thank you very much, ACLU idjits!
across 3 counties and several months. so really not that easly
I've had a Mac stolen (it sucks) and the REAL problem is the crooks that buy the stolen ones. Apple needs to protect its customer better. The next time that stolen Mac "phones home" for an update, it gets permanently shut down until it sees an Apple store... at which point, if you are not the purchaser of record you will get a courteous escort out by your local authorities to a lovely over night accommodation.
there's a major problem with that, same as the stolen iphone. folks can lie.
it goes like this LC. I buy a computer. My name is on the record. Then I decide that I want a better one. So I sell you that first one. No sales record is made etc. So by Apple's record, I'm still the owner.
Now something happens and I get pissed at you. Really pissed. Like key your car pissed. But instead of keying your car, I report that you stole my computer.
But you didn't. you bought it fair and square. However, it gets to Apple that the computer is stolen, gets bricked etc. You can't prove you bought it so you get arrested.
Or, another version. Someone breaks into my place and steals my computer. And then sells it to you claiming he just doesn't want it anymore cause he's getting a better one. You buy it under good intentions not knowing that it's stolen. It gets bricked etc. ANd you take the blame for a crime you didn't commit.
and so on.
apple needs to protect its customer better? it's apple's fault that your product was stolen?
at two local stores (here in LA but not right near the Manhattan Beach one) the staff were totally volunteering to hold computers and such and take them out to folks cars when they were done with their holiday shopping and ready to head home. Which was probably a headache for them. But it was better than having someone casing the busy parking lot and breaking windows and such
So you stay home all day waiting for the UPS/FedEx person or do you take the risk that someone following the FedEx/UPS driver takes it prior to you getting home?
The expensive stuff from Apple that I've ever received via UPS or FedEx had to have a signature.
What about those that buy a laptop and take it on the train? A regular unmarked shopping bag would solve that.
If it's such an issue, why can't you bring your own?
Back in the day, I rode BART from Market St. to Oakland, then took a bus to Alameda to get home from work. I might've brought home an iMac type box at 5:00 PM but not at 8:30 PM. A little discretion goes a long way. If you are that concerned with your personal safety, then take ownership of it. Get a friend to go along. Take a cab. Etc. etc. etc.
Really Einstein?? I mentioned the San Francisco store. If you bothered to comprehend my post, that store is blocks away from any parking lot. Are you saying you have the ability to transport directly from a middle-of-downtown-store into an automobile without having first to WALK to the vehicle? Once I'm in my car, It's my problem. I'm referring to the part of getting to point-A so I can start point-B.
That store is also right next to the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) subway. What about those that buy a laptop and take it on the train? A regular unmarked shopping bag would solve that. Apple does not need to use flashy white / silver bags with their huge logos plastered on it. I know it looks trendy, but I don't want anyone knowing what store I have been to. Those iMacs don't need all that fancy exterior packaging billboard that screams expensive.
I agree, it's my responsibility if I get mugged for carrying out something that people will see is expensive. Which as I said in my post... I no longer do that!
Get over yourself. The world obviously works differently than how you live in it.
Wow, a real genius here. Ever hear of calling a cab? Better yet, call a high security car service. That way you can be assured that the driver is ex-Mossad and is packing heat. Better yet; fuck the parking. Get a Hummer and just pull up right on the sidewalk in front of the Apple Store (but don't get out unless you're packing, baby.
Man if anybody ever deserved to be robbed; you're him.
I think you should write a letter to Steve Jobs about this. (seriously; get over Yourself)
Wow, a real genius here. Ever hear of calling a cab? Better yet, call a high security car service. That way you can be assured that the driver is ex-Mossad and is packing heat. Better yet; fuck the parking. Get a Hummer and just pull up right on the sidewalk in front of the Apple Store (but don't get out unless you're packing, baby.
Man if anybody ever deserved to be robbed; you're him.
I think you should write a letter to Steve Jobs about this. (seriously; get over Yourself)
Calling a cab to go to an Apple Store when you have a car? Thinking a cabbie is inherently safer than driving yourself? Suggesting a security service by ex-Mossad? Suggesting anyone who wants to shop at an Apple Store to first buy a Hummer and then drive up on a sidewalk to park? All that really makes sense to you or is your humour overly dry?
