I know this is sneaky but..

[AbeFroman77]

You realize that you basically just said "we all pay more because of people like him so it's ok!"? I hope so because that's exactly what you're saying. Yes, it IS unethical. I run a business too and I have had to increase the price on items specifically because of entitled jerks that try to screw me and my business over. But hey, Visa has a policy allowing them to reverse charges regardless of the legally binding contract they have with me so it must be ethical, right? The fact that I've already spent money over the last 2 weeks getting drawings & permits (or the money Apple loses refurbishing & selling computers at a substantial discount) is completely irrelevant, right? As long as this guy is able to skirt the rules to get his pie & eat it too, everything is wonderful. Thankfully the poor fella won't have to go without buying a laptop for a whole two weeks!

So congratulations, if you ever try to buy something and wonder why the price is so high, refer back to this thread and remember that you specifically WANT it to be high cause god forbid that another entitled jackass loses the ability to screw the system while staying inside the rules. Welcome to America, where you can have whatever you want as long as you don't mind screwing the next guy out of it! BTW, does anyone here remember the mortgage crisis that heavily contributed to the collapse of our economy? Yeah, most of that was inside the rules too so I guess nobody here minds too much about all the people who lost their houses and the CEOs getting multi-million dollar bonuses, right? After all, if it's in the rules, it must be ethical.

Amazing you got all that from "Apple is making a killing".

To the OP. Buy it now. Right before you buy the other one, go to the Apple Store and tell them you want to take advantage of the no tax by ordering it online. I bet they'll let you return it and they won't get on a high horse about you being unethical and contributing to American greed.

 

[dacapo]

I suppose no one can stop you from returning it within the 14 day window and then buying an entirely new MBA on tax free weekend.

However, I believe most state laws are written not to allow retailers to modify the date of sale to circumvent this sort of behavior. So, at minimum, you will have to wipe your machine clean and then return it; I don't think you'll have much luck just asking for a credit in the amount of the difference.

Again, I'm not sure about how the tax free weekend statute in your state is written, but in my state, it's written to prevent backdating or future-dating, etc. (And is considered a tax evasion felony.)

I'd say just wait until Tax Free weekend and then buy it. You'll pat yourself on the back for having been patient and smart. And it'll be completely ethical and completely legal. As they say, learning to wait will build your character, if nothing else.

 

[TC25]

You guys say its unethical, but that is not an issue for me.

It never is for people with no ethics. But you're 'a good guy' that no one can trust.

 

[docgerrard]

Wow this thread took off.

Anyways, again, I just wanted to know if it would be possible to do this.

I admitted from the beginning that it was being a bit unethical (considering my topic title) but I would say it doesn't even come close to stealing thousands from a bank lol.

I just want to clear one thing up though. The only thing I am doing wrong is making Apple sell a refurbished unit. That is all.

I am not taking any money from the community, since either way, SC offers a tax free weekend and I am going to take advantage of that.

I understand that this may be a little bit unethical, but jesus you guys are acting like I am planning on going to the Apple store and stealing the laptop from the first person that walks out with one. Instead, I am just take advantage of both Apple's and my state's policies.

 

[nebulos]

i don't think it is unethical at all

and yes, the very fact that they have billions and i don't is why its all right.

if you are trying to argue this is unethical... You don't know much about ethics.

i admitted from the beginning that it was being a bit unethical

i understand that this may be a little bit unethical

.

i'll use the money i save to donate to charity

bs.

You guys can continue giving thousands of dollars to Apple Corporation instead of doing the most "ethical" thing and donating to charity.

an appropriate response might get me kicked off the forum. fill in the blanks.

 

[Dark Void]

You're trying to be greedy in saying that you want it now and grimy at the same time by not wanting to pay tax at that same time when it is required.

Keep the one you paid tax on if you want it now.

 

[docgerrard]

Lol yeah that was my bad.

Still though, I just didn't think it was even close to as unethical as you guys were making it sound, and I guess I kind of began to play devil's advocate. Whatever.

It may be a bit unethical, but it does good too.

