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i7 reality, the apple has fallen from the tree, first and last trip to Apple Store

J

jhbpa

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 19, 2008
22
0
Please indulge me, I'm an old man.

In 1983 I purchased my first computer for $3,000, an IBM PC with two floppies and a 12 inch CRT.

I was living in Danville, CA and working in Silicon Valley as CFO of a Fortune 500 high tech company.

In 1986 I had drinks with Steve. I was always enamored with Apple but stuck with MS because, then and now, high end accounting apps are MS apps.

When Apple embraced Intel I was all aboard. The OS was, and still is, vastly superior. However, when you've been around computers as long as I have, you're not going to get lathered up about the OS.

For me, Apple was all about the luxurious hardware, I was hooked, two MBP's, one Pro, one ACD and all kinds of ancillaries.

I have always been a bit skeptical about iMac's. They are not portable but still have the same maintenance concerns of a notebook, if something goes wrong, the entire unit needs to be involved, vs a messy desktop where a HD, card or monitor can be pulled, with everything else still functioning.

But the new 27's were just too cool for the old man to resist. Alas, I have most of the issues, at least the most important ones, yellow tinge, flickering (what's maddening about the flickering is that it occurs when the machine is being pushed, in other words, when real work is actually occurring).

After at least 25 hours on the phone with Apple Care, I decided to have a new experience, I made an appointment to visit the Apple Store in West Palm Beach, FL.

I'm not sure I'm glad or sad I never had the experience prior, because I never would have purchased an Apple product if I had.

Genius = Early 20's Social Misfit Moron. Customer Service = Can we sell you an iPhone or an iPod?

Right now my view is Steve = Putin and Apple = Kremlin, they will not acknowledge what experienced Apple consumers know is obvious.

The Morons told me my issues were all within acceptable Apple tolerances.

No worries, I'll wait it out, eBay it, take a loss and move on.
 
I'm really getting scared because other people have claimed they swap them out or refund easy. However, now I keep hearing a few like yourself who they won't even take back???

I'm so scared about mine that is on its way to me.

Sir - I went back to Apple in the early 2000s, and it more or less has been a perfect experience. I am really shocked with what is going on in regards to these iMacs.

It does leave me feel very annoyed and conflicted on my views on Apple.
 
It's not within Apple 'tolerances' though is it, otherwise loads of people wouldn't have had theirs replaced. Nobody would eBay it and suffer a loss when they could get a full refund? This post seems like a complex hoax to me.

Strange how it's always the 'newbies' moaning.
 
tomacintosh said:
It's not within Apple 'tolerances' though is it, otherwise loads of people wouldn't have had theirs replaced. Nobody would eBay it and suffer a loss when they could get a full refund? This post seems like a complex hoax to me.

Strange how it's always the 'newbies' moaning.
Click to expand...

Give me a break. The guy doesn't come across that way at all, for several reasons.
 
I'm not sure about the 25 hours with Applecare? I live in West Palm Beach as well, and probably go to the same Apple Store that you go to. Either way, when I had my problem, I spoke with Applecare for about a half hour, they had me do a couple of tests on my machine, and then made an appointment for me with the Genius at the Apple Store. My problem was the yellow tinge on the screen.

Long story short, the Apple Store actually ordered me a new screen, while Applecare sent me out a new machine without me having to send this one in before hand. The screen came into the Apple store and they called to have me come in, however, I told them that I'd just wait for the new machine, and that was acceptable. The new machine arrived and no issues.

Doesn't really compare in the slightest bit to your experience.
 
TennisandMusic said:
Give me a break. The guy doesn't come across that way at all, for several reasons.
Click to expand...

What's that? His long abiding Apple history? Fair enough if you have been a good customer over the years. But just get a refund and be done with it. Simple as.
 
tomacintosh said:
It's not within Apple 'tolerances' though is it, otherwise loads of people wouldn't have had theirs replaced. Nobody would eBay it and suffer a loss when they could get a full refund? This post seems like a complex hoax to me.

Strange how it's always the 'newbies' moaning.
Click to expand...

You'll be eating crow soon if even half of his post is true. Think before you go making rash judgments and try taking people at their word every once in a while.

I would trying calling Applecare and arranging for an exchange. Might've just been a bad day at the Apple Store.
 
Corrode said:
You'll be eating crow soon if even half of his post is true. Think before you go making rash judgments and try taking people at their word every one in a while.

I would trying calling Applecare and arranging for an exchange. Might've just been a bad day at the Apple Store.
Click to expand...

I would take your word for it, if I could understand you.
 
