Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

cheap macs.. are these guys for real?

A quick googling turns up this:

http://adam.rosi-kessel.org/weblog/the_man/apple-computers-us-is-a-scam.html
This dude thinks that it can't be for real. There's a slightly NSFW anime weird iMac bondi blue woman, that was apparently their old logo.

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13333834~start=20
Also, here the whois is totally bogus, as there is no 1th street, haha

if you think it is too good to be true, it probably is...

Just save some money, stick it in an interest bearing account and get your Mac that way? :D



I'm almost 99% sure it's not legit. I hope you haven't placed an order.. and remember if they want cash or the $$ to be wired directly to them... don't do it.
HAVE A PAPER TRAIL, just be safe.
 
Of course this is not "real", most likely some type of bait and switch or outright scam.

Good name for a scam site. Try and google it, everything but this store comes up, makes it hard to check out.

But go ahead a order, let us know how it works out ;)
 
this reminds me of the macwhiz thread from last year. a lot of people got done out of a load of money. a quick search of the forums will bring it up but im too lazy the link it! :D
 
Google is your friend. Search on their "local" phone number 380-39-7000008, which is in the Ukraine,

See
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13333834
http://forums.slickdeals.net/t72965.html & forums.applenova.com/archive/index.php/t-5754.htm -- same phone number, previous scam site Apple-deals.net

Site registered April 10 2005, registrant in California.

It is obviously a fraud -- just look at the prices and you should never have to ask. No joke, jdogg, these guys are out to rip off serious amounts of cash.
 
Also, since when is UA a state abbreviation? Unless were talking Canada or something it even more B.S.
 
russed said:
this reminds me of the macwhiz thread from last year. a lot of people got done out of a load of money. a quick search of the forums will bring it up but im too lazy the link it! :D
Click to expand...

Thats so funny! Just earlier today I was looking at old threads and I happened to stumble across that one. It was so cool all of the interesting ways members contributed in that thread to help somehow.
 
I like the Mac mini on the "specials" page...$399.50 for one or $3999.50 for a ten-pack! Yes, you have have to pay an extra $4.50 more for the ten-pack than if you bought ten single ones.

This is a good one too from the "contacts us" page: "Please note that due to the large volume of correspondence we receive, we are only able to respond to the inquiries that are of interest to us." In other words, when we rip you off, we won't bother responding to your messages because they won't be of interest to us. At least they've covered their butts with that one. :cool:
 
killuminati said:
Thats so funny! Just earlier today I was looking at old threads and I happened to stumble across that one. It was so cool all of the interesting ways members contributed in that thread to help somehow.
Click to expand...

Don't get me started on that thread.. i was up till 4am the other day reading it, i got toally hooked it was like the best TV drama but better!

____________________________________

It's.... so..... big!
 
Poeben said:
Also, since when is UA a state abbreviation? Unless were talking Canada or something it even more B.S.
Click to expand...
You mean that email address? ukr.net is in the Ukraine, and UA is the country code.
 
It was this address, the return shipment address that I was referring to:

Smart Computers
Attn: Returns Department
(Place your RMA number on this line)
20th , Melnickaya str. ,
2nd floor , Mettle Building
Odessa, UA 65050

I guess it could be Ukraine or something. Just thought it was strange.
 
total scam. when you click 'buy now' it says their online ordering is down and to email your order instead. then the next thing they'll probably say is that their credit card machine isn't working and ask you to mail a money order or cashiers check to them.

The picture at the bottom of the About Us page is a little bit suspect too... right next to the academic reseller section no less!
 
One person I found sent them an email and got this in return:
I represent a Ukrainian company namedš APPLE-COMPUTERS.US,
which is a part of European trading centres and subsided by European
media giant Smart Computers Company.

We are not that experienced as many of the current online retailers but
the company is growing fast for now, especially during the hot sale with
much lowered prices then the ones you see in US regular stores.

Currently we are working with non-profit charities and that is the
main reason for the prices you see.

The products we carry were donated to the charities and non-profit
organizations, while they are in a need of funds.

We assist them to sell the items back to United States, and the
sale is also limited to US only as the items origin from there -
they have US power supply, software, and accessories.

All products are legitimate, brand new, with original manufacturer's
warranties, cd's, papers and all accessories provided.

Why deal with us:

We are an authorized Dealer!

We are not a one time seller.

We sell many big ticket items including monitors,š plasma displays,
digital cameras, laptops etc. and we consistently receive positive
feedback.

We ship direct to your door.

We insure everything we ship.

All of our units are covered by manufacturer's full warranty.
_________________________________________________________

HOW TO PLACE AN ORDER WITH OUR COMPANY
_________________________________________________________

To place an order, please send us a request which includes:

1. Product you would like to order and quantity.

2. Name and address where the product should be shipped to.

3. Contact phone numbers for the day and evening time.

4. The method of the delivery you prefer.

After getting your request the initiating order receipt will be sent to you
shortly.