Bad:
Apple has to sell a refurbished product

Good:
Someone gets an almost new MBA for a discounted price
I get to start learning how to use a Mac (1st one)
If I am not satisfied, I can still take advantage of tax-free weekend on another computer

Neutral:
Tax-free weekend is established by the state. I am not harming the community.
The return policy is established by Apple. I can return it for the smallest problem and they are perfectly happy with it.

From a utilitarian standpoint, I win. Yes that is ethics. Yes some people believe that. It is all relative really.

Also, just an FYI, I have been calling Apple and the local Apple store to ask them, and they don't even come close to being as dramatic as you all.

 

[Kyllle]

so taking advantage of a tax free weekend is screwing the state? OP you could buy the laptop and than go back within the 14 days and just ask apple to re ring the same item up. Meaning they could return it and resell the SAME unit, and that saves you the tax. Than your not screwing anyone. Not the state or apple. The state doesn't care about what you spend on a tax free weekend. THEY WANT YOU TO SPEND ON A TAX FREE WEEKEND.

Exactly. If you really want to be "ethical" (although I think what you plan on doing is perfectly fine and Apple knows that people do this), just bring it back on the tax free weekend and tell them you want to take advantage of the no-tax deal. They should be able to ring it back up and credit you back the $100 or so that you lost from tax. This way Steve doesn't lose money, and all you're doing is taking advantage of the state's policy, which they want you to do.

You are acting as if this is stealing $100 from a multibillion dollar company. That's not true. You are stealing $100 from your local schools, road crews, and emergency services. Yeah, your state is a multibillion dollar organization, too, but they are hurting for literally every penny right now. There's a reason why only a few states offer a tax-free holiday.

As for Apple, you are stealing far more than $100. If they have to sell something as 'refurbished', that is a 20%-25% drop in value.

Oh yeah, like any government program will benefit from $100. Give $100 to a huge company/government, it will make absolutely no difference. Give $100 to an average American, they will be able to pay off a bill or go out for a nice dinner. Give $100 to an average person in a third world country, and they could buy food and water for months. I'm not saying you should donate the money or anything, just pointing out that $100 can make a huge difference in someone's life, or absolutely no difference at all. By keeping the money for yourself, assuming you are the average American here, you will benefit more than Apple/your state, which is why I think you should go for it.

Who cares if Apple looses a few $100, IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. By the way, they would sell his MBA for about 10% off, 15% in a few months, not "20-25%." It's a brand new product, they don't need to discount it to sell it; 10% is already more than enough.

 

[docgerrard]

Thanks!

I am going to call the local apple store tomorrow to make sure they will be able to help me out. Then I'll make the purchase!

I might call Best Buy and see if they would also be able to just rering it. We will see though.

 

[docgerrard]

Well guys, in the end I decided not to do it.

Not because I had some epiphany and realized I was being a horrible person. It is just not worth the effort, regardless of the drive.

Hopefully the Mac learning curve isn't too much to overcome.

Also, one of my main concerns was not being in town on tax-free weekend, but my dad was nice enough to say he would pick it up for me

 

[nvcplus]

You do realize that tax is a percentage of the total sale right? So if he buys a more expensive MBA he's going to pay more taxes. A 1400 purchase here gets you $136.50 in taxes.

That said, yeah, just wait.

Yes, I realize that, thanks for the lesson.

I have 13" ultimate and my tax was $90 as stated.

HENCE "WHERE DO YOU LIVE", not "how do taxes work".

 

[nvcplus]

Well guys, in the end I decided not to do it.

Not because I had some epiphany and realized I was being a horrible person. It is just not worth the effort, regardless of the drive.

Hopefully the Mac learning curve isn't too much to overcome.

Also, one of my main concerns was not being in town on tax-free weekend, but my dad was nice enough to say he would pick it up for me

Good for you. Or not.

How come you're buying a top of the line computer if $100 is going to make or break you?

Go buy a $500 Dell and be done with it.

 

[darngooddesign]

Good for you. Or not.

