universalcomputers.com: good bad ugly?

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progmacprogmac
Posted:
in General Discussion edited January 2014
my gf just ordered a refurbished mac from <a href="http://www.universalcomputers.com"; target="_blank">http://www.universalcomputers.com</a>; and they have been giving her the run-around with shipping dates, etc. anyone have experience with this company?

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 4
    eugeneeugene Posts: 8,254member
    Looks like they are gray market.
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  • Reply 2 of 4
    sdw2001sdw2001 Posts: 18,060member
    [quote]Originally posted by Eugene:

    <strong>Looks like they are gray market.</strong><hr></blockquote>



    Why?
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  • Reply 3 of 4
    eugeneeugene Posts: 8,254member
    [quote]Originally posted by SDW2001:

    <strong>



    Why?</strong><hr></blockquote>



    1) They do not show up on Apple.com's "Where To Buy" search.

    2) Only a few shops are allowed to sell Apple products online. ClubMac, MacMall, MacWarehouse, Outpost, Amazon, Smalldog, PowerMax, J&R, MacConnection, Buy.com, CDW, eCost, MacZone. <a href="http://applefn.infonow.net/bin/findNow?CLIENT_ID=APPLE_WTB_USA&PAGE=Catalog.html"; target="_blank">Proof</a>

    3) They do not display an "Apple Specialist," "Apple Value Added Reseller," or "Apple Authorized Reseller" logo anywhere.



    Is that a good enough answer?
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  • Reply 4 of 4
    progmacprogmac Posts: 1,850member
    yeah, they suck. don't buy from them. rather than babble about my problems, i'll paste the letter i sent to the "certified merchant" programs they are a part of:



    One of your "certified merchants," Universal Computers, has provided

    exceptionally poor service to my girlfriend. Here is a run-down of the

    events:



    June 7: a snow iMac 700 G3 is ordered from the online store. The item is

    listed as in-stock and priced at $745. Univeral Computers sends a

    confirmation email regarding the order placed.



    June 10: Universal Computers contacts my girlfriend and tells her the

    computer is out of stock but a new order will be in tomorrow and they say

    they will call her back as to the order status.



    June 11: Universal Computers does not call, so she calls them and is once

    again told the iMac is out of stock and another shipment is coming

    tomorrow and that they will contact her. Also, the item information on

    universalcomputers.com regarding the snow iMac is updated and upon the

    update, claims the item is in stock and they also raise the price to $799



    June 12: Again, Universal Computers does not call, so she calls them and

    is told again that the iMac is not available, but will be tomorrow (June

    13). Keep in mind the web site was updated the day before and said the

    item was in stock. She is told she will be contacted tomorrow (June 13)



    June 13: Once again Universal Computers does not contact her (this time we

    waited until 30 minutes before they closed to see if they would) so she

    calls them. On this day, she is told that the computer is out of stock

    and they will not be stocking any more of this, or any other iMac. At

    this point, the salesperson attempts the "bait-and-switch" tactic and

    insists that she buy a newer, more expensive iMac ($600 more!). She

    politely refuses and hangs up and her order is cancelled.



    Final Comments: This company still has this computer (and many others

    they claim not to have) listed on their website. Hers can be found by

    searching for "iMac snow". Universal Computer demonstrated very poor

    business practices and the value of the CNet certification has,

    personally, decreased to almost nothing as a result.



    The order number of the transaction in question is 31887 and the order was

    placed on june 7.



    Please reply to me at as221300@ohio.edu



    Thank you for considering this matter.



    Regards,

    Adam Sickmiller
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