If that was the solution then what's the point of those Apple IMC? I still believe that Apple should cancel IMC and sell the macs directly in this region.
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My Experience with Apple in Saudi Arabia: 2 Years of Frustration
- Thread starter Voidness
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If that was the solution then what's the point of those Apple IMC? I still believe that Apple should cancel IMC and sell the macs directly in this region.
Why did you purchase a computer in Saudi Arabia when you could have gotten one back home?
Cause Saudi Arabia is "back home"
I'm not SaudiCause Saudi Arabia is "back home"
I could've, but I absolutely needed one back in June 2006. But why should the country of purchase matter to Apple, as long as I'm buying from a store authorized by them?Why did you purchase a computer in Saudi Arabia when you could have gotten one back home?
It's been 2 weeks since I sent an e-mail to Steve Jobs. Nobody replied yet.
Send another one. I'd be sending an email every couple of days if I'd had the experience you've had.
I don't see why not - I'm not talking multiple emails per day, just twice a week.
Bloody oath you should try - the situation is appalling and must be remedied. I'd be on the phone all the time and emailing too.
Something's gotta give eventually.
Voidness, I strongly encourage you to persist on. A resolution to your case will serve as a victory to the rest of us in other parts of the world, that no matter where you buy your mac, its standard warranty should be complied and honoured. That must be imperative and undeniable.
If emailing Jobs twice a week doesn't get you anywhere, how about calling Apple Customer Relations? That was an advice someone offered awhile ago here and it seemed it did some good for him. Make sure you grab the name of the customer relation officer and his/her direct contact number and/or email address.
Pushing a consumer case to and forth among departments and companies nowadays is a standard corporate conspiracy to exhaust a consumer's patience and will. So be sure not to bow to such ill-intended cause.
Persevere.
My sympathy is with you.
If emailing Jobs twice a week doesn't get you anywhere, how about calling Apple Customer Relations? That was an advice someone offered awhile ago here and it seemed it did some good for him. Make sure you grab the name of the customer relation officer and his/her direct contact number and/or email address.
Pushing a consumer case to and forth among departments and companies nowadays is a standard corporate conspiracy to exhaust a consumer's patience and will. So be sure not to bow to such ill-intended cause.
Persevere.
My sympathy is with you.
I'm not Saudi
I could've, but I absolutely needed one back in June 2006. But why should the country of purchase matter to Apple, as long as I'm buying from a store authorized by them?
Then out of curiosity, what is "back home"? Canada or Saudi Arabia?
i think u shall send them a link to this post as a reference and also if u wrote this story any where else include a link so they know that u won't stop asking till u get ur right back
still reading and supporting u
still reading and supporting u
W-o-w.
Sounds like you truly went on a journey through Apple hell and back. This is insane. I thought my own story was pretty over the top - but this - this is something on a whole new level.
Hindsight is 20/20. But I hope this is a lesson for everyone - don't buy a computer at some sketchy place. It seems like the place you bought the computer at is very sketchy. Maybe it's only what's available - which it sounds like it is. Something we all have to understand is that in certain countries there isn't the same demand for computers as there is in say, the U.S.A.
Had you purchased this at Best Buy or whatever, right on the same day as your original purchase you could have just returned it and gotten a new one. Simple. It would have saved you 2 years of hell. But whatever - water under the bridge - you have my sympathy for what happened.
I think this is one of the worst Apple stories I've ever heard.
Luck? Unlikely. Screwed up company? That's where I'd put my $!
Agreed. I especially find the fact that the replacement they offered the OP was a used computer - what a joke.
Indeed, the 1st gen ones were pretty bad as many people continue to say.
Try again - give a shorter message. Whoever reads these e-mails (whether it's jobs or not is not the point here) won't care enough to read your entire story (even though I did because I am interested) - you need to keep it short, just give them the main details and then someone will call you.
Sounds like you truly went on a journey through Apple hell and back. This is insane. I thought my own story was pretty over the top - but this - this is something on a whole new level.
Hindsight is 20/20. But I hope this is a lesson for everyone - don't buy a computer at some sketchy place. It seems like the place you bought the computer at is very sketchy. Maybe it's only what's available - which it sounds like it is. Something we all have to understand is that in certain countries there isn't the same demand for computers as there is in say, the U.S.A.
Had you purchased this at Best Buy or whatever, right on the same day as your original purchase you could have just returned it and gotten a new one. Simple. It would have saved you 2 years of hell. But whatever - water under the bridge - you have my sympathy for what happened.
I think this is one of the worst Apple stories I've ever heard.
