The Apple that we love isn't so sweet after all......

[davaoMAC]

I am writing this with regards to this very disappointing and depressing predicament lately with Apple. I, together with 3 of my friends, ordered brand new units from a doctor friend who left for the US. These were 4 brand new units of 12" PB 1.33 since it is really cheap if you buy it there. Most specially if you avail their reconditioned units which is tested top to bottom, inside-out by Apple themselves. Much to our dismay, when the units arrived, of the 4 brand new units we ordered, 3 had to be sent back due to defects like gaps either on the crw side or the front side of the push-button lock. Mine even had a bonus defect, the battery is not in perfect fit to it's slot. I called my "suki" Apple Tech-guy & learned from him that these things are getting common with Apple. Starting from the powerbook 5300, which has the ability (for it's battery for this matter) to self-destruct right infront on your face. Also, early this year, an Apple reseller got 6 brand new units of 12" PB 1GHZ, which were ALL sent back due to white spots on the screen, gaps and disaligned bezel, etc. Now, we wonder, if Apple is really that cool in building things and very strict with their quality standards as what they are saying, why are there so many units like ours who slip from their keen eyes of quality control?? Is it because these machines are made in Taiwan?? Still, there is an issue of their strict quality control. Here we are, criticizing the PC units/users and yet, here comes Apple with their major defects. If you compare the cheap PC counterparts, theirs are even better looking than our units. And theirs are also made in Taiwan! I have not seen a Fujitsu, Vaio nor even an ECS laptop with these kind of defects. This may be an isolated case but if we are talking about the entire 6 units to be sent back all at once, that is no laughing matter and how many are there in the world who had the same situation as this reseller? I have been searching on the net about this by just being curious if we're just "unlucky" and learned that there ARE plenty of people & resellers who had the same sad predicament as ours. These are all brand new units, remember that. So, here we are drooling at Apple and their "cool" machines, and they give us this s***t in return? I feel betrayed being an Apple user since the Apple IIe which was my very first computer in High-School. I guess Apple don't make the same good quality machines as they did in the 80's-90's and they are getting worse each year, I'll say.

[Edited on 10-2-2004 by davaoMAC]

[Edited on 10-2-2004 by davaoMAC]

[dmxmd]

That's a depressing story. If things don't get better this might be my last Apple purchase :wound:

[davaoMAC]

Just hope that Apple "cleans up their mess" and it will be ok

[Edited on 10-2-2004 by davaoMAC]

[dmxmd]

Their mess has been going for years now and there doesn't seem to be any signs they're fixing it.

[davaoMAC]

I think that they are rushing their units, just so they can get new ones on shelves at a certain date, no matter what the cost.

[Macmon]

Just like to clarify, Taiwan?

If I read right, there are 3 Apple assembly plants.
US, UK for Europe and Singapore for Asia.
---

I empathize with you on such a bad incident with your units. I had the same plans before of purchasing the units abroad (iBook) but weight the advantages and disadvantages. I then decided that potential headaches of such a situation happening is not worth it. As well as establishing a good reliable source with our own local reseller is better. But that on my part.

I hope you get better units as a replacement for that.
---
Just wondering what type of TQM (Total Quality Management) is Apple applying in their assembly plants?

[extremyks]

Originally posted by Macmon
Just like to clarify, Taiwan?

If I read right, there are 3 Apple assembly plants.
US, UK for Europe and Singapore for Asia.
---

I empathize with you on such a bad incident with your units. I had the same plans before of purchasing the units abroad (iBook) but weight the advantages and disadvantages. I then decided that potential headaches of such a situation happening is not worth it. As well as establishing a good reliable source with our own local reseller is better. But that on my part.

I hope you get better units as a replacement for that.
---
Just wondering what type of TQM (Total Quality Management) is Apple applying in their assembly plants?

I also agree with Macmon, getting the units here gives you the peace of mind concerning after sales service. There's a big difference where the person you actually talking to is in front of you... you can get mad at them or praise for a job well done.

Still, as a consumer we expect value for money products. Apple, like any other company won't have 100% zero defects (be it minor or a grandscale that demands recall). Currently you can see at Apple website for a battery exchange program for 15" PB G4's. This shows how a company be responsble for such a mistake.

Seeing the actual units before paying for it gives me that peace of mind and I make sure I give whatever product I bought pass my stringest burn-in workout. If it fails Apple or it's resellers has no excuse to replace it within a short period of time.

Hoping and praying your iBooks gets the needed attention.

[apol kopol]

errr... that's scary. i purchased my pbook 12" combo here in san diego. i don't see anything wrong so far... and i'm hoping not in the future either

[NoisyCricket]

i understand the economics of ordering abroad. It certainly is much cheaper, sometimes by as much as P50k.

But caveat emptor, man... When you buy something, make ABSOLUTELY sure that what you are getting is what you want, whether its a small ticket item, and especially if its a high ticket item. Inspect it yourself before you buy it. Asking someone else to buy it for you... risky. I only pre-order online if I'm actually going to be the one to pick it up, and what I'm ordering is a brand new item.. that's not so bad. If I have to return it, I'm still there in the country. Books of course, I couldn't care less what state they are in, as long as they are readable..

Be especially careful if the place where you got the item is far far away. US is scary, especially if you had to go back. Within the region though, Singapore would be an excellent choice to get a laptop. Not as cheap as the US, but definitely still "cheaper" peso for peso, not including warranties and other services - even if you include the plane ticket... May 3D 2N stay ka pa!

Seriously, there was another guy here on Philmug who bought a PBook but there was tampering with the HD. These things happen, so best to take precautions and minimize risk..

Hope you can resolve this ..

[El CaMOTe]

DavaoMac,

by sent back you mean those defective laptops were sent back to the U.S. ?? Laptops have international warranties. You should have sent it to one of the local Apple service centres here and surely they would have taken care of it.

Seems a tad pessimistic,... your situation. :dry: Am sure things will be better...

Do keep us informed as to how it turns out.

Cheers,