Panther in UK

[Sabenth]

Hell I am in then whats needed when were how etc etc.

I wont be back in the UK for at least another 2 years !!! got commitments in Australia that mean i cant leave till then.. But I can get a lot of people in on the whole site thing..

I know this is weird and stuff but has anyone thought about getting there own online store sorted as well .. just an idea. If Apple cant get it right why cant we ..

Just a thought probaly wont work

free pen since when never heard about a free pen lol:)

[crap freakboy]

Right, so we have two sites- one forum by J@ffa and one domain by Marccarter.
Which one is it going to be, combine the two?
Suppose we need to decide who the chiefs and indians are, as well as making sure there arent too many chefs. ;)
Bit of a pointless post really, just hoping that our efforts dont become too fragmented.

[Sabenth]

I was just thinking that it dose take a bit of order to get these things sorted my site that i run on my companys behalf takes a bit of efort and its only for local people but thats were contrabute and a bit of dreamweaver come in handy..

but yea who decides who can be who or what ?? and form 2 into one would make it a bit harder but not imposible

[m4rc]

Ok guys, really pleased you all want to help.

I have enlisted 'cuggles' as content management, and am compiling a staff list.

J@FFA, great job mate, just don't think it will combine. You are more than welcome to have a major part in the site, I really want people like you who get on with things and want it to go somewhere. The forum we are including is 'Invision'. Very powerful, and wont need upgrading or changing in the near future.

I am off to work, but Cuggles will keep an eye on stuff and start compiling that list!

Keep up the good work guys, this is going to be great

marc

ps, if you dont think Arn would mind, can someone set up a new topic thread named UK Mac Site. Thanks

Marc

[J@ffa]

Originally posted by crap freakboy
<snip>

... making sure there arent too many chefs.

:D

You're right of course... maybe I could host the forums, and maccarter could host some info pages. Another possibility is that we move the forum I made over to the domain maccarter registered, provided it has mySQL and PHP (does it?).

[J@ffa]

Originally posted by marccarter
Ok guys, really pleased you all want to help.

I have enlisted 'cuggles' as content management, and am compiling a staff list.

J@FFA, great job mate, just don't think it will combine. You are more than welcome to have a major part in the site, I really want people like you who get on with things and want it to go somewhere. The forum we are including is 'Invision'. Very powerful, and wont need upgrading or changing in the near future.

I am off to work, but Cuggles will keep an eye on stuff and start compiling that list!

Keep up the good work guys, this is going to be great

marc

ps, if you dont think Arn would mind, can someone set up a new topic thread named UK Mac Site. Thanks

Marc

The board I made is Invision :D

I could help out with administration, keeping the forums + site in order, that kind of thing.

[m4rc]

Another thought...

I feel really guilty j@ffa for all your efforts. Why dont we use j@ffa's board to get this one set-up? We need somewhere other than here that we can get stuff started, and we won't get too inundated. Get a basic staff list, and register everyone there. What we don't want or need is 300 people trying to manage the new site!!

Marc

[m4rc]

Sounds great j@ffa

Good start there then!!!

Marc

[cuggles]

Originally posted by marccarter
Ok guys, really pleased you all want to help.

I have enlisted 'cuggles' as content management, and am compiling a staff list.

J@FFA, great job mate, just don't think it will combine. You are more than welcome to have a major part in the site, I really want people like you who get on with things and want it to go somewhere. The forum we are including is 'Invision'. Very powerful, and wont need upgrading or changing in the near future.

I am off to work, but Cuggles will keep an eye on stuff and start compiling that list!

Keep up the good work guys, this is going to be great

marc

ps, if you dont think Arn would mind, can someone set up a new topic thread named UK Mac Site. Thanks

Marc

I'm here to take volunteers :-)

I'll pop onto J@ffa's forums for discussion on this and will be logged on there most of the day so keep the offers coming...

U can also find me on iChat stephen_earl@mac.com

Stephen.

[Sabenth]

So its settled then great !!!

Hope all this works out if it dose its going to be great looking foward to posting and been apart of my Home Mac area

[gotohamish]

Originally posted by crap freakboy
Right I'll be the first to post about Panther in the Tuesday postal delivery....NO BLOODY SHOW!! AAarrrrgggghh

sigh

ME TOO!

NO BLOODY PANTHER. And I leave for the US tomorrow at 6am.

Looks like I'll be waiting a little longer then!!!

[gotohamish]

Originally posted by cuggles
I'm here to take volunteers :-)

I'll pop onto J@ffa's forums for discussion on this and will be logged on there most of the day so keep the offers coming...

U can also find me on iChat stephen_earl@mac.com

Stephen.

I can do bits of graphics and such if need be. As I said earlier in the thread, I'll be in nyc for 8 weeks, but still on the same email/ichat (hrobertson@mac.com) and will be leeching Apple Store Soho broadband until I get the broadband installed in the apartment.

I know a php/perl/sql genius here, that would be more than happy to be involved. I'll forward her the thread, and hopefully she'll be in touch with you.

Thanks, Stephen and Marc, for getting this off the ground.

[caveman_uk]

Originally posted by gotohamish
ME TOO!

NO BLOODY PANTHER. And I leave for the US tomorrow at 6am.

Looks like I'll be waiting a little longer then!!!
You lot are joking aren't you???

Where the hell did they send yours? Via Patagonia??? I'm now feeling very lucky to have got mine on Monday.

[BowiPod]

Patagonia? No Aberdeen!

Not here either!!

[J@ffa]

Not here either. Apple UK are now officially on my ****list!!!!

[crap freakboy]

caveman....really wish I was joking....sigh:(

[BowiPod]

This is the third time this has happened to me now. Airport card, Emac stand and now Panther. All had to be sent again via courier.

[crap freakboy]

Originally posted by BowiPod
This is the third time this has happened to me now. Airport card, Emac stand and now Panther. All had to be sent again via courier.

Really? They ALL never arrived or did they arrive eventually and did you have to wait 10 business days before they would resend them via courier?

[displaced]

Hi!

I'm another Pantherless UK Mac user. Just wanted to say that I reckon a more coherent UK-based Mac site would be great.

I'm a moderator and helper-out over at MacMentor.org (http://www.macmentor.org), which is a site based around answering switchers' and Mac newcomers' questions. It's a really friendly forum for users no matter what their level of technical know-how.

Being involved in the site has been really rewarding. It's great seeing PC users gradually grow beyond their love-hate (mostly hate) relationship with computers. It's amazing when they have that great epiphany that you can simply use a computer without having to nurse it along.

Good luck with the project! I'd like to offer any help I can. MacMentor's pretty international, though obviously the majority of the opportuniteis for 'real world' meets are for the US folk.

A UK Mac board would be good for the community. I look forward to seeing how things progress -- feel free to point anyone new to the Mac in our direction, and we'll gladly let our UK members know of your efforts!

Cheers,

Chris (chrisp on the MacMentor boards)

[J@ffa]

Just got off the phone with Apple UK - they say that they'll only courier a copy after November the 4th, and after that it'll take 2 or 4 days to arrive. What a **** up!

[gotohamish]

Originally posted by caveman_uk
You lot are joking aren't you???

Where the hell did they send yours? Via Patagonia??? I'm now feeling very lucky to have got mine on Monday.

not joking. at all!

[James Craner]

Has anyone in the UK received Panther yet via the up to date program. If so was it by ordinary post or by van delivery, and when did you get shipping notification. I ordered mine on Oct 12th, got shipping notification on 24th Oct and still have not received my copy yet.

[BowiPod]

Originally posted by crap freakboy
Really? They ALL never arrived or did they arrive eventually and did you have to wait 10 business days before they would resend them via courier?

They all never arrived. Had to wait 10 business days before they would resend via courier.

[BowiPod]

Originally posted by James Craner
Has anyone in the UK received Panther yet via the up to date program. If so was it by ordinary post or by van delivery, and when did you get shipping notification. I ordered mine on Oct 12th, got shipping notification on 24th Oct and still have not received my copy yet.

If you received notification on Friday 24th the way things are going you'll probably have it by the end of the week if you are lucky!

I'm clinging on the the hope of it arriving in the afternoon post (I'm at work).;)

[andym172]

Still not received mine either :(

[BowiPod]

Originally posted by andym172
Still not received mine either :(

When did you receive shipping notification?

[AJN]

No sign of my copy ... shipping notification on the 22nd Oct!

As a guide an Airport Basestation took 8 business days via Parcel post recently...

Hope it comes before I go to OZ to watch the rugby!

... MacWarehouse have 130 copies for next day del... £6.99 shipping though...mmm decisions decisions

[LondonCalling]

It's good to see I'm not the only one waiting. (Shipping Notice received Oct. 22 - 08:53) I think I'm going to be suffering permanent psychological damage after three days waiting for the postman.

damn.. was that a knock at the door?

better type quieter...

[James Craner]

Does not look good for me then if I have got to wait until the end of the week. I naively thought that I would get my copy on Friday on the promised evening delivery. I am not at all happy.

[Floop]

Originally posted by AJN
Hope it comes before I go to OZ to watch the rugby!

Okay. For that, you deserve to have your copy of Panther delivered the day after you go.

I am extremely jealous you are going to the rugby :-)

COME ON ENGLAND!

My copy of Panther is still in Luxembourg. It is waiting for the DVD-Rs from Ireland to be merged with it.

Once that has happened, it will be shipped express to Guatemala, where the brown sticky tape is located. This will then be applied to the package.

The package will then return to the UK, via the Solomon Islands, where the tracking centre has been off-shored for cost efficiencies.

This means I may get my copy of Panther before my 92nd birthday. Hooray!


Floop

[AJN]

Originally posted by Floop
Okay. For that, you deserve to have your copy of Panther delivered the day after you go.