The Morons told me my issues were all within acceptable Apple tolerances.
Click to expand...
I'd have said, "Well it's not within my acceptable tolerances"... make them take it back, it's not acceptable for a strange yellow tint to be on your iMac, nor flickering; particularly when under a heavy work load... Or any issue for that matter.
Ask to speak to a general manager and say you want your money back or a replacement, complain directly to Apple if they do nothing.

I wouldn't back down, they can't sell you a faulty product (unless you're informed and agree, I think).... and if they say it's not faulty, then it's kinda false advertising... right? you didn't want to buy an iMac that flickers and has a yellow tint, you'd not have bought it if they were on the features list :p
 
Corrode said:
I missed a "c" in "once". Too tough for you to figure that one out on your own?
Click to expand...

I wasn't referring to your numerous typos. More in fact the actual meaning of your post. Why will I be eating crow anytime soon? Why will half his post have any effect on me? If he got a dodgy iMac, then either get it replaced, or get a refund. It's pretty simple in my eyes. I don't need to know how he was best mates with Steve Jobs and helped create the first Mac etc etc. I feel for the guy for getting a dodgy machine, but do what needs to be done. End of.
 
25 hours on the phone and I would be on here selling the benefits of the yellow tinge and flickering!
 
tomacintosh said:
It's not within Apple 'tolerances' though is it, otherwise loads of people wouldn't have had theirs replaced. Nobody would eBay it and suffer a loss when they could get a full refund? This post seems like a complex hoax to me.

Strange how it's always the 'newbies' moaning.
Click to expand...


What is a newbie, someone who doesn't post a lot? What is your resume in regards to using computers to make a living, actually I'm retired.

I'll admit the 25 hours is a bit hyperbolic, so let's move on from there.

Did you miss the part of my post where I stated I was ecstatic with the hardware, especially the two MBP's and ACD previously purchased.

Maybe you're a genius?

You're missing the point(s).

My iMac is like many others, it is functional, like a $500 PC.

I said I'm going to live with it, I didn't purchase it from Apple so for me it's not worth the fight to demand a return and refund.

You seem to to be quite a hot head and very literal so let me emphasize, I am the original owner, purchased from an approved reseller and have three year Apple Care.

Calm down dude.
 
I gotta say that the OP's opening post didn't seem right to me as well. I don't want to accuse anyone of lying, but it sure seems like the OP was so tweaked that he probably embellished a bit.

EVP
 
jhbpa said:
What is a newbie, someone who doesn't post a lot? What is your resume in regards to using computers to make a living, actually retired for me.

Did you miss the part of my post where I stated I was ecstatic with the hardware, especially the two MBP's and ACD previously purchased.

Maybe you're a genius?

You're missing the point(s).

My iMac is like many others, it is functional, like a $500 PC.

I said I'm going to live with it, I didn't purchase it from Apple so for me it's not worth the fight to demand a return and refund.

You seem to to be quite a hot head and very literal so let me emphasize, I am the original owner, purchased from an approved reseller and have three year Apple Care.

Calm down dude.
Click to expand...

Ok, seems my first impressions were correct. Enjoy your $500 Mac :)
 
You sir, have earned my respect haha.
I actually have the 27". Can't say I have yellow tinge, or flickering, but I do seem to have some kind of backlight bleeding.

but that's only visible on REALLY dark backgrounds, and I learned that if I actually sit back in my chair and relax, then I can't see it.
But when I'm face to face with the screen, it's right there in the corners of the screen.

I'll wait a few months and then get it repaired or replaced. Since right now, the fail rate of those iMacs are pretty high.

The engineers seriously need to start working on these issues though.
It's just ridiculous.
To me, Apple is a company that sells high-end luxury computers. The way they make them, the looks, and of course OS X is beyond spectacular.

So buying Macs to me is like purchasing a Lamborghini. Well, of course, not literally. But I wouldn't expect Lamborghini to sell me a yellow tinted windshield or a broken radio.

So Apple, really needs to work this all out ASAP.

I'm tired of seeing these threads all day.
 
jhbpa said:
Why 8 gig soon and not now, do you need to save a few bills for the extra memory?
Click to expand...

No, the whole computer is 'soon'

If you have AppleCare, phone them for a replacement instead of making a fool of yourself on here.
 
hey op, i too remember the apple of old. the wozniak days were a geek fest. apple was cutting edge.

now it seems that they sell image. theres nothing wrong with that and they do a hell of a job but for me apple computers died a ways back. apple inc is doing well, however.
 
Hello.

Welcome to the forum.

It's a shame you had a bad time at the Apple store.
But if you didn't buy it there and it didn't actually fail or stop working, what did you expect?

