=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
This E-mail is Sponsored by: Small Dog Electronics
--> Specializing in New & Factory Refurbished Apple computers <--
Surf to <http://www.smalldog.com> Check out our daily specials!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
http://www.insanely-great.com/news.php?id=1896
Comment: Why Won't Apple Sell You Spare Parts?
By Remy Davison, Insanely Great Mac
March 27th 2003
A silent, insidious monopoly - in spares.
I spilt coffee on my PowerBook keyboard yesterday. It's toast.
The keyboard, that is. The Lombard itself is fine. Own fault, AppleCare's run out, no
cause for complaint.
Until you price a new keyboard.
In my part of the world, that bronze keyboard retails for precisely $US100. And -
here's the rub - you can't install it yourself. Installation cost? $US49.95. Including
tax.
There are worse examples than this: Apple Authorized Resellers and Repairers will also
charge for the privilege of installing - yes, installing - a DVD-ROM drive in a
Wallstreet or Pismo.
Yes, you read that correctly: something G3 owners do without thinking every day -
pulling out one media drive and replacing it with another in seconds - costs $19.95
for that particular privilege.
Now don't get me wrong. With Apple Authorizes Resellers and Service centers only able
to charge prices 8% on average above the wholesale price, they need every extra penny
they can get. The problem doesn't lie with the Authorized Service centers.
Apple won't sell you spare parts.
That's right. Apple doesn't do 'spares'. Regardless of whether you're technically
proficient enough to install a hard drive, swap out a PRAM battery or replace a
keyboard, Apple won't supply it to you. Only to the dealer for installation.
There are clearly exceptions to this rule: even the most maladroit consumer cn replace
a PowerBook or iBook's main battery, and user-installation of RAM has been acceptable
to Cupertino since 1995. But of course, if you screw up things while you're in there,
you're on your own.
Ah, I hear you say, what about the warranty? Fair point. If an Authorized Service
Provider installs the part, it's guaranteed. No two ways about it.
But if you're happy to install it yourself - putting in a PowerBook keyboard isn't
rocket science - it can be on the understanding that you void the warranty. Or that
Apple is not responsible for any damage done by your installation. Just like RAM.
Sound fair enough?
Imagine you could only buy water pumps, tyres and motor oil for your Ford from a Ford
dealer. No other options. Ford wouldn't sell another Mustang. Ever.
But Apple gives you no choice. As the only source of genuine new parts, Apple has much
more of a monopoly than Dell or HP could ever dream of having.
Hands up if your hard drive's ever died and you sought a replacement from Apple.
Right. You'd be crazy to buy from the AppleStore when your white box discounter around
the corner sells the same drive at two thirds the price. Same with memory, unless
you're buying a new Mac and Apple offers to double it for $40.
And don't try buying things like keycaps. Or display ribbon cables. No, you've got to
buy the whole thing. Because a Lombard keyboard is not that common as a spare (the
ribbon connector's different on a Pismo), in my case aa keyboard will need to be
cannibalized from a working Lombard.
I'm collecting my new keyboard tomorrow. From an Apple dealer. In used parts. With no
installation fee. Sorry, Apple. You didn't get my $100 + plus installation fee.
Not this time.
=-=-=
Web links for articles available on Web site version. Please refer to Web site version
for all revisions, corrections and updates.
Post comments to this article and view reader comments at the Web site. Web site
version of this article can be viewed at:
http://www.insanely-great.com/news.php?id=1896
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Copyright (c) 2003 Insanely Great Mac. All rights reserved. This article
may not be republished in part or whole without explicit written
permission from Insanely Great Mac.
Brought to you by Insanely Great Mac <http://www.insanely-great.com/>
Please visit <http://www.insanely-great.com/macnews.php> to manage your
subscription (Subscribe, Digest Switch, Unsubscribe).
Subscription problems/questions please email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