I am extremely jealous you are going to the rugby :-)
My copy of Panther is still in Luxembourg. It is waiting for the DVD-Rs from Ireland to be merged with it.

Once that has happened, it will be shipped express to Guatemala, where the brown sticky tape is located. This will then be applied to the package.

The package will then return to the UK, via the Solomon Islands, where the tracking centre has been off-shored for cost efficiencies.


Floop

Let me know if it goes via Brisbane and I will try and pick it up for you!

.. maybe I will pick up an Aussie version instead

:p

[Jack White]

my mate just called Apple this is they told him " there is a delay, if you got a shipping order on the 22nd it should come tomorrow but if you want they can send a replacement through a courier, which should take 1 to 2 days [he declined]. It IS being sent by normal post"

no enya, just classical

[BowiPod]

Mmmm..

I just phoned them up and got told to email the Panther support people. No offer of re-send.

Was also told that there is a huge 'backlog' - whatever that is.

Supposedly mine WAS shipped on the 22nd.

The rep sounded very nervous and a touch cagey with regard to the whole thing. The first rep I spoke to even cut me off! I was pleasant to the guy but he obviously couldn't take anymore Panther queries!

Useless. That is the last time I order through them. I'd rather forego the education discount and go to John Lewis.

[crap freakboy]

same here, just called them.

"It was posted by parcel post, so theres no way to track it I'm afraid. I see by your details it shipped on the 22nd so you should recieve it this week"

Then I enquired why it wasn't delivered on the advertised night of the 24th it was suggested I email panther support, which I did yesterday. She assured me I would be emailed a reply, but I won't be holding my breath. Asked if I could cancel, nope too late as its already shipped. I could return it but at a charge of £20 which would be deducted from my refund (all this is stated in the terms and conditions, ah well) You have to feel sorry for them taking all the flak because of a decision taken at management level about advertisiing evening delivery. On a side note I did ask her if she was having a terrible week fielding angry customers who hadn't got their copy, to which she laughed and added ' unfortunately it started last Friday, its been a bad few days'....ah well...its only software, but to be lied to to gain my custom....thats another matter. If only they'd reply to officially say 'sorry, we balls'ed up....very sorry'. Though it seems that Apple doesnt like to come clean when they make a mistake. ah well, looks like I'll have to wait until 7am tomorrow....:mad:

[crap freakboy]

lol...they must be stressed...good, now if only I could get through to someone who could make a difference

right thats it, if it doesnt arrive here tomorrow I'll post the email of Apple' UK Country Manager and see if that gets a official reaction from appleUK.

[BowiPod]

Originally posted by crap freakboy

You have to feel sorry for them taking all the flak because of a decision taken at management level about advertisiing evening delivery.

Totally agree. I always try to be as pleasant as possible to them, you can just tell in their voices that they are under pressure.

[crap freakboy]

Originally posted by BowiPod
Totally agree. I always try to be as pleasant as possible to them, you can just tell in their voices that they are under pressure.

same here m8, dont shout at the monkey when your beef is with the organ grinder...I did laugh when I phoned them and started the conversation, "Good afternoon, I'm enquiring about my non-delivery of Panther that shipped on the 22nd", there was an audible sigh from her...bless, to which I laughed, of course.


oh if anyone does get a reply from panther support via email please post it will you...cheers.

[cuggles]

All,

I've had a call from my local trading standards, and according to them Apple UK are in breach of contract, if you placed your order on the basis of your delivery being made on the evening of 24th.

You should not have to 'wait 10 days for delivery' before they'll do anything as they have already broken their contract with you.

Stephen.

[BowiPod]

that is very interesting. do any of you have lawyer friends who know a bit about contact law? I'm sure there is a loophole somewhere.

What did the Trading Standards suggest you do next?

[cuggles]

Originally posted by BowiPod
that is very interesting. do any of you have lawyer friends who know a bit about contact law? I'm sure there is a loophole somewhere.

What did the Trading Standards suggest you do next?

If you have purchased elsewhere or just want to cancel they suggested ringing the company stating you have taken advice from trading standards and they have advised you demand an immediate refund.

Stephen.

[ChaDDz]

I still have not received my copy of panther and my version was shipped...

was sent on 21 October 2003 by
Parcel Post and should arrive within 7 days.

I make that today!

but nothing... and I seem to have had notification a day before most of you guys..

not looking good.

[BowiPod]

Thanks for that.

Anyone want to try using the trading standards advice and ask for a refund?

It's the right thing to do but can you imagine the chaos at the other end? You'd just get told to email the Panther support people I reckon.:confused:

[artistry]

I'm a bit confused about the ten days delivery. Parcel post does not take that long, and the shipping fee that Apple charges is enough for next day recorded delivery, I reckon (it's a very light box).

As for the Trading Standards thing - if Apple made a representation to do something and you entered into a contract (i.e. paid for something up front) then the contract is "voidable". In other words, you could refuse to accept the parcel or send it back "return to sender, goods not acceptable". Apple have no right to charge you an "admin fee" or anything else and you have a right to change your mind. The sale of goods act includes the right to expect that goods and services are "as described".
However, having said all that, if my copy turns up tomorrow, I'd rather have it and write a stiff letter than refuse it and have to wait even longer for another copy ;-)

[Jack White]

the weird thing is...they can't have that much more orders for Panther than Jag last year. I ordered at the same precise time, and got it the day or so after release date..so why all the trouble now?

[cuggles]

Originally posted by Jack White
the weird thing is...they can't have that much more orders for Panther than Jag last year. I ordered at the same precise time, and got it the day or so after release date..so why all the trouble now?

I ordered my Panther on the 9th October and was told last week, after seeing people in the UK on here reporting shipping confirmations and even 1 receiving Panther, that not 1 single package of Panther would ship until the Friday 24th October and on that date all shipments would be made (by priority express mail) oh look! another lie!

Stephen

[jmgriff]

I received shipped confirmation on 22nd Oct and I received Panther this morning from the postman.

So hopefully those of you who also got shipped notices on 22nd won't be waiting much longer.

Sadly I have to order through the apple store to get the edu discount, otherwise ....

[LondonCalling]

Just spoke with Apple and the call centre people are no longer answering queries about panther.. shipping or ordering info. they will only give me the e-mail address to direct all my queries to.

panther.salessupport@euro.apple.com

Arrrrg.

well, hopefully there will be a job opening soon at apple product marketing.

[BowiPod]

that is awful. How can you not offer help on a product you have paid good money for?

[BowiPod]

Has anyone else noticed that on the Apple Store website there is a 5-7 day build time for Panther?

Do you think that stock arrived late/not enough?

[AJN]

This might explain problems for those in London:


Unofficial industrial action in parts of Greater London

Mail deliveries and collections to some postcode areas in Greater London are currently being affected by postmen and women taking unofficial industrial action. The postcode areas affected are:

Central London, EC1-4, WC1&2
West London, all W postcodes
North London, N5-8, N10, N13, N16, N19, N21
North West London, NW2, NW3, NW5, NW6, NW8, NW9
South West London, SW1, SW2, SW4-6, SW8-20
South East London, SE1-SE3, SE5, SE7-10, SE13-16, SE19-24, SE27, SE28
East London, E1, E3, E10, E11, E13, E16
Dartford, DA1-4

http://www.royalmailgroup.com/contactus/customerupdate.asp

Don't know if this happening elsewhere?

:mad:

[caveman_uk]

Originally posted by BowiPod
Has anyone else noticed that on the Apple Store website there is a 5-7 day build time for Panther?

Do you think that stock arrived late/not enough?
On my panther box there is a label (to paraphrase) 'Designed in California, Assembled in Ireland' . So maybe they simply didn't employ enough box stuffers?

[caveman_uk]

Maybe it should have said 'Designed in California, Assembled in Ireland, Posted too ****ing late'????

[AJN]

Originally posted by caveman_uk
On my panther box there is a label (to paraphrase) 'Designed in California, Assembled in Ireland' . So maybe they simply didn't employ enough box stuffers?

Or 'Distribution executives' in Luxemburg...

[Jack White]

anyone noticed that the apple uk store STILL has the "evening delivery on friday 24th" up?
Time Travel??!!
cool!

[BowiPod]

where's a Delorean when you need one....

[danbalsh]

Hiya folks,

This is my first time post on this site (been a lurker for years)

I've followed this story along since it started, and I too have been in the same boat.

Sent a VERY angry email off to AppleUK and just got a phone call from them, I'm now getting an "Express delivery" of Panther sent over today, should arrive tomorrow or thursday (depends if they catch the cut off for sending today)

When I asked her "What should I do when the other one finally arrives?" she simply said "Oh keep it, it's fine"

:D she was VERY apologetic, and said that most people in the UK have received there's already :rolleyes: yeah right!

Anyway, just thought i'd let people know.

Maybe Apple are contacting all the people who kicked off about this?

[BowiPod]

Thanks for sharing your experience Dan.

Would seem that everyone is getting different responses from Apple over this (I got disconnected first try and then fobbed off the second).

Two copies eh? Not bad.:D

[bunnyrabbit]

Hi,

I am still waiting for my copy... At least I got an apology from Apple (but no express delivery yet). Here it comes:

Thank you for your email with regards to your order for Panther. We would sincerely like to apologise for the delay in the delivery of your order and for not being able to make the predicted delivery time we promised.

As you can imagine we have had an overwhelming response to the Panther release, and as a result have had a huge backlog of orders to process. _Due to this, we are experiencing unforseen delays in the postage of these items, which in turn has resulted in us not being able to meet the deadlines that we promised.