I'm willing to be it has a very great deal to do with "Fussy, crazy people screaming about yellow tinge" overload.

You might want to consider that you're probably not the first person in there that bought the thing somewhere else and then pop up demanding an exchange or repair on the spot.

With most businesses that deal in high-dollar low margin (for the dealer) items such as computers, cars, major appliances, etc..
People that actually bought the unit right there get "the extra mile" treatment while "bought it somewhere else" folks get the "Terms of the Warranty" treatment.

A fault, any fault... even the most minor flicker or pink or yellow cast gets posted online and next thing you know, thousands of people who read it on MacRumors end up on their doorstep demanding a refund or exchange.

Each and every one of them is going to want at least one free replacement, and it could easily get to the point of: "My 4th (or 5th, 6th, 7th) one was the charm!
Apple (or any other company) couldn't possibly keep up with such a demand.
They'd have to sell them at triple or quadruple total cost which would probably put the 27" way over $5,000.

Look for a gazillion "Refurbushed" iMacs available soon. Nothing really wrong. Just various slight shades of yellow.


Oh well.

See if you can take the next computer you buy for a test drive before you buy it.

Have Fun,
Keri

PS. I'm sorry if I sound a little grumpy here. I go through this kind of stuff all the time at work! Grrrr! The "I read it online" crowd.

PPS. My Father lost his job in the 60's when the company he worked for went out of business for similar reasons.... warehouses full of perfectly good "returned as defective" items sold to excessively fussy people. We got some of those things... they were perfect!
 
jhbpa said:
WOW! Get out the KY Jelly!!!!
Click to expand...

Ha! I nearly wet myself. Thanks for the laugh. Don't worry about all the haters on here, it hurts their little girl feelings to know that Apple sells a lot of junk these days. Since you have Apple Care, just wait it out, they should get this issue under control soon.
 
KeriJane said:
Hello.

Welcome to the forum.

It's a shame you had a bad time at the Apple store.
But if you didn't buy it there and it didn't actually fail or stop working, what did you expect?

I'm willing to be it has a very great deal to do with "Fussy, crazy people screaming about yellow tinge" overload.

You might want to consider that you're probably not the first person in there that bought the thing somewhere else and then pop up demanding an exchange or repair on the spot.

With most businesses that deal in high-dollar low margin (for the dealer) items such as computers, cars, major appliances, etc..
People that actually bought the unit right there get "the extra mile" treatment while "bought it somewhere else" folks get the "Terms of the Warranty" treatment.

A fault, any fault... even the most minor flicker or pink or yellow cast gets posted online and next thing you know, thousands of people who read it on MacRumors end up on their doorstep demanding a refund or exchange.

Each and every one of them is going to want at least one free replacement, and it could easily get to the point of: "My 4th (or 5th, 6th, 7th) one was the charm!
Apple (or any other company) couldn't possibly keep up with such a demand.
They'd have to sell them at triple or quadruple total cost which would probably put the 27" way over $5,000.

Look for a gazillion "Refurbushed" iMacs available soon. Nothing really wrong. Just various slight shades of yellow.


Oh well.

See if you can take the next computer you buy for a test drive before you buy it.

Have Fun,
Keri

PS. I'm sorry if I sound a little grumpy here. I go through this kind of stuff all the time at work! Grrrr! The "I read it online" crowd.

PPS. My Father lost his job in the 60's when the company he worked for went out of business for similar reasons.... warehouses full of perfectly good "returned as defective" items sold to excessively fussy people. We got some of those things... they were perfect!
Click to expand...

I just did a search on all of your posts. Why do you always start with "Welcome to the Forum"?

At the risk of being as presumptuous as you are, I'd speculate that you are not old enough to know who Carnac The Magnificent is. You definitely share the same DNA.

I'm sorry that attitudes in the 60's similar to mine cost your father his job.
 
KeriJane said:
Hello.

Welcome to the forum.
Click to expand...

Who are you, the official forum greeter or something? Perhaps you overlooked the fact that the OP has been a member since October 2008 ? :rolleyes: That's about a year longer than you.

OP is well within his right to be less than pleased about his bum 27" iMac. For the delusional still out there who defend Apple with such fervor you'd think you're getting a commission for doing so, the 27" iMac is a clear example of a lack of quality control at the assembly line. Who's fault is that? The Chinese who build it? No. The company that tells them how to build and test the thing are at fault. And certainly the engineers are at fault as well. The whole yellowing and flickering issue is very real and being talked about in many other places besides here at MR.

So, for those poor misguided souls who derive pleasure in bashing the OP (who's clearly been around a lot longer than most of you), leave him alone and post in another thread.
 
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