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KeriVit · Nov 16, 2005, 09:35 AM

I got a call from an Apple Rep at work the other day- offering assistance for any Apple products I might need. As it turns out- I was planning on purchasing a new iMac and a refurb 15" PB and a new base station. He hooked me up with pricing offering 7% off everything. Just have to fill out the CC app and call with my CC info.

It occurred to me last night- "What if the guy isn't really from Apple?"

The quote was presented in excel- with the Apple logo, the pdf for the PO and CC app is a pdf with apple logo, his email is @apple.com- California phone number.

Sounds legit- but I wanted to make sure before I finish the transaction today....

TIA

ghporter · Nov 16, 2005, 09:46 AM

I don't like it...It sounds fishy to me.

Thorin · Nov 16, 2005, 09:46 AM

give Apple's main sales number a ring and ask them?

KeriVit · Nov 16, 2005, 09:50 AM

It's called Apple Enterprise Sales if that helps at all... Also I checked the source of the email and it is coming from Apple... ???

production_coordinator · Nov 16, 2005, 09:54 AM

Don't bother checking the source of the email or trying to Google the guy to death.

If he had an @apple.com email address, and you don't feel comfortable about the transaction, call Apple immediately. They should be able to confirm that he works for Apple and is doing what he should be doing. You may also want to give the guy a call and ask if "everything worked out" as a follow up.

It never hurts to double check... but don't dance around the issue... go to the source.

KeriVit · Nov 16, 2005, 10:15 AM

Alright- which number would you call for Apple?

Thorin · Nov 16, 2005, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

Alright- which number would you call for Apple?

Well their US sales line appears to be 1-800-692-7753.

Do you want me to ring it for you as well?

starman · Nov 16, 2005, 10:45 AM

I had a call from them to extend AppleCare. It was from them, but I can understand why you'd think it wasn't. You should still follow up on it, though.

Mike

KeriVit · Nov 16, 2005, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by Thorin

Well their US sales line appears to be 1-800-692-7753.

Do you want me to ring it for you as well?

Aaaggghh shaddap. 1-800-MY-APPLE is the store- I know that. I was just wondering if they had a specific Customer Service Number. I'll figure it out.

Thorin · Nov 16, 2005, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

Aaaggghh shaddap.

Sorry

.

Hope you manage to confirm it's legitimate. Would be a shame to miss out on the deal

rickey939 · Nov 16, 2005, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

The quote was presented in excel- with the Apple logo, the pdf for the PO and CC app is a pdf with apple logo...

It's odd to me that the quote was not PDF'd as well. Every Apple quote I've ever received has been in PDF format, whether it is for 1 computer, or 1,000+.

OldManMac · Nov 16, 2005, 11:08 AM

It's not from Apple. They don't sell products at 7% off, ever, especially considering that they just came off the best year in the company's history! Why do think they would feel the need to discount their product when it's flying off the shelf without discounts? I worked for Apple for two years, in sales; I worked for an Apple Authorized reseller for two years, in sales; I still have good friends who work for Apple, in sales. Apple resellers don't make much more than 7% on the systems, so they're certainly not going to sell a system to you at cost. It's certainly not Apple that called you, and it's not even a reseller, unless they're either extraordinarily desperate, or stupid, or both. It's from somebody who is hoping that you're desperate, or stupid, or both. Don't confirm their suspicions.

starman · Nov 16, 2005, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by KarlG

It's not from Apple. They don't sell products at 7% off, ever, especially considering that they just came off the best year in the company's history! Why do think they would feel the need to discount their product when it's flying off the shelf without discounts? I worked for Apple for two years, in sales; I worked for an Apple Authorized reseller for two years, in sales; I still have good friends who work for Apple, in sales. Apple resellers don't make much more than 7% on the systems, so they're certainly not going to sell a system to you at cost. It's certainly not Apple that called you, and it's not even a reseller, unless they're either extraordinarily desperate, or stupid, or both. It's from somebody who is hoping that you're desperate, or stupid, or both. Don't confirm their suspicions.

Then how would his email be @apple.com?

Mike

ShotgunEd · Nov 16, 2005, 11:15 AM

you set the reply to address as [email protected]

Check the headers of the email, see what servers it came through.

And phone Apple, get actual confirmation that the guy works for Apple. Tell them about what he said and offered. They'll soon be able to tell you if he is legit or not.

effgee · 11:27 AM

KeriVit,

Simply call the Apple Store for Business at (800) 854-3680, give them the reference number on the quote you received and ask them to confirm the pricing therein (via fax, email, etc.) - they should be able to tell you whether or not the whole thing is legit.

