Is This a Scam?

[jabaro]

An ad for Marbella Technologies appeared in the April issue of MacAddict. Can this possibly be for real?

http://www.applepurchaseprogram.com

Can he really get $1000 off the price of a new Mac? Is this the same Fred Lackey who created the Amazon and MSNBC sites and has published code in almost every Windows operating system?

http://www.fredlackey.com

John

[Mr. Anderson]

Those are some nice prices - anyone here ever use this? Sounds a bit on the scary side to me as well. :confused:

D

[Foxer]

Very interesting. Not personally familiar with them, of course. They claim to be "paypal certified" - if they take paypal, you would have at least some minimal protections if nothing ever shows up. Who's going to be the guinea pig here? I want a 12-inch powerbook for 1 grand!

[Soma_Addict]

yes it is a scam. there was a post about this maybe a month ago and it drew a lot of attension.

apparently where they get you is that the price they quote you is an estimated price based on ordering a certain quanitity and using a developer purchase program when ordering to bring down the price. the real price will be quoted to you once the order has been placed but you have to front a non-refundable $250.

When they get ready to order and quote you the price of your individual system you can opt out of buying but they still keep your deposit of $250. So eventually they will finally tell you that you wont actually be saving money when you order and the real purchase price is the same as the apple store or more. You can of course opt out of the purchase and they make $250, or you can buy the computer for whatever price they say. Either way they make money. On one hand you get nothing and they get your $250 for not doing anything and on the other hand you wait around for them to finally get enough orders to purchase in bulk and you get stuck with whatever price they tell you. They will of course be holding your $250 hostage at that point.

Do not order from them. I do not have specific experience with buying from them but if you read the fine print you will see that they get to keep your deposit no matter if you buy the computer or not.

Soma Addict

[LethalWolfe]

Hmmm... I want it to be true. :)


Lethal

[Foxer]

Originally posted by Soma_Addict
Do not order from them. I do not have specific experience with buying from them but if you read the fine print you will see that they get to keep your deposit no matter if you buy the computer or not.

Well, it was a nice dream while it lasted.

[Soma_Addict]

if anyone can find the original thread about this it would be most helpful. the people who posted on the thread were quite informative on this topic and debunking this scam.

if i remember correctly a couple of lawyers even joined the conversation.

[Foxer]

iginally posted by Soma_Addict
if i remember correctly a couple of lawyers even joined the conversation.

I'm a lawyer, but I guess I never took the class on "bulk purchase computer scams." That old thread would be useful.

[Dont Hurt Me]

I think its a scam for the new mac user who doesnt know better. There was a add in mac addict magazine saying new macs for whatever. well you can get a new emac or classic imac for whatever. If something sounds to good to be true it usually is. Anyone looking for a new mac go to a known and reputable dealer. dont fart around with ebay and scamers otherwise you just may get what you didnt want!

[jabaro]

Thanks for the input. What I expected, I just wanted to hear if anybody had any experience or really got one of these great deals.

But what I really want to know is about all the other claims.

Is this guy really the creative force behind Amazon and Windows? :confused:

If so, maybe he really does have some big-time connections. :D

John

[pantagruel]

maybe its not a scam, someone should be the guenia pig! go ahead you know you want to.:p

[MrMacMan]

Originally posted by pantagruel
maybe its not a scam, someone should be the guenia pig! go ahead you know you want to.:p

how about we make a pool of money and I'll try buying. :o :D

[GigaWire]

well if we get 10 people to pool $350 a piece, we could create a premier ADC account, and all get 17in PBooks for 2639, instead of 3299; or a 1.42 w/ 23 in screen for 3758 instead of 4698. Plus, we'd get software seeds, as well as fresh copies of OS X on a monthly basis. :eek:

[Kwyjibo]

intersting idea but can u send all the pbooks to different addresses.

[000111one111000]

Technically, it's not a "scam." The fine print tells you all about the way they do things.

But Rik, the editor over at MacAddict, is already planning on pulling the ad. He just has to show it to the advertising dude's over there. He said they must have just let it slip through somehow, and the staff at MacAddict has no idea what is going in the mag in the realm of ads until they get their copy the same time we all get ours.

enoch

[Simon Liquid]

Originally posted by Kwyjibo
intersting idea but can u send all the pbooks to different addresses.

It seems unlikely. What you need is someone everyone can trust to handle the money and reshipping the computers. Someone like me. Think about it, guys.

[Nipsy]

Originally posted by jabaro

Is this guy really the creative force behind Amazon and Windows? :confused:



Sure he is. That's why he can't even get basic rollovers to work in Mozilla.