How come you're buying a top of the line computer if $100 is going to make or break you?

Go buy a $500 Dell and be done with it.

$100 won't break me, but if I have the chance to save it I will.

 

[0098386]

Sure, go for it. I wouldn't cheap a local company with that system but a huge behemoth like Apple? I wouldn't lose sleep.

 

[Apple OC]

Well guys, in the end I decided not to do it.

Not because I had some epiphany and realized I was being a horrible person. It is just not worth the effort, regardless of the drive.

Hopefully the Mac learning curve isn't too much to overcome.

Also, one of my main concerns was not being in town on tax-free weekend, but my dad was nice enough to say he would pick it up for me

exactly what I thought ... what is the point?

 

[TC25]

Sure, go for it. I wouldn't cheap a local company with that system but a huge behemoth like Apple? I wouldn't lose sleep.

You and the OP, two people in this thread who have no ethics, no morals and no clue about economics or who actually ends up paying for your dishonesty.

 

[zbarvian]

How is this unethical? It's just taking advantage of what the system is offering.

 

[docgerrard]

Good for you. Or not.

How come you're buying a top of the line computer if $100 is going to make or break you?

Go buy a $500 Dell and be done with it.

if you really mean this, there really is nothing more i have to say than... you are a complete idiot.

You and the OP, two people in this thread who have no ethics, no morals and no clue about economics or who actually ends up paying for your dishonesty.

Apple, a multibillion dollar corporation does. And who benefits from my dishonesty? Me, and another lucky fellow who gets an almost new refurbished system.

People always joke about apple fanboys who would do inappropriate things to steve jobs on command... I always thought that was just bitter nerds lashing out against the success of Apple. You proved me wrong.

Still, I have already conceded that some people may view this as unethical, although I can make arguments either way.

 

[PDFierro]

The other thing is it took you this long to decide it wouldn't even be worth it.

 

[docgerrard]

How is this unethical? It's just taking advantage of what the system is offering.

its unethical because poor little Apple has to sell a product at 10% of retail

hey, but lets just ignore the fact that Apple has a profit margin of between 28% and 37% on the airs (last generation, but i'm sure it is similar)

http://www.computerworld.com/s/arti...fitable_than_other_Apple_laptops_says_analyst

The other thing is it took you this long to decide it wouldn't even be worth it.

... so what? the main reason it wouldn't be worth it is because i have confirmed that I will be out of town during tax-free weekend and I would have to ask someone to go to the store for me.

 

[TC25]

Apple, a multibillion dollar corporation does.

Thanks for proving you don't have a clue.

 

[docgerrard]

Thanks for proving you don't have a clue.

Thanks for providing another useless comment with no substance at all, rather than actually replying to the points I have been making.

Yes, you have every clue in the world.

EDIT:

Quick google search.

http://www.masslive.com/technology/index.ssf/2010/05/apple_pulls_ahead_of_microsoft.html

$227.1 Billion, over a year ago.

I really am a crappy person for making them sell a product for 10% less then retail, when the profit margin is already almost 30% initially. I'm sure that will put a huge dent in that $227.1 billion.

 

[TC25]

Thanks for providing another useless comment with no substance at all, rather than actually replying to the points I have been making.

Self serving rationalization deleted.

Corporations are a legal creation. When their costs are driven up by dishonest people, or for any other reason, their customers pay the price. Wise up.

 

[docgerrard]

Corporations are a legal creation. When their costs are driven up by dishonest people, or for any other reason, their customers pay the price. Wise up.

Well thats not very ethical of Apple, is it?

Thats not fair that if too many customers take advantage of clearly written policies, those very customers will pay for it.

 

[TC25]

Well thats not very ethical of Apple, is it?

Thats not fair that if too many customers take advantage of clearly written policies, those very customers will pay for it.

Customers ALWAYS pay for the cost of ANY company doing business. What, you think companies are in business to lose money? If you don't like the price, don't buy the product. Simple concept to grasp.

You have no desire to learn anything. All you want to do is rationalize your dishonesty.