Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!giza.cis.ohio-state.edu!francis
From: francis@giza.cis.ohio-state.edu (RD Francis)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: Re: Predatory Pricing Practices
Message-ID: <83585@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu>
Date: 13 Sep 90 15:24:48 GMT
References: <6441@adobe.UUCP>
Sender: news@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu
Distribution: usa
Organization: Ohio State Computer Science
Lines: 30

In article <6441@adobe.UUCP> lemery@adobe.COM () writes:
[Poster discovered power supply was dead, got confirmation from
non-Apple dealer]

>I took it to Computer One which is an authorized Apple repair center.
>$279 EXCHANGE!! and minimum charge of 1 hour at $55.
>$279 EXCHANGE. Just because you have someone by the balls, 
>you don't have to squeeze.
>
>Sell me the power supply and let me install it. Not on your life.
>Got to have that hour of service time. 

Yeah, that sounds about right.  Here's the deal.  Apple Authorized
repair center are "authorized" to do one thing -- swap chunks.  In
fact, I am under the impression that, if an Apple authorized shop were
to open up your mac, open up the power supply, and actually fix the
power supply, they would lose their authorization if Apple found out.

There are some places that are capable of actually fixing the problem
with your power supply, analog board, or whatever; please note that,
by having your Macintosh repaired in such a way, you are voiding your
warranty (if it's still valid).  Local shop I know of charges 10%
under the swap price you'd get at an Apple shop (covers their cost for
those occasions where the chunk is truly toasted, and a swap is the
appropriate step, I understand).

As far as a $55 bench fee (minimum charge for one hour, right), sounds
in line with what I've seen.
--
R David Francis   francis@cis.ohio-state.edu