Summary: Overcharged by $241.99
1. The Order.
On Tuesday, August 31st, 2004 I placed an order for an Apple 15" PowerBook G4 using InfinitiPhoto.com web site. The web site accepted my order, however, after two days of waiting my account still wasn't charged. On September 3rd, I called Infiniti Photo and spoke to Mark Gonzales (salesman number MA 207).
FIRST RED FLAG: MY ORDER STILL WASN'T PROCESSED when Mark looked at it on his computer.
Mark told me that by default this laptop comes with 45 minutes battery and no charger. However, they had an UPGRADE for this model: for an extra $199 I could get 2-hour battery and a charger. A-a-a-a-and, they even had a PROMOTION: 4-hour battery for the same $199!
SECOND RED FLAG: IN ORDER TO GET A STANDARD CONFIGURATION I HAD TO PAY EXTRA.
So now it was up to me to decide: did I want to use my new laptop for 45 minutes and then what? o-o-o-or I could get an upgrade and have a 4-hour battery and a charger (and, of course, a peace of mind).
* I decided to upgrade. (Add $199 to the original $2049)
THIRD RED FLAG: NO APPLECARE PLAN OFFERED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. This means they are not an authorized Apple reseller.
When talking to Mark I asked if they sell an AppleCare plan to protect my investment. The answer was "No".
However, ...
I was offered another protection plan for $299 and I thought that without it I would have a problem if a laptop came in with defects (at the time of the order I thought that since I wasn't buying from Apple then it would be impossible to convince Apple Computers Inc. to repair those defects). So...
* I decided to get a protection plan. (Add $299)
Please be aware that Apple Computers, Inc. DOES OFFER you to buy the AppleCare plan within 90-days of the purchase so you don't have to buy a third-party plans from Infinity Cameras (or Infiniti Photo - they are operating under at least two different names).
2. The Shipping and Handling.
After my order was complete, Mark told me that they would call me back with UPS tracking number, so I would be able to trace the package.
* THEY NEVER CALLED ME BACK WITH MY UPS TRACKING NUMBER.
I called them three times and eventually got the UPS tracking number on the day of delivery.
Also, when I was making an order using the web site it showed me the S&H charge in the amount of $117. But the invoice that came with a laptop showed $159.99. So...
* I GOT OVERCHARGED $42.99 FOR SHIPPING AND HANDLING.
3. Overcharge Suspicions.
The laptop came in on Friday, September 10th. It was a brand new Apple box that had a charger included. The laptop had a 4-hour battery. Everything looked brand new and untouched. This raised my suspicion that no upgrade work was performed on my laptop.
Today (Sep. 20th) I called Apple Computers, Inc and asked them whether this model (M9422LL/A) comes with 45 minutes battery. Apple Help person Joshua Glen told me that he never heard of 45 minutes battery for M9422 and that by default it comes with 4-hour battery and a charger. So...
I REALIZED THAT I GOT OVERCHARGED $199 FOR "EXTRA" FEATURES THAT ARE ACTUALLY INCLUDED IN THE STANDARD M9422LL/A CONFIGURATION.
The total overcharge at this point: $199 + $42.99 = $241.99 (!)
4. The Dispute.
I called Mark Gonzales and complained in a very polite and calm manner about the overcharge. He replied that I misunderstood the order. By default they sell a "starter kit" with 45-minutes battery and no charger. But, because I agreed to upgrade to ANOTHER package (which is actually the standard configuration that Apple Computers, Inc. offers at this time) they charged me $199 for the battery and charger.
He also explained that the "starter kit" comes from Taiwan and that American Apple may not know (!) about this option.
"Can I have a contact number of this Taiwan Apple division so I can call them and ask questions about the default configuration?"
"No, we do not disclose the sources where we buy our products from".
"Can I speak to a manager or someone who has more information about it?"
"NO! No one is going to talk to you about this. If you don't like your computer you may return it but you WILL be charged 10% fee."
"I don't want to return it, I just want to get a refund for the battery and charger".
Then he sad that he's been on a phone with me for 25 minutes and he was just losing his time. And he hung up on me.
With all that mentioned above, I have to admit, that I still got a good deal on my PowerBook G4.
It's just a sadness that comes from deception...
This review was modified by its author, pc_user_2000, on
9/20/04 8:30 PM.