Is Colorware ripping me off?

[iBoy111]

Is it? Someone told me that a MacBook costs more that it should on colourware, so I decided to ask you guys.

 

[stoid]

Yes, ColorWare has an additional mark-up on Apple computers, even beyond Apple's mark-up. However, they also do their own work on the laptop, and that is what you are paying extra for. It IS cheaper to get an Apple computer from Apple or Amazon or ClubMac or whatever, but you can't get the spiffy colors and such that ColorWare offer.

 

[daveL]

Is it? Someone told me that a MacBook costs more that it should on colourware, so I decided to ask you guys.

If you buy it new from them, you are paying a premium above and beyond the paint job. I believe it something around $200 extra. You are better off buying the machine yourself at the best price you can find, then sending it to them for the paint job. Look under services on their Web site. It takes 3 weeks, and it still ain't cheap.

 

[xfiftyfour]

i think i read somewhere that the extra you pay when you buy the machine new from them is for their warranty. i don't know all the details, or how their coverage is, but it's worth looking into, since I doubt Apple will ever fix your MB if it's been colored...

 

[Flyinace2000]

i think i read somewhere that the extra you pay when you buy the machine new from them is for their warranty. i don't know all the details, or how their coverage is, but it's worth looking into, since I doubt Apple will ever fix your MB if it's been colored...

I had them do my iPod 2 years ago. They do amazing work. The ipod coloring does not void the warranty since they do not take it apart. I would call them and ask them about how their paint job affects the apple warranty. If they are apple certified techs it may not void your warranty. but call them and ask.

And no, they are not ripping you off.

 

[Maxiseller]

Much in the same way as Apple add a cost for their Black Macbooks, Colorware do the same thing - only in a sense it is more unique due the massive list of colours you can use.

You're paying a premium for a unique styling - much in the same way you'd pay extra for an Armani suit though there are many brands with the same styling.

 

[wako]

Warranty Information

ColorWare Inc. One Year Limited Parts and Labor Warranty

ColorWare Inc. warrants this hardware product against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of original retail purchase. If you discover a defect, ColorWare Inc. will at its option, repair, replace or refund the purchase price less a 15% restocking fee,provided you return it during the warranty period, with transportation charges prepaid to the appropriate ColorWare Inc. repair department, and provided you obtain a return merchandise authorization (RMA) number prior to shipping your defective product. The RMA number must appear plainly on the outside of the shipping packaging. RMA numbers can be obtained by calling or writing ColorWare Inc. at the address and phone numbers printed on this website. To each product returned for warranty service, please attach your name, address, telephone number, RMA number, and description of problem.

This warranty applies only to hardware products manufactured by or for ColorWare Inc. that can be identified by the ColorWare Inc. trademark, trade name, or logo affixed to them. ColorWare Inc. provides no warranty whatsoever for any software provided with its products; such software is warranted separately by their manufacturers. ColorWare Inc. does not warrant any hardware products that are not ColorWare Inc. products. This warranty does not apply if the product has been modified without the written permission of ColorWare Inc. or if any ColorWare Inc. serial number has been removed or defaced. The warranty and remedies set forth above are exclusive and in lieu of all others, whether oral or written express or implied ColorWare Inc. specifically disclaims any and all implied warranties. Including without limitation, warranties or merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

Only a ColorWare dealer, or agent is authorized to make any modification, extension, or addition to this warranty. ColorWare Inc. is not responsible for special, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from any breach of warranty, or under any other legal theory, including but not limited to lost profits, downtime goodwill damage to or replacement of equipment and property and any costs of recovering, reprogramming or reproducing any program or data stored in or used with ColorWare Inc. products. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or exclusions of implied warranties, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you.

You do not only pay for the paint job. You are also paying for a warranty service provided by them. AppleCare is entirely voided when you buy a ColorWare product. If you feel that the one year warranty is not enough, they also offer an additional 1 year, like AppleCare, for 250.

In my opinion it isnt a rip off if you are looking for something a bit more unique (heh, then again its a mac so it already is to the rest of the world ) you may a premium for it, like any boutique items.