[Eniregnat]

seems to me, that despite the legal banter and disclaimers, it is still misleading.

It’s a parascam at best.

Click on

RESERVE A SYSTEM
PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
FREQUENT QUESTIONS
EXSISTING MEMBERS
DISCLAMER
MESSAGE TO ALL

and you get:
By continuing, you acknowledge that you understand Marbella Technologies, Inc. is a broker. This means that we negotiate with resellers for volume purchasing and is not a representative, affiliate, or reseller of any computer company. We do not purchase, sell, or resell anything. or This area is reserved for existing members only. To begin, enter your reservation number in the box at the top of the page and click "GO!" You can't get an answer unless you sign up?!!

Click through all the promises and you find an *.
* Prices on this site are estimates or our target goals for negotiation.

[macphoria]

I say if anything is too good to be true, then it is not true.

[MrMacMan]

Originally posted by 000111one111000
Technically, it's not a "scam." The fine print tells you all about the way they do things.

But Rik, the editor over at MacAddict, is already planning on pulling the ad. He just has to show it to the advertising dude's over there. He said they must have just let it slip through somehow, and the staff at MacAddict has no idea what is going in the mag in the realm of ads until they get their copy the same time we all get ours.

enoch

do you work for macaddict or something? :D

Great Mag, BTW.

Well the dream was nice intill you read the fine print.

[Jaykay]

What i want to know is, why is the 1.25 DP more expensive than the 1.42 DP?

Also fine print = "Apple," "G4," "PowerMac," "iMac," and "PowerBook" are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.*Prices on this site are estimates or our target goals for negotiation._ The actual price of the computer will not be known until all reservations are taken and the order is placed with the reseller.

[Gus]

i thinmk that our friends in Cupertino caught wind of this site. From the site:

"Apology

We wanted to consume a few lines on our new site and publicly apologize to a certain hardware manufacturer (they know who they are) for using images of your machines on our site._ We assumed that images of the computers would be allowed since everyone else was using them on other sites and hundreds of auctions._ We did our best to stay away from logos and those types of things._ We hope you like the changes.



February 8, 2003

Website Face Lift

Long story short, we made a certain manufacturer a bit upset by using photos of their machines._ So, we offered to take down our site and give it a major overhaul._ From this point on, no mention of any system manufacturer or anything even resembling a trademark will ever be seen on our site."


HeHe. This has GOT to be Apple they are talking about!

Regards,
Gus

[Foxer]

i thinmk that our friends in Cupertino caught wind of this site. [/B]

While I would hope you're right, those notices are dated last month, and there are still pictures of the PowerMac on the site.

[eyelikeart]

if it sounds too good to be true...

then it probably is... :rolleyes:

[prfoot]

Watch out for this company---it is a total legal and complete scam---they took my money and I have nothing to show for it---the "hundreds of dollars" below retail turned out to be $250.00 below standard retail which was no savings at all if you consider I already paid$250.oo for the reservation which of course Marbella now keeps. I was told I didn't have to buy the machine---yeah thanks. It took me 4 months after purchasing my reservation--- of complaining and emailing to finally get referred to their "reseller "who told me there is no way that anyone can sell apple machines at the prices they advertise on the website. When you complain they hide behind their disclaimers that they don't guarantee prices and that all buyers know going in that deposits are not refundable no matter what but their website is totally bogus and false advertising. In addition they have their phone lines set up so they do not have to talk to you directly and they call back at their convenience. Stay away and keep your money.

[Eniregnat]

Contact your state's (http://www.ag.state.az.us/cybercrime/index.html) attorney general as well you’re local DA. It will make a difference. I just got feedback from both about a certain site. The more complaints that they receive, the more likely it is that they will looked into. As far as the disclaimers, they don't mean anything if what they are attempting to do is fraudulent. Here is another thread about Matrix Schems (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22604&highlight=attorney).

Note: Links should spawn new browsers.

[symphonitron]

Please check out my correspondence with the Marbella Apple Purchase Program:

http://www.geocities.com/merchanthaviland2/

I posted this so that everyone can make up their own minds as to what they are or are not.

[Kwyjibo]

i'm sorry to hear abotu your trouble but most people here suspected almost everything they told you because
A) those prices were below even developer prices and apple exerts pretty strict price controls on its re-sellers which is why so many have offers of free ram rather than masively lower prices
B) The wording of that site lends itself to abuse
C) I remember a bunch of ppl talking to the "online assistant" and theo nline asssitanttrying to keep the already shaky story straight

[hvfsl]

It is very similar to the old piramid/triangle scams.