Your copy of Panther was posted by UK post on October 22nd, and we did not predict there to be these problems which have created delays in this postal method. You are sadly one of thousands of our customers that have unfortunately been caught up in this delay, and we very much apologise for this. _Because of these delays we are no longer sending out our latest orders via the post, but as your order was sent by Apple on the 22/10 - we have no way of tracking the exact whereabouts.

This of course is not something Apple planned or predicted and we are taking this issue very seriously to prevent it from happening again in the future. We are hoping that your order will be with you in tomorrow's post, but have been advised we have to wait 10 working days before this is considered lost. If you have not received this by 10 working days, then please call us here at the Apple store on 0800 039 1010 and we will arrange for an express courier to delivery you a replacement.

Once again we very much apologise for the delay in your order, and any inconvenience caused.


Apple Store Europe
Sales Support Team
Hollyhill Industrial Estate
Hollyhill
Cork
Ireland

[cuggles]

Originally posted by bunnyrabbit
Hi,

I am still waiting for my copy... At least I got an apology from Apple (but no express delivery yet). Here it comes:

Thank you for your email with regards to your order for Panther. We would sincerely like to apologise for the delay in the delivery of your order and for not being able to make the predicted delivery time we promised.

As you can imagine we have had an overwhelming response to the Panther release, and as a result have had a huge backlog of orders to process. _Due to this, we are experiencing unforseen delays in the postage of these items, which in turn has resulted in us not being able to meet the deadlines that we promised.

Your copy of Panther was posted by UK post on October 22nd, and we did not predict there to be these problems which have created delays in this postal method. You are sadly one of thousands of our customers that have unfortunately been caught up in this delay, and we very much apologise for this. _Because of these delays we are no longer sending out our latest orders via the post, but as your order was sent by Apple on the 22/10 - we have no way of tracking the exact whereabouts.

This of course is not something Apple planned or predicted and we are taking this issue very seriously to prevent it from happening again in the future. We are hoping that your order will be with you in tomorrow's post, but have been advised we have to wait 10 working days before this is considered lost. If you have not received this by 10 working days, then please call us here at the Apple store on 0800 039 1010 and we will arrange for an express courier to delivery you a replacement.

Once again we very much apologise for the delay in your order, and any inconvenience caused.

Well call me unsympathetic to Apple UK but... I read this as:

Sorry we messed up, we did mess up, we know we messed up, oh by the way we breached our contract with you!

You kept your end and paid up on time, but because we messed up that's fine, we're allowed too! Now we have your money you are at our mercy.

Stephen

[iDean]

edit; ignore this.

[bunnyrabbit]

Well, maybe I am too nice. To be honest, when I found out they posted it by Parcel Post, I was not expecting to receive it by Friday the 24th anyway (out of painful experience). Courier deliveries have always been quick and reliable, but Parcel Post is a nightmare. Anyway, as so many others on this forum, I can only get the education discount through the Apple Store - pay less = more hassle. Otherwise I would buy elsewhere.

[Constantinoff]

Phoned "Spring" 0845 60 80 888 They said had batch delivered by Apple on Fri. but they are not for courier service so they were given over to the postal system. And yes they have had plenty of calls!

[eristica]

Originally posted by Jack White
the weird thing is...they can't have that much more orders for Panther than Jag last year. I ordered at the same precise time, and got it the day or so after release date..so why all the trouble now?

That's what really p****s me off too - last year I got my Jaguar in the afternoon before the evening launch (if you see what I mean) - because last time Apple used a PROPER SHIPPING company (mine came via BusinessPost) and not *********g Parcel Post!

Tuesday, and I still don't have Panther - also received my shipping notice on 22nd.

[Kheraha]

No Panther for me today either. I've just written to the editor of MacUser asking him to look into all of this too - hopefully to print a story about this. What I dont undertsnd is this - my order, like many is one of the Up to Date orders - by all accounts this ships without a box, just with CDs and booklets. However, I have paid £14 for this privilage - apparently for shipping and handling - now we know that the shipping is peanuts because they have used the cheapest method available - so that means some very expensive handling. Its all adding up to a dreadful scam on the part of Apple UK:confused:

[iahmed]

Still waiting for Panther in Edinburgh/UK. Ordered 9/10 says shipped 24th but no luck so far.No apologies from apple either after having emailed them? spring has no idea where the stuff is!!!

[iDean]

As noted in one of my previous posts i just recently bought my first apple product. After reading these forums i was starting to regret ordering from applestore UK, but i have now just received shipping notice concerning the machine. (Built in three business days, and i was quoted six). I'm fairly impressed but there is still time for them to let me down with a slow delivery, I prefer to give the benefit of the doubt.

Additionally I noticed that I received the conformation of shipment email at the same minute of the same hour of the ‘conformation of order’ email – exactly three days ago. Hopefully it isn't just an automated timed email.

Because the order > £200. It's express delivery. So, does anyone know :

1) Who they use to send express deliveries (url plz?)
2) What country they ship the iMac 17"-FP's from (that have been built to custom specifications)

I'll be quite pissed if it arrives preinstalled with jaguar, but ill live.
I'll be even more pissed if i end up with a broken pixel, I’ve had bad experiences with LCD. Do they check the screen before shipment?

[bunnyrabbit]

Express deliveries are generally pretty good - at least from my experience. A day after shipment you can access the tracking system of the various couriers they use (from your Apple Store order status webpage) and you can track it all the way through. I hope this helps.

[James Craner]

I have just signed the petition up to 62 names so far.

http://www.petitiononline.com/Appleuk/petition.html

Still waiting for Panther up to date.

[caveman_uk]

Originally posted by iDean


Because the order > £200. It's express delivery. So, does anyone know :


I think it's TNT

[crap freakboy]

62 huh...probably the tip of the iceberg.

Pity no other mac news site decided to pick up on this, from Apples point of view its been a big disaster but thankfully for them not widely broadcast. Anyone got contacts at the Beeb or any other mainstream news channel? Bet a PC dedicated web site would love to hear about this foul up. There must be thousands of individual mac users who are suffering in silence. If we could somehow turn this into a large news item then perhaps Apple might decide to get their house in order.

Oh and dont let us allow a UK based Macsite die before it it born, remember to register at http://www.itsthebomb.com/appleukusers/
hopefully in the future it'll help become more organised and have a larger voice.


"lets keep the Red Flag flying..." c'mon join in,...all together now...Lalala lala la la :D ;)

[CrackedButter]

I order my PowerBook on the 17th of October 1 week before Panther was released. For one i am hoping its coming inside the box. Try asking AppleUK and they basically tell you to email another department! WHY? Just look at my details, are they telling me they don't know what version of OS they are shipping with systems, its silly and it took me till today to find this out.

Incidentally today is the day i don't have internet access (didn't have now) and the PowerBook is supposed to be here tomorrow so its not worth it. But you would think they would know or tell you (rather than having to email department x), because if they did know, then I WOULD KNOW and i could then know whether or not to buy the damn OS!

With regard to delivery, i was told to wait 3 weeks for the PB to be built and x amount of time for it to be delivered. Weel now 13 days after ordering it should be here. While that in itself is good, it has been an annoying process.

First they give you a web order number that doesn't work for like 3 days, whats the deal with that?

Then same day items take 3 days to ship then 4 days to be delivered.

Then when you ask them to find out where it is they can only guess.

This time however they are using TNT and they said it has been picked up today by them (their website still shows my PB in Taiwan at the airport clearing customs but it is dated for the 23rd).

Last time i bought a laptop off them it was shipped via some Irish courier now its TNT.

Anybody know if they are a good delivery company, reasonable delivery times, prompt?

I have now got a battery to buy, along with Appleworks and the voice recording ipod device. Just wondering whether i should order off them thats all! Maybe instead i should try www.holdens-computers.co.uk

NOTE: It would be nice for the last link to work for the UK forum btw.

Once it does work, you think we should setup a ratings system for AppleUK and for 3rd Party resellers, have a couple of polls and collect this data to build a general impression of the best sellers?

[Jack White]

why would you need to buy Appleworks? Surely it comes installed?


I guess the excitment for the apple uk site ..died...

[crap freakboy]

Originally posted by CrackedButter
NOTE: It would be nice for the last link to work for the UK forum btw.

Once it does work, you think we should setup a ratings system for AppleUK and for 3rd Party resellers, have a couple of polls and collect this data to build a general impression of the best sellers?

link works for me, try again?

rating system is a great idea and exactly the sort of content we in the UK need.

not had many dealings with TNT but I dont trust anything Apple say now, so I'd use TNTs tracking system to find out where your mac is, maybe call them to get a clearer indication of delivery. Good luck!

[crap freakboy]

Originally posted by Jack White
why would you need to buy Appleworks? Surely it comes installed?


I guess the excitment for the apple uk site ..died...

be a damn shame if it did:(

[m4rc]

IF, please note the IF, I had a freind who let me install their copy of Panther, is this illegal considering I HAVE paid for it already, just that Apple have no idea when I might get it!

Just a thought! No lectures please!

Marc

[AJN]

I assume as they have taken your money from your credit card you have legally paid for a copy.

Don't quote me though... :D

[cuggles]

Originally posted by crap freakboy
be a damn shame if it did:(

Hi

I can confirm that the momentum for the UK site is strong and we are still looking for volunteers to help out with it...

We are putting together a 'staff' to help run the site, build and maintain, although a little quiet on the public front at the moment, these things don't happen over night!

We are trying to plan and build this properly to give the UK Apple Community something to be proud of and will be useful.

Please register on Jaffa's forum that has been setup.... We are looking for active community involvement in this site.

Please feel free to contact myself if you have questions or suggestions.

Stephen.

[CrackedButter]

Originally posted by Jack White
why would you need to buy Appleworks? Surely it comes installed?


I guess the excitment for the apple uk site ..died...

