apple-computers.us is a scam (?)
Update (6/21/05): someone actually tried to purchase a Powerbook from this outfit; here is his story which seems to confirm that it is a scam as expected.
My cousin Rachel· pointed me to www.apple-computers.us·, which appears to offer “rock bottom” prices on Apple laptops and desktops. The thing is, it’s pretty hard to find much variation in Apple prices—I think Apple keeps a pretty tight lid on new Apples, and last time I looked there wasn’t more than a 5% variation in top and bottom prices for the same new machine.
Which leads me to suspect that “apple-computers.us” is a scam. Interestingly, a google search on the domain comes up with nothing relevant at all. The whois record is funny (in the odd sort of way): a California mailing address, but a Ukrainian email address and phone number. Not to be xenophobic, but my recent experience is that anything coming from a former Soviet Republic and relating to Internet commerce is…. sketchy.
It’s also worth noting that the domain name was just registered this month, and appropriates much of the look of the official Apple website.
I thus must reluctantly conclude that apple-computers.us is a scam, unless anyone can present evidence to the contrary. Hopefully, this blog entry can serve as a tip-off to future searchers.
In any case, could you ever really trust a company with this as their emblem?
I suspect it will now be less than a week before Apple files a UDRP complaint, or perhaps something more aggressive.
Update: the site seems to have changed its prices from dollars to euros, which makes them slightly more reasonable. Still not sure if it’s legit, though.
Steve Kemp Jan 28
Look at the title on the front page too: ‘grafics’??
I’d agree it looks highly suspect.
Steve
—
Scott Jan 28
I’ve seen this picture on the internet several times on various anime and Mac fanboy sites. The dude who created it is pretty protective of his stuff if I remember right, but I think he finally gave up on trying to get people to quit stealing it.
But, yeah. The company definitely doesn’t look legit. After all, they’re using stolen artwork.
Jan Jan 28
If anyone’s interested, this is the original site of the artist:
http://www.toyboxarts.com/gallery/extra/mbabes-iCandy1/mbabes.html
Rachel Jan 28
Hey Adam, thanks for doing the research on this site, one of the things that tipped me off is that they claim to be an authorized Apple reseller, but according to Apple, they aren’t. I was also confused by the lack of google hits for apple-computers.us. The other confusing bit is that they are linked to a reputable United Kingdom computer reseller/leaser. The whole thing is very confusing and definately sketchy. Well, hopefully, your report will turn people away and save them from being ripped off.
aznshizznit@hotmail.com Jan 28
i have done western union before. he is only asking for mtcn number. he still needs amt and name to receive money.
Bruce Jan 28
I just got there unsolisited email also and became suspicious. I do not know how they got my email and I could not google them. Besides anything Ukraine gets my fraud alarm going.
dan Jan 28
Ok after much fan fair, i was finally able to get through to a very uncooperative apple. they have no record of a “smart computers company” when i offered to give them the website they lady said we don’t care, we have people who do this and don’t require assistance… least she could have done was tell me she would forward it! on top of that when i called the online store to try to verify the site the first time the guy was willing to cut prices right there… so if you want to get a better than educational discount, thats how you do it just be like iam sketched about this site but want to use it cause its cheaper than apple.com just goes to show you what a “great” they treat their resellers when they are willing to undercut them. so in conclusion… don’t use the www, don’t bother trying to tell apple, they don’t care, and finally iam just going to buy an ibm that does more, runs faster, weights less, costs less, has a better battery, and has their own chip making facilities. hope the info helps (if you want to verify any authorized dealer just call corporate headquarters 408.996.1010)
UG Jan 28
Good sleuthing, NA. What is a UDRP complaint?
Anonymous Jan 28
I just purchased a Powerbook online
Dude Jan 28
Did anyone else notice that “Craig” never actually claimed to be an authorized dealer. The link says, “authorized dealer,” and then the link takes you to an authorized dealer.
crmdem Jan 28
did you ever notice that the guy’s name is Craig when you respond to him from Craigslist? just a little too fishy of a coincidence. I responded to 2 different postings on Craigslist and had just asked questions to his first email and he didn’t even recognize the name, just sent me the same email twice–fishy
James D Jan 28
This is a TOTAL scam. Any Powerbook purchase involving an international Western Union transaction should be considered suspect. I was contacted by “www.apple-computers.us” after checking into a Craigslist posting.
edward Jan 28
yea…this sure looks funny and phony…notice the sentence structure used such as “thanks in advance…”…this sure aint american english dude
ask627 Jan 28
This is part of Craig Williams’ email back to me about my inquiry for this product:
To get a sale price* payment would have to be made
with a bank wire under our master corporate account
of one of our US offices.
Cash pickup is only available in Tallahasse, FL at the moment
as it is the only state currently where we do have local store
locations besides offices.
Kind regards,
Craig
*We also accept all major payment methods but up to
40% tax may be applied.
Thoughts?
Sherman Jan 28
Found it on Craigslist Los Angeles > Got the email from “Craig” > Looked at the site and came to the conclusion that NO ONE would get away with calling themselves “APPLE COMPUTER” >Notified Apple by email (investors relations) > Immediate response > they are taking care of it. Hence, as always: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is not true…
Sherman Jan 28
Found it on Craigslist Los Angeles > Got the email from “Craig” > Looked at the site and came to the conclusion that NO ONE would get away with calling themselves “APPLE COMPUTER” >Notified Apple by email (investors relations) > Immediate response > they are taking care of it. Hence, as always: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is not true…
viper Jan 28
Found the scam on Craigslist for Washington DC. Craig Williams again, now apparently operating out of 6201 Old Dobbin Lane, Columbia MD. I wish Powerbooks with 2GB Ram were 1500$ but it’s too good to be true.
gremlin Jan 28
Here is a judgement over the use of the apple-computers.us domain:
http://www.arb-forum.com/domains/decisions/535416.htm
Adam Rosi-Kessel Jan 28
Interesting–it appears that the domain name has been ordered transferred, but at this point it’s still apparently the scam site.
Slacker Jan 28
They’re back online:
http://www.apple-deals.us
Wildstar Jan 28
After extensive research, these guys are trying pretty hard to scam people. I e-mailed them off of Craigslist and they came back with multiple “spam” e-mails promising me this and that. The name the sales manager is using is a Michael Rusk (I’m assuming fake). I haven’t called called the number he gave me for corporate but maybe I should to ask them how much money they scammed today ?
Steven Jan 28
Apple-computers.us, as well as the later reincarnation applecomputers.us, does exactly the same as what MacFanaticShop and several other such “shops” did. Read all about this long-running scam at:
http://www.bustspammers.com/macfanaticshop-fraud/
It also has been discussed in length at MacRumors:
forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=41856
In short, they lure you in with low prices, make you pay by wire transfer and never send the products!
Steven Jan 28
Trying to make the links above clickable:
About Apple / Mac scams: bustspammers.com/macfanaticshop-fraud
The MacRumors thread: forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=41856
trever May 13
I was scammed by the so called ” Craig ” $2,500 dollars and never heard a word back. Contacted the police and they didnt do jack shit about it. STAY AWAY.
Krishna Jun 24
what is the purpose of lunching the website ………..may i know about your thought so that i can work out in similar bussiness like yours.
Lou Jie Jun 26
Well then this could serve as a fair warning to all that we shouldn’t be too trusting, especially if it involves money transactions. Aiming for cheaper acquisition is natural, but it won’t hurt if we get a bit suspicious of things being offered at much lower costs than normal. Sort of too-good-to-be-true stuffs.
Marie Adviento Jun 27
I don’t know much about scam sites but this blog will help many people especially to those planning to buy computers online.