A good MAC supplier

[Moklet Kcuf]

you're not doing anyone any favours by advocating Core dealing directly with end users.

Not advocating, just pointing out that it's common business practice to buy wholesale. Unfortunately Core is the devils gate.

 

[VertigoZA]

Not advocating, just pointing out that it's common business practice to buy wholesale. Unfortunately Core is the devils gate.

If you're planning on reselling then yes, buy wholesale. But not for use as an end user just to get cheaper pricing?

its not fair to the resellers like DigiCape, Project 3 etc, who are offering the "Apple Experience" and the overheads that go with it, if you then go and bypass them by going to the supplier.

 

[Moklet Kcuf]

I said it was unethical, not illegal. Read.

I read, got your point.

 

[phiber]

thats cause Authorised resellers are restricted, by Core, as to what they can and cannot do with a machine regarding repairs. Its not the resellers fault that they couldn't help your mac mini. Their hands are tied.

But do whatever you want.. I'm just saying that if you do a little research around these forums you'll see you're not doing anyone any favours by advocating Core dealing directly with end users.

So they really aren't offering the "Mac Experience" that you refer to... If they make me shlep to the distributors for a repair (and not send it to them for me), then I might as well try buy from the distributors. It's a two way street, resellers want us to buy from them, then they should provide support, not tell us to go directly to Core. What the reseller is doing is UNETHICAL as well. They should really be willing to book it in for me, and not just be like heres core's number they are situated in this place, take your computer there!!

 

[Moklet Kcuf]

If you're planning on reselling then yes, buy wholesale. But not for use as an end user just to get cheaper pricing?

its not fair to the resellers like DigiCape, Project 3 etc, who are offering the "Apple Experience" and the overheads that go with it, if you then go and bypass them by going to the supplier.

My heart bleeds. Com' on dude. We as consumers or businesses dont owe any favours when it comes to 'shopping around'. There's nothing 'unethical' about saving a buck. Nor shunning a resellers margins when you can avoid it.

Besides, it's not just resellers who are soley entitled to buy wholesale, any registered business generally can, especially if buying bulk.

Besides Besides, Core probably is contractually unable to undercut their resellers anyway. So don't freak out just yet, our thread starter hasn't got his quote.

 

[VertigoZA]

Besides Besides, Core probably is contractually unable to undercut their resellers anyway. So don't freak out just yet, our thread starter hasn't got his quote.

It's called an iStore.

 

[syntax]

Also try MegaGraphics? Or CAB? Try to avoid Core AMAP!

Megagraphix.....did someone say SHardie? wait for the blatant disregard for anything this thread has to offer and hear about how Megagraphix has lowered its prices and you should check them out etc etc

I've also gone into a couple of MAC stores and had a chat with the guys about a few of my MAC problems and it's scary how little they know. All I expect from a supplier is to replace a broken device.

You prob went to a couple of i-stores...which are basically core employees, so ur talking to the distributor and alarmed at how little they know..i agree..

Tell u what, go to digicape in jozi, ask for some proper technical advice..try "dazzle" him with ur knowledge...lemme know when he loses u...

I got that core number because an authorised reseller couldn't fix my mac mini and told me to get the support I require I need to go to them. So I don't really care about getting support from resellers who can't actually support the product!

ur going to a moronic reseller then, any decent reseller can fix whatever core can and most likely get it done faster...

What irritates me is this bitching about how bad the apple experience is etc etc and then u support the very ppl who are making life difficult....
The prices you will get from the reseller will be equal to core. And if you are buying bulk they will organise a discount. Try think further than yourself and see the bigger picture here..

So they really aren't offering the "Mac Experience" that you refer to... If they make me shlep to the distributors for a repair (and not send it to them for me), then I might as well try buy from the distributors. It's a two way street, resellers want us to buy from them, then they should provide support, not tell us to go directly to Core. What the reseller is doing is UNETHICAL as well. They should really be willing to book it in for me, and not just be like heres core's number they are situated in this place, take your computer there!!

See above answer, which reseller was this? The only reason i can think of this is if core are being painful again with regards to parts and the reseller cant get the stock...

 

[VertigoZA]

My heart bleeds. Com' on dude. We as consumers or businesses dont owe any favours when it comes to 'shopping around'. There's nothing 'unethical' about saving a buck. Nor shunning a resellers margins when you can avoid it

This is the same mentality as the chop who thinks he's clever for saving time, by pushing into the queue.

It seems you don't understand distribution? Lets give you a little 101 crash course.

You have a distributor, who imports in bulk. They usually have a big warehouse and an office park. They usually have a few large clients who buy in bulk, and as such they are not really geared towards the retail environment. Distributors never have store fronts.

Next you have resellers, these are smaller companies, geared towards providing a better quality of service aimed at the average joe on the street. They have pretty stores, with demo stock that you can walk in off the street and play and touch and feel, and if you so chose, purchase.

This is called a distribution channel and it works really well, because the Distributor can focus on imports, and landing product at the minimum cost and the resellers focus on retail.

However, when the Distributor then decides to sell direct to the public, it screws with this system, and sooner or later, the resellers go out of business, they obviously can't compete with the disti pricing and as such cannot generate the sales needed to cover the overheads of providing YOU with a nice retail environment. This is also the case when people like you then run off and buy direct from the distributor.

So yes, shop around all you want, but among the RESELLERS, save a buck or 2 there, but don't destroy others retail experience just because you're a cheap bastard.