No, PB's don't come with Appleworks, it comes with a 30 day trial for MS Office.

[crap freakboy]

Well, Wednesdays postal results are-

Bills and Junk 5 Apple 0

:mad:

[Mord]

all my freinds went to get it at micro anvikta but I ordered it forom apple direct but I still dont have it!!!!!!!!!!!
and they do

[AJN]

Similar at work - Apple 0

[caveman_uk]

Originally posted by crap freakboy
Well, Wednesdays postal results are-

Bills and Junk 5 Apple 0

:mad:
This really is bollox isn't it. I'm almost feeling guilty for having it - almost like I jumped the queue. It's most unlike me to be lucky as I usually never win any raffles or anything...

All I can say is that it is very good. I hope you think the same when you get it.

:(

[AJN]

It would be quicker for me to jump on a 99p Ryanair flight to Cork and pick up a copy from the factory gates...:mad:

.. have a couple of pints of the blackstuff while I install it and be home in time for tea...

[BowiPod]

No Panther, AGAIN.

[LondonCalling]

Once upon a mid-day dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many quaint and curious e-mails from the Apple Store,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my front door.
"Is it the postman?" I muttered, "Have you brought a Panther to my door?"
"No" he said, and nothing more.

Still waiting.... :(

[BowiPod]

Just got off the phone to Apple.

Was terribly polite and they are sending me another copy via courier and should take 1-2 days.

I have to send the other copy back though.

So - if you haven't got it, get on the phone!

[AJN]

Originally posted by LondonCalling
Once upon a mid-day dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many quaint and curious e-mails from the Apple Store,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my front door.
"Is it the postman?" I muttered, "Have you brought a Panther to my door?"
"No" he said, and nothing more.
:(

Move over Pam Ayres...:D

[Floop]

Quick update on my hilarious situation...

9th October - Ordered Panther and DVD-Rs

23rd October - Receiving email confirming they had shipped - yay! Tracking information showed Panther was in Ireland.

24th October - Received email saying that although they had shipped, they were going to be delayed, boo. My copy of Panther (sitting in Ireland) was joined by my DVD-Rs!

25th October - Weekend. I am bored.

26th October - Weekend. I am bored.

27th October - Panther decided to go on holiday, alone, to Luxembourg. It arrived there on the morning of the 27th, but the DVD-Rs stayed in Ireland.

28th October - My DVD-Rs finally made it to Luxembourg, but didn't manage to meet up with my copy of Panther. They are therefore still searching for each other in Luxembourg.

29th October - At this present time, Panther and DVD-Rs are still enjoying Luxembourg, though separately. I however am contemplating new methods to maim people using kitchen implements.

goodbye


Floop

[BowiPod]

It's good to see that we can keep our sense of humor through this debacle!

Very amusing :D

[eristica]

Wednesday, no Panther again. It's not even surprising anymore just annoying...

On a lighter note...I was sending my friend a text yesterday and didn't notice that the T9 Predictive Text on my mobile hadn't quite guessed the word 'Panther' correctly...

My friend texted me back asking why I'd been waiting so long for my new 'Panties' !!

:D

[caveman_uk]

Originally posted by eristica
On a lighter note...I was sending my friend a text yesterday and didn't notice that the T9 Predictive Text on my mobile hadn't quite guessed the word 'Panther' correctly...

My friend texted me back asking why I'd been waiting so long for my new 'Panties' !!

:D
Similarly a female friend of mine told me that one time she'd been getting fruity and rather explicit while texting her bloke. He texted back saying he didn't know she had a 'puppy'

[James.Paul]

On a similar note from the Apple Store but not panther, I have just purchased a built to order dual G5 from the UK Apple Store. The website quoted 2-3 weeks build time and then when the order confirmation came through it says 2-3 months!!!! I emailed Apple Store to check if this was true and got a response saying there is a shortage of parts (not specified) and it could be 2-3 months when it is built. Add to that another 3-6 days delivery and we are looking at next January. I will not be chuffed if a few days later at Macworld they announce faster processors.

[Sabenth]

My god is that for reall what the hell are they doing back home making the parts them selfs out of raw matrals i find that hard to belive there is somthing seriously wrong with apple if thats the case mate ..

id cancel that order right away and get it from lewises or somthing pardon the spelling turned in an australian been away from the uk for too long


2 years is a long long long long time
but 3 months i could ship you one from australia with in 7 days

[Floop]

More silly txt mess ups...

With my job we often go 'onsite' to other countries which involves literally 22 hours a day work night and day and no free time...

Predictive text messaging mangles the word 'onsite' into 'morgue' which is where you feel you should be, considering how dead you are at the end of each onsite trip!


Floop

[James.Paul]

I'm hoping that's it's just a precautionary warning that it could take that long. I just did a dummy order on the store and the estimated time of build was 5-7 days!!!

I wouldn't mind but i sold my G4 to put the money towards the G5 and now i am left with nothing to play on except works PC. Believe me, that's not good for one's health and state of mind!!!

I'm hopeful it will come within the 2-3 weeks. If it does take longer then I will cancel and try elsewhere.

[LondonCalling]

Well, it doesn't look like anyone in london is going to get there copy of panther anytime this week...

Current Royal Mail Dispute London (http://www.royalmailgroup.com/contactus/customerupdate.asp)

[caveman_uk]

Originally posted by James.Paul
On a similar note from the Apple Store but not panther, I have just purchased a built to order dual G5 from the UK Apple Store. The website quoted 2-3 weeks build time and then when the order confirmation came through it says 2-3 months!!!! I emailed Apple Store to check if this was true and got a response saying there is a shortage of parts (not specified) and it could be 2-3 months when it is built. Add to that another 3-6 days delivery and we are looking at next January. I will not be chuffed if a few days later at Macworld they announce faster processors.
Shame you want BTO otherwise you could ring round the resellers and if you found one cancel your order. What did you want special?

BTW, John Lewis are out of 1.8 and 2.0GHz G5s they've got 1.6s

[James.Paul]

I've ordered bluetooth, removal of the modem, added an 9800 graphics card, and 500gb Hard Drive.

In other words the lot!!!

I'm going to get my memory fromm elsewhere though. Crucial seems okay, but as i've got time i'm going to look around for 1gb modules.

[LondonCalling]

Just talked to Apple and they agree that I can return my copy free of charge when it finally arrives. I'm off to buy one at the local Mac Shop.

As an aside the managers at the Apple Store just had got out of a "serious" meeting about all of this so expect some changes in approach. Gotta love those irish accents.!!!

[J@ffa]

My personal thought is that they should courier EVERYTHING, be it a mouse or a new printer, or at least give the option to have it couriered in the first place. I'd have been more than happy to pay a bit more to ensure that Panther was delivered on time - what mystifies me is why they don't already do this!!!

[BowiPod]

have you got yours yet J@ffa?

[CrackedButter]

So anyway no powerbook today, i rang them up for the consignment number from TNT which are supposed to pick up my PB. Its been in Luxembourg since monday and instead of me getting it today i will be getting it next week so they say.

It takes a week to pick up 2 packages from Lux? This I cannot believe, honestly THIS IS THE LAST TIME I ORDER from AppleUK, it is crap.

I would of liked to have taken it to my Dad's wedding on Saturday where i can record this event. Create something on iMovie and iDVD, bugger... now i don't know how i can save the recordings because they have limited memory on them, damn one of them has S-Video and i could of done with this laptop being available.

I hope Apple are wrong and it comes at least Friday.

[iDean]

CrackedButter:

I just (last night) received notification of shipment for my iMac, it took three business days to build(I'm impressed). It's currently in Arnhem i think? Thats the last action on the TNT reference number (consignment # doesn't work).

Were your early PB shipment activities similar? I'm just trying to determine if my delivery is going to be as slow.

Date Time Location Status
28 Oct 2003 21:49 Arnhem Hub Consignment Received At Transit Point
28 Oct 2003 21:46 Arnhem Hub Consignment Passed Through Transit Point
28 Oct 2003 20:18 Amsterdam Shipped From Originating Depot

The funny thing is, im actually in amsterdam this weekend, I could be over there.. get back and still have no delivery.

[CrackedButter]

Well you are lucky, the actual web order number i have got still shows the PB in Taiwan but Apple says it IS in Luxembourg and TNT will pick it up tonight.

It left Taiwan on the 23rd.

I can't wait to get it and find it is FUBAR, if i see 1 white spot i'm going to go crazy like the wheel chair guy from A ClockWork Orange.

[iDean]

I keep having the same negative thoughts,

'What if i get a broken pixel?'
'What if they pack it with jaguar only?'
'What if they pack it with panther, but not the jaguar software (free appleworks etc'
'What if my box containts a smuggled dutch prostitute instead of my iMac'.. eh, wouldn't be too bad i suppose.

Any idea how long i should expect to wait for the delivery, from Netherlands to northern England?

I'm not really _that_ impatient, I just need to ensure im home to accept the delivery. Another weeks wait would piss me off though.

I've just upgraded my blueyonder connection to 2mbps, to take my mind off all the anticipation.

Btw; You should try the tnt.com UK tracking, the consignment number wont work, if you can find the page that lets you view international to UK shipments by reference(the crap apple gives you for shipment tracking). The activities are more detailed.

[CrackedButter]

Originally posted by iDean
I keep having the same negative thoughts,

'What if i get a broken pixel?'
'What if they pack it with jaguar only?'
'What if they pack it with panther, but not the jaguar software (free appleworks etc'
'What if my box containts a smuggled dutch prostitute instead of my iMac'.. eh, wouldn't be too bad i suppose.

Any idea how long i should expect to wait for the delivery, from Netherlands to northern England?

I'm not really _that_ impatient, I just need to ensure im home to accept the delivery. Another weeks wait would piss me off though.

