I've had the same experience with Apple, and you echoed my sentiments exactly!
Why are we being treated so poorly by this company we've supported consistently?
Recently I wanted to buy a PowerMac 7500 for our school. Though the machine
was available on the shelf in stores and in stock at mail order houses,
Apple's expected delivery date for sales to educational institutions was "8
to 12 weeks" for this machine, and I needed it before that to meet our
funding criteria. The mail order companies could not sell to us, without
risking the loss of their Apple dealership. Apple's education customer
service rep kept telling me that this "sole provider" policy was for my own
good, because it meant we would receive better phone support after the
sale. ???? Yeah, right. Only 40 minutes on hold, instead of 60?? Gee
thanks.
I finally found one of the big computer discount chain stores who would
sell to us off the shelf. Though I love the Mac, I really don't like doing
business with Apple. I hope this just-announced change in CEO and other
top management will turn the company in a new direction.
Maybe one of the Mac clone companies will pick up on the education market,
and put out some appropriate models.
Gay Wiseman,
Computer Lab Instructor
Alta-Dutch Flat School, CA
rustybel@foothill.net