Luck? Unlikely. Screwed up company? That's where I'd put my $!
as you said voidness, you shouldnt need to resort to any of this crap just to try and get a computer fixed. ive had a few problems my self with my alienware laptop, and even after the year warrenty (about one month later) they replaced the screen and motherboard after something happened.
what im getting to is that when you pay a good amount of money, you should damwell get a good service. im hoping to get the 24" imac highest spec, but i just hope tha ti dont have any problems, and if i do i am able to speak to apple easily since im never going back to windows, and if the mac seams to turn out bad im left with linux or nothing
im sure you will eventually get it sorted out, and i hope tha ti dont get any problems
Agreed. I especially find the fact that the replacement they offered the OP was a used computer - what a joke.
Indeed, the 1st gen ones were pretty bad as many people continue to say.
It's been 2 weeks since I sent an e-mail to Steve Jobs. Nobody replied yet.
Try again - give a shorter message. Whoever reads these e-mails (whether it's jobs or not is not the point here) won't care enough to read your entire story (even though I did because I am interested) - you need to keep it short, just give them the main details and then someone will call you.
i think u shall send them a link to this post as a reference and also if u wrote this story any where else include a link so they know that u won't stop asking till u get ur right back
still reading and supporting u
I'll have to disagree - you think Apple would be willing to help you if they saw this story all over the net for everyone to see? This story being posted online is incredibly bad PR for Apple. Linking them to this site will just anger them and won't get them to replace the mbp any faster.
or it can push them to give a happy ending to this story .. by solving it, they show how much they appreciate their customers
just a thought !
just a thought !
Thank you all for your responses.
No response from Apple at all, and I have no way of telling whether or not they read my e-mails. Looks like I have no choice but to call Apple Customer Relations in the US.
What makes things worse is the fact that Apple tries to avoid dealing with issues coming from IMC countries like Saudi Arabia. I heard the same words from Apple Customer Relations in the US and the UK: We don't deal with issues from IMC countries. Who should one contact if they find themselves in a situation like mine?
No response from Apple at all, and I have no way of telling whether or not they read my e-mails. Looks like I have no choice but to call Apple Customer Relations in the US.
Here lies the problem. The place I bought the MacBook Pro from, GlobalStore, is a "Premium Reseller" authorized by Apple. Arab Computers are the only authorized Apple service centre and are Apple's official representatives in Saudi Arabia. However, from my experience, I felt that I was dealing with a bunch of dishonest salespeople who lack the concept of customer satisfaction.queshy said:
What makes things worse is the fact that Apple tries to avoid dealing with issues coming from IMC countries like Saudi Arabia. I heard the same words from Apple Customer Relations in the US and the UK: We don't deal with issues from IMC countries. Who should one contact if they find themselves in a situation like mine?
My experience with Best Buy has been excellent so far. They don't have a branch in Saudi Arabia, though.queshy said:
It is the worst experience I've gone through. There are 8 computers from different manufacturers in my household, bought over the last 6 years. These include HP, Dell, Toshiba, Fujitsu Siemens, and custom built. I never had to deal with anything like this.queshy said:
Underworld said:
I haven't sent them a link to this post, yet. I don't know whether Apple is aware of it or not. Would bad PR pressure Apple to help me out? Or would it make things worse?queshy said:
i honestly dont think emailing steve jobs would do much in this case...
it honestly doesnt seem that Apple did much wrong in this. Although some people do get replies from them it is usually because their computer has failed and going through first party channels (Apple) failed them. This on the other hand just seems like resellers just totally screwed you over.
it honestly doesnt seem that Apple did much wrong in this. Although some people do get replies from them it is usually because their computer has failed and going through first party channels (Apple) failed them. This on the other hand just seems like resellers just totally screwed you over.
it just gives you a taste what does middle-east(and other people around the world) get buying from global companies with no local suppport. Customer service is 0. I had experience with another "official" apple dealer in the middle-east, he used to multiple any software price by 2 and sell it to me. So if i want quicktime, quicktime costs $24? then it will cost me $48.
Add to that that computers here from apple are sold for around $300-400 extra, at least i would say. No customer suppport, nothing.
I blame you for not buying it from canada, at least you had the option, think of the rest of the customers who are stuck with this.
Can any one imagine living in the USA ,buying a computer from over there, and sending it for repair all the way over to Japan for repair, paying shipping too? I had similar experience with xbox 360.
If I was you I wont fight much either, time is precious in my life, and I wont kill myself and get angry and ruin my nerve system over this. I would buy another and save myself the trouble (if you make enough money to get another one)....
but if you feel like getting back at them, oh please do...
I would say take it to the next level with the media, the media always takes it next level. I am sure if you send emails to some networks and newspapers one of them will pick it up.
Given you are foreigner in arab land getting bad treatment, that would sound extra delicious to them.