I've just upgraded my blueyonder connection to 2mbps, to take my mind off all the anticipation.

Btw; You should try the tnt.com UK tracking, the consignment number wont work, if you can find the page that lets you view international to UK shipments by reference(the crap apple gives you for shipment tracking). The activities are more detailed.

Yeah, Apple don't even have the number yet, but i might ring them in the next 20 mins before they close.

To take my mind off it, what i did was sell my iBook on ebay! Get the 800 pound i wanted for it and put it in the bank, now that i've done that i just sit here and moan. :)

[Floop]

Originally posted by CrackedButter
Yeah, Apple don't even have the number yet, but i might ring them in the next 20 mins before they close.

To take my mind off it, what i did was sell my iBook on ebay! Get the 800 pound i wanted for it and put it in the bank, now that i've done that i just sit here and moan. :)

What spec was your iBook, CrackedButter? Can you give me the item number?

I bought an iBook at the beginning of the month (iBook 800Mhz 256/30 Combo 5 months old) but when the G4 iBooks came out, I listed it on eBay same day with a BIN for the same price I paid for it, £675 and it went in seconds :-)

At the time I was quite pleased with myself - I wanted a quick sale and couldn't believe someone would pay the same I paid for it, given that G4 iBooks were now on the scene. BUT now I'm thinking maybe I should have been more careful... bah!

Floop

[CrackedButter]

Originally posted by Floop
What spec was your iBook, CrackedButter? Can you give me the item number?

I bought an iBook at the beginning of the month (iBook 800Mhz 256/30 Combo 5 months old) but when the G4 iBooks came out, I listed it on eBay same day with a BIN for the same price I paid for it, £675 and it went in seconds :-)

At the time I was quite pleased with myself - I wanted a quick sale and couldn't believe someone would pay the same I paid for it, given that G4 iBooks were now on the scene. BUT now I'm thinking maybe I should have been more careful... bah!

Floop

The spec was the combo 800 G3 with 640 RAM and 30GB HD, with it came 3 books, 2 on Flash MX, one was about OSX. Flash MX was also part of the deal. A Brenthaven Bag, Surge Protector, USB Pen Drive 128megs and a CD storage Rack.

Sold it in 3 days and the guy who came and collected it knew about the G4 iBooks.

[m4rc]

As far as I am aware, once all of your order is collected together in Lux, it is shipped to the Netherlands (I'm sure that's where Peter Pan comes from) and then flown to Stanstead Airport - if you are in that region. Mine arrived at 9pm on a thursday at Stanstead, was taken to Southampton and checked in there at something like 3am, and then marked as out for delivery at 6am on the Friday. I had it delivered at 11:30 am same day. Once it is all in Lux, you are nearly there!!

Marc

[Floop]

Originally posted by CrackedButter
The spec was the combo 800 G3 with 640 RAM and 30GB HD, with it came 3 books, 2 on Flash MX, one was about OSX. Flash MX was also part of the deal. A Brenthaven Bag, Surge Protector, USB Pen Drive 128megs and a CD storage Rack.

Sold it in 3 days and the guy who came and collected it knew about the G4 iBooks.

Cool - that seems fair and puts my trade in perspective. I had none of the extra items, hence the difference in price.

I sold an iMac the other day, the guy who bought that from me said he would buy the iBook too - for £25 more than I got on eBay - if the eBay buyer pulled out, and he knew about the G4 iBooks too.

Personally, I would never buy at these prices - way too high - if I could buy a new model for £150 more. That's less than AppleCare, AND you get a new machine for it.

It's great though that there is place to trade this kit. 5 years ago, my old computers would have sat in my attic gathering dust. Now, I can sell them online to fund 75% of my next purchase!

Of course, I too am doing the "what if it has a dead pixel" nervous dance now... I think I am too paranoid...


Floop

[Floop]

Originally posted by marccarter
Once it is all in Lux, you are nearly there!!

Mine arrived in Lux yesterday lunchtime.

Mine is still in Lux this evening.

When will it leave Lux? It's anyone's guess.

Talk about Apple dropping the ball on this one. I love the company, but logistically this is terrible.

Floop

[Lebannen]

What's the general status on everyone's Panther delivery? Many of you received yet?

To add my tale of woe, I preordered a week or two before the 24th, and got my shipping confirmation at 2:38am on Wednesday the 22nd.

I still haven't received it.

I just checked my shipping status page at Apple, and it says to ring them if I haven't received it by the 5th of November...?

Getting a bit irritated, but not enough to ring and demand a couriered copy. Just wondering how other people are faring, as all the recent posts seem to be about powerbooks and other items with actual tracking numbers ;)

[ckwm]

Originally posted by Lebannen
What's the general status on everyone's Panther delivery? Many of you received yet?

To add my tale of woe, I preordered a week or two before the 24th, and got my shipping confirmation at 2:38am on Wednesday the 22nd.

I still haven't received it.

I just checked my shipping status page at Apple, and it says to ring them if I haven't received it by the 5th of November...?

Getting a bit irritated, but not enough to ring and demand a couriered copy. Just wondering how other people are faring, as all the recent posts seem to be about powerbooks and other items with actual tracking numbers ;)

Found mine left by the front door on Tuesday morning (so I guess it must have come via Royal Mail even though it said Spring on the order). It shipped on the 22nd.

[CrackedButter]

Originally posted by marccarter
Once it is all in Lux, you are nearly there!!

Marc

Remember mine has been in Lux since Monday...nearly there isn't good enough, it should be here.

[J@ffa]

Originally posted by BowiPod
have you got yours yet J@ffa?

Not yet, no. I caved in and borrowed my neighbours copy of Panther. If it's any consolation - which it won't be - Panther is brilliant!

[caveman_uk]

Originally posted by J@ffa
If it's any consolation - which it won't be - Panther is brilliant!
I've been trying not to say anything like that for fear of getting my head bitten off...

But yes, you are correct. It is (like many Apple products) brilliant. Sadly very few of us got to enjoy on Friday when we should. :(

Do most folks here know other mac users? I know no-one that uses a mac apart from people I've met off of here (wintermute, iGav and britboy)

[ckwm]

Originally posted by caveman_uk
Do most folks here know other mac users? I know no-one that uses a mac apart from people I've met off of here (wintermute, iGav and britboy)

Not really, just family (my brother and parents). Everyone else thinks I'm a bit odd!

[Jack White]

Originally posted by caveman_uk
I've been trying not to say anything like that for fear of getting my head bitten off...

But yes, you are correct. It is (like many Apple products) brilliant. Sadly very few of us got to enjoy on Friday when we should. :(

Do most folks here know other mac users? I know no-one that uses a mac apart from people I've met off of here (wintermute, iGav and britboy)

prehaps when this fabled web site gets up and running, users will ba able to find other mac types in there area of the country.

[CrackedButter]

Originally posted by caveman_uk
Do most folks here know other mac users? I know no-one that uses a mac apart from people I've met off of here (wintermute, iGav and britboy)

I know one other guy who is actually a friend, the rest are people i meet at college who use it. I know no other people who are as excited about Apple than me in this area, well save one but he is a windows users with an ipod. not the same thing however is it?

[The Void]

Greetings all.

Still waiting for Panther here in west London. Oh well, it's given me lots of time to read about everyone else's woes, and put me on my guard to be v careful when i do get to do the longed-for install.

Anyhow, just to let all you UK types know that there is already a UK Mac user group here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AppleMacUK/ . Come and say hi.

The Void

[hourami]

Firstly, If you live in London there are MAJOR postal disruption. Most of Londons postal staff have gone on UNOFFICIAL strike. Royal Mail are beginning to board up post boxes because there is a massive overflow of mail not going anywhere.

Secondly, I ordered Panther on Launch Night and got shipping confirmation last night, checked back 3 hours later and have been given shipping tracking number via TNT Express, shipment was picked up from Ireland at 9.37pm

[Jack White]

my mate just got his in the post!

[Kheraha]

Guess what? Still NO PANTHER!!! Dispatched (supposedly) on the 24th.......this is just beyond a joke now. I posted some stuff to a friend in Australia on the 24th - he has received it today - so whay the hell cant Apple get me some CDs from Cork to Bedford????

Useless, useless Apple

[cuggles]

Originally posted by Jack White
prehaps when this fabled web site gets up and running, users will ba able to find other mac types in there area of the country.

Hi All,

The UK site is not a fable, it is happening, and because we want to do it properly it takes time :-)

If u want to know what is happening join in on the forum at http://www.itsthebomb.com/appleukusers/

when something happens that's where you'll find out about lanuch dates etc, we need suggestions and ideas of what you'd like to see and volunteers to help maintain and build the site in the first place...

Stephen.

[CrackedButter]

Well well well, gave Apple my daily phone call and it seems it has already left Lux and is infact hours from my house since TNT have already left their manchester depot this morning at 8:25. It is now 10:25.

I am told to expect it today, I AM getting it today!

Of course now i'm Singing in the Rain on this one from Alex's point of view, not like the old man from the wheel chair. Of course nobody is understanding what i am saying unless they saw my preious post and watched a Clockwork Orange! :)

But i am happy.

[Floop]

Well all my stuff (Panther and some DVD-Rs) has been sitting in Luxembourg for 48 hours now without any movement at all.

I phoned Apple to politely ask what was going on and express my disappointment.

The guy on the phone said he would 'get in touch with his transportation team and see what could be done to expedite delivery, either on Friday or Monday at the latest'.

I asked if this was the best he could do, and he just kept repeating that same quote above like a mantra.

I know it is not the person answering the phone's fault but it just sounded so stupid, because the reality is they have majorly messed up here, and the guy isn't really going to do anything specific to help me, that's just a cover story for the truth which is they are scrambling to sort it out for everyone.