I shop at the Apple store in San Francisco quite a bit. I've told the sales folks there countless of times to hand me my purchases in a bag that does not scream "steal me". Of course, it's not the fault of clerks.
It really irks me that Apple does not seem to see a problem of watching their customers carrying thousands of dollars in computer hardware out of their store in big bright-white boxes with a picture of the latptop/iMac prominently displayed on the side walking outside their store in a major downtown metropolitan city near the Tenderloin, where thieves, crackheads, punks hang out and not think "Hmm... maybe our packaging / wrapping should be more discrete?"
I no longer purchase high-ticket items at their stores. I'll just order them online and have them shipped. When I buy items that are placed in their bags, I bring another bag, backpack, something that conceals what I'm carrying. It's really stupid what they do.
It's irresponsible what they do. Some simple common-sense would do wonders.
Of course if they watch you purchase something then follow you, it doesn't matter what kind of bag or backpack it is in.
Calling a cab to go to an Apple Store when you have a car? Thinking a cabbie is inherently safer than driving yourself? Suggesting a security service by ex-Mossad? Suggesting anyone who wants to shop at an Apple Store to first buy a Hummer and then drive up on a sidewalk to park? All that really makes sense to you or is your humour overly dry?
Oh please. I wouldn't suggest this guy take a cab to the Apple Store when he has his own car. That would be ridiculous. I'm suggesting that he take a cab from the Apple Store to his parked car (sheesh!
In all seriousness. Let's get down to what should really be happening here (and everyone here knows it) That's right baby. Class Action all the way. We're taking Apple to court for making their boxes too pretty, and putting the public in danger. I will post a site so everybody can sign on shortly. We can win this one people!
I've had a Mac stolen (it sucks) and the REAL problem is the crooks that buy the stolen ones. Apple needs to protect its customer better. The next time that stolen Mac "phones home" for an update, it gets permanently shut down until it sees an Apple store... at which point, if you are not the purchaser of record you will get a courteous escort out by your local authorities to a lovely over night accommodation.
Fortunately or unfortunately the world is not as simple as your above comments. Ownership is only determined in court. Only the police have the authority to identify stolen property and then only if a police report is filed and the items clearly identified - and then if contested it still goes to court. No private company can legally determine ownership. Do you own that product just because you have a receipt or have it registered? Not legally. Only a State Registration or Deed is proof of ownership - as those transfer to the new owner when the property is sold. So if you buy an Apple car or Apple house and have your proper registration or deed - you are gold. Everything else is just some blathering fool crying they own something and making demands on a private company that only a court can determine.
apple needs to protect its customer better? it's apple's fault that your product was stolen?
Of course not. OK, poor choice of words on my part. I should have said, "Apple could protect its customers better". We pay a premium for the privilege of having a MAC and Apple has the capability to further set themselves apart from the crowd. After all, that's what Apple is all about. And frankly I'd rather not put a Windows sticker on my MAC box (as was humorously suggested above) just to fit in with the Windows herd. My comments were merely a suggestion on what I believe Apple is ALREADY technically capable of doing. I was not passing blame or responsibility.
yeah just up some Black Eyes Peas and wait for the staff to start dancing. (seriously watch the chick in the white shirt on screen right at about 2 minutes in. she shoots, she scores, they have no clue)
She didn?t steal anything. It looks like she walked in with it in her hand and decided to put it in her purse to facilitate the dancing.
Have you ever ordered anything pricey from Apple online? Probably not.
They get get delivered in unmarked boxes. My iMac from a month ago was in a large plain cardboard box with no exterior clues as to where it came from.
But, if someone is following the Fedex driver and gets robbed, not my problem. I've never received it. I get another one delivered to me.
If I receive it and my house later gets robbed, that's different. I'm just referring to having to walk outside of a store in a downtown area to my car without having to worry about being mugged because Apple chooses to splash flashy packaging giving reference to what's in the bag / box.
Is the concept beyond you?
So you are saying if you left this store with a large brown unmarked computer box, etc., that the problem would be solved?