The payment method required to get the item with the price listed is
Western Union Money Transfer.

We do understand that it may be complicated and not that trusted on
your side comparing to PayPal, COD or regular Credit Card payment,
but there is only one reason for us to use it - as these items were
donated here, using an official payment system (any of the methods
listed require the funds to be received under company's bank account)
will apply a huge seller's tax which would have to be paid.

Both importing and exporting papers would have to be registered with
the product.

You may get the item delivered COD, paid through PayPal or Credit Card
but you would have to pay a double price comparing to the listed so we
can cover these taxes. As the prices of US retailers still higher then even
the doubled price mentioned probably some of the customers still would
be interested.

Meanwhile Western Union is recognized as a private payment when is
being received here and no additional taxes applied. Using this method
will allow you to get the product with the much lowered price we
mentioned in this email.

After reading the receipt, you have to go to the Western Union office of
your area, and set up a money transfer under our sales representative
name working on your order.
___________________________________________________________

ABOUT THE PAYMENT SECURITY
___________________________________________________________

You should be sending funds using a different name then the one you
provide us to ship your order, meaning that we would not know who was
the actual sender of the money transfer.

When we pick the funds on our side we have to name the sender's name,
city, state and address where it is being sent from to claim the money
transfer.

So basically your money will be on hold until you release them,š as we
would have to wait till you supply the information's asš name, city, state
and address of the money sender.

Meanwhile, to initiate the delivery of your order, you will just have to
confirm that the money transfer is set and the funds are available under
our sales representative name in the Western Union's draft.

To confirm that you will provide the funds tracking number named MTCN,
which I will forward to the warehouse upon your confirmation.

You will have 3 days inspections period after which you would have to
supply us the senders name and address so we would be able to pick
your funds on our side.

To check that we do need your name and address to pick up your money
transfer, here is a link stating the Western Union's policies for Ukraine:

Article # 9

http://www.westernunion.com/info/faqMT.asp?country=UA#faqIntl9
_________________________________________________________

STEPS OVERRUN
_________________________________________________________

So the whole procedure will be easy and safe, step by
step it is like this:

1. You will send us a request to place an order for you,š supply name
and address for shipping and awaiting for your initiating order receipt.

2. After getting it you will have to visit local Western Union's office and
send the money transfer under our sales person's name.

3. When your MTCN will be confirmed we will ship you the item and
supply you the FedEx tracking number for the order.

4. Finally after getting and inspecting the product, you will send us
the senders name and address required to withdraw your funds.
_______________________________________________________

If there is anymore questions we may help you with - feel free to call
our toll-free support service or leave your phone number and someone
will contact you shortly!

Thank you for your interest in our products!


Will be waiting for any of your questions and comments,


With best regards and wishes,


Craig Williams

Premier Manager, Sales Department
Apple Computers Company 2005
http://www.apple-computers.us
manager@apple-computers.us
sales@apple-computers.us
1-800-773-6997






no -- it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests


73427289
Click to expand...
 
After reading that convincing e-mail from them, I now HAVE TO pick up a 20-pack of 1.67 GHz laptops.

I can see it now ...

<picturing the arrival of my package>

I rip open the boxes and pull out the shiny, new Apples.

I set them up and start doing all I ever dreamed of.

Suddenly, a knock at the door.

It opens ...

Dang! ... only lunch ...

"Hey guys, can you loosen these long white sleeves so I can eat ...

And let me know when my package arrives!"

<yum ... liver and brussel sprout paté with stale saltines ... just like yesterday>

Do I have it good or what?

:D
 
It's a joke - one Mini for $399.50 or 10 for $3999.50 :rolleyes:

Just not a very funny one, really. Waste of webspace heh.

andy.
 
_pb_boi said:
It's a joke - one Mini for $399.50 or 10 for $3999.50 :rolleyes:

Just not a very funny one, really. Waste of webspace heh.

andy.
Click to expand...

They probably won't find it to be a waste of time if they can suck in even a couple of foolish people to order something and wire the money ... under a different name no less. That makes it sound SOOOOOOOOO legit!
 
_pb_boi said:
It's a joke - one Mini for $399.50 or 10 for $3999.50 :rolleyes:

Just not a very funny one, really. Waste of webspace heh.

andy.
Click to expand...

the joke would be on anyone stupid enough to think this is legit...
 
So if I read that correctly, we, in the west donated money to charites over there because they were in need. The charities used the money to buy computers that they couldn't use because the computers had North American power supplies, so now they want to sell the computers back to us to re-coop some of the money.

Makes sense to me.

I'm making out a big fat check now for the next *charity* that knocks on my door so they can buy more stuff they can't use and then sell back to me at a discount.

Margaret
 
Can this thread just be closed?

I'm so sick of seeing Western Union money transfer mac scams around here.

Bottom line - if they want Western Union, don't use.

andy.
 
It ceased being about the original question around the third post. Since it has been about how ridiculous the whole website/scam is which I find entertaining.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back