Floop

[BowiPod]

I phoned Panther today because I hadn't recieved shipping notice for my replacement Panther.

Was told to email the support team. I asked why and was told that they were now out of stock and didn't know when shipment would begin again.

What a laugh!

[AJN]

No post today at all ... maybe the milkman will deliver it....:eek:

[mrjamin]

mine's still 'being assembled'. i placed the order 3 weeks ago!

Anyone else waiting for the family pack?

[ChaDDz]

OK so still no copy of OSX Panther here. So I decide to call my local PC World, they confirm they have it in stock. So I decide enough is enough, I will call the Apple UK store and cancel my order and claim a refund on my credit card which they took on the 24th of October, having shippe dmy product on 21st of October, so they say.

First I wait 20mins in order to get through on the telephone, I then speak to a gentlemen and inform him about what I want to do, within seconds he puts me back on hold and I wait another 20 mins. I am now so determined not to give Apple my business that I hang on. I get to speak to another gentlemen and explain I simply wish to cancel the order and claim a refund.


He informs me that he cannot do that until ten working days has elapsed! So I have to ring again on Tuesday next week in order to claim my refund! I cannot believe this carziness!

I also wrote two separate emails yesterday to which I still have not received a reply.

Well I can assure Apple UK that I will today be purchasing my copy of OSX Panther from PC World, and next week I will be ringing you up to claim a full refund. You are not having my business after the pathetic way in which you have dealt with this situation.

OK they are technicaly within their right to make me wait, I should not expect to get my copy before the ten days. OK fine, if they want to play it that way I can. I will comply with their 'procedures' and do as I am told.

However, Apple UK forgot to ask what I do for a living... I am a management consultant who deals with thousands of tainee managers a year. We talk to them about 'good management processes' about 'quality management systems' and 'excellent customer service'. I shall be developing an interesting case study on my current experience of Apple UK and I assure Apple that I will be telling this story to thousands of groups of managers over the next few months and years. It could have been so much better, the story could have been so much more positive... but the procedures prevent it from being so.

It seems Apple got rid of a £99 'bolshy' customer, but what they haven't calculated is the damage that has been done to it's reputation, at a time when it is trying to win over 'switchers'.

Sorry Apple, but with this one you really have not done yourself any favours.

[edesignuk]

...DSL/Cable + BitTorrent/IRC...

[eristica]

It's beyond a laugh now, it's just pathetic. Thursday and no new "panties"!

I'm sure some non-Mac-heads would look at this thread and think we're all sad losers! :) But the point is we actually LIKE Apple and the Mac and, presumably, enjoy using it. If we weren't so loyal we wouldn't give a damn about late deliveries and false promises.

The problem is it seems now like Apple UK take that loyalty completely for-granted and assume they can offer second rate service without it impacting on their sales figures.

The same seems to go for the iPhoto photo/book ordering service, full-speed •mac services instead of the snail-pace we currently get, non-US centric Sherlock channels etc etc. That's such a crap attitude!

I'm looking forward to the new UK Mac Users site. I have some HTML experience and (more) graphic design experience - I can also string a sentence or two together and find it difficult sometimes to keep my opinions to myself! If any of that is of use to you, count me in too!

[rajd1]

What I love is the Apple Store's consistency of approach :D

Today (Thursday 30th) I rang the Apple Store to enquire as to the whereabouts of my copy of Panther.... I spoke to 'Peter' and then I was put on hold for another 4 minutes, then I got the following offer:

(a) A courier delivered copy in 1-2 working days.

or,

(b) a complete refund.....

I took the refund... my copy's coming from MacWarehouse before midday tomorrow.

-Rob

[BowiPod]

Good choice, the courier option is a fix up, they haven't got any copies to send out at the moment. I was told that my order would remain 'open' for the forseeable future!

[LondonCalling]

I also took the refund option and went down to Tottenham Court Road last night. Installed Panther this morning and all is fine with the world.

Very slick is all I can say..

Shame on Apple for making us want it so badly we can't wait and then not delivering the goods.

A classic case of over-promise and under-deliver.

[Lebannen]

I got my copy this morning.

The package says it was posted on the 21st, and is a simple Royal Mail 1st Class (ie not ParcelForce, ParcelPost). Yep, my order was marked as 'Spring'.

Hang in there, guys. Here's hoping it'll be better next time.

Fantastic product, Apple; but lousy logisitics.

[BowiPod]

Are you in London or elsewhere?

[CrackedButter]

I have got my PowerBook but no panther with it!

But this things is great, no troubles whatsoever and i was expecting a dud.

I'm singing in the rain, i'm singing in the rain...

[Lebannen]

Originally posted by BowiPod
Are you in London or elsewhere?
I'm elsewhere.

That's a point worth noting - in some areas PART of the delay may not be Apple's fault, as the postal strikes seem to be spreading from London.

However, I'm in an area not affected by any strikes (yep, I checked ;) ), and it still only arrived on the 30th having been sent on the 21st. Express delivery this ain't. "Allow 10 days for delivery" sounds right, "We'll get it to you on the evening of the 24th" sounds like a complete lie.

[Floop]

I ordered on the 9th.

I received an email saying my items (Panther and some DVD-Rs) had shipped on the 23rd, at which point they were in Ireland.

They then, separately, went to Luxembourg.

They had both arrived in Luxembourg on the afternoon of Tuesday 28th.

It is now the evening of Thursday 30th.

They are still in Luxembourg, they haven't moved an inch in over 48 hours.

Here is the tracking information, showing them still sitting in Luxembourg:

http://www.eyesite-design.co.uk/junk/tracking.jpg

I am losing my patience and sense of humour.

Floop

[ChaDDz]

This morning I get this rather simple email from the Apple Store UK.

Dear Sir,

A request has been made that your order be shipped by express courrier, this request is filed under the reference number QMS XXXXXX
Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Best Regards,

What does this mean? "A request has been made?" To whom?

1. From the sender to internal Apple distrubution?

2. From Apple to Parcel Post?

If 1., what is the point. I was told the parcel already shipped on 21st of October. So unless Apple are sending a second copy what will the request achieve?

If 2., what is the point in asking the company that fouled up in the first place to help you out?

No traking info, no details. Just a "fob off" in my opinion.

Lets see what happens.

And all I am trying to do here, is buy something that was offered for sale!

At least I got an email reply, I guess I should be grateful!

Gees.

[ChaDDz]

This morning I get this rather simple email from the Apple Store UK.

Dear Sir,

A request has been made that your order be shipped by express courrier, this request is filed under the reference number QMS XXXXXX
Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Best Regards,

What does this mean? "A request has been made?" To whom?

1. From the sender to internal Apple distrubution?

2. From Apple to Parcel Post?

If 1., what is the point. I was told the parcel already shipped on 21st of October. So unless Apple are sending a second copy what will the request achieve?

If 2., what is the point in asking the company that fouled up in the first place to help you out?

No traking info, no details. Just a "fob off" in my opinion.

Lets see what happens.

And all I am trying to do here, is buy something that was offered for sale!

At least I got an email reply, I guess I should be grateful!

Gees.

[ChaDDz]

Sorry for the double post... tried to delete it but not enough privileges...not my day!

[BowiPod]

Finally it arrived. For you information mine shipped on the 22nd.

I've also got another copy on the way!

Good luck to the rest of you:)

[ChaDDz]

BowiPod,

Where are you based? How did your copy arrive? Courier or Parcel Post/Ordinary Post?

[BowiPod]

I'm in Aberdeen, arrived by First Class Post (Royal Mail).

Hope this helps.

[caveman_uk]

Originally posted by BowiPod
I'm in Aberdeen, arrived by First Class Post (Royal Mail).

Hope this helps.
Hope you find the wait was worth it!

[Floop]

I was checking my online tracking - which showed my delivery was still in Luxembourg, THREE DAYS after it got there... when there was a ring at the door

It was the man from TNT with my copy of Panther and DVD-Rs

Now I can moan about the fact that Apple are saying there are problems between Panther and Firewire HDs. I have a Firewire HD.

Talk about blowing a product launch.

Oh, and according to the tracking, all my items are still in Luxembourg, although they are sitting on my desk next to me.

Floop

[displaced]

Still no sign of my copy, in Orpington, Kent (BR postcode).

Everywhere around us seems to have got whacked by the strikes - further in, there's the SE postcodes that're screwed, as are the DA and ME areas further out into Kent.

I got a 1st class delivery from Amazon this morning though, so it looks like the post is working.

So... one week on, and about 3 weeks since I originally ordered. Not holding my breath for delivery 2nd post today or Saturday morning...

[eristica]

Well, it got here, it has a 'First Class' sticker on it for returning it to Apple if it doesn't get delivered - but i don't believe it was actually sent First Class - since when did First Class mail take 9 days!?

On the FireWire drive issue - Apple have made a statement, details here http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/2003/10/30/firewireissue/index.php?redirect=1067569441000 and it appears it's due to a bug in the firmware for some FireWire 800 drives only.

If, like me, you've got a FW 400 drive there's no problem and you can go ahead and use it (but don't quote me!).

If you have a FW 800 drive check with the manufacturers because some of them have already issued firmware updates to fix the problem.

[Floop]

Originally posted by eristica
On the FireWire drive issue - Apple have made a statement, details here http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/2003/10/30/firewireissue/index.php?redirect=1067569441000 and it appears it's due to a bug in the firmware for some FireWire 800 drives only.

If, like me, you've got a FW 400 drive there's no problem and you can go ahead and use it (but don't quote me!).

Unfortunately LOTS of people are confirming that they are having the exact same symptoms with Firewire 400 drives.

It's all over the Apple Discussions forum right now.

Good luck with your installation, let me know how it goes...