OldManMac · Nov 16, 2005, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by starman

Then how would his email be @apple.com?

Mike

It's easy to spoof an e-mail address. Besides, there are people who are stupid enough not to check on those kind of things when they give their money away. It happens every day of the week, every week of the year. Credit card fraud is rampant, and the reason is because there are lots of people who are way too trustworthy with their money.

Once again; it's not from Apple.

SVass · Nov 16, 2005, 11:44 AM

My former employer (a major US corporation) just signed a deal with Apple for all current and all retired employees to get 7% off at all Apple retail stores and at their web store. So the reduction sounds legitimate. (The software reduction is higher.) As my sales tax is 9%, mail order is still cheaper. sam

KeriVit · Nov 16, 2005, 11:49 AM

Dubble

KeriVit · Nov 16, 2005, 11:49 AM

Well, I called and it is valid. He is a known employee and the Apple Enterprise Special Pricing is valid... he even connected me directly to my salesman.

Thank you effgee

waxcrash · Nov 16, 2005, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by KarlG

It's not from Apple. They don't sell products at 7% off, ever, especially considering that they just came off the best year in the company's history! Why do think they would feel the need to discount their product when it's flying off the shelf without discounts? I worked for Apple for two years, in sales; I worked for an Apple Authorized reseller for two years, in sales; I still have good friends who work for Apple, in sales. Apple resellers don't make much more than 7% on the systems, so they're certainly not going to sell a system to you at cost. It's certainly not Apple that called you, and it's not even a reseller, unless they're either extraordinarily desperate, or stupid, or both. It's from somebody who is hoping that you're desperate, or stupid, or both. Don't confirm their suspicions.

Originally Posted by KeriVit

Well, I called and it is valid. He is a known employee and the Apple Enterprise Special Pricing is valid... he even connected me directly to my salesman.

Ha ha ha ha.

effgee · Nov 16, 2005, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

Well, I called and it is valid. He is a known employee and the Apple Enterprise Special Pricing is valid ...

Nifty that this worked out. Have fun with the new hardware (you nerd!)

Originally Posted by KarlG

It's not from Apple. They don't sell products at 7% off, ever, ... It's certainly not Apple that called you, and it's not even a reseller ...

Originally Posted by KarlG

... Once again; it's not from Apple. ...

Oh, the Schadenfreude ...

OldManMac · Nov 16, 2005, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by waxcrash

Ha ha ha ha.

Feel better?

starman · Nov 16, 2005, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by KarlG

It's easy to spoof an e-mail address. Besides, there are people who are stupid enough not to check on those kind of things when they give their money away. It happens every day of the week, every week of the year. Credit card fraud is rampant, and the reason is because there are lots of people who are way too trustworthy with their money.

Once again; it's not from Apple.

It's easy to spoof it coming IN, not going OUT.

Once again, Apple called me under the same circumstances and it WAS legit.

starman · Nov 16, 2005, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

Well, I called and it is valid. He is a known employee and the Apple Enterprise Special Pricing is valid... he even connected me directly to my salesman.

Thank you effgee

*ahem*

Thought so

turtle777 · 12:47 PM

Apple (not ALL

) offers all kinds of rebate to different groups.
Even disabled veterans get special pricing, some of it better that edu prices.

-t

effgee · Nov 16, 2005, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by starman

*ahem*

KeriVit · Nov 16, 2005, 12:32 PM

Ok- Thank you Everyone positive and helpful, is that better?

effgee · Nov 16, 2005, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by turtle777

All offers all kinds of rebate to different groups. Even disabled veterans get special pricing, some of it better that edu prices.

"All offers all kinds of rebate all different groups. all disabled veterans all special pricing, all of it all better that all prices."

fixed™

Originally Posted by KeriVit

Ok- Thank you Everyone positive and helpful, is that better?

<WDLove>
tabThank you, dear KeriVit for being so polite and grateful. ::hug::
</WDLove>

analogika · Nov 16, 2005, 12:45 PM

Bunnies!

turtle777 · Nov 16, 2005, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by effgee

"All offers all kinds of rebate all different groups. all disabled veterans all special pricing, all of it all better that all prices."

fixed™

Duh.

I thought I wrote Apple instead of ALL. Silly me.

-t

effgee · Nov 16, 2005, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by analogika

Bunnies!

w00t!