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Is This a Scam?

Contact your state's attorney general as well you’re local DA. It will make a difference. I just got feedback from both about a certain site. The more complaints that they receive, the more likely it is that they will looked into. As far as the disclaimers, they don't mean anything if what they are attempting to do is fraudulent. Here is another thread about Matrix Schems.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I am pretty sure he ended up getting the machine, albeit 4 months later.
 
Re: Re: Re: I signed up with Marbella...

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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





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