FLoop

[BowiPod]

To all of you still waiting - it is worth the wait. Just finished installing. Awesome.

[rajd1]

My copy from MacWarehouse arrived this morning before midday as promised.

My copy from the Apple Store is...... who knows?

-Rob

ps Just installed Panther - It's freakin' awesome! :D

[Floop]

Originally posted by rajd1
My copy from MacWarehouse arrived this morning before midday as promised.

My copy from the Apple Store is...... who knows?

-Rob

ps Just installed Panther - It's freakin' awesome! :D

Any of you guys have external Firewire drives? Any problems encountered?

Floop

[rajd1]

A useless reply...

...just so y'know I'm not ignoring you :)

The answer?

Sorry, right, no I don't have an external fw drive.... Anyone else?

-Rob

[ChaDDz]

Well there has been no post here today, and thus no Panther either.

I live in Stoke-on-Trent one of the areas the news said has been hit by the Postal Strikes, so thanks to Royal Mial and Apple UK, I am destined to remain Pantherless I guess.

javascript:smilie(':mad:')

[Kheraha]

Lets all guess what DIDNT turn up here this morning.....not affected by the strikes (Amazon order turned up) - now over a week......did get this reply from Apple though to a damning email I sent:

'Thank you very much your email and for expressing your feelings about the Panther release. We would sincerely like to apologise for the delays which occured and for not being able to meet the deadlines as promised.

Your letter has been escalated to Senior Management and we here at Apple takes these matters very seriously.

Once again we apologise for this inconvenience caused to you,

Kind Regards'

Bad grammar as well as bad logistics......:mad:

[steadyeddie]

Originally posted by Floop
Any of you guys have external Firewire drives? Any problems encountered?

Floop

I have a LaCie d2 60GB Firewire 400 drive. No problems at all so far (clean Panther install on 600MHz iMac G3).

Ed.

[marijne]

I too got a shipment notification on the 22nd and am still awaiting Panzer. Living in Belfast I kinda thought I might even get it early, what with it coming from Cork and all. Oh well.

I've made a couple of orders from the Apple UK store in the past and they've always been very prompt, so I'm willing to forgive them this time and wait the 10 days before contacting them.

I can see how frustrating it would be for those who had planned and prepared for the upgrade last Friday. I was thinking about it, but then remembered my chronic lack of organisational skills and went to watch some TV instead.

Anyhoo, I'm not expecting to receive the Panzer anytime before the 5th. This will provide me with a pleasant surprise when the Steve himself struggles through the rain, snow, sleet, hail and dark of night to land a copy on my doorstep tomorrow.

[Jack White]

Originally posted by Floop
Any of you guys have external Firewire drives? Any problems encountered?

Floop

a 160 GB Lacie Firewire HD...been careful not to have it plugged in when shutting down or restarting..cos i heard thats where the problems where coming from.

[mrjamin]

still 'being assembled'. Grrr, how long does it take to stuff a few cds and a manual in a box?? It's been like that since monday!

[eyeMAJIC]

Sorry, it just seemed a shame for this nice long UK thread to sit idle for an entire day!! ;)

Mine still not here, shipped on the 24th. Fulfillment only though, so can't complain too much, as I can't shop elsewhere!

Those of you who are lucky enough to be getting into panties right now.... I hope it's all going well. :D

[displaced]

Arrived this morning, shipped on Wed. 22nd.

Hallelujah!

[Floop]

Originally posted by Jack White
a 160 GB Lacie Firewire HD...been careful not to have it plugged in when shutting down or restarting..cos i heard thats where the problems where coming from.

I finally got Panther installed ok, after a horribly messy first attempt.

I have run the LaCie firmware updater in OS9 on my 180Gb Firewire External HD, and I have managed to use it ok with Panther...

HOWEVER I have been careful to unmount and disconnect it before each restart and shutdown, because apparently it's during that process that problems can happen.

So it is working for me, it's just a disappointment that I have to worry about this procedure.

When will I risk restarting without doing this? I don't know right now; probably when I'm drunk and feeling brave.

Floop

[eristica]

Originally posted by Floop
So it is working for me, it's just a disappointment that I have to worry about this procedure.

When will I risk restarting without doing this? I don't know right now; probably when I'm drunk and feeling brave.

Floop

It turns out that some manufacturers use the Oxford 922 chipset even in FireWire 400 drives and that's been the root of the problem.

I also installed the LaCie update (FW400 120GB d2 drive) without any problems - but even before I'd installed it there were no problems with data loss on my FW drive, it's been perfect. I'd recommend the update though, just to be sure.

Go on, take a stiff drink and restart, you know you want to! :)

[crap freakboy]

left london on wednesday lunchtime, no Panther delivered....just returnedon a wet Sunday @ 10pm...still no Panther, surprised...nope :mad:

[Shifty]

I'm sure they were selling Panther in the Square Group Apple reseller in New Oxford Street, London.
I saw this big banner in the window

[andym172]

Ordered Panther on the 9th of October and then an iSight camera about a week later.

Received the iSight a few days ago...still no Panther :mad:

[eristica]

Originally posted by crap freakboy
left london on wednesday lunchtime, no Panther delivered....just returnedon a wet Sunday @ 10pm...still no Panther, surprised...nope :mad:

Must be especially frustrating for Londoners waiting for Panther, knowing that if Apple had sent it by carrier you'd (probably) have it by now - but the cheap ba••••ds sent it by post and now it'll be one of the several million letters stuck in a postal strike - that's injury on insult!

It's no consolation, but it's almost worth waiting for. I have very few complaints about it - altho' i can think of a one or two! :)

Anyone managed to send a fax yet? My Mac rings the number but when the remote fax answers it gives up, hangs-up and postpones the fax till later. Is it just me or is it configured for US fax and phone lines?

We could probably keep this thread going as a general UK Mac complaints thread... :D

[Kheraha]

No need to guess what didnt arrive today again........:mad:

[caveman_uk]

Originally posted by Kheraha
No need to guess what didnt arrive today again........:mad:
It's on bittorrent though if you're getting desperate. Be interesting to see which happens first. The boxed panther arriving or the torrent finishing downloading:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[crap freakboy]

ok, no panther for me but a UK thread of 420+ posts aint too bad
and yeah, i'm bored

[iahmed]

Ordered 09/10/03, Shipped 24/10/03, Today is 03/11/03 Still no delivery. As far as I am concerned it is over 10 days. Is anyone at Apple listening to us. I am in Edinburgh and receive post every day, so no postal strike excuses. Things are getting pretty bad for UK/Europe customers. I wonder why we are neglected in every bit of Apple's strategies. Makes you wonder if this is the real problem with Apple's difficulty in increasing marketshare, neglecting non-US customers is not good for a "global company".
:confused:

[nesbitt_a]

Still no panther. (Although, I don't have a laptop to run it on anyway thanks to Apple's shoddy build quality!)


Ordered: 16/10/2003
Shipped: 24/10/2003



Total panther wait: 10 days (6 business days)

[LondonCalling]

Ordered: 8/10/2003
Notified: 21/10/2003
Shipped: 24/10/2003

Patience Gone: 30/10/2003

Purchased at Local Mac retailer: 30/10/2003

Still waiting for the original order to return.

[moogman]

first post here, but the panther fiasco has forced me to register!

Ordered 08/10/2003
Dispatched 09:37 22/10/2003
Delivered STILL WAITING!

I rang apple this morning, and after the 20 minute wait (theres a prerecorded message saying that they are experiencing a lot of calls at the minute) I spoke to a girl who took my order number and looked at my order.

"This is panther isnt it" yes I replied, "It was shipped on the 22nd <counts>, it hasnt been ten days yet sir, theres nothing we can do..."

I asked her when (according to apple) my ten days was up, she said Wednesday, I said I thought it was tomorrow, she said not...

Looking at it this means that apple are NOT counting the day of shipment as a day... even though my box was APPARENTLY shipped at 09:37 on the 22nd, the 22nd does not count as a day of shipping!

To cut a long story short, she wouldnt budge, and blamed the postal strike, to which I told her that I received items from the US and amazon and normal post, and that we were not affected by it, she still said I need to ring back on Wednesday if I havent got it.

Rest assured... I will be... the annoying thing is that I was in Dublin on the 25th October, and could have bought panther from a reseller over there.. but thought that I was going to return home and the box would be waiting for me (others were around to collect it if it had been delivered)... but oh no...

sigh...

paul

[bunnyrabbit]

The 10 days rule is not relevant. As posted by someone else earlier in this forum, Apple promised evening delivery on the 24th, thus, according to UK Trading Standards, they are in breach of contract. When I contacted them by e-mail, they tried to apply the 10 days rule to my order, too, but I told them about Trading Standards and they - surprise, surprise - agreed to send me a new copy by courier. And yes, they do have copies to send out, as mine was sent by TNT Express last Saturday and should arrive very soon. Give them another call, they know they are in breach of contract.

[moogman]

I'll give it a go tomorrow...

erm.. LAST saturday? (do you mean just gone - 1stNov or 25thOct?)

just wondering how long TNT might take...

[bunnyrabbit]

Yes, sorry about the confusion, Saturday 1st November - I was supposed to wait until tomorrow before they would courier a copy to me. How things are going (postal strike), I might receive the original Parcel Post delivery and the TNT delivery on the same day. What can you say...

[moogman]

I'd be interested to find out how many people have received panther via parcel post, and how many have received it via courier (after ringing)

For those who have received it via courier... any sign on the parcel post copy? Or are we going to be seeing a lot of eBay adverts from Royal Mail workers for "lost Panther"?

They must be somewhere! (assuming of course that Apple have in fact sent them out... ooer)

p.