[tazo]

Originally posted by symphonitron
Please check out my correspondence with the Marbella Apple Purchase Program:

http://www.geocities.com/merchanthaviland2/

I posted this so that everyone can make up their own minds as to what they are or are not.

I just read your correspondence page and I am not sure I wouild have handled the situation as eloquently as you did. I am glad you finally received the iMac; I was almost certain the correspondence ended in bahahahaha, we have your money :o

[gopher]

Originally posted by symphonitron
Please check out my correspondence with the Marbella Apple Purchase Program:

http://www.geocities.com/merchanthaviland2/

I posted this so that everyone can make up their own minds as to what they are or are not.

For the time they wasted of yours (3 months) I would attempt to bill them the amount you earn for a three month period. Maybe that will get their attention that they should either cancel your order and give you a full refund, or solve this to your benefit. I would never purchase anything from a dealer that I had to pay $250 up front and wait 3 months for. http://www.macprices.com/ lists authorized dealers and these are the only ones I'd attempt to use. Note, Macmall frequently installs the wrong RAM so going with 1-800-4MEMORY as you had done is a better choice. Other good Mac RAM dealers are listed here:

http://www.macmaps.com/Macosxspeed.html#RAM

if you want a comparison of RAM prices at quality RAM dealers. Hopefully you do get your machine in anycase. If you don't, hold on to all your correspondance so you can make your complaint to the BBB and FTC. Mind you, never pay by check when purchasing a machine if you can help it. It is more difficult to cancel a check when you realize you've been had than disputing a credit card item. With credit cards you at least have 60 days to dispute items that are improperly charged to your card, and don't have to pay anything that is in dispute. Note, putting an item in dispute can make things go crazy with your credit rating, so make sure your credit card company doesn't attempt to make your credit rating go sour after the dispute is put into effect. Good luck!

[tazo]

Originally posted by gopher
For the time they wasted of yours (3 months) I would attempt to bill them the amount you earn for a three month period. Maybe that will get their attention that they should either cancel your order and give you a full refund, or solve this to your benefit. I would never purchase anything from a dealer that I had to pay $250 up front and wait 3 months for. http://www.macprices.com/ lists authorized dealers and these are the only ones I'd attempt to use. Note, Macmall frequently installs the wrong RAM so going with 1-800-4MEMORY as you had done is a better choice. Other good Mac RAM dealers are listed here:

http://www.macmaps.com/Macosxspeed.html#RAM

if you want a comparison of RAM prices at quality RAM dealers. Hopefully you do get your machine in anycase. If you don't, hold on to all your correspondance so you can make your complaint to the BBB and FTC. Mind you, never pay by check when purchasing a machine if you can help it. It is more difficult to cancel a check when you realize you've been had than disputing a credit card item. With credit cards you at least have 60 days to dispute items that are improperly charged to your card, and don't have to pay anything that is in dispute. Note, putting an item in dispute can make things go crazy with your credit rating, so make sure your credit card company doesn't attempt to make your credit rating go sour after the dispute is put into effect. Good luck!

I am pretty sure he ended up getting the machine, albeit 4 months later.

[gopher]

Originally posted by tazo
I am pretty sure he ended up getting the machine, albeit 4 months later.

If this is the case, why is the website still saying this:

6/28/03 (Saturday) - I found the following post by another frustrated customer at a Yahoo group for Applecare. All of these statements are absolutely true with respect to my own experience:



Almost 3 months and I still don't have my machine yet. Their website is very misleading in several ways:



- first, it said and continues to say "hurry, reservation period expected to close next week...", even though mine (and only the 3rd reservation period they've done) was about 3 months. They still say "it usually on takes 2 weeks". They never answer the phone for their Member Support number. They never return the call when you leave your name and number. You can listen to a message (ie, usually "excuses") from Fred Lackey that is recorded/updated about 1-2 weeks apart. They sometimes do reply to your e-mails, but again, it's always excuses.



- second, their price is nowhere near the "predicted" savings they show on the website. For example, my iMac predicted to save ~$470 off retail, but the savings are actually only about ~$200. And the savings are not really that even...no free printer, no free RAM upgrade, etc., that are readily offered from merchants such as MacMall. And don't you think the website should be updated with a more realistic savings projection of $200...NO...they still show that "us" price of $1328.



- and by the way, I have to send a money order or certified check to the merchant directly for the FULL-price. Bad for two reasons: I have to wait to receive a "rebate" from Marbella for the original $250 I paid them to join their program, and secondly, I can't use my "gold" credit card which would have automatically doubled the manufacturer's warranty. Their website FAQs say only to "pay the remainder"....



NO FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE TO DATE
http://www.geocities.com/merchanthaviland2/





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