Apple's recycling program shortchanged me. anyone else?

[parkavenuesouth]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

Hi,

I recently sent back an older imac through the apple recycling program through poweron. The computer was estimated to be roughly 75 dollars and after it was processed poweron emailed me saying that the imac was audited for 77.68. However, the giftcard that was sent from poweron on Apple stationery only is for $41. I've called the apple store's 1-800 number and they've only given me the number for poweron. The number for poweron is just a line that goes nowhere unless maybe I try to enter random extensions. I mailed the steve jobs e-mails a couple of days ago but no one responded.
--- does anyone who has had this issue know who exactly I should talk to. i'm really disappointed that apple would let this happen

 

[NickZac]

Is Apple and PowerOn affiliated?

 

[jpyc7]

Well, in 2009 I never even got the chance to be short changed. I signed up for the recycling program when I purchased a new computer, but never got any more info about how to recycle my old computer. I never resolved it as I could not find any real contact info either.

 

[parkavenuesouth]

Im not sure they're affiliated because I don't know business terminology well enough

The apple store website uses the verb contract
Apple contracts with PowerON,2 who will estimate the fair market value of your computer. They will also send you a box and a prepaid shipping label.3 Pack your computer carefully, then send it off.

In searching the internet further I found this apple forum that details some anecdotes of people being scammed in similar ways by power on
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=11986789

So I'm not too optimistic about apple crediting me any money unless a class action suit is filed
I can't believe apple would partner with this company. They've generally had a good reputation
This is a lame joke for apple's entry into recycling

 

[Mr. Chewbacca]

Ya, I just got an e-mail back. They are claiming damage that is not there and are offering me the generous gift of keeping it for free.

No thanks Mr. Scam, you can pay the shipping and send it back to me. Its old but I can still use it to watch DVD's

 

[Synchromesh]

The best recycling place for Apple hardware is Craigslist.

 

[lokiju]

Now I'm starting to worry.

Sent in my Mac Pro, has been at the "audit" step for a few days now so in searching around to see what the typical audit period is for others, I keep seeing over and over things like "bait and switch" being thrown out about PowerOn.

I'm highly surprised Apple would partner with a company doing such shady things, if true.

Hopefully my experience will not be bad, but I've got a bad feeling about it now

 

[bigjnyc]

I dont know why anyone would use this thing, its such a rip-off 85% of the people that I've heard about using this thing get significantly less than they are quoted... Poweron always claims physical damage of some sort. I would rather take my chances on craigslist or even.... ebay *shudder*