Fortunately or unfortunately the world is not as simple as your above comments. Ownership is only determined in court. Only the police have the authority to identify stolen property and then only if a police report is filed and the items clearly identified - and then if contested it still goes to court. No private company can legally determine ownership. Do you own that product just because you have a receipt or have it registered? Not legally. Only a State Registration or Deed is proof of ownership - as those transfer to the new owner when the property is sold. So if you buy an Apple car or Apple house and have your proper registration or deed - you are gold. Everything else is just some blathering fool crying they own something and making demands on a private company that only a court can determine.
Point taken, but not completely accurate. Ownership is not ONLY determined in court. If you have legal proof of ownership and the other party does not, case closed. If I have a pink slip and purchase receipt with my VIN for my stolen Apple Car, I can file a stolen Apple Car report to the police. That's all the proof I need. Apple has the ability and does track product ownership by serial number (and they are not as easily filed off).
If I made the effort to send a police report to Apple regarding a stolen MAC, I wouldn't expect Apple to prosecute someone that showed up with a stolen MAC (or other track-able product), but I would love to get notified and have the option to call the police and send them on over to the Apple store. There are a lot of ways to track and verify ownership, and a computer is very easy to track these days. And you are right, the world is not a simply place, we can only suggest ideas to improve it.
no but they do it to those coming out of Best Buy etc. it's just that it isn't getting the press that this run has gotten.
yeah just up some Black Eyes Peas and wait for the staff to start dancing. (seriously watch the chick in the white shirt on screen right at about 2 minutes in. she shoots, she scores, they have no clue)
across 3 counties and several months. so really not that easly
there's a major problem with that, same as the stolen iphone. folks can lie.
it goes like this LC. I buy a computer. My name is on the record. Then I decide that I want a better one. So I sell you that first one. No sales record is made etc. So by Apple's record, I'm still the owner.
Now something happens and I get pissed at you. Really pissed. Like key your car pissed. But instead of keying your car, I report that you stole my computer.
But you didn't. you bought it fair and square. However, it gets to Apple that the computer is stolen, gets bricked etc. You can't prove you bought it so you get arrested.
Or, another version. Someone breaks into my place and steals my computer. And then sells it to you claiming he just doesn't want it anymore cause he's getting a better one. You buy it under good intentions not knowing that it's stolen. It gets bricked etc. ANd you take the blame for a crime you didn't commit.
and so on.
at two local stores (here in LA but not right near the Manhattan Beach one) the staff were totally volunteering to hold computers and such and take them out to folks cars when they were done with their holiday shopping and ready to head home. Which was probably a headache for them. But it was better than having someone casing the busy parking lot and breaking windows and such
If I was buying a MAC or anything of value, I'd be damn sure to get a receipt. Of course there is always a "what if" scenario but if you are a careful purchaser and seller, you can eliminate about 99.99% of those what ifs. Personally, I always ask for a receipt or proof of ownership when I buy something used. If you don't, well, good luck.
Anyway, it was only a suggestion that Apple help solve this problem. That's what they are in the business of doing... solving problems and improving the customer experience. Right? You don't have to answer that.
May I suggest (to a select few) that you should put your head in a microwave and "*reboot" your brain... that is if it's still attached and not in a bucket of saline and formaldehyde.
*Sorry, I meant "Restart...", naturally with "Cmd-Opt-P-R".
So you are saying if you left this store with a large brown unmarked computer box, etc., that the problem would be solved?
Let me simplify this for you. This is the way a store works. They sell stuff in big AND small sizes. Some things are in BIG boxes... and other things are in tiny boxes. Some things aren't even in boxes. Some are in shiny plastic wrappers. Big boxes have to be carried out. Little items can be put in a PLAIN bag and taken out. Some people know they go to an Apple store and bring a different bag. Other people may see the store spontaneously while walking and go "OOh.. I wanna buy" and don't think of bringing a plain bag ahead of time.
I'm not referring to carrying out an iMac. That's pretty obvious. But iPods, iPhones, MacBooks, etc... those can be put in bags that don't gather too much attention. Heck, if I were a thief, I'd concentrate on someone carrying a big item vs. having to wonder what might be in that bag. Could be an iPhone, or it could be a $30 phone cover. Too much to think about.
For some reason I can't really picture burglars following people coming out of a Microsoft Store.
HOT APPLE