🚀 go-pugleaf

Help, fellow Mac enthusiasts ...

I have been trying to buy a Mac system, but I have been screwed
by the authorized Apple dealer twice now. The store goes like this:

In late Feb., I read an ad in the Ohio State U. student paper from a 
computer store in town called ADS Systems. The ad offered a 512K Mac Bundle
for $2190 if purchased through the OSU University Purchase Program (UPP) with
financing available. That sounded great, my wife is a full time grad 
student and could use the machine to compose her thesis on. NOTE:
Apple allows only ONE UPP form per person or family with no replacements!

I called up, they said to pick up a UPP form from OSU and come on up. My wife
did so, and we stopped by the store. I filled out the paper work. I was told
that they would have to check my credit, this took 1 day. It was okay, and
I was told to come down and leave a $234.00 deposit. I did. I called one
week later to check on the order, I was told it was proceeding nicely.

A week later, I went to Fla. for a week of rays. I called a week after
I returned, and low and behold, the salesman I was working through had
left the company. No one had seen my order or my down payment. I finally
found out that all of my paper work was still on this guy's desk, and
my check was missing. I called the bank and had payment stopped. I was
then told that they could no longer honor my deal because Apple no
longer had the discount on the 512K bundle! 

After much hassle, I was told that the bundle prices were being reinstated,
but slightly higher. They said I could have the same system but for
$150-200 more. I chose to not hassle and decided on the 128K bundle, figuring
I could do the 512K upgrade myself. The price including tax was $2081.75.

Okay, I went back and filled out the paper work again. I was told that the
institute who wanted to finance the original system was willing to 
finance this one. I signed and was told that it would take 2-4 weeks
for delivery. 

Fine, I waited two weeks, then called to find out if everything was okay.
BUT, Nooooo! My order was sitting in the safe! They said the finance 
company wanted 15% down because they did not have the serial number for the
equipment! But, Apple will not ship the equipment without the money!
NOTE: I had to call them, they have never called me on their own!

A catch 22! In total, it has been 2 months and I still am no closer to
having a Mac! My co-workers tell me that ADS should honor the original 
contract, regardless of the screw up. I think they should give me
a system out of their stock. Give the serial numbers to the finance
company. Get the money. Order the system from Apple, and wait 2-4 weeks
to replenish their own stock! If this doesn't work, I guess I will
have to seek legal help, inform OSU, Apple and the Better Business Bureau.
I have been told that I have a case for small claims court.

GOD, this is a hard machine to buy!!!!!

Frustratedly yours,
George Erhart
ATT-NS/Bell Labs