[G4] OT: Unusual Apple sales policy.

[H F]

Seems like a policy made to be circumvented. If smalldog "buys" the 
computer, they can resell it as used and at a lower price.



From: John Erdman <jperdman at earthlink.net>

>Can anybody explain this weird Apple distributor policy?
>
>I'm about ready to order a new G5 to replace my now-creaky Sawtooth.
>And I've been shopping around.
>	At Smalldog, a company that I like to deal with, I learned that as
>an authorized Apple dealer they cannot sell *new* Apple equipment
>over the Web unless the prospective purchaser is a returning
>Smalldog customer. Apparently, they can sell used or refurbished
>equipment to anybody. Just not new current Apple products. The sales
>person I was dealing with couldn't really explain what the purpose
>of this limitation is. All she could say was that they didn't like
>the restriction either  at Smalldog because it interfered with first
>time sales, but that it was part of their distribution agreement
>with Apple.  It also apparently applies only to web sales. Anybody
>walking in off the street can purchase any Apple product, but not
>the web customer.
>
>To me this policy a rather bizarre and would tend to be a barrier to
>sales. Can anybody here suggest a logical reason as to why such a
>policy would exist?
>
>If you want to see for yourself, go to www.smalldog.com look for one
>of the specials that requires Top Dog status and follow the links to
>the "Top Dog Club" to see what I'm talking about.
>
>
>Thanks,
>John