You will do us all a favor if Apple take out their authorization from those lying hypocrites, and put them all out of job. You will also make us all have better service here in the middle east.
Add to that, in broader sense maybe other companies will think about how their customers are being treated in the untapped market of the middle east.
Add to that that computers here from apple are sold for around $300-400 extra, at least i would say. No customer suppport, nothing.
I blame you for not buying it from canada, at least you had the option, think of the rest of the customers who are stuck with this.
Can any one imagine living in the USA ,buying a computer from over there, and sending it for repair all the way over to Japan for repair, paying shipping too? I had similar experience with xbox 360.
If I was you I wont fight much either, time is precious in my life, and I wont kill myself and get angry and ruin my nerve system over this. I would buy another and save myself the trouble (if you make enough money to get another one)....
but if you feel like getting back at them, oh please do...
I would say take it to the next level with the media, the media always takes it next level. I am sure if you send emails to some networks and newspapers one of them will pick it up.
Given you are foreigner in arab land getting bad treatment, that would sound extra delicious to them.
You will do us all a favor if Apple take out their authorization from those lying hypocrites, and put them all out of job. You will also make us all have better service here in the middle east.
Add to that, in broader sense maybe other companies will think about how their customers are being treated in the untapped market of the middle east.
COMMENTS IN BOLD!
As I said, it's a hit or miss. It might just piss Apple off. Face it, most of these replies are negative. You attract more bees with honey than with vinegar...I say don't show Apple this link. Keep us posted...Thank you all for your responses.
No response from Apple at all, and I have no way of telling whether or not they read my e-mails. Looks like I have no choice but to call Apple Customer Relations in the US.
Here lies the problem. The place I bought the MacBook Pro from, GlobalStore, is a "Premium Reseller" authorized by Apple. Arab Computers are the only authorized Apple service centre and are Apple's official representatives in Saudi Arabia. However, from my experience, I felt that I was dealing with a bunch of dishonest salespeople who lack the concept of customer satisfaction.
I understand. So you thought it was a reputable place since it's "official". Everybody makes mistakes...now you know.
What makes things worse is the fact that Apple tries to avoid dealing with issues coming from IMC countries like Saudi Arabia. I heard the same words from Apple Customer Relations in the US and the UK: We don't deal with issues from IMC countries. Who should one contact if they find themselves in a situation like mine?
You did the right thing. But I would have gone nuts after maybe one month. I dont know how you handled two years of this! If you read my story that I linked to, I didn't let this go on for so long. You needed to put your foot down way earlier. Looks like being more civilized as you did didn't get very far unfortunately.
My experience with Best Buy has been excellent so far. They don't have a branch in Saudi Arabia, though.
I've heard tons of horror stories about BB, but when it comes down to it, they have a normal return policy. In the US they have a restocking fee if not defective, but in Canada where I live, even if its not defective you can return it. BB and Future Shop have some of the best return policies I've seen.
It is the worst experience I've gone through. There are 8 computers from different manufacturers in my household, bought over the last 6 years. These include HP, Dell, Toshiba, Fujitsu Siemens, and custom built. I never had to deal with anything like this.
I sure as heck HOPE this is the worst experience you've gone through! I wouldn't wish this experience upon my worst enemy!
I haven't sent them a link to this post, yet. I don't know whether Apple is aware of it or not. Would bad PR pressure Apple to help me out? Or would it make things worse?
Hell, apple probably has drones going through all these rumor sites... Jobs is probably watching this thread evolve. I can picture his face getting red'r and red'r
Would you mind posting the conversation with ACR U.S and Applecare Europe? that way some of us could hear what kind of crooks apple is being. They made the computer. They let crooks like Arab computers service them, its like there in on the deal... Let all the IMC countries get the models that might of fell of the assembly line or the refurbished models that they call 'new'. All three (Apple, Global whatever, and Arab computers) are being complete retards. Has anyone been to arab computers website? They don't even list apple as one of there partners.
PS; Looked up there address, it is in a residential area.
Just my 2 cents
Good news! I just received a call from Apple Executive Relations in response to my e-mails to Steve Jobs. She told me that Apple will have my MacBook Pro replaced when I come to Canada next month. She apologized that Apple cannot replace my MacBook Pro here in Saudi Arabia due to local laws regarding customs, and the fact that Apple does not operate directly in IMC countries.
I took the opportunity to raise my concerns regarding their IMC program and the bad name it's giving for Apple. She assured me that Apple aware of these concerns and that they're working hard on a solution for IMCs.
Let's see how this goes
I took the opportunity to raise my concerns regarding their IMC program and the bad name it's giving for Apple. She assured me that Apple aware of these concerns and that they're working hard on a solution for IMCs.
Let's see how this goes