[BowiPod]

I got my royal mail copy on Friday. Mine was dispatched on the 22nd. I live in Aberdeen

After a polite phone call on (29/10/03) Apple told me that they would send a courier copy with their apologies.

Unfortunately they had stock issues so it didn't get sent out until Friday. I think the courier copy is sitting in my pigeon hole, but I need to check.

Apple also told me that if I sent back the courier copy I would get a COMPLETE refund (i.e Panther for nowt). Now, we will have to see about this but I was told to phone them when I got the extra copy.

[BowiPod]

UPDATE!

I have received the second copy via the courier (TNT).

I phoned Apple to organise returning it and they expected to ME to PAY for postage. After stating that I was being honest and could quite easily sell it on ebay the agent agreed that I would be credited for the postage if I returned it. This was the refund they were talking about.

I'll probably be selling it now!

[Mord]

Im finaly writing this on 10.3 yay! after pre ordering a month ago

10.3 has frozen a couple of times wouldent expect that but hay an update or two should fix that!

I to have a firewire d2 HD120gig and it works fine on pantha

[Shifty]

Panther is now available for purchace in certain John Lewis branches.

It was on sale at John Lewis in Kingston and in Sloane Square, I think.

[Kheraha]

My personal Panther nightmare just gets worse.......

After more phone calls and trauma today - Apple finally admit to me that they haven't actually sent one out to me - despite the shippment email sent on the 24th. So, now my order has been re-posted as 'Being Assembled' with shippment not expected before Thursday........to say I'm incandescent with rage is understatement of the century.......if this wasn't a £14 up to date order I would simply cancel and buy elsewhere - hell, I'm considering doing that anyway..........stupid, stupid Apple:mad:

[BowiPod]

I have ONE spare copy of Panther that I am looking to sell. Boxed and unopened.

I am selling it for £70. If anyone is interested email me at craig@spyd.co.uk

[caveman_uk]

Originally posted by Shifty
Panther is now available for purchace in certain John Lewis branches.

It was on sale at John Lewis in Kingston and in Sloane Square, I think.
They had boxes in the Oxford street store on Saturday when I was in there (buying an ipod;) )

[Shifty]

Originally posted by caveman_uk
They had boxes in the Oxford street store on Saturday when I was in there (buying an ipod;) )

Cool. Glad to hear it.

[moogman]

hmmmm... no Panther today... I'm ringing apple again tomorrow, this time they wont be able to fob me off... its crazy... even my dog tags (which I had to get via eBay US) have arrived, and they have come from the other side of the ocean!

How long can it take for a parcel to come from Ireland to the UK?!?!

They had better TNT me one tomorrow... or theres gonna be tears...

p.

[CrackedButter]

I don't want to piss people off but i ordered a copy on saturday from a reseller (since the powerbook didn't come with it) and could of got it tomorrow. I just had to cancel the order anyway since Apple just sent me a copy free of charge via ADC straight from the states.

Fancy that!

[moogman]

talk like that will get you linched around here!

as promised, I rang apple this morning... and my call was answered reasonably quickly:

"hello, welcome to apple store, how can i help?"
hi, can i give you an order number?
"certainly sir"
W*******
"oh... this is panther... please hold"
ok
"ah yes sir, this was posted by parcel post on the 22nd"
yes
"as you havent received it yet we shall post another copy to you by courier"
i see, when will that be?
"its already gone to our logistics department sir"
cool, thanks
"thanks for calling the apple store, goodbye"

we shall see :-)

[The Void]

Panther loped thru the letterbox this morning, here in (very) west London. Posted 24th, arrived 5th.

<deep breath>

Here i go......

Void

[Shifty]

You may have known that the postal strike has been lifted, and your Panther CDs should be due in the post, if you ordered it.

[mrjamin]

Originally posted by Shifty
You may have known that the postal strike has been lifted, and your Panther CDs should be due in the post, if you ordered it.

mine arrived this morning


...shame i wasn't in to sign for it :(

[Winston Smith]

Mine also finally arrived this morning after shipping on the 24th. LOL

[nesbitt_a]

Panther arrived by Royal Mail today. Dispatched 24th October.

[mrjamin]

panther has since arrived, and kicks ass. Shame i could say that this time on the 24th!

[AngryAngel]

Mine (posted on the 25-10-03) arrived today.

[CrackedButter]

Oh yeah... Apple posted me a second copy, i got it this morning. Now i have 2!

[eristica]

Is that everyone now? Anyone here who hasn't received their Panther yet?

Now, do we all start moaning about what's wrong with Panther? :-)

How's the website coming, I hope that doesn't run out of steam? There has to be some silver lining from this fiasco!

[moogman]

still waiting for TNT to come a knockin :-)

[Shifty]

WOW. This thread was almost at 500 replies.

Anyways, it's not Panther, I'm waiting for, it's a new iBook that I need

[nesbitt_a]

Same here, its not panther thats the problem. I have no laptop to run it!

Damn apple.

[Floop]

Yes, i am waiting for delivery of my new iBook.

It was shipped on the 3rd November.

I got an email yesterday warning me that it would take an additional 4-5 business days on top of the stated 5-7 business days for delivery.

This means that delivery - not the build, delivery only - will take between 9 and 12 business days (two weeks).

They call this service 'Express Delivery'.

I cannot think why.

Floop

[caveman_uk]

Originally posted by Floop
They call this service 'Express Delivery'.

Just be grateful they didn't send by pigeon post like they did Panther...:rolleyes:

[artistry]

I posted elsewhere yesterday that my iPod voice recorder arrived - only a day after being sent by Apple.
By the sound of things, I was the first in the world to get it ;-)
But it did make me wonder how it was that the voice recorder got here so quickly, and it took so long for Panther to show up...

[m4rc]

Hi

Wow, what a UK thread! Hopefully we should all have Panther by now, as the moaning seems to be winding down! Now, point your new version (but seemingly inchanged) Safari to www.ukmacs.net

Not too much to see, thats all happening behind the scenes, but rest assured it IS happening, and in my opinion it is looking great. Yeah, I'm biased, but hey!

Please click the link on the page to offer support, or let us know what you want. This site is for us all, and we have shown there are a few of us out there. We will have a site ready by the end of the month, but it will be changed and updated a fair bit for the first few weeks.

If you have a skill to offer, let me know via the site, and get out there and tell EVERYONE about www.ukmacs.net - we won't last long without the hits. The forum will be the first part up and running by month end, and we are going to need you all in there for the first few days getting the topics started.

Anyway. As you can tell I am excited by it all, but so much to do, so must crack on. Come and see us soon, and let everyone know the address - www.ukmacs.net

Marc

[caveman_uk]

OT I know but has anyone in the UK had an ibook die on them? Mine went yesterday. I think it's the logic board. It locked solid with horizontal moving lines across the screen. It then wouldn't boot at all. Left it and hour and it rebooted to lock up again within ten minutes....lines all over the screen. Like a detuned TV.

...I've rung Apple. They're sending a box
:( :( :( :( :( :(

[eristica]

Originally posted by caveman_uk
OT I know but has anyone in the UK had an ibook die on them? Mine went yesterday. I think it's the logic board. It locked solid with horizontal moving lines across the screen. It then wouldn't boot at all. Left it and hour and it rebooted to lock up again within ten minutes....lines all over the screen. Like a detuned TV.

Sounds a little familiar. We have an iBook I got from the Refurb shop on the Apple Store and that went a bit haywire at one point. The connection between the screen and the base unit was flaky and cause disruption to the picture - like a faulty TV, as you said. You could tell it was a faulty connection because it got worse if you tapped or moved the screen. The logic board and everything in the base worked fine, you just couldn't see anything!

Apple collected it on a Monday, fixed it and we had it back by Thursday! See, sometimes their service is excellent! Shame it went wrong at all but that happens. Now if only the battery would last longer than 8 minutes!

Tempted to upgrade to a new G4 iBook, anyone got one yet? Are they much faster?

[caveman_uk]

Did it lock up or was it just a dodgy picture? Sometimes mine isn't even getting past a black screen on boot. Or it locks at the grey (gray if you're US) Apple screen.

[artistry]

Originally posted by marccarter
I am in Brighton, and know no-one else with a Mac - can be a lonely old world this 'think different' stuff!

Marc

Hi Marc, there is a vibrant Mac user group in Brighton (which has a high proportion of Mac users - not that lonely!)
Email me (artistry@mac.com) and I'll pass on details of the mailing list. There'll be a meeting fairly soon I would have thought.

[eristica]

Originally posted by caveman_uk
Did it lock up or was it just a dodgy picture? Sometimes mine isn't even getting past a black screen on boot. Or it locks at the grey (gray if you're US) Apple screen.

Sometimes it would lock-up (or would appear to) and the screen would blackout completely. It usually made an attempt at booting up but didn't always make it, like yours.

Sounds very similar to what you're experiencing. If you tap the screen does that make any difference? Is it obviously some loose connection or something more 'serious'?

[caveman_uk]

Either way, it's going back as it's little better than a paperweight right now. I'm kind of hoping there's a parts shortage and I get a free ibook G4 but I guess I'm gonna be SOL on that one :rolleyes:

They've asked me to run the hardware test CD to see what happens. If it doesn't even get that far then it's definitely shagged. If it crashes whilst running it, then it's still shagged but the error number will be handy apparently.

[m4rc]

www.ukmacs.net/forums is now ready to recieve visitors. The site around it has had a lot of work done on it, and will be ready very soon - so bear with us. Come and say hi, and let us know what else you want to see.

Marc

[iChan]

got mine. not too long ago at all

[k2k koos]

Not only do I not know anyone with a Mac here (southwest England)
I con't even know of shops nearby that sell them, at least 50 minutes on a motorway (at illegal speeds), and thats too far..