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

NEW iMac w/ Someone Else's Profile on it?

mainstay said:
To address some of the other comments: the system looked pristine... BUT it was open BECAUSE WE PAID THIS COMPANY $125 / hr to set up the computer and have it ready for us.

I think we got taken, personally.
Click to expand...

Yeah considering what it takes to 'set up' and iMac out of the box, I'd say you got taken.

Remove from box, remove packing cover, batteries in keyboard and trackpad/mouse, plug it in, turn it on and follow the onscreen prompts.

Of course if you bought other software along with it and they had to install that, maybe I could see a small fee.
 
harcosparky said:
Yeah considering what it takes to 'set up' and iMac out of the box, I'd say you got taken.

Remove from box, remove packing cover, batteries in keyboard and trackpad/mouse, plug it in, turn it on and follow the onscreen prompts.

Of course if you bought other software along with it and they had to install that, maybe I could see a small fee.
Click to expand...

You don’t even have to put the batteries in actually. They come in the devices already and synced to the computer for you. But yeah, pretty darn simple to do.

I agree with a few posts ago saying to take your story to a news station. Once the reporters start poking around I think your local shop might be a bit more willing to offer you some kind of compensation. Especially if you also send word of their actions to apple. At the very least you should get your money back that they ripped off of you for the setup cost.

Personally I’d say return the iMac (you could be nice to the woman and wipe her drive for her in case they do this again) and buy one from apple’s site. No more expensive and you get an actual new machine.
 
the fault is with the first owner and the retailer. the best suggestion would be to notify the retailer which you probably have, wipe out the system yourself (to be a kind human being of course) and return it to the retailer and get a new one. however, you may choose to keep this machine while being compensated for the amount that you spent purchasing this as a NEW. furthermore, once you have wiped out the machine, notify the primary owner and tell her that her information is no longer with you or anyone else and she can stop worrying. OR, you can cause the retailer a lot of hardship; but you know what they say about karma. Cheers :D
 
The whole thing is a scam. The original owner and the store are both in on it. I've seen this before. So be careful before you get fleeced.
 
hmmm - no satisfaction dealing locally... will need to elevate to Apple.

Oh, and they will come out and set up a replacement system for $150 / hr. now.

(new price)

yikes!
 
mainstay said:
The other user is livid that their information is in my hands...

What can she do?
Click to expand...

mainstay said:
What makes it worse, the other user (this lady we called) IS HAPPY that we found her files... gawd! Not outraged, happy.
Click to expand...

First, I'd demand that the store take the computer back and refund every penny you spent, including any cost of returning the iMac to them. If you meet resistance, write to the store chain's owner and cc the manager. I would also let Apple know in writing.

If the first owner expects you to wipe her information before returning the computer, I'd tell her that she needs to add her voice to your written complaints to the store (especially if they don't agree on a full refund) and to Apple. She's more likely to comply if the first reaction you described above is more accurate.
 
Puevlo said:
The whole thing is a scam. The original owner and the store are both in on it. I've seen this before. So be careful before you get fleeced.
Click to expand...

wtf, that doesnt even make sense...

step 1, load computer with our data
step 2, sell computer to unsuspecting customer
step 3
step 4, profit!
 
Call your local attorney/solicitor general. Selling something that is used passing it off as new is illegal in most areas, almost certainly also in BC. Then trying to charge you to fix it? Yeah. This needs to be reported to your local authorities. Likely upon doing so (don't threaten/warn the store that you're going to do it,) the store will bend over backward to replace it with an actually-new unit.
 
Wait.... you paid $125 to have someone set up your computer?? $125?? To plug it in and set up an account???? $125???
 
I work for an authorized Apple retailer and I can tell you about the terrible business practices. When ever a Mac is sold it's always the display model that the customer gets. A new Mac then gets put on display in its place. I've never heard anyone complain about it, though. Returned merchandise also gets sold as new. It was only a few months ago that the i3 iMac, which was been using for doing backups of customer machines for over a year, was sold as new for $1299.

This is absolutely terrible but nobody else in the company gives a ******. Also, the BBB is absolutely useless. Can't put a number on how many unopened BBB letters went in the trash.

Buy directly from apple or a big box store like Best Buy. Never buy from rinky-dink neighbourhood computer stores (nor rinky-dink computer chains).
 
SirCarrington said:
I work for an authorized Apple retailer and I can tell you about the terrible business practices. When ever a Mac is sold it's always the display model that the customer gets. A new Mac then gets put on display in its place. I've never heard anyone complain about it, though. Returned merchandise also gets sold as new. It was only a few months ago that the i3 iMac, which was been using for doing backups of customer machines for over a year, was sold as new for $1299.
Click to expand...

Well, on an up note, they're fully tested. :(
 
dauber said:
I see several people saying to deal with Apple directly when buying a new Mac.

Well, I personally don't. Why? Because they don't give me interest-free financing if paid off within 18-24 months. :)
Click to expand...

You can still get interest free financing and still be able to deal directly with Apple. When my wife and I purchased our MacBook Pro, Barclays bank was running deal of interest free financing for 18 months. Was able to order the computer on-line from the Apple store. By the way, the Barclays bank deal was posted directly on the Apple store.
 
SirCarrington said:
I work for an authorized Apple retailer and I can tell you about the terrible business practices. When ever a Mac is sold it's always the display model that the customer gets. A new Mac then gets put on display in its place. I've never heard anyone complain about it, though. Returned merchandise also gets sold as new. It was only a few months ago that the i3 iMac, which was been using for doing backups of customer machines for over a year, was sold as new for $1299.

This is absolutely terrible but nobody else in the company gives a ******. Also, the BBB is absolutely useless. Can't put a number on how many unopened BBB letters went in the trash.

Buy directly from apple or a big box store like Best Buy. Never buy from rinky-dink neighbourhood computer stores (nor rinky-dink computer chains).
Click to expand...

That is insane. What is it with Canada having shady authorized resellers? We have at least four *BIG* authorized resellers here in Portland, Oregon, that are all very good. On par or better than the local official Apple Stores.

A few smaller ones I haven't dealt with, but the four big ones are great.
 
Anonymous Freak said:
That is insane. What is it with Canada having shady authorized resellers? We have at least four *BIG* authorized resellers here in Portland, Oregon, that are all very good. On par or better than the local official Apple Stores.
Click to expand...

With the competition from the three local Apple Stores, the independents here have to be good. Otherwise they would have quickly gone under. Its the resellers in other locations that can be a problem.
 
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