 

[Moklet Kcuf]

It's called an iStore.

I'd call that Forward Integration, but whatever

 

[Moklet Kcuf]

This is the same mentality as the chop who thinks he's clever for saving time, by pushing into the queue.

It seems you don't understand distribution? Lets give you a little 101 crash course.

You have a distributor, who imports in bulk. They usually have a big warehouse and an office park. They usually have a few large clients who buy in bulk, and as such they are not really geared towards the retail environment. Distributors never have store fronts.

Next you have resellers, these are smaller companies, geared towards providing a better quality of service aimed at the average joe on the street. They have pretty stores, with demo stock that you can walk in off the street and play and touch and feel, and if you so chose, purchase.

This is called a distribution channel and it works really well, because the Distributor can focus on imports, and landing product at the minimum cost and the resellers focus on retail.

However, when the Distributor then decides to sell direct to the public, it screws with this system, and sooner or later, the resellers go out of business, they obviously can't compete with the disti pricing and as such cannot generate the sales needed to cover the overheads of providing YOU with a nice retail environment. This is also the case when people like you then run off and buy direct from the distributor.

So yes, shop around all you want, but among the RESELLERS, save a buck or 2 there, but don't destroy others retail experience just because you're a cheap bastard.

dont cry

 

[VertigoZA]

I'd call that Forward Integration, but whatever

Clever boy. but forward integration doesn't work when you have an established reseller channel.

You, as the distributor would first need to get rid of the current resellers before... oh wait a second.

 

[Moklet Kcuf]

Clever boy. but forward integration doesn't work when you have an established reseller channel.

You, as the distributor would first need to get rid of the current resellers before... oh wait a second.

Core would certainly like that, and Mother Apple really needs to come here and sort it out before that happens

In the meantime, F*** the retail experience*, that's not my problem.

* this message was sent you from an imported Macbook Pro.

 

[phiber]

Core would like that. Mother Apple really needs to come here and sort it out , before that happens

In the meantime, F*** the retail experience*, that's not my problem.

* this message was sent you from an imported Macbook Pro.

I bought my macbook overseas as well. No way i was paying 20k for something that was selling there for abt 15k... Core exploit us and the resellers exploit us even more... I am over it!

Vertigo_ZA, you only buy from Retailers? You don't import?

 

[Amida]

I've decided to go both ways. SO I've contacted all the re-sellers I can find as well as register with Core. Would like to see what the price differences is.

 

[Moklet Kcuf]

I've decided to go both ways. SO I've contacted all the re-sellers I can find as well as register with Core. Would like to see what the price differences is.

good luck 2u and congrats reaching your 1000th post!

 

[Peder]

Clever boy. but forward integration doesn't work when you have an established reseller channel.

You, as the distributor would first need to get rid of the current resellers before... oh wait a second.

Dude question...

As far as i understand distributors don't like average joe soap to buy from them cause of people not understanding whats going on. Now i don't understand how its ethically incorrect to want to go straight to the supplier? are you REALLY expecting me to pay easily 50% more at a shop that has all nice demo's (which really irritates the crap out of me, which also i don't need cause i know EXACTLY what i want the moment i walk in the store)?

I am really trying to understand your point, so in the same breath you are saying we must NOT buy from esquire cause its ethically wrong?

 

[VertigoZA]

My beef is with Core.

so a) if you have the resources to import direct, and the balls to risk losing your warranty, then I whole heartedly encourage you to do so. (also, write to apple letting them know why you did so and why you refuse to support Core)

but b) if you decide to buy locally, then don't screw over the retailers. it's not their fault that Core are useless, they are handicapped in some many ways its appalling. Most of the guys who work at these resellers (Note: any apple guy worth their salt does not work in an iStore) are huge apple fans and are immensely knowledgeable. These are good people who deserve your money and your support.

So, If you buy directly from Core, Core make the same amount of money as they would had you bought it from a retailer/reseller plus they make the extra margin that would normally have gone to the retailer.

Please note: my argument revolves around Apple, Core and Retailers/resellers in SA; not retail and distribution in general.

 

[VertigoZA]

Put it this way:

I Love Apple. I love the Brand. I love the experience associated with walking into an Apple Store speaking to someone who shares my love for Apple.

Anywhere else in the world, I can have this experince simply by walking into an Apple Store. In South Africa, sadly, I cannot.

Now lets say I wanted to do something about that.. lets say I decided to take R10m of my hard earned cash, and invest it in a Store that meets my expectations of what an Apple experience should be like. How awesome would that be.. you know, don't bitch about it, actually do something about it.

..and I would do this in a heartbeat if I was guaranteed by the distributor (core) that my market would be protected from them trying to under cut me. and unfortunately this is not the case with the Core group. They cannot guarantee this. Slowly the resellers are dying off, and at some point were going to be left with Wet-Fish-iStores and an Apple distributor both oh whom are owned by the same company.

...and we all know what happens when one company has a monopoly on an industry.

 

[StbA]

To Amida, first of all where are you located? If in Joburg I suggest buying online from http://www.iclinic.co.za/
if in Cape Town I suggest buying from Digicape. http://www.digicape.co.za/
The Joburg support (from what I hear from my clients) of iClinic is very good and they have quite a lot of expierience
The Cape Town Digicape support is also very good, but then (I also offer support/conversion services in Cape Town. )