Update: Well, I took the MacBook back to the Tyson’s Apple store, and after a short chat with “Tim,” I was on my way back home with a replacement. Just got back, set it up, and it’s “good to go.” No dead pixels to be seen - yet! And no blemishes. I’m pleased! Thanks, “Tim!”
Yesterday was Black Friday, and I decided to take Apple up on their BF discount. Since I’d rather deal with a retail store than wait for my product to get shipped, my wife and I packed up our youngest and headed 2 hours to the Tyson’s Apple store.
Of course, I did my research online, noting that the online store would provide me a Federal Employee discount and the holiday discount. Figuring this would be the case in the B&M retail store, I chatted with one of the Apple reps. He said I could get either discount, but they could not be stacked. I asked a few more of the reps, and they provided the same answer. Why would the online store allow the stacked discounts, but not this store. Ugh!
Oh well. I was so set on getting the laptop and getting it now, I agreed to accept only one discount and picked up a black MacBook (I know the white is cheaper, but I like the look of the black and was willing to pay the premium).
Finally, it’s mine! I get home, plug it in and let it charge a bit. Then I crank it up. I fill in all the config info and up comes the pretty Leopard screen. Keep in mind, this is my first Mac. I gaze in wonder. And then horror. I have a dead pixel right in the center of the screen. Oh wait, I have another near the bottom. More Ugh!
Now what to do!? I decided to sleep on it. I did some research this morning, and it appears this is a common trend. Unfortunately, there is no clear guidance on what to do. I called the Apple retail store I purchased from, and they said there should be no problem exchanging it since it is within the 14 day return period. I just have to take it to the Genius Bar for them to check out.
This requires another 2 hour trip, so it will probably have to wait a day or two, but things are not working out as I had hoped.
Update: I spoke with an executive at Ooma and was finally offered the swap for free. The swap took place a few days later, and everything is hooked up and functioning. Now if only the sound quality would improve.
Just a rant…
I became an Ooma White Rabbit back in August/September. Since then, they have released their product to the public and provide landline and non-landline services. All of which cost the same to the customer.
I decided to do away with my landline, and would like to swap my Ooma service from the landline-based service to the non-landline-based.
After chatting with a few of the reps via online chat, it appears Ooma wants to charge White Rabbits (and only White Rabbits) a $149 fee to make the swap. I guess they forgot to mention this during the sign up process. Seems kind of shady to only charge such a fee to the White Rabbits. Sure would have been nice to know they were going to try to sneak a penny or two out of the Beta testers.
Now I’m stuck with a couple very pretty white boxes (Hub and Scout) that will be useless.
If you’re like me, you have a few opitical mice laying around. Used, battered, and collecting dust. Now you can put them to use. Check out this trick to convert an optical mouse to a scanner.
**linkage
