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GoMemphis.com has a report on the (Germantown, TN). The computers were stolen in late April and were sold via eBay to unsuspecting consumers, according to the report.
Comments
These people did not do anything wrong. There was no hint that they might be buying stolen items -- I don't think the price was so outrageously low as to be suspicious. I don't buy big-ticket items on eBay on general principle, but I wouldn't be real worried until $1500 or less, roughly, depending on the auction itself.
Though I would be immediately suing the seller for recovery of my money, mental anguish, and mail fraud, I would think and hope that Apple would recognize that these people were honest consumers who wanted a good product and use a bit of goodwill (and those billions in the bank) to honestly sell the computers to the people in question at a price around what they paid originally, to even things out so to speak and to let them know that they are welcome -- what kind of "welcome to the Mac family" is it to call someone out of the blue and tell them that they can't have the computer they bought in good faith? An obviously dishonest purchase is one thing, but the people mentioned in the article seem like good everyday people.
You better believe that if I spent as much money as those guys did on a 'hot' item (assuming I didn't know it was hot), there would be h*** to pay.
If an officer called me and said I'd have to give it back without compensation... I'd say "Kiss my a**. You find the jerk who stole them in the first place and find out if he can reimburse me. If not, tough luck."
What are they going to do? Break and enter to recover my honestly purchased machine?
Seriously... what would they do if I refused to give it back willingly?
Simple. Then you would face charges of theft of property. That would be enough for the police to gte a search warrant, get thge merchandise/receipts out of your home and that would also give them the ultimate proof need before court to get you into jail for theft.
If they come and ask for the loot andyou don't give it to them, you're an idiot. Becomming a "criminal" with a criminal record, mug shot, etc. just because of 1700$ that maybe even Apple would help you out with is jut plain dumb.
Just think about the following situation:
Someone stole your computer and sells it to, say, John Doe.
The police manages to trace and catch the thief and gets back the computer from mr Doe.
Would you pay mr Doe because he didn't know the computer was stolen?
You can deduct losses due to theft (which this is, since someone stole the money from the buyers).
Oh, and I like how people feel Apple should reimburse them. If someone steals your car and sells it to someone else, and then the police find the car, are you going to feel sorry for those who bought it and buy them another one? Or repay them the money they bought it with?
What they should do is sue Microsoft! Its their predatory practices that probably made these people want to use a Mac in the first place, and so its their fault that they ultimately purchased stolen merchandise.
not. Who cares ? What's next on Macnn ? Steve Jobs's cat run over by reckless driver ?
So that's why the entire front window was out at the Apple Creek Store.
I think e-bay has to claim the responsibility. Don't they cover fraudulent deals?
They were basically fencing the items, right !?!
Makes me think about ever buying anything on e-bay. I hope they realize that and make amends.
eBay will never be resposible for anything but making money off people. They will give you a few cents back on the dollar if you get ripped off - but that is not because they take resposiblilty, it's a verbal BJ...
I know this because I was ripped off for $2500.00 for a TiBook on eBay by a company that was allowed to continue to sell on eBay even though they were under investigation.
I believe eBay is the world largest fence - there are no means for proving ownership, you can get "parts" there from "suppliers" for just about anything, and so long as eBay gets PAID, they will continue to support anything that happens on their system.
My case - well, one of the two perps was arrested, tried, convicted, and got 30 years probation and restitution on about $250,000.00 at $500.00 a month - I figure I might get my money back by the time I'm 90 with NO interest.
Buyer Beware - if you got ripped as part of this robbery diecussed here, make sure you let the police/courts know - that's the only way you'll get reimbursed, and it might take a while, as the hourly wage for license plates is probably not going to get you your money back quick-like.
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Joined: Jul 2001
Apple should help out.
Apple should give the poor buyers, who've just lost their shiny new computers, credits worth whatever they paid eBay, to use at their Apple stores. They'll still have to pay much more, obviously, than they did on eBay, but at least they won't have to bear the grunt of all this.